With Indo-Pak cricketing ties having remained suspended after the 26/11 attacks, Union Minister Shashi Tharoor has suggested that a series between the arch-rivals could be organised in a neutral venue like the US. "We have a large patriotic population of both Indians and Pakistanis in the US and a handful of cricket enthusiasts as well. That's a very, very good way to organise cricket in third countries when terror strikes have stopped cricket between the two countries," Tharoor said."It will be terrific to see a baseball stadium in the US crowded for a cricket match, though the stadium will be small by cricket standards," the Minister of State of External Affairs said. Tharoor, who has co-authored a book 'Shadows Across the Playing Field' with former Pakistan Cricket Board chief Shaharyar Khan, recalled the resumption of Indo-Pak cricket in 2004 which was termed as a friendship tour. "For the first time so many cricket visas were given. The atmosphere was so good among fans," he said.Former Pakistan captain Javed Miandad has also welcomed Shashi Tharoor's suggestion that cricket series between the arch-rivals could be organised in a neutral venue like USA. Miandad said that he would suggest formation of a common cricket council featuring the great players from both India and Pakistan to assist the restoration of bilateral cricket ties. "If Tharoor means what he has said then it is a welcome and positive sign coming from an Indian minister because Pakistan has never said no to bilateral cricket ties with India," Miandad said.Miandad, who is also PCB's Director-General (Cricket Operations), said that he would love to see both countries playing cricket anywhere, including the USA.Miandad also felt that perhaps it was the time two boards form a common council and involve the cricket greats like Pakistan's Imran Khan and Sunil Gavaskar of India so that the body could suggest ways to revive bilateral cricket ties.