Some Cricket Diplomacy Events Between Pakistan And India

Cricket has also became an assisting channel of diplomacy. During the occupation of Afghanistan by Russia and in the environment of regional tension former late Pakistani president gen Muhammad Zia ul Haq watched cricket test match between Pakistan and India in Jaipur during 1987. The purpose apparently was to lower the tension. Indian cricket team visited Pakistan in 2004 after 15 years under " cricket diplomacy". On the occasion both countries made the visa laws lineant and thousands of Indian cricket fans watched matches across the border in Pakistan. To promote cricket diplomacy former president Parvez Musharraf visited India to watch match in 2005 and many disputed issues were agreed upon in this visit including Kashmir issue. On other side Indian religious extremists continued damaging cricket diplomacy. In 1991, the workers of Indian extremist group "Shiv Sina"" destroyed the cricket pitch of Vankhadey Stadium in Mombai before Pakistan -India test match, due to which this test series was cancelled. While in 2000, violent protest was held before match in Feroz Shah Kotla Stadium , New Delhi. Inspite of Kargill and other issues the attempts to restore cricket ties hsd been continued. Cricket diplomacy resulted in positive impacts in 2011 Cricket World Cup and differences were tried to be removed after Bombai attacks in 2008. Taking the benefot of the occasion Indian prime minister Man Mohin Singh invited Pakistani counterpart Yousuf Raza Gilani to watch the match and that was accepted.