India v Pakistan: Cricket Diplomacy - Making Better Use of the Game
“Sports promote harmony between individuals, groups and nations” is the proverbial saying of the populus living in the Sub-continent. However, if one wishes to see the tangible results of how sports bring two nations closer, one must see the way
Pakistan and India have decided to use the ICC World Cup 2011 semi-final for the promotion of mutual peace, harmony and co-existence.
Recently, while making best use of a sport that is loved across the border, the Prime Ministers from both sides of the border have decided to sit together and see their teams face each other on the field. While players of the respective teams at Mohali will
be trying hard to get rid of each other by winning the match, the Premiers of the two countries will be trying to get rid of the hatred caused by misunderstandings caused by terbulances over the last 65 years and win over each others' hearts.
The fervour surrounding the match between http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Pakistan-c755 is matchless in the cricketing world. The ‘to be played’ match has brought some good news even before a single ball has been bowled. After receiving the invitation from Indian Prime Minister Manmohan
Singh to watch the Pak-India semi-final together, in an attempt to contribute Pakistan’s part of good, President Asif Ali Zardari has remitted the sentence of Gopal Dass, an Indian who has been imprisoned in Lahore for the last 27 years.
When played, it is hoped that the match will eclipse the two nations of their mutual hatred towards each other.
Reports in Pakistani and Indian media have been rife about how spectators have been rushing for tickets; how the Chandigarh airport has run out of space for private planes; the hike in air fares and stringent security measures taken by Indian government,
all highlight the importance of this relationship that Pakistan and India share. Mohali is truly witnessing cricket madness of a different nature altogether.
Nevertheless, the excitement from apex to the common level has only resulted in adding up pressure onto the players of both sides. This is the first time when both teams are facing each other in India or Pakistan since they last met in 2008. Since then,
they have faced each other only twice and that too on neutral venues.
After carefully analysis the record, Team India has an edge over its guests as they haven’t lost to Pakistan in an ICC World Cup match, but this particular venue has been extremely lucky for the Cornered Tigers as they have remained unbeaten in Mohali against
the Indians.
The last time Pakistan faced India in Mohali was back in 2007, India, while batting first, put a huge total of 321 on the board. In response to which, Pakistan defied all odds to clinch the game with four wickets in the tank.
Disclaimer: The writer's opinion are his own and do not represent Bettor.com's editorial policy.
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