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Kolkata: Union Minister of State for External Affairs Shashi Tharoor on Saturday suggested that cricket series between the arch-rivals India and Pakistan could be organised in a neutral venue like the USA.
Pointing out that the USA has many cricket enthusiasts, Tharoor, who had his education in that country, hoped that an Indo-Pak cricket series would well be appreciated by the public there.
"We have a large patriotic population of both Indians and Pakistani in the USA and a handful of cricket enthusiasts as well. That's a very, very good way to organise cricket in third countries when terror strikes have stopped cricket between the two countries," Tharoor said.
"It will be terrific to see a baseball stadium in the USA crowded for a cricket match, though the stadium will be small by cricket standards," he added.
"There is a lot at stake in Indo-Pak rivalry as there is some historical baggage (of Partition). There is a greater degree of detachment among spectators which makes Indo-Pak cricket so exciting," said Tharoor, who has co-authored a book 'Shadows Across the Playing Field' with former Pakistan Cricket Board chief Shaharyar Khan.
Recalling the resumption of Indo-Pak cricket in 2004 that was termed as a friendship tour, Tharoor said, "For the first time so many cricket visas were given. The atmosphere was so good among fans."
"In earlier days, a total of about 200 used to be quite competitive. Now the standard has gone up. Test cricket is considered as the highest degree," Tharoor said.
"If there is any record in this ongoing seven-match India-Australia series, it will not linger much in your memory, but an achievement in Test cricket has an embedding quality which would be remembered for 40-50 years," Tharoor said.
Tharoor was speaking at the launching ceremony of his book in the city.
