AT last there is some good news for the subcontinent’s cricket lovers. Pakistan is going to play on Indian soil coming December.

The Indian government has permitted the national cricket board to revive old rivals cricket on the home ground; not on the borrowed grounds in far-away lands.

Mumbai attacks in 2008 led to the suspension of such inter-country visits and this was exactly what the terrorists were aiming for -- to derail the openness between these two feuding countries.

Since gaining independence in 1947, both countries are at loggerheads on non-issues. Being a small country, Pakistan suffered the most on economic and social development sectors as it had to unnecessarily compete with India on military front.

It is time the two countries took a pause; if ever they want to fight, the cricket ground is the place to flex the muscles.

Other areas of competition include poverty alleviation, education, healthcare and shelter for all the segments of society, elimination of religious and sectarian hatred. But watch out, terrorists on both sides of the border will be sharpening their teeth to attack and bite the hopes of peace and prosperity.

We urge the Indian government to take allout measures to ensure no gang gets a chance to disrupt the long-awaited ODIs and T20 matches in coming weeks.

M. KHAN Saudi Arab