Participating in the debate, Kapil Dev, Md Azharuddin, Saurav Ganguly, Wasim Akram and Waqar Younus advocated that cricketing ties between the two countries should always continue.
In the lead up to next month's Indo-Pak ODI and T20 series, the galaxy of former captains agreed that it was time for the two countries to keep cricket separate from politics.
Kapil said: "When I first played Pakistan ( in 1978), it really was war. The motto on either side used to be 'jaan nikaal deni hai '... But by the time Sourav and his team went (to Pakistan) in 2004, the attitude had changed. Even the public was cheering for India."
Akram asked why cricket is held hostage to politics when the two nations continue to play against each other in other sports. "Sports and politics should not be mixed," said bowling great Wasim Akram.
About the pressure of playing against Pakistan, former India captain Kapil Dev said, "Earlier matches between India-Pakistan were a matter of life and death. No one wants to lose to his estranged brother."
Waqar Younus accepted that sledging was a part of game in Indo-Pak matches. "Media creates the maximum pressure. Pressure always adds to the excitement in India and Pakistan matches," he said.
To a poser from former all-rounder Madan Lal, who was in the audience, Imran, who heads the Tehreek- e- Insaaf party in Pakistan, hoped that when his party "comes to power next year", it will be able to deal with the " vested interests that divide us" and affect cricketing ties.
Union minister and senior BCCI official Rajeev Shukla said: "The best way to avoid this war-like hype ( over cricket) is to play often." On the forthcoming series, Akram said the conditions "are 60: 40 in favour of India" while Younis rated the two teams' chances as 50: 50. Ganguly put the onus on the captains.
"It's not war or a match; it's a bit of both, or rather something in between. But it's the best that cricket can be", said Waqar Younis.
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