Pakistan Cricket Team's tour to India

When Indian Cricket Team toured Pakistan last year, the Indian Cricket contingent (Team, management and Fans) were showered with love and support that shocked the world and in a subtle way supported my claims that the Indo-Pak Hostility is only over Kashmir and it’s the excuse used by both governments to cover up the social problems within both countries.

Now the question is everyone’s mind is, how is India going to welcome their fiercest rivals? I read an article on today’s paper doubting that even if we receive the Pakistanis into our country with open arms, it may only be because we want to return the favor extended by the Pakistani public. My opinion on this, as long as the outcome is a good one, as long as they are shown respect and love, the reason and motivation is immaterial. I do have slight reservations on this because of the political parties, BJP, VHP and organizations like RSS. I personally believe that they might seek political mileage out of this, I hope not but won’t be surprised if they do try and spoil it for everyone else.

Talking about Pakistani Cricket Team, I have to discuss my much maligned support to their Cricket team. I have always admired great leaders, Imran was one. A true captain, the way the entire team looked up to him, followed him, worked for him was what impressed me most. The passion that the Indian cricket team shows against the Pakistani Cricket team was evident on Imran’s team every time it took to the field and that’s what impressed me most. Wasim, Qadir, Miandad are few others not far behind the great man.
Its not the same now, the petulance and inflated ego of Akthar, the corruption scandals are killing what was once a great team. Many a times, I have been branded a traitor but then, I only see these as games and nothing more, it’s the same as Manchester United vs Manchester City or Mohun Bagan vs East Bengal.

India vs Pakistan cricket matches have always been high octane, end of the seat spectacles, I like another billion others enjoy the occasion immensely and let’s all hope and pray to the common god, for a repeat of last year’s action - ON and OFF the pitch.