Shoaib Akhtar urges Sachin Tendulkar to hold Cricket All-Stars series in Pakistan
Former Pakistan speedster Shoaib Akhtar has urged Indian batting legend Sachin Tendulkar to hold the Cricket All-Stars extravaganza sometime in the future in Pakistan, IBNLive reports.
Playing under the captaincy of Tendulkar for Sachin’s Blasters in the inaugural edition being held in the United States of America, Akhtar claimed that the Little Master has responded in kind to his proposal.
Akhtar was involved in a number of memorable battles for Pakistan against India, especially against the likes of Tendulkar and Virender Sehwag but playing together for the same team has presented Akhtar with an opportunity to form strong bonds with the duo.
Sehwag had earlier posted a video on his official Facebook page seated alongside Akhtar, with the latter claiming that their previous enmity has been transformed into a friendship thanks to the Cricket All-Stars.
“Hello, it’s me, Shoaib Akhtar. Look what amazing stuff happens in the world. Someone who has been a big enemy of mine in the past is one of my closest friends currently. Guess who?”, Akhtar said, before moving the camera to reveal Sehwag who responded in kind.
Akhtar has been forming a close bond with Sehwag’s opening partner Tendulkar as well.
"I am playing from Sachin's team and we are enjoying each other's company and getting to know each other better,” Akhtar said before going on to reveal that he has held a chat with Tendulkar about the possibility of holding some of the future editions of the event in his home country.
"I have had a word with Sachin (Tendulkar) on the possibility of the all-stars series in Pakistan one day. Sachin was happy and expressed willingness to materialise this idea," he said.
Pakistan are currently playing their ‘home’ matches in the United Arab Emirates as major cricketing nations are refusing to play in Pakistan due to security concerns ever since the visiting Sri Lankan team were targetted by terrorists way back in 2009.
Though Zimbabwe played a short series recently in the Asian nation, a suicide attack near the Gaddafi Stadium while the 2nd ODI was being played has cast further doubts on the suitability on Pakistan holding international cricket matches in the near future.
Pakistan are scheduled to play India in a bilateral series in December in the UAE, but with the prospects of the series going ahead as planned grim due to political tension between the two nations, Akhtar expressed his disappointment at the present stalemate in talks.
"It is now time for both countries to play against each other more regularly and engage in sporting activities. It's about time that Pakistan and India should move forward and play cricket against each other, it will help in bridging the gap between the neighbours," Akhtar said.