"I think India should reconsider their stance on playing Pakistan. They should give thought to playing at a neutral venue to break the ice," he said after meeting Pakistani cricket officials in Lahore.

Statements at the weekend referred to him being agreeable to neutral territory in return for Pakistan playing its 2004 series with India also on neutral ground.

India are due to tour Pakistan for three Tests and the same number of one-day internationals in April-May 2003.

Gray said: "Sport, cricket in particular, is a great tool for people to see reason and to come together."

The Indian government has not allowed its cricket team to play Pakistan since April 2000.

Musharraf told Gray on Thursday he was willing to give a security guarantee to any touring side, but he has yet to convince teams to return to Pakistan, hit by a spate of violent attacks on Western and Christian targets this year.