New Delhi: As flowers replace guns across the border, the sports fans in the subcontinent may have an Indo-Pak winner this week to celebrate the goodwill between the two nations.

Indian Davis Cupper Harsh Mankad and Pakistan's Aisam ul-Haq Qureshi are the top seeded doubles pair in the ongoing $ 10,000 Indian Tennis Federation (ITF) Futures men's tennis tournament in New Delhi, and if seedings were to hold, sports will throw up one more cause for better relations between the two neighbouring countries.

"I have always said to people, 'please keep politics out of sport'. Look how cricket has suffered," Qureshi told reporters.

The 23-year old, who has been playing in tournaments in India for the past five years and enjoys a very friendly relationship with the Indians, had earlier created a ruckus when he teamed up with Amir Hadad of Israel last year.

"I played with a Jew," said the Pakistani with a halting expression, leaving the statement unfinished to complete the message.

Mankad's commitment may be a more professional one.

"I discovered this year that I can do well in doubles after winning two Challenger titles in Ukraine," the Indian said.

"So I thought it will be good for me if I can find some one like Aisam (Qureshi) who has a very good ranking.

"But I am also thinking of Rohan Bopanna because we gelled well the few tournaments we played last," Mankad added.

PTI