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ACC urges India to tour Pakistan

December 05, 2008 10:20 IST

The Asian Cricket Council (ACC) has urged India to go ahead with its tour of Pakistan next year, saying that canceling the series would be disastrous for the game in the sub-continent.

The ACC, which met in Colombo on Thursday, also scrapped the Asian Test Championship claiming that it was a loss-making exercise.

ACC chief executive Syed Ashraful Haque said the council wants to see India touring Pakistan but admitted that it can't get involved in the issue as it was a matter between the two governments.

"The uncertainty surrounding India's tour to Pakistan is a matter of great concern for ACC," Haque told 'Geo News'.

"But the ACC is helpless as matter is not in hands of cricket boards; it is to be decided by both governments. As far as we know, both boards are willing to play the series," Haque said.

He said security situation was same everywhere in the world and political policies should not be allowed to spoil the game.

"The India and Pakistan series is awaited by everyone not only in the subcontinent but everyone who likes to watch the game of cricket," he said.

The ACC is holding its finance and development committee meeting today in which the Pakistan Cricket Board Chairman Ejaz Butt will be elected President.

Although the Pakistan and Indian cricket chiefs are in Colombo for the meeting but Butt has said due to prevailing political tensions between the two countries no talks on the Indian team's tour have been scheduled and these would be held in Chennai on December 12 when he goes there.

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