mushtaq hurra
Religion, politics and cricket are the three infatuations that fascinate the masses of Indian subcontinent. Commoners of the entire region are obsessed with cricket. They admire, adore and love it beyond limits. The game is seen as nationalism and patriotism in the subcontinent of India. Religion and politics may widen the breaches, may escalate tensions, may cause mutual abhorrence or may even result in wars, but cricket is sure to bridge our gaps, reduce rigidity in our respective stances and add a new lease of life to our bilateral ties.
Cricket is more than a sport and a game for common masses of India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and other South Asian countries. People virtually worship the game and their favourite stars. Unlike 70s and 80s, the game is being played on a high tempo. The advent of T20 cricket, coupled with glamour and lucrative leagues, has brought more excitement, entertainment and appeal to it. Frenzied fans go to any extent to support their favourite teams and players. The game breaks hearts, brings tears or causes frenzied celebrations. Some rejoice and some remorse, yet the game connects people and nations.
With the T20 World Cup carnival round the corner, the politics has begun to blemish the game. Very recently, team India started a handshake row, later, IPL witnessed some stirring with the expulsion of a Bangladeshi player, and now, the selective participation threat by the government of Pakistan has saddened the ardent fans and admirers of the game. Social media platforms are flooded with the remorseful posts of crestfallen fans who were waiting for the high voltage encounter between two Asian giants viz Pakistan and India for months together. But, the Pakistan government’s decision has come like bolt from the blue for them. Indo-Pak cricket matches enjoy extraordinary hype and fan following across the globe. Tickets sell instantly once the fixtures are out. Fans, analysts and experts begin to speculate and opine about the possible results, months prior to the match. Fans were anticipating a marquee clash on 15th February, but, the political intervention is hellbent to deprive them of a probable cliffhanger. Such gestures won’t do any good neither to cricket nor to different political regimes.
Sports should not be made hostage to political differences between hostile states. It should rather be used as a diplomacy to deescalate tensions. Recent history bears witness to the fact that sports has proven as a great source of diplomacy to eliminate animosity between different nations. Famous Ping-Pong diplomacy of 1971 between China and United States of America helped the two superpowers to break the twenty year old diplomatic freeze, and paved the way for president Nixon’s visit to China. Political analysts opine that bilateral cricketing ties between India and Pakistan could rejuvenate and revive the relationships between the two nations miraculously.
Cricket world cup without Indo-Pak match is like beef without mustard. Entire cricket world without India and Pakistan is insipid. Indo-Pak arch rivalry elevates the aura and stature of the game to new heights. It attracts millions of spectators on and off the field, and adds extra pinches of spice to intensify the tempo of the game. The Pakistan government’s decision has sent shockwaves among cricket lovers across the region. Even players of both the countries might not be happy with the harsh decision. Former cricketers and experts reckon it as a big setback to the game. PCB is probably in dilemma because it is yet to come up with a communique to international cricket council ( ICC). Cricket lovers are praying for the reconsideration of Pakistan government’s decision. Columbo could witness festive ambience on the 15th of this month if the two champion sides are allowed to lock horns. Indo-Pak cricket rivalry is the salt to the cuisine of cricket.
The sweet yet bitter rivalry has fallen prey to politics in the past as well. Cricket hungry fans have been deprived of many possible suspense-thrillers in the past. But, now, the scenario is a bit different. With the evolution and expansion of electronic media, the game involves billions of rupees as revenue. According to reliable sources, the host broadcaster of the event – The jio star could incur advertisement losses upto 2.5 billion rupees. The boycott of the marquee clash won’t bear any fruit to Pakistan as well. They are believed to suffer millions of losses to the proposed boycott call. Cricket lovers are desperately looking forward the PCB’s response. Will PCB ratify its government decision, or will they persuade them to give up the stubborn attitude. Fans are desperately praying for a miracle. Let’s see which way the wind blows. Fingers are crossed…
The Author is a Teacher and a Regular Columnist from Bandipora, writing regularly on culture, climate, history, education, folklore and social issues. He can be reached at mushtaqhurra143@gmail.com
