India and Pakistan: Politics, Neighborhood and Cricket

India-Pakistan rivalry in cricket is considered one of the best in the sport.

Long, long ago all of it used to be India. Then, suddenly the British decided to partition the nation. And she was divided. Pakistan was formed; India got the much-wanted ‘freedom’; and an eternal rivalry — India versus Pakistan — was formed. The relationship between neighbours has not really taken off despite several efforts as far as India and Pakistan are concerned; there have been wars, animosities, and more. However, there is one factor that has kept the nations together: cricket. Amidst some unmanageable unrest, cricket has continued to peep through political turmoil, and has seldom let down with the entertainment it promises. On the context of the current yes-no-maybe situation regarding India vs Pakistan bilateral series, Paulami Chakraborty walks down memory lane to find how cricket and politics have got entangled time and again in cricket contests involving India and Pakistan. READ: India vs Pakistan 2015-16: Cricket needs the old rivalry back

India earned her Test status in 1932, when she was still an undivided nation. Following partition, Pakistan followed suit. In no time, Pakistan grew into one of the most successful sides, surpassing India as well, despite facing the usual difficulties of a new nation. However, to be fair, several Indian cricketers had moved over to the other side of the border after Partition. Abdul Hafeez Kardar, Pakistan’s first Test captain, had played Tests for India, as had Amir Elahi and Gul Mohammad, both of whom later played for Pakistan. Fazal Mahmood started his First-Class career in India but moved to Pakistan to become the country’s first bowling superstar. On the other hand, Lala Amarnath grew up in Lahore and went on to become a significant face in Indian cricket.

Pakistan played their first series with India, and won their first Test against the same. Though India won the series 2-1, the next two series between the two were drawn 0-0 thanks to some extremely attritional cricket between the nations. In the interim, Pakistan beat England in England, and Australia, West Indies and New Zealand, all under Kardar (of course, they never got to play Pakistan during their Apartheid era). All these elevated Pakistan’s standing as a cricket-playing nation to new heights. Till then, no serious controversies brewed up regarding cricket between the two nations. READ: Ind vs Pak, World Cup 1999: Cricketers smother Kargil War

Then, in the 1960s, the subcontinent witnessed the two countries locked at War. Cricket had to be ceased. It finally resumed in the year 1978 — a series that witnessed a rift when Bishan Bedi conceded a match as the umpire gave a controversial verdict during a deciding match. Sarfraz Nawaz bowled four consecutive bouncers but not a single one was called wide. Not much was made of it. In the return series, the Eden Gardens crowd showed a great gesture, giving Asif Iqbal a standing ovation during his farewell.

Another successful series for Pakistan followed as India visited Pakistan for a 6-Test series that Pakistan won 3-0. Javed Miandad, Mudassar Nazar and Zaheer Abbas all scored runs by hundreds, Imran Khan tore into the Indians, but along with that, there were complaints regarding umpiring and ball-tampering.

Balwinder Sandhu told in an interview with CricketCountry: “They were bowling huge no-balls. Sarfraz was often bowling from a foot outside the crease. After one of the deliveries I walked up the crease and drew a line with my bat to mark from where he was bowling. Imran shouted from mid-on in Punjabi, asking Sarfraz to tell me to do my job … There was also some serious ball-tampering in the series that enhanced reverse-swing. Several clear leg-before decisions — especially against Mudassar, Miandad, and Zaheer were turned down, and those against Indian batsmen were given. The Pakistanis wanted to win the series at all costs … We were told it was a Goodwill Tour and we had to stay away from all controversies. The problem was, it wasn’t really a Goodwill Tour for the Pakistan team. They took all kinds of measures to win.”

The most impactful incident when the rivalry got violent was the Ahmedabad Test of 1986-87 India tour of Pakistan. Stones were pelted directing towards the Pak cricketers which made skipper Imran Khan ask his boys to wear helmets and field. The phenomenon was repeated in 1989-90 in Pakistan; this time by the Karachi crowd and the match had to be called off.

As the rifts grew, India and Pakistan stopped hosting each other and instead played at neutral venues like Sharjah and Toronto. Eventually, in 1997-98, when India finally toured for a 3-ODI series, the Karachi crowd were once again active with stones in their hands. When it was Pakistan’s turn to tour, Shiv Sena threatened to release venomous snakes in the Feroz Shah Kotla ground in Delhi if the series wasn’t cancelled. DDCA responded by planting the best snake-charmers in town in the gallery, but that is another story. ALSO READ: Anurag Thakur: Dharamsala right place to host high-voltage India-Pakistan match in ICC World T20 2016

Another incident that pops up to the ardent cricket followers witnessing cricket during the late 1990s is the one in Eden Gardens. It initiated with an unintentional push from Shoaib Akhtar, resulting in shoving Sachin Tendulkar out of the crease. The stumps were broken, and an umpiring error cost Tendulkar his wicket. Eden Gardens did an encore of World Cup semi-final 1996 by pelting stones and bottles at the players; the ground had to be evacuated, and Pakistan won in an empty stadium.

There were four series on the trot between 2003-04 and 2007-08, before the 26/11 attack in Mumbai happened. Once again the relationship between the countries deteriorated. Pakistan had a peaceful outing in the 2011 World Cup semi-final at Mohali, but the ties were as good as broken. There was a brief revival in 2012-13, but with the 2015-16 series as good as called off, it seems the animosity is there to stay for some time.

India vs Pakistan contests have witnessed it all, from excessive passion to deserted streets, from violent reactions to appreciation. At the end of the day, it is cricket that unites them more than anything, even ghazals and biryani. It unites them to react, to express, to be one.

Unfortunately, it is something the common man, the fan, has no right to decide.

(Paulami Chakraborty, a singer, dancer, artist, and photographer, loves the madness of cricket and writes about the game. She can be followed on Twitter at @Polotwitts)

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