India's absence will be felt in Sharjah

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) said on Saturday rivals India would be missed at the one-day tournament, scheduled to start in Sharjah from April 8.

"Of course, everyone will miss them because the real charm and excitement of Sharjah cricket are the matches between India and Pakistan," PCB director, Munawwar Rana said from the cricket headquarters in Lahore.

Doubts over India's participation arose after the government cancelled a Test tour of Pakistan late last year because of tensions over the disputed Himalayan region of Kashmir.

The Indian government has yet to announce whether to allow the national team to play in the Sharjah event, but New Zealand accepted an invitation to play in the competition as India's replacement on Friday.

Pakistan and Sri Lanka are the other competing teams.

"We have not pulled out of the tournament. We want to go. We will only not go if the government tells us not to," Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) secretary Jaywant Lele said in the central city of Indore on Friday.

The Pakistan cricket board said earlier this week that it would sever cricketing relations with India if its traditional rivals withdrew from the tournament.

Rana said one-day tournaments in Sharjah were traditionally known for high profile and explosive matches between the arch rivals.

"I don't think any team can replace India in real sense. Of course, the matches will still be tough and competitive because all the three teams have much to prove," Rana said.

Sri Lanka and Pakistan have visited New Zealand recently. Sri Lanka defeated New Zealand 4-1 in one-dayers last month while New Zealand came from behind to take the five-match one-day series 3-2 against Pakistan.

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