Former Pakistan captain Mushtaq Mohammad still hopes India will tour his country in December.

A fine all-rounder during his playing days Mushtaq, who Is now in Dhaka along with four other ex-Test cricketers to impart training under the Fast Track Coaching scheme of the International Cricket Council Development Programme, also said that India's reluctance would not only do harm to the sport In general but more importantly deprive millions of cricket lovers in the subcontinent of watching their heroes in action.

"I hope that India will agree to come to Pakistan because it's good for cricket. Both teams need to play regularly in order to keep their ancient rivalry toing." Mushtaq told The Daily tar Sport at Bangladesh Krira Shikkha Protisthan (BKSP) on Thursday.

“But if it doesn't take place. Bangladesh should get an opportunity to play a Test series against us (Pakistan)."

The wily Pakistani who scored 3643 runs in 57 Tests

with ten centuries between 1958-1979. also said that playing against India is the dream of every Pakistani cricketer.

“In a way our battles are just as intense as England playing Australia. There is no love lost between them. Usually India-Pakistan matches are made of some special ingredients."

India whose last, tour was a

decade ago will decide at the end of this month whether to accept an invitation to visit Pakistan in December, though the general feeling in Delhi suggests the offer will be turned down owing to the impasse over the Kashmir issue.

Commenting on his second trip to Bangladesh in four months. Mushtaq said he found the Job of guiding the young-; stets quite interesting.

1 '"It was a great pleasure to work with these young chaps aged between 13 to 17. They all are very talented. What we are trying to accomplish here is unearth at least two or three players who will be assets to the national team in future. I'm sure Bangladesh cricket will benefit from this programme." he said.

Mushtaq was full of praise for leg-spinner Ashraful, a member of Bangladesh under-17 team.

“He is already in the national camp at such a tender age. He bowls good leg-breaks and is a very useful middle-order batsman. Another boy who comes to mind is Shaoii. Those boys arc very promising." Mushtaq added.