Former Pakistan captain Javed Miandad on Tuesday urged estranged rivals India and Pakistan to take advantage of their much-hyped World Cup semi-final clash and build bridges. Miandad, currently director general of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), said it was a "golden opportunity" to increase understanding, two years after the 2008 Mumbai attacks killed 166 people and suspended peace talks.
"We should send a delegation including our former great sportsmen and women and some people from the entertainment industry as a gesture of goodwill towards Indian people, that's how people of both countries will come close." Miandad, who played 124 Tests and 233 one-day matches during an illustrious career, praised Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh for inviting Pakistan's prime minister and president to watch the match. "I have full praise for Mr Singh. I have always believed that people in both countries want to have friendlier ties and more understanding but at times circumstances have dictated something else," said Miandad.