Contact Sport: Cricket in India-Pakistan Relations Since 1999

Cricket is the favourite sport throughout South Asia. It can unite and divide polities, both internationally and intra-nationally. The history of bilateral cricket matches between India and Pakistan has always been closely connected to Indo-Pak relations; when diplomatic relations were at their lowest, the Test series were halted. However when bilateral relations were good enough for matches to be played, they were largely played in good spirit and the positive effects could be felt throughout both countries. Cricket has the ability to work on a multitude of ‘tracks’ through unofficial meetings with high level leaders, middle ranking elites, the media, business and the common man, to increase communications and break down negative stereotypes across the border.