India-Pakistan fan clashes after ICC World Cup 2015 game disappointing after the Adelaide camaraderie

Adelaide was one big cricketing party when India and Pakistan played each other in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015. Fans of both teams celebrated the cricketing atmosphere, in the backdrop of the arch-rivalry. Although, there was the burning desire to see their respective sides win, the fans immersed themselves in an atmosphere of brotherhood. Nishad Pai Vaidya writes that had you been in Adelaide, the news of the clashes in Sydney and Uttar Pradesh would have left you disappointed. Adelaide was gripped by the India-Pakistan fever over the weekend as fans from both nations flooded the normally quiet city. Although each side wanted their team to win, there was a party atmosphere that took precedence. The two sides were celebrating the sport and enjoying the enormity of the occasion. Keeping that in mind, it was deeply disturbing to know that fans had clashed in Sydney and in Uttar Pradesh, India. The video has been doing the rounds on social media and doesn’t reflect well on the two sets. ICC Cricket World Cup 2015: POINTS TABLE Unfortunately, the brawl will hit the headlines and not the celebration of cricket that took place in Adelaide. There was an air of camaraderie between the two fan bases as they warmed up for the contest. Up in Hindley Street, fans chanted for their respective nations, but it was all in good humour. “India jeetega!” was followed by a “Pakistan Zindabad!” and a few cheeky smiles. “If you can do it, we can do it better,” they said to one another. ICC Cricket World Cup 2015: SCHEDULE & MATCH DETAILS [read-also]250974,250663[/read-also] If you had walked into the Adelaide Oval premise a few hours into the match, you would have felt as though you were walking into a subcontinental dance party. Indian and Pakistani fans were dancing to the Punjabi beats. The DJ had a good time entertaining the crowd. An Indian fan got up and played AR Rahman’s Vande Mataram, with the whole troop joining in unison. Then came a Pakistan fan and played a patriotic song, with the green army dancing. There was no animosity or bad blood. Even when those songs were played, the two sides respected each other and there were only a few harmless jokes. ICC Cricket World Cup 2015: Complete Coverage In the stands, Mohammad Basheer Bozai, the new chacha, and the iconic Sudhir Kumar, were seated together. Even after the game was done, both walked out together. Outside the stadium, there was an Indian man and his Pakistani wife. They were being interviewed by a television channel. Even though India had won, you could see that the celebrations hadn’t gone out of control. Of course, the presence of security forces helped. Had you seen all that in Adelaide, the scenes in Sydney would have left you heartbroken. More so because another clash took place in Uttar Pradesh, which is in the heart of India. Yes, there is a lot more to an India-Pakistan contest. The bitter history between the two nations lurks in the backdrop when the two countries meet in any sporting event. The two large populations expect only victory from their sides. But, do not forget! It is a game after all. Sport is meant to unite and not divide. (Nishad Pai Vaidya is a Correspondent with CricketCountry and anchor for the site’s YouTube Channel. His Twitter handle is @nishad_45)