Inzamam keen for India to tour

Inzamam-ul-Haq believes India have a duty to support their cricketing neighbours

Former Pakistan captain Inzamam-ul Haq has urged India not to snap cricketing ties with Islamabad.

India are scheduled to travel to Pakistan early next year for a full tour, but the series is in doubt following the Mumbai terrorist attacks.

Last week, India's sports minister MS Gill categorically stated India should not travel to Pakistan and the International Cricket Council refused to intervene saying it could not force teams to tour Pakistan.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India is awaiting a reply from the government of India asking for permission to tour.

BCCI officials say they would abide by the decision the government takes.

Inzamam, however, believes India should tour as it would bolster deteriorating political and diplomatic ties between the two neighbouring countries.

"Cricket has always served as a good tool to soothe tensions between the two countries in the past," Inzamam said. "By not touring, India will not serve any purpose.

"If anything cricket will help keep relations on an even keel and prevent things from getting out of hand.”

Inzamam, who was banned by the Pakistan Cricket Board, said India's decision to tour would be crucial to other teams touring Pakistan.

"If India decides not to play in Pakistan; it would be a big setback for cricket in the subcontinent," he said.

"When these two neighbouring countries can't play against each other then why should we expect other teams to come and play in the subcontinent.

"That is why I feel England took the right decision to return to India.

"When England can accept assurances from India and return why not the same approach for Pakistan?".

Pakistan have not played a Test this year with teams cancelling scheduled tours due to security concerns.

Inzamam said the PCB was to blame for the mess.

"It is strange that we did not have any other Test matches scheduled in the FTP this year apart from the Australia series which was cancelled," he said.

"Bangladesh is playing more international cricket than we are doing. Our administrators need to rectify this.”