UAE- Peace at border and then play: Mohinder Amarnath

Date

11/21/2015 6:34:14 PM

(MENAFN- Khaleej Times)

Even as the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) president Shashank Manohar is likely to meet Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Shaharyar Khan in Dubai on Saturday to discuss the India-Pakistan series legendary Indian cricketer Mohinder Amarnath said that the series should be played in India or Pakistan.

He also added that peace at the border was paramount and both countries should wait and assess the situation.

"I love my neighbour but I love my country more. So I feel it (series) has to be played in India or in Pakistan. Also one more thing is once we have peace at the border it will really help both the nations. I think till that time I personally feel that we should wait and assess the situation" Amarnath told Khaleej Times in an exclusive chat on Friday.

Amarnath the hero of India's first World Cup title in 1983 was in the UAE Capital as one of the panellists for the Abu Dhabi Chapter 27th Annual International Seminar organised by The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India.

The other panellists were former South African cricketer and former India coach Gary Kirsten and former Indian cricketer Sunil Gavaskar.

"But it is not just about playing in Pakistan or playing in India. My concern is the border and I'm always with soldiers and I always think about them and I think what we really need is peace at the border" he added.

Amarnath popularly known as 'Jimmy' also felt that they shouldn't play at a neutral venue. The PCB has mooted the UAE Pakistan 'home' away from home as a venue but the BCCI has been reluctant in playing here.

"There is no point in playing in a neutral venue. I don't believe in that. I think when two nations play they should play in their country. Why go to a neutral venue to play? You can play in other tournaments at neutral centres but I'm not in favour of playing cricket at neutral centres" said the 65-year-old.

Amarnath also spoke about the 'conflict of interest' clause enforced by the new BCCI administration which saw former India cricketer Roger Binny removed from the selection panel because his son Stuart is in the Indian squad.

"I don't know how conflict of interest appears in this way or that way. I think if somebody is good and somebody is doing a job you have to assess that to be very honest. And I think if it applies to cricketers it should apply to Board officials as well" he said.

"I think when you select a selector it shows your faith in that guy. Whether his son is playing not playing it doesn't make any difference to me. If somebody is good and if somebody is talented he should be there" he added.

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