Saeed Ajmal demands resumption of India-Pakistan bilateral series ahead of Champions Trophy

Former Pakistan National Cricket Team spinner Saeed Ajmal has called for the resumption of the bilateral series between India and Pakistan ahead of the Champions Trophy 2025.

The Men In Blue and the Men In Green do not play against each other in bilateral series and only lock horns in the International Cricket Council (ICC) events such as the ICC Cricket World Cup, ICC T20 World Cup, and ICC Champions Trophy, as well as the Asian Cricket Council's Asia Cup.

Pakistan last toured India in 2012-13 for a white-ball series, and India last visited Pakistan for the Asia Cup in 2008. However, the last time India visited Pakistan for a bilateral series was in 2005-2006. During that tour, India played three Test matches and five One Day Internationals, winning the ODI series 4-1, while the Test series ended in a 1-1 draw.

Since then, India and Pakistan haven't faced each other in bilateral series due to political tensions as well as the poor relationships between the two countries.

Meanwhile, the former Pakistan spinner Saeed Ajmal has said that the India-Pakistan rivalry is the most intense one in the cricket world and these two teams should visit each other's countries for the bilateral series.

"Even if the India versus Pakistan match happens on the moon, it will be huge. There is a lot of love between India and Pakistan, and we must go to each other's countries," said Ajmal on the sidelines of the GloFans High School Cricket Cup launch, as quoted by IANS.

Saeed Ajmal's statement comes ahead of the ICC Champions Trophy, which will be hosted by Pakistan in February-March. There are question marks over India traveling to Pakistan, and there are high chances of the Men In Blue playing their matches at a neutral venue.

Saeed Ajmal also called for the promotion of Test cricket amid its downfall due to the emergence of franchise cricket across the globe. He said:

"There is a need to promote long format (Test) cricket. The ones who play the longest format can play any other format."

I like Virat Kohli, Joe Root, Babar Azam, and Rohit Sharma - Saeed Ajmal

Saeed Ajmal went on to shower praise on the likes of Virat Kohli, Jasprit Bumrah, Joe Root, Babar Azam and Rohit Sharma. He stated:

"I like Virat Kohli, Joe Root, Babar Azam, and Rohit Sharma, they are good players. Bumrah is very intelligent bowler and intelligence is required with speed."

Recently, Saeed Ajmal also spoke about the God of Cricket Sachin Tendulkar. Ajmal said that the Indian great is the most honest cricketer he has ever seen and added that he is worthy of the title 'Sir'.

"Sachin is a great cricketer. The most honest and kind in the world. He is a legend. I call him Sir. He is worthy of that. In cricket, when you go to the ground, there is nothing like Sir, but I have played with him in it, it is a matter of honour for me. I have got him out, it is a matter of happiness for me. I will always remember this and whenever I played with him, I played as a human with respect," Ajmal said.

Meanwhile, Ajmal played 35 Tests, 113 ODIs, and 64 T20Is for the Pakistan National Cricket Team and picked up 178, 184 and 85 wickets, respectively.