Wasim Akram (left) and other dignitaries during the ceremony to announce the title sponsors and unveil Asia Cup trophy.

Pakistan bowling legend Wasim Akram urged India and Pakistan to keep sports and politics separate and hoped that the people of both the countries think more rationally.

He was speaking on the sidelines of the announcement of the title sponsors and trophy unveiling of the Asia Cup. The continental showpiece will be sponsored by Super 11 – a fantasy cricket league.

India refused to travel to Pakistan for their Asia Cup match, forcing them to shift the tournament to a neutral venue. It was moved to Sri Lanka. Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) incurred huge losses, moreover it is monsoon in Lanka and many games are likely to be washed out.

Contrary to it, Pakistan agreed to play in the ODI World Cup, which is slated to be held in India just after a month and half after the Asia Cup. India-Pakistan matches are one of the most followed sporting events of the world.

With a combined population of around two billion across India, Pakistan Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, the matches between the arch-rivals are the most followed derby in the sporting fraternity.

“Pakistan’s government has given permission that they can travel to India. And I always maintained and said that politics and sports should not be mixed, said Akram.

“People to people contact is very important. Average Indians and Pakistanis do respect and love each other and hopefully sanity prevails,” he hoped.

India will play with Pakistan on Sept.2 in the Asia Cup and Oct.14 in the World Cup. Akram also ruled out any clear favourites to win the continental championship.

“Last time, we thought India and Pakistan are the favourites, but Sri Lanka won the tournament. So all these three teams are dangerous. On their day, they can win, but you know, the Bangladesh-Sri Lanka match was sold out even before the India-Pakistan match.

“Don’t forget that there are other teams as well. Of course, the India-Pakistan game is very important. We know so much support, so much eye-balls, so many people following this match. But don’t forget that the other teams are also there to play cricket,” he stressed.

He lauded Pakistan cricket team for their stellar performance across all the formats recently. They whitewashed Afghanistan 3-0 in the recently concluded ODI series.

“Very proud to be a Pakistani. Our team is on the right track. They have also become the number one team in ICC world rankings. The way they have been performing, they are looking like a complete team. Babar Azam is winning as captain, and performing as batsman.

“He is winning and he is learning captaincy. He is on the right track. Winning is a habit and Pakistan has got that habit now. It’s a good sign. Now they have to face big teams in the Asia Cup, You have India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and even Afghanistan.

“They are a dangerous team now. The Asia Cup is the biggest tournament after the World Cup. Last year we saw the Asia Cup had some great matches in packed stadiums. I think it will be the same in Sri Lanka,” he opined.

Akram also praised the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) for deciding to change it into a 50-over format after the last edition was played in the T20 formats. He said it will test the strength and stamina of the bowlers.

The Sultan of Swing has more than 500 scalps to his name in ODIs and 400 in Test matches respectively. He is regarded as one of the best left-arm pacers to have graced the game of cricket.

“It’s a long tournament, you can’t win one match and reach the semifinals. So the teams have to take one match at a time. It’s also the 50 overs format, not 20 overs, so it needs different mindset, different fitness levels.

“Now all the young bowlers, whether from India, Pakistan or Sri Lanka, you will now know whether they are capable of bowling 10 overs because they are all used to bowling four overs. So this is a good idea from the ACC to have the 50 overs Asia Cup because immediately after this you have the World Cup,” he stressed.

Akram termed the Indian cricket team as one of the most balanced squads of the tournament. Of late, India are trying different sets of players to solve the problem of finding the right opening pair.

“They are trying different things, new players, especially in the T20 format. They are trying new players, they are trying new captains. But I saw their Asia Cup squad and it’s a very balanced squad. It won’t be easy for India and for many teams," he concluded.