Advocating for his country's team be allowed to compete in the ODI World Cup in India, former Pakistan cricket captain Misbah-ul-Haq feels that not sending the side for the mega-event would be "depriving people" of the opportunity to see the arch-rivals clash on the biggest stage.

"When there can be contacts between the two countries in other sports, why not in cricket. Why link cricket with political relations? It is unfair to deprive people of a chance to see their teams play against each other," said Misbah, the 49-year-old former Pakistan captain and coach at a function here on Friday.