Dubai: Wasim Bari, who featured in the first revival series involving India and Pakistan, back in the 1978-'79 season, is hopeful about an early resumption of bilateral cricket between the neighbours.
Bari, a former stand-in captain and inarguably Pakistan's finest 'keeper, is now Pakistan's manager.
That 1978-'79 series (Tests and ODIs), by the way, ended almost 18 years of no cricket between India and Pakistan.
Speaking to The Telegraph at the distinctly upmarket Conrad, in the lead-up to the first-ever D/N Test in Asia, Bari said: "There's only one way forward... India and Pakistan just have to behave like good neighbours...
"If we want prosperity in the region, then India and Pakistan need to have good relations between themselves...
"It cannot be otherwise...
"Among other things, cricket is suffering. However, I'm hopeful about yet another revival because, generally, the two Boards and the cricketers have shared an excellent relationship."
Bari, 68, added: "It's because of certain happenings that relations have soured at the political level, but the awaam on both sides wants good relations...
"I do, of course, realise that the respective governments need to give the clearance, but I'm not a negative person. I'm confident that the only way forward would, indeed, be embraced by both India and Pakistan...
"Better sense has to prevail...
"As a starting point, some time in the near future, India and Pakistan could play a bilateral series on neutral ground... Even T20Is would do."
Bari signed off saying: "If former cricketers have to take the lead in pushing for a quick revival, then we already have a captain in Imran Khan!"
India and Pakistan haven't featured in a Test for close to nine years, while the last bilateral T20I and ODI series was in December 2012-January 2013.
Meanwhile, Pakistan's coach Mickey Arthur, interacting exclusively, stated: "I'd love Pakistan to play India bilaterally, for it would be a marquee clash...
"However, as I'm not very familiar with the history part, I'd rather not tread on unfamiliar territory."
India and Pakistan have been playing against each other in the International Cricket Council-hosted competitions, but if the relations between New Delhi and Islamabad worsen, then there may be a question mark over such face-offs as well.
