With prospects of Indo-Pak cricket ties reviving by year-end normalising of relations looks a possibility which had remained clouded after 2008 Mumbai attacks. The holding or reviving of sports tie especially cricket which has been the biggest money earner even if played in a neutral arena. Revival of cricket relations and its future prospects remains doubtful keeping Pakistan’s role in instigating terror activities against India though it has been denying it from time to time whenever such an incident takes place. Some of the issues like Dawood Ibrahim’s presence, free roaming of Haifz Saeed and Zaiki-ur-Rehman Lakhvi had remained irritants especially when India has handed over evidence. Despite all objections from Indian side Pakistan released Lakhvi free. Lakhvi was the mastermind of 26/11 Mumbai attacks which claimed more than 200 human lives. Keeping such actions from Pakistan’s side in view India should reconsider resuming of cricket series. Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh had recently informed the Lok Sabha that 2008 Mumbai blast mastermind Dawood Ibrahim has been given shelter by Pakistan. However Pakistan has not wasted any time in refuting the charge. Now the point is should the game be resumed under these circumstances? The way Pakistan Cricket Board has agreed to solve the broadcasting row shows the money the game generates in the continent especially keeping the success of Indian Primer League. Today there is no Pakistani player who is playing in the IPL. This must have opened the eyes of Pakistan Cricket Board officials for agreeing to settle the broadcasting issues. Pakistan has not hosted any cricketing playing country on its soil after the 2009 terror attack on Sri Lankan team bus in Lahore. From that moment onwards time stood still and Pakistan has literally surrendered its cricket slot to countries like Bangladesh, Afghanistan. Playing in neutral arena is no guarantee of safety and normalisation of relations. India should reconsider its stand on the issue. Never forget Lahore incident of 2009!
