Zaheer Abbas suggests building a shared stadium on the Wagah border

Pakistan News: Brilliant 'Z' comes up with a brilliant idea

Former Pakistan batsman Zaheer Abbas, renowned as 'Asian Bradman' and 'run-machine', has suggested to the authorities that a new stadium should be erected right in the center of Pak-India border at Wagah. The stadium should straddle the border in such a way that half of it lies on the Pakistani side while the other half on the Indian side.

The motive behind the suggestion is to to improve the strained relations between two countries and start cricketing ties halted since the Mumbai terror attacks in 2008. The Mohali semi-final between the two countries broke the ice as premiers from both sides watched the match sitting side by side.

Zaheer while talking to French news agency, AFP said: "Build a stadium at Wagah border so that there are no problems of India not coming to Pakistan, and Pakistan not going to India." He further elaborated: "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."

"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," Abbas said, who played 72 test matches for Pakistan.

Pakistan Cricket Board is in talks with BCCI to have a short ODI series played, probably at a neutral venue, but Abbas is against playing India on a neutral venue. "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.

The suggestion is brilliant and thought provoking, but for those who listen and understand. The relations between the two hostile neighbors can only improve if they interact with each other frequently enough. And what is better than cricket to do that!

Cricket diplomacy has played a vital role in the relationship of both nations. Then why not built a symbol of 'cricket diplomacy and friendship' across the border? This project looks exciting and doable and needs attention from the respective cricket boards and governments.