India, Pakistan must talk to revive cricket: Gavaskar

Former batting great Sunil Gavaskar believes New Delhi and Islamabad must start a dialogue to pave the way for the revival of regular matches between India and Pakistan.
Pakistan Cricket Board is awaiting a response from their counterparts -- Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) -- for a proposed series in December-January to be played in United Arab Emirates.
The series is one of six agreed between the PCB and BCCI under a Memorandum of Understanding signed last year, all subject to clearance from the respective governments.
But the current strained political situation with regular ceasefire violations from both sides and cancellation of talks between the security advisers of the two countries in August leaves the series in serious doubt.

BCCI last week said it has sought permission from their government and expect a final reply in the next ten days.
If it does go ahead it would be the first between the two countries since 2007. India called off most sporting fixtures between the rivals after the 2008 Mumbai attacks, which were planned by militants in Pakistan, though they did play a limited-overs series in 2012.

Gavaskar, popular across the borders for his superlative batting, said the mistrust between the two countries should be removed.
"I think to solve any problem people need to talk, unless you talk to each other there is no solution of problems so that is the first step," Gavaskar told AFP on the sidelines of the third and final Test between Pakistan and England in Sharjah.

Gavaskar, who scored 10,122 runs in 125 Tests for India during an illustrious career, stressed the final call will always come from the government.
"I don't think any sport has that power to force any government to change it's views but when two countries meet, their supporters come and watch the matches, they mix up and understanding develops.
"That gives signals to governments, but I am not a politician and I am speaking as a former player, unless you talk you cannot solve any problem," said Gavaskar.
"I don't think former players speaking will matter. Goverment takes decision after a lot of thinking and I don't see any former player speaking makes a difference.