It is just a Match. Maybe Not.

Like I stated in my blog post about the IPL long ago let me first and foremost state that I am not a fan of cricket. But I am fascinated by all the brouhaha that is surrounding the Semi Final of the World Cup, the India Pakistan Match at Mohali on 30 March 2011!

As much as I am sure this will be fire cracker of a match and semifinals of all tournaments usually are but this time around it’s the India-Pakistan relationship off the field that is making headlines.  Dhoni’s boys in blue vs. Afridi’s lads in Green; May the best team win.

India has never lost against Pakistan in the World Cup, but it has never won against Pakistan at Mohali. That itself adds to the drama surrounding the match. But the hype created around it is definitely turning it into something with more masala than a saas - bahu soap.

 

Indian PM Manmohan Singh extended an invite to his Pakistani counterpart, Yousif Gilani to watch the match. He graciously accepted.  This also, by the way, will be the first time that PM Manmohan Singh will be watching a cricket match live, in the stadium since the time he donned the Prime Minister’s hat, err I mean turban of course. I doubt if any normal human being, in India or Pakistan would give up such an opportunity, considering how cricket crazy the two countries are.

When media broke this report, Indian PM was meeting with top businessmen of the country. According to the Express Tribune, everyone erupted into applause which lasted several minutes, even before the TV presenter could finish his sentence.

The last time a Pakistani leader visited India was in 2001, for a summit. However former President Musharraf was in India in 2005 for a cricket match, thanks to what is now called cricket diplomacy. And now for a bit of both dialogue and an exciting match, PM Gilani will be visiting exactly after a decade of Musharraf’s visit, which had ended in acrimony.

Cricket Diplomacy examples are aplenty between India and Pakistan. The sixth president of Pakistan, Mohammed Zia Ul Haq came over to watch a one day match in 1987. In 2003, when former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee sent off team India to play a series in Pakistan, it is reported that he also asked to win over hearts (Dil Bhi Jeeto). Pakistan has invited Sonia Gandhi over to see the matches and even though she has been unable to attend, Rahul and Priyanka have attended matches in Pakistan.

With all the fanfare and hoopla surrounding the match, I wonder if those attending will really be watching the match or the leaders of the two countries. The rivalry is valid if one looks at the history the countries have shared. Since 1947, when Pakistan split from India to form its own country and both became independent from Britain, three wars have already been fought.

And no one will ever forget 26/11, the ill-fated November when terrorists tried to stake a claim in the glorious city of Mumbai, many lives were lost and many others terrified. I won’t be surprised if the name Ajmal Kasab is not forgotten in generations to come. Unfortunately hate became the biggest winner in all of it. The bridges which were built through years of diplomacy and peace got burnt away.

Various occasions for reconciliation and friendship have gone to bust. Something always messes things up midway.  Even post 26/11, there were always issues from either side, thus preventing a proper dialogue.

After a two year gap, formal talks between the home secretaries of both countries were held. Hindustan Times reports that the talks went beyond 26/11, “it focused on the meeting grounds for security agencies and deepened people-to-people contacts.” Both GK Pillai and Chaudhary Qamar Zaman have stated that the talks have been positive and a step in the right direction.

Also, as an act of goodwill Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari will free an Indian national, Gopal Das who has been in Pakistani jail for 27 years for being an alleged spy.

  

I have also read in the Times of India report that PM Gilani has urged the entire team to demonstrate the best of sportsmanship and dedication to the contest, irrespective of the result of the match,” while on a call to captain Shahid Afridi. He also stated that he will be present to express his solidarity with the team.

Would you believe it, Pakistani interior minister Rehman Malik has even warned the Pakistani team against match fixings. Former Pakistan Captain Imran Khan has lashed out at the minister for his comments.

Tickets of course are selling like hot cakes. I have also heard that they are being sold in black for an outrageous amount of Rs. 50 000 – 1 00 000, if reports are to be believed.

The latest reports from The Telegraph, Calcutta is stating that the stadium is becoming a hot spot for Contractual pharmacists demanding regularization of jobs today clashed with the police outside the stadium. Disgruntled doctors, nurses and sweepers also are planning to join in the protests.

There are also reports that claim that both team’s players are being requested to keep themselves away from the television and other media politics so as to not increase the pressure on the game.

Most of the TV stations are in fact not speaking to sports analysts or players to determine the outcome of the match or to analyze the strengths and weaknesses of each team, but you see politicians talking about the political aspect of this particular match. .

The real question is how the people will react on the day of the match. Muslims in India, are being insulted, being asked to pick their side, and watched upon like a hungry vulture’s prey. Already there are those being looked down upon in either country for supporting the other team. It is almost as if one is a traitor, even though your support is based solely on who you think is a better team.

We have always seen that there are extremists and haters and what the Twitter world call trolls. Those who are just looking for an outlet for their hate. Will they make a scene at the match? Will they get involved and mess up the ambience of the match? Let’s sure hope not.

I hope that this goes a long way in bringing the two countries together, and closing the gap among the people, not just at the diplomatic leadership level. A large number of Pakistanis have been given visas and tickets to come be part of this historic ‘clash of the titans’ match. Many Indians have given up on their prized tickets to allow the Pakistani fans to witness the match live.

But I must say, that Pakistan losing out on its chance to have been co-hosts along with Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and India, due to the security concerns there, is very unfortunate.

After reading about the latest updates on the security measures, I am beginning to think it no longer is a concern. India Inc. under Home Minister P. Chidambaram seems to going all out to protect all those who will be at the match.

The Hindu reports that over 3000 police personnel will be on patrol and that the Chandigarh police have installed jammers to detect explosives. The National Security Guard and anti-aircraft guns will be deployed and the security of the stadium will be under the elite Special Protection Group.

All eyes are going to be on the Punjab Cricket Association Stadium in Mohali on Wednesday, for much more reasons than a good game of cricket.