Former off-spinner Saeed Ajmal has suggested that cricket matches between Pakistan and India should be held on their respective territories, citing the fact that there is much butter between the two nations. The last time Pakistan toured India was in 2012/13 for just three T20I and same number of one-day games. India last played in Pakistan in 2008 when the Asia Cup was hosted there. Since 2007, there have been no test series between these two cricketing nations. The low-level diplomatic relationship between the two countries means they only meet at world cups or championships.
“Even if an India versus Pakistan match were played on the moon, it would still be big,” said Ajmal during the launch of GloFans High School Cricket Cup which is going to happen next month in Sharjah and Ajman.
Ajmal played for Pakistan between 2008 and 2015, taking 178 wickets in 35 Tests. He also took 184 wickets from 113 ODIs while picking 85 scalps from 64 T20Is apart from batting to ensure survival of Test cricket, whose future has been endangered by T20 leagues. “It is essential to support long form (Test) cricket. Those who play the longest format are able to play any other format.”
Ajmal was lavish with his praises for star batters of our time. “I’m a big fan of Virat Kohli, Joe Root, Babar Azam and Rohit Sharma; they’re all such fine players.” He also complimented Jasprit Bumrah who was top bowler during India’s victory at the 2024 Men’s T20 World Cup. In his words: “Bumrah is a very clever bowler; you need intelligence when bowling fast.”
