They have a dream…

Captaincy, Tendulkar says, will not be an issue. “I am prepared to play for such a team if I am invited only as a batsman.”

“It is a dream we always nurtured in the heart of our hearts, but never had the courage to express,” says an excited Zaheer Abbas, coach of the Pakistani team.

“What a great line up would it be. Which team under the sun would be able to beat them,” he exclaims.

“The players in the two teams have no differences. I have lot of friends in the Indian team,” says Pakistan captain Rameez Raza. He, however, says it is necessary to organise more Test matches between the two cricketing giants to remove any ill-will and convey a fraternal message to the game’s lovers on both sides.

Concurs former Pakistani skipper Asif Iqbal, “It is very important that we revive the tradition of Test cricket and participate in more tournaments. It would reduce tension on both sides.”

He, nevertheless, says, “a combined team is a dream we all share.” A joint Indo-Pak team would be conducive to the growth of cricket in both countries, Iqbal says while expressing the hope that it may also help in establishing the sub-continent as a permanent venue for the World Cup.

“My roots are in India. I feel totally at home playing in Eden Gardens, Mohali et al. It has always been my dream to bat alongside Sachin and Azhar bhai as part of the same team,” says star batsman Inzamam-ul Haq.

“Great idea. It would also lead to the resolution of several other outstanding problems between the two countries,” says Ravi Shastri, adding it will be necessary to prepare sporting wickets on both sides prior to reviving the Test tradition. “Only by playing more cricket will we be able to give concrete shape to the idea of a joint team.”

“I wonder whether my desire to be the manager of such a team would ever realise,” wonders veteran Mohinder Amarnath. He, however, cautioned that politics should not be dragged into sports.

“Let it not merely remain a dream,” says former Indian captain and international umpire S Venkataraghavan. A combined Indo-Pak team would change the very face of world cricket, he says, while suggesting that Bangladesh and Sri Lanka too can be included at a later stage.

“Aren’t we late for the idea. Will I get a chance in the team,” asks former Pakistani skipper Salim Malik.

“It is an idea we should build. We have brought the World Cup thrice to the sub-continent. This team will be able to retain it forever,” said Malik adding that it would not be a bad idea to include the Lankans in the team.

“"It would be a thrill bowling with Kumble. Both countries have a great tradition in spin bowling. I am a great fan of Bedi, Prasanna and Chandrashekar. I hope to play like them one day,” says off-spinner Saqlain Mushtaq.

“Yes. It would undoubtedly be a dream team. Both India and Pakistan are cricketing giants. It is my desire to lead Sri Lanka against this team.

"It would be a great contest, irrespective of the outcome,” says Sri Lankan skipper Arjuna Ranatunga.