By Malik Arshed Gilani
Karachi: Cricket has through its history been a vehicle for a very spirited and a do-or-die kind of competition but it was meant to be played with the noblest feelings of good sportsman spirit.
The two main original antagonists in this game were the Australians and the English. If we consider that the original Australians were of the same origin as the English, it becomes even more relevant to what I would like to write about today. Let us recall that this same game was held by both these countries in such high regard that when Douglas Jardine indulged and encouraged his team to indulge in body line bowling in that infamous ‘Body Line Series’, it caused a major diplomatic incident which could have affected relations between the two countries. Thankfully better sense prevailed and the famous Ashes series is continued today in the same fervour to be a highlight for not only the two countries but also for the cricket world.
These two countries went on to become the leaders of the cricket world and jointly were a major decision-maker in cricket. They controlled the game and were almost dictatorial in their command over the rest of the world. The governing body of cricket, the ICC for many years was controlled by them. It took much water to flow under the bridge before this monopoly was broken by the other major participants in the game the important point is that it took two of them. A time had come about when two other major players of the game, India and Pakistan were in a position to have the same kind of influence.
Sadly a mixture of short-sightedness on the part of India and bad management on the part of Pakistan is pushing us away from such a position.
Let me put it to the readers that no single country can in this day and age control any game without creating much antagonism. It does not matter what amount of financial strength is at their command or what incentives it offers to cricketers around the world, most of the major members of the ICC through the ICC Tours Programme do get enough of the pie to pay their players well. That is not to say that the economically weaker countries are able to compete with the big boys but when added to the pride of playing for ones’ country with the fact that the country must sanction its players to play in any foreign tournament control is possible. Further to this, as is becoming increasingly visible when one country starts having too much of a presence in the world controlling body it starts to raise the hackles of all the other members and will have a negative effect.
It is a fact of cricket’s history that Pakistan was the first country after England and Australia that was able to take bring the World Cup to the sub-continent. It is further to the credit of the PCB at the time that having singly won the rights to hold this tournament they wisely asked India to join them in organising and holding it. Let me admit that such an act was in the interest of Pakistan but more importantly the move ensured that it was not a flash in the pan and would ensure continuity in the widening of influence to the outer ring members of the ICC. The tournament was a resounding success and the credit should and did go to both the BCCI and the PCB. Large numbers of cricket lovers traveled to and from both the countries to view the games. The two high commissions by necessity had to ease their difficulties in issuing Visas and the police controls also had to be eased. To the best of my knowledge not one incident was recorded when the ease in visa and police controls led to any untoward incident which could harm the security of either country.
The hospitality expressed on both sides of the border was just incredible. This was extended by ordinary citizens and tradesmen to exhibit that the sentiments were shared by the widest possible cadre of people on both sides. Friendship and goodwill simply flowed on both sides.
From those days, we are at a point now, when both cricket boards seem to be acting in their own interests to the detriment of the other. This is taking it a step too far and will result in damage to both in particular and to the subcontinent in general. India has become an economic giant especially as far as cricket sponsorship is concerned and has developed much muscle in the cricket world. It is flexing its muscles and the ripples are being felt even in distant shores. Part of the responsibility of this must be carried by the mealy mouthed approach of the PCB chairmen who got to the job in the last ten to twelve years. They were so intent on trying to please their Indian counterparts that they lost any influence that they had upon them.
Quite naturally, human nature took over and the BCCI now treats its neighbours some what casually. This is not in their long term interest.
India and Pakistan are geographically connected and could be likened to twins who have been surgically separated at birth. Sadly, the surgeon’s intentions were immoral and he conducted the operation with the hope that the one would be forced by circumstances that he left behind to rejoin the other. The surgeon did not give credit to the innate strength of the people of this area and both the babies have grown to be some 60 plus years old. One may be bigger than the other but since both of them have hugely destructive powers they have but one possible sensible course to follow; Friendship!
Cricket is the life blood of the peoples of both countries. It is a force that has the power to contribute hugely into making the two countries into strongly competitive neighbours. This is the right way to go but hopefully sensible management on both sides will realise that working with cooperation and in their own interests they could impact on the world of cricket for the betterment of the people of the subcontinent. Neither can do this alone. Hopefully this will also act as an example for both the countries to follow the same principles in other walks of life.
The cricket boards of both countries carry a heavy responsibility and both have the chance of making great history.
