Hobart, Jan. 19 : Describing Indo-Pak rivalry on a cricket field as an ‘important part of the sport’, International Cricket Council (ICC) chief David Morgan has said he is trying his best to revive the stalled bilateral cricketing ties between the two countries.

“One of the things I am working on is trying to persuade the BCCI that they should play bilateral matches with Pakistan as opposed to just in ICC events,” Morgan said.

In an interview with The News, Morgan compared Indo-Pak cricket series with the Ashes, and said that it was very important that India and Pakistan start playing Tests and one-day games with each other.

“This is because Pakistan versus India is equivalent to the Ashes. It is very important for both countries that they renew their rivalries on the field in the five-day game. I am very hopeful they will,” he said.

Morgan said, as an ‘honest broker’, he is trying his best to help the respective cricket authorities of both the countries to resolve issues and revive Indo-Pak cricket, which was suspended in the wake of the Mumbai terror attacks.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has been pushing to resume cricketing ties with India to boost its sagging finances, which has been hit severely by the refusal of foreign teams to tour the country citing deteriorating security conditions.

The PCB has lost millions of dollars from cancelled tours and scrapped home series against India and other teams.

Even the ICC had shifted the Champions Trophy and World Cup 2011 games from Pakistan after several teams denied visiting the country in the wake of expanding terror threat. (ANI)