Currently, a sports boycott is going on between Pakistan and India as both states do not allow any bilateral contest between their players in any sports category except multi-nation sports events. Amid this state of tense relations, Pakistan and India cricket fans found a common ground at the ‘Friendly Games’ being held as part of the ongoing Commonwealth Games in England. A nail-biting contest took place between Pakistan and India women’s cricket teams this Sunday. An all-around bowling performance from India restricted Pakistan to a paltry 99 runs in their second match of the Commonwealth Games 2022 in Birmingham. More such contests need to be held between both states in order to ease the ongoing tensions.
Unfortunately, hard-line politicians in India want to sever all kinds of ties with Pakistan. They always blame Pakistan for any incident of terror. Decades of bitter rivalry between neighbours often ruin their cricket matches. Since the deadly terror attacks in Mumbai, India has largely refused to play bilateral games against Pakistan since 2008, for which India blamed Pakistan and the latter has strongly denied the allegation.
The ongoing tense atmosphere in India is not favourable for reviving cricketing ties between the rival states. The ultimate sufferers of a rupture in ties are cricket fans. The history of cricket is incomplete without mentioning of the Ashes between Australia and England and nail-biting contests between Pakistan and India. It is better for India that it should overcome growing intolerance and petty politics that threaten the holding of any contest between both teams. It is the need of the hour that politics should not be mixed with sports. There is a need to enliven the game of cricket by allowing both rival teams to play against each other in a sporting spirit. At the same time, politicians should avoid issuing harsh statements. The presence of extremist groups has always posed a threat to any kind of diplomatic, cultural and sports links between the two countries. They are again on the loose and imposing their evil agenda. There should be some restraint as there is no need to unnecessarily heighten tension by passing remarks that can only cause more of a gulf in relations.
