Sarfaraz Ahmed, the former Pakistan skipper who famously led his team to ICC Champions Trophy in 2017, was a much sought-after man during the big game at the Dubai International Stadium on Sunday. One of the ICC ambassadors of the event along with Shikhar Dhawan, Sarfaraz said it’s high on his wish list to see India and Pakistan play bilateral cricket again.

‘’Bilateral series toh hona chahiye cricket ke liye (there should be bilateral series between India and Pakistan for cricket's sake). I remember enjoying the 2004 series as a youngster - the game needs it,’’ said Sarfaraz, an effervescent keeper-batter. Strained political relations between the two neighbours have stopped bilateral cricket since 2013, while it’s still fresh in memory as to how India’s refusal to travel to Pakistan had almost threatened to jeopardise the ongoing Champions Trophy.

Speaking to a selected media gathering on the sidelines of the Indo-Pak contest, Sarfraz gave a big thumbs-up to the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for the kind of work done to improve infra-structure for the marquee ODI tournament in Lahore, Karachi and Rawalpindi.

‘’The facelift done for the three venues has been really worthwhile. Most of the big names of world cricket, including Steve Smith and Kane Williamson, have all come to Pakistan and we want India to change their minds and come to Pakistan once,’’ he said.

Replying to a query on the future of the Big Two of Indian cricket, the Karachiite came out strongly in support of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. ‘’India should not think of removing them from their plans but rather build the team around them. The things they have done for Indian cricket is simply unbelievable,’’ the 37-year-old said.

Much like the global cricketing community, Sarfaraz is also in awe of Jasprit Bumrah – out of this tournament due to a back injury but was present at the venue as a visitor. Asked whether India would missing him in this campaign, he said: ‘’He is the number one bowler in the world and of course, he will be missed. Look at the way he came back from injury during the 2023 World Cup and then again bounced back against us in the T20 World Cup last year. Cricket has not seen a bowler like him.’’

More Indian fans

As all roads led to the stadium this afternoon, it seemed that the Blue Army were in clear majority compared to their Pakistan counterparts. There was a huge tailback of traffic as the cars inched their way to the Dubai Sports City to soak in the match – the last time India and Pakistan having played here was in a group league game in the 2021 T20 World Cup which India lost.

Interestingly, PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi has decided to sell off the 30-seater VIP Box allotted to them for around 400,000 dirhams (Rs 94 lakh approx.) as he wanted the funds to go to the coffers of his board. Reports in the Pakistan media said that Naqvi, who is also their Interior Minister, has decided to watch the match from the stands with his family.