Inzamam-ul-Haq believes India-Pakistan rivalry is better than the Ashes

Former Pakistan Captain Inzamam-ul-Haq believes that the rivalry between India and Pakistan is more exciting and far bigger than the Ashes because of the huge number of people who come to cheer.

India-Pakistan contests better than Ashes

“India-Pakistan contests are better than Ashes. The crowd following was immense and there were great players who competed for their countries,” said Inzamam at the Salaam Cricket Conclave held at Hotel Maurya in New Delhi.

The former India skipper Sourav Ganguly too was present at the conclave. Both the legends walked down memory lane to reminisce about some of the amiable moments of their rivalry.

While Ganguly revealed that he used to ask Inzamam to bring bats for him, Inzamam recalled how Ganguly would send food to the Pakistan team in Kolkata. The two great men, fierce competitors on the field, shared a great rapport off it during their playing days.

Ganguly who led India on a historic tour of Pakistan in 2004, said it was one of the best tours of his cricket career. India toured Pakistan after a long gap of 15 years and that surely was a series to remember for all the cricket fans.

International teams have not toured Pakistan since the barbaric attack on the Sri Lankan team bus in 2009. Bilateral ties between the two nations have also taken a backseat since the 2008 terror attacks in Mumbai.

Pakistan did tour India for a short limited-overs tour in 2012 but since then the situation has been in jeopardy.

However, both the legends have voiced their support towards a resumption of India-Pakistan bilateral series.

Cricketing series between India and Pakistan should happen

“Cricketing series between India and Pakistan should happen. It will be good for cricketing ties between the two nations and it will also help to normalize relations between the two nations. People of both countries want cricket should happen between the two teams, they love the players and love to watch the match. Therefore, the matches should happen," Inzamam said.

Ganguly said it was always an enjoyable experience to play against the archrivals since they had one of the strongest teams in world cricket at that time.

He also said that it was a great learning experience for all the batsmen as some of the pitches were difficult and Pakistan team possessed a lethal bowling attack.

It was truly a delightful experience for all the fans across the border to get to know about so many unheard stories from the greats. The anecdotes were truly a sign that both the teams enjoyed great camaraderie off the field and enjoyed fierce rivalry on it.