India-Pakistan series scuttled due to games played by the politicians
With every passing day, the chances of an India-Pakistan series seem to be all but over for all practical purposes. The reasons for this are many, but the argument that it should not be held due to tensions on the border could be questionable. Ever since India and Pakistan were divided in 1947, tension has prevailed in the border and may continue to remain whether the series happens or not.
The Kashmir conflict has remained unsolved historically — playing cricket is neither going to worsen this conflict nor resolve it. Even after both countries played each other before, this conflict has remained.
Interestingly, it is the very politicians who speak about the need for a friendly relationship between the two countries seem to be against the two countries playing cricket. It is nothing but using sport as a means to convey that there is no need for a friendship between the two countries.
Speak to any sports lover in both the countries and invariably all of them will put their hands up in favour of the series. I am positive the majority of the people from both the countries may not have even thought about the border tensions as a factor for not playing each other. On the contrary, when the series is played, that will be the time when a lot of the animosity will be forgotten.
I have been fortunate to report many a series between the two countries in India as well as in Pakistan; and the best atmosphere that I have seen off the field was when players of these two countries interacted with each other. They understand each other’s language, share jokes and are even seen discuss cricketing techniques between them.
When the matches are played, players enjoy the contest and so do the millions who watch the action. It is highly unlikely that anyone would be thinking of the tension between the countries and that they are unfriendly neighbours.
Surprisingly, politicians who are against the bilateral series see nothing wrong when the two countries play each other in a multi-nation event like the World Cup. It is difficult to comprehend the logic behind such thinking. Does the tension and animosity lessen when it is not a bilateral series?
A game is a game, and it will be India playing Pakistan in the multinational event; they do not assume different names. It is such myopic thinking that probably does not lower the tension between the two countries.
Come to think of it, these are nothing but games politicians play cashing in on the popularity of cricket. The only way out is probably a united campaign by millions of cricket lovers of both countries.
Speak to any sports lover in both the countries and invariably all of them will put their hands up in favour of the series. I am positive the majority of the people from both the countries may not have even thought about the border tensions as a factor for not playing each other. On the contrary, when the series is played, that will be the time when a lot of the animosity will be forgotten.