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• Despite Nawaz’s overtures, ex-Indian diplomat believes gradual steps should come before ‘cricket diplomacy’

AS the Champions Trophy embarks on a multi-city tour of Pakistan, the fate of the tournament it is supposed to precede remains subject to a political standoff between Islamabad and New Delhi.

For a few glorious days, cricket fans in the subcontinent — and further afield — had rejoiced at the prospect of an India-Pakistan showdown at the Gaddafi Stadium.

If it came to pass, this would’ve been the first time since the Asia Cup of 2008 that the men in blue would’ve crossed the border to play their arch-rivals on Pakistani soil.

Then, last week, India threw a spanner in the works by refusing to send its team to Lahore, insisting instead on the ‘hybrid model’ that has been employed in the past, with the UAE being offered as an alternative ‘neutral’ venue.

Pakistan, as the host of an eight-nation showpiece ICC event, is understandably displeased; its Foreign Office telling New Delhi that “sports should not be politicised”.

PCB chief Mohsin Naqvi has already stated that if India doesn’t cross the border, it shouldn’t expect Pakis­tan to do the same the next time it hosts an ICC event.

Even former prime minister Nawaz Sharif — known to have a soft spot for cricket — has called on the Indians to abandon their posturing and send their team to Lahore.

There are also voices in India that advocate for continued sporting ties, especially given that Pakistan sent its team to India for the last ODI World Cup.

In a recent conversation with The Hindu, former Davis Cup side manager Sunil Yajaman said: “Somewhere we have to keep some ties going and sport has to be above politics.”

Even the US State Dept seemed to back the sporting connection, with spokesperson Vedant Patel saying at a recent briefing that “sports connects so many people, and it’s a great way for those human-to-human and people-to-people ties”.

More than ‘just........

© Dawn