I get impression that India and Pakistan players want to play against each other regularly: Rizwan

Karachi, June 3: Pakistani wicketkeeper-batsman Mohammad Rizwan, who recently played alongside India's Cheteshwar Pujara for English county side Sussex, reckons that players from both countries are keen on playing against each other regularly. Rizwan seemed to have enjoyed some useful batting partnerships with Pujara and the duo generally got along well.

"Everyone wants to see Pakistan and India play bilateral series or other matches but the state-level affairs are not in the hands of the players," Rizwan told reporters in Lahore. Rizwan said he had had some quality discussions with Pujara on the perception of Indian players about being engaged in bilateral cricket with Pakistan.

"I get the impression that players of both sides want to play regularly against each other but we can't do anything," he added. Rizwan said he had been impressed by Pujara's professional approach and preparations for matches and learnt from him.

"You learn from being with such senior players and I picked up things from Pujara mainly from the way he focuses and concentrates while batting," he said. The Pakistan vice-captain said that he and Pujara might be from different countries but were part of a big cricket family.

Pakistan and India only meet in the ICC competitions and last featured in a bilateral white ball series in 2012 while the last Test series between the two teams was played way back in 2007. They are supposed to meet next in Asia Cup T20 in Sri Lanka in August.

(With PTI inputs)