Batting legend Zaheer Abbas said Tuesday that a new stadium should be built straddling the India-Pakistan border as a way of reviving cricket relations between the arch rivals. 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 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.
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