Rishi Kapoor says that Pakistani cricket players should be allowed to play in the Twenty20 matches of the Indian Premier League (IPL) as cricketers from all around the world are being given a chance to showcase their talent.
The 64-year-old actor took to Twitter on the eve of the opening ceremony of the tenth edition of the IPL, where he implored the authorities to consider the neighbour's case.
"IPL. You got world players. Afghanistan makes debut. My plea is please consider Pakistani players," tweeted Rishi.
In IPL 2017, two Afghanistan cricketers Mohammad Nabi and Rashid Khan will make their debut in the T20 league tournament for Sunrisers Hyderabad.
The "Kapoor and Sons" star added that keeping the differences aside, Indians should rise to the occasion as a kinder nation and let the games begin again.
"Phir match hoga! Hum bade log hain. (Match must be played again. We are a benevolent people.) Please!" continued Rishi.
The veteran actor's plea comes in after the ties between the two countries are going through a rough patch.
No Pakistani player has played in the IPL after 2008 (year of its inception).
The tenth edition of IPL is all set to begin from today where Royal Challengers Bangalore will take on Sunrisers Hyderabad at Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium, Hyderabad.
(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)