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| Thursday, 13 January 2005 |
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Rivals united, politics forgotten In cricket, India and Pakistan always have embodied the greatest of rivalries. A dust-pit wrestle between brothers, cricket often has been a battle not just for runs and wickets but for political superiority. So it is not surprising that last night, the one rule strictly adhered to by the Indians and Pakistanis in the Asian XI was: don't talk politics. According to India's glamorous opening bowler Zaheer Khan and Pakistani all-rounder Abdul Razzaq, the players, who have more in common with each other than any of their other cricketing opponents, are friendly and enjoy each other's company. This in spite of the long-running political tension between the subcontinental neighbours, whose regular wars since their 1947 separation resulted in a 17-year freeze in Test cricket between 1961 and 1978. "Every time India and Pakistan plays, it is tense. People from all over the world want to see India and Pakistan play because the matches are always exciting and always very close. They are played in a pressurised atmosphere and on field, it is very tough," Zaheer explained during the innings break last night. "But we do have a lot in common in the food and food habits and culture. And it is nice for once to be playing on the same side. And it's for such a good cause. "A lot of the people affected by the tsunamis are from Sri Lanka and India and by playing this match, we're going to raise lots of funds for the victims." Razzaq said it was easy to forget about politics, race and religion when faced with such a catastrophe and it was also an opportunity to build goodwill between even the bitterest of rivals. "We are cricketers and we love to play with each other. The only thing is we don't discuss politics. That is for the politicians," Razzaq said. "But tonight, we're sitting together, they're friendly and we're friendly. Everybody is chattering away." Razzaq and Zaheer agreed, however, that it was frustrating the two countries did not meet on the field more often. Before last year's Test series in Pakistan, the subcontinental neighbours had not met on home soil for a Test match since 1999, when India hosted Pakistan for three Tests amid threats of terrorism and sabotage. Before that series, activists from the right-wing political group Shiv Sena dug up the pitch at the Ferozshah Kotla ground in Delhi and threatened to release snakes on the field during play. The Indian government responded by hiring snake charmers and two Tests were played out peacefully before the final Test was completed at an empty Eden Gardens - the crowd had been evicted for throwing bottles and other debris on to the field at the fall of the ninth Indian wicket. But Razzaq said the political situation was "slowly getting better". Said Zaheer: "We've been playing a bit more recently and it's great. We're looking forward to hosting Pakistan next month." (The Age) |
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