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KARACHI: Batting legend Zaheer Abbas said on Tuesday that a new stadium should be built straddling the India-Pakistan border as a way of reviving cricket relations between the arch rivals.
Pakistan last month played their first cricket match in India – the World Cup semi-final – since the November 2008 terror attacks in Mumbai that left 166 people dead and which New Delhi blamed on extremists across the border.
The deadly incident badly strained relations between the two countries and also stalled sporting ties.
But since the semi-final there have been suggestions that a resumption of cricket and other sports between the two countries could be on the cards.
Abbas, a Pakistani who – unusually – is also hugely popular in India for his batting exploits which fetched him the title of “the Asian Bradman”, suggested a shared stadium could play a vital role in improving relations.
“Build a stadium at Wagah border so that there are no problems of India not coming to Pakistan, and Pakistan not going to India,” Abbas, a former Pakistan captain, told AFP.
“Half of the portion should be in Pakistan and half should be in India so that fans don't need any visa. Pakistani fans should support their team from their side and Indians from their side and this example could also be followed in other sports.”
Abbas, who played 78 Tests and 62 one-dayers for Pakistan during an illustrious career, said sports should not suffer as a result of often tricky diplomacy.
“Sports of both the countries have suffered because of the politics, but people from both the sides want to see their teams playing – be it hockey, cricket or any other sport,” said Abbas, who acted as an expert for an Indian television channel during the World Cup.
Pakistan Cricket Board officials have said they are in discussion with their Indian counterparts for a short cricket series later this year, although security fears for travelling teams in Pakistan remains a stumbling block.
Pakistan have played games and series in neutral countries, but Abbas said that was damaging.
“If Pakistan and India play at a neutral venue, how will people of both the countries get to watch Indo-Pak series? It should be in India or Pakistan,” he said.
