If India and Pakistan meet again in the ongoing T20 World Cup, particularly in the final, it could lead to better relations between the two nations, believes former Pakistan spinner Saqlain Mushtaq.

India captain Virat Kohli congratulating his counterpart Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan, and Team India mentor Mahendra Singh Dhoni having an informal chat with Shoaib Malik, Imad Wasim and a few other Pakistan cricketers after Sunday’s game in Dubai have sent a strong message to the world as well as to both countries about the bond and affection between the players of the two teams, Saqlain emphasised.

Such a statement from the Pakistan interim coach is certainly a timely one, particularly after his former teammate Waqar Younis’ controversial remark, when he praised Rizwan for offering prayer on the ground in front of Hindus.

Speaking on the eve of Pakistan’s game versus Afghanistan in Dubai, Saqlain, also one of the distinguished off-spinners during his time, said: “If we face India in the final, it will be good for ICC (International Cricket Council), while the cricketing world too will have fun watching the game.

“Besides, they (India) are our neighbours, so if we play them twice in the competition, then our relationship will get better.”

Saqlain, who represented Pakistan in 49 Tests (with 208 wickets) and 169 ODIs (with 288 scalps) with an impressive record against India, added: “Looking at Virat Kohli and Dhoni meeting and greeting our players and the comments on those gestures, I feel the best part coming out of the game was the strong message to the world, ke hum insaan hain, hum mohabbat karnewale hain aur hum kisi aur cheez mein nahi padte. Yeh ek game hai aur yahaan haar jeet hoti hi rehti hai (we are humans first, we believe in love and we don’t get into any other stuff. This is just a game, and winning and losing is a part.

“Hats off to Babar, Rizwan, Malik, (Mohammad) Hafeez, Dhoni and Virat as they gave a strong message to the world, and of course, to both the countries. Main hameshaa yeh kehta hu mohabbat ki jeet ho, nafrat ki haar ho. Dosti ki jeet ho, dushmani ki haar ho (I always hope for love, affection and friendship to prevail over hate and enmity).

“So as I said, I do believe a strong message has been sent,” he said.