"Let Indo-Pak play in the US"

Union Minister Shashi Tharoor suggested that a series between India and Pakistan could be organised in a neutral venue like the US.
Cricketing ties have remained suspended after the 26/11 attacks in Mumbai last year.

Tharoor, who had his education in the US, said that country has many cricket enthusiasts and hoped an Indo-Pak cricket series could well be appreciated by the people there.

"We have a large patriotic population of both Indians and Pakistanis in the US 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 US crowded for a cricket match, though the stadium will be small by cricket standards," the Minister of State of External Affairs said.

"There is a lot at stake in Indo-Pak rivalry as there is some historical baggage (of Partition)," he said, adding that this made an Indo-Pak series always "exciting".

Tharoor, who has co-authored a book 'Shadows Across the Playing Field' with former Pakistan Cricket Board chief Shaharyar Khan, recalled the resumption of Indo-Pak cricket in 2004 which was termed as a friendship tour. "For the first time so many cricket visas were given. The atmosphere was so good among fans," he said.

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India would be under more pressure

Shahid Afridi feels there would be extra pressure on India in the ICC Champions Trophy.

Afridi reckons that in the high-voltage India-Pakistan match during the ICC Champions Trophy, India would be under more presssure because of their poor show at T20 World Cup.

Afridi, the new vice captain of Pakistan, said the match scheduled for September 26 would be a crunch game for both teams.

"It will be a pressure game for both sides. But I think more so for India as they are searching for a big win after not doing well in the T20 World Cup," Afridi stated.
Afridi said that Pakistan could repeat their Twenty20 World Cup success in the Champions Trophy but for that to happen his teammates will have to put up consistent show.

"The thing is all of us need to be more consistent in our performances. We need to develop this winning mentality and habit. It is not enough to do well in one tournament or series and disappoint in the next," Afridi who replaced Misbah-ul-Haq as vice caption, said.

"We are not even thinking about the Champions Trophy semi-finals because we are in a tough group and every match is crucial for us.

"We can't even take the West Indies lightly because they can also upset anyone despite being without their top players," he added.

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