Pakistan president Pervez Musharraf today favoured resumption of cricket ties between India and Pakistan saying the game was the loser in the absence of this. “It was unfortunate that the two countries are not playing cricket and it is game which is the loser. Not only cricket, the two countries should also play hockey which adds to the charm of the game,” Musharraf said when asked to comment on Indo-Pak cricket contacts. Musharraf said he was in favour of holding a South Asian cricket championship. “India should once again play cricket with Pakistan,” he added. Musharraf, who was at The Oval cricket stadium to watch the second One-Day International between Pakistan and England in the Natwest Trophy series which Pakistan lost, said the situation in Pakistan is normal and conducive to playing the game as there was no law and order problem. Hoping that the forthcoming tours of South Africa and Bangladesh to Pakistan would be beneficial for cricket in the country, he assured the government would take adequate steps to provide security to the players. Musharraf visited the Pakistani dressing room and the team coach Javid Miandad and captain Rashid Latif introduced the players to the president. He complimented the young Pakistani side for registering their victory over England in the first one-day international at Old Trafford early this week. He watched the match for an hour before leaving for the United States as part of his four-country tour. Collymore celebrates return GROS ISLET: West Indies pace bowler Corey Collymore celebrated his return to Test cricket by dismissing Sanath Jayasuriya for an early breakthrough against Sri Lanka in the first day of the first Test on Friday. The touring side were 77-1 at lunch after 25 overs. Ignored by the Test selectors since his last appearance in 1999, Collymore has been a steady performer in West Indies’ one-day line-up. He started nervously but in the 10th over tempted Jayasuriya (8) into a flashing cut to the throat of Omari Banks at gully, leaving Sri Lanka on 19 for one. Kumar Sangakkara quickly forged a solid-looking partnership with opener Marvan Atapattu and the pair hit four boundaries each as they guided Sri Lanka forward. Atapattu was on 35 and Sangakkara on 32 at lunch. Sri Lanka captain Hashan Tillakaratne had earlier won the toss and elected to bat on a what is seen as a true batting track. SCOREBOARD Sri Lanka (1st Innings): M.Atapattu batting 35; S.Jayasuriya c Banks b Collymore 8; K.Sangakkara batting 32; Extras (nb2): 2; Total (for 1 wkt): 77Fall of wickets: 1-19Bowling: Dillon 10-2-21-0, Collymore 7-0-24-1, Taylor 4-0-23-0, Hinds 1-0-1-0, Banks 3-0-8-0
