Lankan ex-cricketer for resumption of Indo-Pak ties

M Aamir Khan

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Tribune News Service

Srinagar, November 16

Former Sri Lankan cricketer Aravinda de Silva, known for his flamboyant batting, today batted for resumption of cricketing ties between India and Pakistan.

“I feel that people should forget all other issues. Sports should be given more priority and should win hearts of people,” he said on being asked if India and Pakistan should resume playing cricket against each other.

He was here to flag off the country’s first-of-its-kind goodness drive from Kashmir to Kanyakumari to promote use of eco-friendly electric cars. He further said cricket was far greater a game to be maligned by some controversies like betting and match-fixing.

“I hear about these things every now and then, but I think that cricket is a far greater game than all that. I am sure that it will get through all that. I hope that administrators get back together and put things right for the sake of the game,” he said.

He added that cricket was a game that united people and brought cultures together. On former Indian batsman Virender Sehwag not being given a farewell game by the BCCI, de Silva said cricketers who had contributed a lot to the game should be appreciated by any cricket board.

The goodness drive involving three e2o electric cars, which is being organised by Mahindra Reva, will cover a distance of over 5,000 km. The cars are scheduled to cover 52 locations across the country in the 30-day expedition. The cars will halt at major cities like Delhi, Jaipur, Mumbai, Pune, Hyderabad and Bengaluru.

Arvind Mathew, Chief Executive Officer, Mahindra Reva, said the aim of the drive was to demonstrate the advantages of electric vehicles and propagate a zero emission, zero fuel drive in addition to showcasing full potential of a connected car.