Sport - World Cup

Demand for more Indo-Pak matches

Pretoria March 3. With the India-Pakistan clash living up to its billing at the Centurion Park on Saturday, the clamouring for resumption of cricketing ties between the two neighbouring countries is steadily becoming louder.

``The people of India and Pakistan want the two teams to have a go at each other more often,'' said former Pakistan captain Rameez Raja, now a television commentator.

``What a joy it would be to watch Shoaib Akhtar and Sachin Tendulkar have a go at each other,'' he said.

But Indian skipper Sourav Ganguly was not sure if resumption of cricket ties between the two countries would mean more interest in cricket in general.

``I am not too sure if regular cricket between the two teams automatically means a build-up in interest. It may or may not happen,'' he said.

But Ganguly just needs to go back in time and get a feel of the atmosphere at Centurion Park on the day of the titanic clash.

Everybody present during the match would carry the memory for the rest of his life.

The game had everything — electrifying cricket, tremendous buzz in the stands and organisational skills which received thumbs up from all quarters.

India and Pakistan have not exchanged visits since 1998-1999 when Pakistan toured India.

The last time the two met before Saturday's clash was in the Asia Cup in Dhaka in June 2000.

Sachin Tendulkar has played only seven Tests in his 105-Test career against the arch-rivals in last 14 years.

Among his 309 one-day matches, only 44 have been played against Pakistan. — PTI

© Copyright 2000 - 2009 The Hindu