Dubai: Sarfaraz Ahmed, the last captain of a Pakistani team to win an ICC event, expressed his support for reviving India-Pakistan cricket matches during the India-Pakistan Champions League Group A game in Dubai on Sunday.

"Bilateral series should definitely happen between our two countries," Sarfaraz, who led Pakistan to victory over India in the 2017 Champions Trophy final, stated. "People often discuss the rivalry. On the field, there's no holding back; everyone plays hard for their country. But off the field, I've seen some amazing friendships between players from both nations. Back in the days of Inzi bhai, Wasim bhai, Ganguly, and Rahul Dravid, they shared great bonds. The same goes for Harbhajan, Yuvi, Shoaib Malik, and Shahid Afridi."

"We really want the Indian team to come to Pakistan so our fans can see stars like Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Jasprit Bumrah. They’re adored here. It didn’t happen in this tournament, but I’m hopeful that India will visit Pakistan in the future. The tournament is going smoothly and it’s safe," he added.

As the ICC brand ambassador for the tournament hosted by Pakistan, Sarfaraz praised the cultural similarities between the two nations.

"I honestly think we’re not that different. Our cultures are pretty much the same. I live in Karachi, and the way people talk in Karachi and Mumbai is almost identical. They speak quickly, and I do too," the former wicketkeeper joked. "I remember visiting Purana Sadar in Delhi back in 2007, and it felt just like Sadar in Karachi. So, I believe we’re quite alike."

He noted that today’s players are more cautious with their words due to the changing times. "We don’t have the same playful banter anymore. Things have evolved. With social media now, everything has changed," Sarfaraz mentioned.

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