IND_PAK_SHARJAH_03MAR1996

Indo-Pak Tests in Sharjah?

Arif Ali Khan Abbasi, chief executive of the Pakistan Cricket Board, said in Karachi today that he had received suggestions from the Gulf for holding Test matches between India and Pakistan in Sharjah.

"It has never happened before in the history of cricket, where two countries have played Tests at a neutral venue," Abbasi said. "But given the political scenario, the suggestion cannot be shelved."

Abbasi said he has been meeting his Indian counterpart regularly in connection with the World Cup, and that the resumption of Indo-Pak Tests had figured in their conversations. "Both nations are now big powers in world cricket, it will be a pity if noncricketing reasons keep them from playing each other," Abbasi said.

Pointing out that the cricketing boards of both countries had got along very well, Abbasi said that even the ongoing World Cup was an indication of the fact that whatever political disagreements the two nations had could not sour cricketing relations. "If Indian and Pakistani cricketers are seen in action against each other, it can inspire a whole generation of young players," he said.