For every subcontinental fan, an India-Pakistan cricket match is the greatest sporting delight. It’s the ultimate contest between bat and ball. Pity that such cricketing battles are now only confined to multilateral tournaments, mostly at neutral venues.

The scheduled Champions Trophy in Pakistan can break this trend. If only India drops its reluctance to send the Men In Blue across the border. New Delhi says sport and terror can’t coexist. But then, why are billions generated in revenue whenever the two teams (readily) play each other in third countries?

Toxic rhetoric on social media whenever India play Pakistan may not be an accurate barometer of things on the ground. Bots can be engineered, hearts cannot. There is considerable love awaiting India’s cricketers across the border.

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