Karachi: Former captains Imran Khan and Javed Miandad, on Monday, differed in their views about resumption of cricketing ties between India and Pakistan.

While Imran said that the Indo-Pak bilateral cricket series should happen despite the prevailing political and diplomatic tensions between the two countries, Miandad believes that the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) should tread carefully while dealing with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).

The proposed series, in December and early January, is expected to have limited overs matches. The respective Boards have decided on Sri Lanka as the neutral venue for the series and the PCB has also managed to get the go ahead from the Pakistan government. But the Indian government is yet to give the green light to the BCCI.

"Bilateral cricket ties will benefit both the countries... Because playing against each other helps groom the players to handle the pressure situations well," Imran said.

"It is especially important for the younger generation of players in both countries to get a chance to play against each other regularly as it will help them in their development," he said.

Imran stressed that political tensions should not be brought into cricket. "Both the countries need to keep sports away from politics. An India-Pakistan match is always a big spectacle in world cricket," said the cricketer-turned-politician.

Miandad, while speaking on the same subject, said: "I would advise them (PCB) to be very careful as the Indian Board can't be trusted to keep their commitments.

Interestingly, Miandad's comments came after India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Pakistan counterpart Nawaz Sharif shook hands and had a brief chat on the sidelines of the global climate summit in Paris.

"I would advice PCB to not rush into things and start having high hopes of financial gains from the India series. The BCCI has been constantly changing its stance and it appears they are finding excuses of not playing us despite their commitment in the MoU signed between the two Boards," Miandad said.

"I wouldn't be surprised if they back out again from playing us even in Sri Lanka." Miandad believes that the BCCI is now delaying matters giving the excuse of government clearance. "Our government has given its clearance, so what is stopping them from getting the required permission?" he questioned.

(AGENCIES)