Waiting for India to come to Pakistan and play a series: Shahid Afridi

T20 World Cup-winning former Pakistan all-rounder Shahid Afridi said he is looking forward to seeing India tour Pakistan for a bilateral cricket series.

HIGHLIGHTS

• India and Pakistan have not played bilateral cricket since 2012
• The Asia Cup should be held with both India and Pakistan in it: Afridi
• Asia Cup will be held ahead of T20 World Cup this year

Former Pakistan all-rounder Shahid Afridi has said it's high time India and Pakistan sit and discuss their strained bilateral cricket ties without the need for a third party.

Shahid Afridi said Pakistan has proved that the security situation in the country is good by hosting Pakistan Super League (PSL) matches in the country. The star all-rounder said he is waiting to see India tour Pakistan for a series in the near future.

India and Pakistan have not played bilateral cricket series since 2012. Despite meeting in ICC tournaments, India have not toured Pakistan for a series since 2008.

India had hosted Pakistan in the 2016 T20 World Cup but they had to host the 2018 Asia Cup in the UAE.

"The whole of PSL being held in Pakistan is a good message for all countries, as also Bangladesh touring and playing even Test cricket, shows that our security situation is good. I am waiting for India to come to Pakistan and play a series," Shahid Afridi was quoted as saying by Gulf News.

Meanwhile, Shahid Afridi also said India and Pakistan should both be part of Asia Cup 2020 regardless of where the tournament is held.

The hosting rights for Asia Cup 2020 is with Pakistan and it is unlikely that India will be willing to play their matches in Pakistan.

"The Asia Cup should be held with both India and Pakistan in it. It's time Pakistan and India sat together and sorted out their problems without involving any third country," Afridi said.

"They have many issues and once they sit together, it can be sorted but Asia Cup held anywhere should have India and Pakistan playing in the event."

Only recently, IANS news agency quoted a BCCI source saying "there is no way that an Indian team can visit Pakistan to even participate in a multi-nation event like the Asia Cup" while stressing on the need for a neutral venue.

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chief executive officer, Wasim Khan maintained that the Asian Cricket Council will take a final call about the venue for Asia Cup 2020 to be held in September.