Pakistan's Twenty20 skipper Shahid Afridi Wednesday fully endorsed any resumption of cricket ties with India, saying wherever and whenever a series is played the show must go on, irrespective of politics. Asked about the Pakistan players' reaction to a possible series between the archrival in Sri Lanka next month, Afridi replied: "I think cricket should go on between Pakistan and India because it creates good contacts. "Wherever or whenever, cricket should go on." Top Pakistan and Indian cricket officials met in Dubai Sunday, agreeing to play a short limited over series after getting permission from their respective governments. India had stalled bilateral cricket with their neighbor in the aftermath of 2008 terrorists' attacks on Mumbai, which were blamed on militants based in Pakistan. But both boards agreed to play six series between 2015-2023 under an agreement signed last year, the first of which was scheduled for December-January. But the series, comprising of two Tests, five one-day and two Twenty20, ran into trouble over strained relations between the two countries since the beginning of this year. Afridi, who toured India in 1997, 1999, 2005, 2007 and 2011, said people in both the countries want to watch the game. "Cricket should go on, it develops good relations and public from both sides want to watch the game," said Afridi. "It should be separate from politics, both teams should always be ready." Afridi said Pakistanis will be happy if India tour their country. "It will be a matter of great happiness if India comes to Pakistan in this difficult time, support Pakistan and play there," said Afridi. Pakistan has not staged international cricket, other than a short limited overs series against Zimbabwe this year, since terrorists attacks on a Sri Lankan team bus in Lahore in March 2009. Pakistan has since been forced to play its home matches on neutral venues in the United Arab Emirates. Afridi said Pakistan team will be ready to tour India for next year's World Twenty20 if government and Pakistan Cricket Board allow. "When the board gives us security, the government gives us security then we can go for the World Twenty20," said Afridi of the event to be staged in March-April next year. "We have gone to India under worse situations," said Afridi of Pakistan's 1999 tour when extremists threatened them and dug up a pitch in New Delhi. "It depends on who takes that pressure but we never felt any pressure going there and playing in India because we get a lot of love and affection there and they want us to play." Pakistan and England gear up for World Twenty20 Former champion Pakistan will face England in a three-match Twenty20 series in Dubai from Thursday as they begin to settle their squads for next year's World Twenty20. Pakistan finished runner-up in the first edition of the World Twenty20 in 2007 before winning the crown two years later in England and is now ranked No. 2 in the shortest and the most popular format of the game. It needs to win the series, at least by a 2-1 margin, to maintain its standings — a fact Afridi believes will spur on his team. "We want to settle down before the World Twenty20," said Afridi of the event to be held in India from March 11-April 3. "Besides that we are ranked No. 2 so it's an important series for us in many ways and we will do our best to win it." Pakistan is hampered by the absence of ace spinner Saeed Ajmal, who is struggling with a new bowling action which needed alteration after it was deemed illegal. Besides Ajmal, the highest wicket-taker in all Twenty20 cricket with 85, paceman Umar Gul (joint second highest with 83 wickets) was also not selected as he is recovering from injury. Opening batsman Mohammad Hafeez is also banned from bowling. But Afridi, who also has 83 wickets, hopes his young team will fight hard. England, which won the World Twenty20 in 2010, is ranked eighth in the shortest format but coach Trevor Bayliss believes their 3-1 one-day success over Pakistan last week will give the squad good confidence. "England players should have a lot of confidence from the way they've played going into the three T20 matches, knowing they can play in these conditions against this quality of opposition," said Bayliss whose team lost the Test series 2-0. Bayliss, from Australia, said the series will help his team prepare for the World Twenty20. "It's another step on the way to that World Twenty20 in March-April. We want to play this T20 series and win that as well as we possibly can, but it's also a bit of a testing ground." The remaining two matches will be held in Dubai (Friday) and Sharjah (Monday). Squads (from): Pakistan: Shahid Afridi (captain), Ahmed Shehzad, Mohammad Hafeez, Rafatullah Mohmand, Shoaib Malik, Sohaib Maqsood, Umar Akmal, Mohammad Rizwan, Sarfraz Ahmed, Anwar Ali, Bilal Asif, Imran Khan junior, Mohammad Irfan, Sohail Tanvir, Wahab Riaz and Aamer Yamin. England: Eoin Morgan (capt), Moeen Ali, Jonny Bairstow, Sam Billings, Jos Buttler, Chris Jordan, Alex Hales, Adil Rashid, Joe Root, Jason Roy, James Taylor, Reece Topley, David Willey, Chris Woakes and Liam Plunkett.
