Akram slams BCCI for not playing with Pakistan

New Delhi, July 5 : Former Pakistan captain Wasim Akram has criticised the Indian cricket board for showing reluctance to schedule a bilateral series.

The Future Tours Programme draft does not include a single bilateral series between the archrivals, even though the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) had promised earlier that the two nations would meet at least once a year.

"The BCCI has been very harsh on Pakistan in not inviting them to play a single match in the future. They do not realise that it is very important for Asia and world cricket that India and Pakistan play together," Akram was quoted as saying by ESPN Mobile.

"India should have been sensitive towards Pakistan cricket and its upliftment in the subcontinent. An India-Pakistan series is even bigger than the Ashes, hence the two nations should actually be playing more often not only to generate revenue but heal whatever political bitterness exists," he said.

Akram however hopes the situation will improve. "India may not have time in 2010 but hopefully they will find space to play Pakistan in the coming years. Sports has a great healing touch and cricket will prove to be a great leveller."

--IANS