Javeed Bin Nabi
A word ‘war’ is a very minute word in every dictionary .The well crafted Oxford dictionary defines it as an ‘ aggression or ‘ hostile ‘ contentiousness through arms carried between two or more states or nations, rulers etc. But when the same word is being used in cricket of South-Asia especially the voltage contests of India and Pakistan it defines itself as a war without arms and tanks playing on 22 yard cricket pitch. Whenever there is a cricket knot between the two arch rivals of South Asia the atmosphere automatically turns intense, heated and is always expected to be a high voltage grand event, decades of long rivalry which purely transcends on 22 yard cricket pitch and in the hearts of people in two nations which include disputed Kashmiri’s as well. Because there lies a long enormity enormous Bloodshedding history of two nations which always give fuel on these mega events.
After the partition mark of 1947 which give the birth of two separate nations and two new ideologies , nothing was going well in favour of both the nations but fortunately it was only a war of cricket who slowly took its roots across South Asia include India and Pakistan as well , the long tensions and hostile attitudes seems decreasing and demoted when the first cricket match test series was played between the two arch rivals India and Pakistan in 1951, and then second in 1954 when India toured Pakistan , but unfortunately with the small passage of time the cricket relations between the two get hardest hit when the two major wars occurred in 1965 and 1971, who again pushed the spring of happiness in gloom and grief.
It fully interrupted, discorded and befouled the cricket ties between the two for a very long time, but slowly again the previous ties were resumed in 1977-78 , now every match was more heated than match’s of fifties because after the war distrust and huge Aberrance has taken its roots broadly between the two countries, every time one want to dominate other either politically , economically or through cricket. However the medium of domination and supermacy was seen during every match and on every ball. Their always remains constant friction and hard complexity between the two than International rivalries Australia and England on Ashes.
We all know that since the partition , the two separate nations with their different ideologies became the arch rivals not only in cricket but also in Kabaddi and Hockey as well, but the biggest cause and root of the rivalry is Kashmir issue which is still unresolved and disputed ,during every high voltage cricket match between India and Pakistan we have always seen Kashmir’s unflured Pakistani flags and cheer for them , they always showed their deep sentiments and profound love for Pakistan cricketers, generations have passed but the deep love from Pro Pakistani supporters in Kashmir had not been decreased or demoted , they are fully attached with them same like those students who cheered for Pakistan’s triumph against India in 2013 Asia cup at Swami Vivekananda Subharti University in Meeruit India who were later expelled and threatened with sedition charges. Because Kashmiri’s rejected the policies of India in occupied Kashmir and had witnessed everyday arrest warrants from Indian forces.
Nowadays Cricket became a religion in South Asia and many times it also offered several opportunities to both neighboring countries for developing a good and prosperous relations but unfortunately with the rise of domestic terrorism in Pakistan , Kashmir issue and the Aberrance of Indian politicians to their neighbouring country pushed the cricket diplomacy behind. Otherwise the history always witnessed that cricket played a very good role and as a bridge between the two neighbouring countries. But because of these day today happenings in South Asia cricket not only became a game between the two rather it became a war of two ideologies in South Asia.
Nowadays every cricket encounter between India and Pakistan became a legacy and superfluousness of matter. Perhaps I would not be a wrong if I say cricket is everything in Sub continent because during every volt encounter the contested player is being over praised and applauded by his nationmates and politicians , their every performance matters a lot. Every time it brings emotions and excitements .
To conclude I would say that we have seen incalculable Bloodshedding and miserable days and nights. Now we should abnegate to carry the unfounded offensive narratives between the people of two nations rather we should encourage both India and Pakistan for good relations and better future. Indeed cricket can play a very good role for establishing partnership based on respect and trust , moreover cricket diplomacy will abet both of the neighbouring countries to solve their bilateral issues through peaceful means and methods. And media’s role is more crucial and important than the diplomacy of cricket.
Author is student of International Relations at IUST Kashmir.
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