Misbah hopes bilateral ties with India will resume soon

LAHORE — Pakistan captain Misbahul Haq hopes bilateral cricketing ties with India will resume despite the chief of the neighboring board ruling out the possibility in the near future after the recent attack on an army camp in Kashmir. In a latest setback to relations, Indian Cricket Board President Anurag Thakur last week ruled out the possibility of reviving ties with Pakistan, saying even considering such a thought in the current situation was not appropriate. His statement followed the Sept. 18 attack on an Indian army camp in Kashmir, which New Delhi blamed on Pakistan. The attack claimed the lives of 18 Indian soldiers in the biggest blow to security forces in the disputed Himalayan region for 14 years. Bilateral cricketing ties between the neighboring countries were suspended after gunmen killed 166 people in Mumbai in 2008, an attack which India blames on a group based in Pakistan. The nuclear-powered South Asian countries, who have fought three wars since their 1947 independence, have played each other in International Cricket Council events like the World Cups. "Pakistan is always ready to play India but what can we do if they do not want to play," Misbah said. "If India can play against Pakistan in ICC events then why not in bilateral series." Pakistani cricketers played in the inaugural edition of the cash-rich Indian Premier League Twenty20 tournament in 2008, but have been denied permission since due to tensions between the rivals following the Mumbai attacks. Pakistan, top of the world Test rankings, and India last played a three-Test series at end 2007, which host India won 1-0. India defeated Pakistan in a Super 10 stage match of the World Twenty20 in Kolkata this year. Worrall to get Australian ODI debut Australia fast bowler Daniel Worrall will make his One-Day International debut in Tuesday's one-off match against Ireland at Willowmore Park in Benoni, South Africa, captain Steve Smith said Monday. "He has worked very hard and he's improved a lot over the last couple of years. I think he's got a lot stronger and bowling with good pace and good shape," Smith told a news conference. "This series will be a good challenge for him, with Ireland tomorrow and then South Africa in their conditions." Worrall is one of three uncapped fast bowlers Australia have included in a 14-man squad for the warm-up game against the Irish and then a five-match ODI series against South Africa, starting Friday. Joe Mennie and Chris Tremain are the other two. "All the new quicks that are here have come a long way in the last couple of years, they've really improved and put their names up. It's a good opportunity to see how they do under pressure against a good South African batting line-up," added Smith. — Agencies