The Common Ground was a unique experience for the Indian and Pakistani communities in the UAE, as we transformed the historic Sharjah Cricket stadium into the first cricket field in the world made by blending grass turf of Indian and Pakistani origin.

The first to be given the opportunity to come experience playing on this new field were fans from both communities who've lived in the UAE long enough to have seen their national teams play each other at the Sharjah Stadium throughout the 90s.

This is what makes it relevant to the Brand Experience & Activation category.

Cricket is the 2nd most-watched sport in the world. With over 2.5 billion fans world wide.

The two most influential teams in the cricketing world have always been India and Pakistan.

For these two countries, cricket is no less than a religion.

India vs Pakistan matches often receive more viewership than the Superbowl.

In the UAE, Indians and Pakistanis also make up the majority population of the country. Making cricket the most popular sport in the country.

Throughout the 80s and 90s, Sharjah Cricket Stadium was one of the most important stadiums for the cricket world. Especially because this is where India would go head to head with Pakistan whenever they could play against each other in their respective countries due to geo political differences.

India and Pakistan have had geo-political differences for the past five decades. Other than the economic and cultural impact this relationship has had on both countries, a key factor that was always impacted was sport. Especially cricket.

India and Pakistan have never been able to play in each other's countries for the past three decades. So no current Indian player has ever played on Pakistani turf and no Pakistani player has stepped on Indian turf.

Until 2023, when Pakistan was finally permitted to play at the Cricket World Cup being held in India.

Throughout the 90s, that's considered the golden age of cricket, whenever India and Pakistan could play in each other's countries, their matches were held at Sharjah Cricket Stadium in the UAE. This served as the home ground for the players and even the fans of both countries.

The UAE has always held a special place for fans. Especially from these two countries.

Because every time the two teams couldn't play each other in their respective countries due to political differences, the UAE stepped. Making Sharjah Cricket Stadium the home ground for both.

This pitch has seen India and Pakistan make history for over three decades.

So, Mountain Dew, a brand that has always brought cricket fans together, gave this stadium a chance to make history itself.

By turning it into THE COMMON GROUND. The world’s first cricket field where you can play on Indian and Pakistani turf at the same time.

While Mountain Dew is associated with adventure sports and adrenaline in many markets, for South Asians, it has always been the brand that brings fans together to celebrate their love for the game. In both India and Pakistan, Mountain Dew has been a key partner in many of the major cricket leagues. Making it a name that has been synonymous with cricket for decades.

During the 2023 Cricket World Cup hosted in India, Mountain Dew wanted to celebrate the passion for cricket in the UAE and the role this country has always played in bringing together communities like Indians and Pakistanis.

Grass turf of Indian and Pakistani origin, commonly used across the key pitches in both countries, was brought into Sharjah Cricket Stadium and blended with the existing field. To make sure that every step taken on the pitch, is one on Indian and Pakistani turf at the same time.

Giving this historic stadium a new chapter as a symbol of power sport has to unite communities.

Once the Common Ground was ready, the first match played there was also hosted to be just as unique.

Instead of players, we gave this honour to local fans who have lived in the UAE long enough to have witnessed every India vs Pakistan moment at Sharjah.

Just like the turf below their feet, they too played as blended teams.

- Sharjah Cricket Stadium is now starting new programs specifically for aspiring Indian and Pakistani players in the UAE

- Jamil Khan, the groundskeeper of Sharjah Cricket Stadium for the past four decades, is now the face of this unique creation.

- Sharjah Cricket Stadium is renaming the stadium stands after iconic players from both India and Pakistan.