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Should India-Pak cricket ties be renewed?

Earlier attempts -- including a proposal to stage Indo-Pak Tests at a neutral venue like Sharjah -- had been shot down by the respective boards, for one reason or the other.

Meanwhile, the two countries have contented themselves with meeting in course of various one day international tournaments. The closest they have come to direct cricketing relations was the introduction of the Sahara Cup -- ironically billed the 'Friendship Cup' -- series of five ODIs in Toronto, Canada, which this year will see its third edition of a mooted five.

It was in this context that the two boards decided to reopen direct links, through the means of Test and ODI tours on each other's soil -- in the process reviving perhaps the cricket world's most hyped rivalry which, for the connoisseur, is way ahead in terms of cricketing interest of the one between England and Australia for the Ashes.

But then came the nuclear tests, first by India, then by Pakistan. And with it, a climate of suspicion, of mutual distrust.

This, in turn, makes you wonder: is the planned series, tentatively scheduled to contain five Tests and the same number of one dayers and to be played on Indian soil in January-February 1999, such a good idea after all?

Rediff debates the question, with two strong voices.

Associate editor Saisuresh Sivaswamy, who will write an occasional column for these pages, kicks off the debate with an impassioned argument against the projected move: Bombs or cricket balls -- not both!

Faisal Sharif, a member in good standing of Rediff's whizkid design team -- though most times, he'd rather be discussing cricket than designing websites -- holds the contrary view: Cricket cannot be hostage to politics!

For reference, this story gives you an idea of the latest position adopted by the respective boards.

And with that, the floor is yours. Join in, pro or con -- the cricket forum will air your views on the question, on Friday, June 12.