International Cricket Council (ICC) president Ehsan Mani on Saturday hailed the revival of cricket ties between India and Pakistan, saying it has given the sport a boost.
"It is great they are playing again, because cricket was poorer without an India-Pakistan contest," Mani told reporters during the one-day international between the two nations at the National stadium here.
"It was long overdue and I hope the ties remain forever, since they benefit not only India and Pakistan, but the whole of Asia, in fact the entire world."
India are currently on their first full Test tour of Pakistan since 1989 following the Indian government's decision to lift a three-year ban on bilateral cricket ties with Pakistan.
Mani, who hails from Pakistan, said the revival of Indo-Pak cricket will make the ICC stronger.
Indian cricket chief Jagmohan Dalmiya, who flew with Mani from New Zealand after an ICC meeting to attend Saturday's match, said there was more India-Pakistan cricket in the offing.
"We will play the Asia Cup in Sri Lanka in July and a proposal to revive the Asian Test championship is also on the cards," Dalmiya said.
The Asian Test championship, held in 1999 and 2000, was discontinued due to India's refusal to play against Pakistan.