Cricket Diplomacy

15 March 2004


India XI Arrive in Pakistan

They arrived with security befitting an American President in a war zone. Their welcome was of the type usually reserved for rock stars. So what was the big deal about the guys who got off a plane just before 2 pm Wednesday at Lahore's Allama Iqbal International airport? Apart from the fact that they were the first Indian national cricket team to tour Pakistan in 15 years, they represented a warming of relations between south Asia's nuclear powers, nations that might be able to teach a few lessons to others.

Since their independence from Britain in 1949, Pakistan and India have fought three bloody wars. Kashmir remains disputed territory between the two, and now that they both have nuclear weapons, another war could mean the deaths of millions. The recently improved relations, based on "talks about talks," bring credit to both nations leaders as people of sense.

Cricket is not quite a religion in these countries, but it is certainly a measure of tensions. No cricket, no peace from 1960-1978. When the tours resumed a young Imran Khan became a national hero taking 40 wickets for Pakistan, a mighty feat. But as the cricketeer-turned-politician said recently, "People who knew nothing about cricket followed that series because it was against India." And now, the two sides, who have risen in the international rankings in the last two years, face off in what will be passionate competition. Best of all, thousands of Indians have bought tickets and are traveling to Pakistan for the matches, many seeing their neighboring country for the first time.

Here is the lesson -- get to know one another. Finding common ground has been the secret to the Musharraf and Vajpayee rapprochement. How many Israelis and Palestinians spend any time together? Or unionists and nationalists in Northern Ireland? Race relations in America improved dramatically once segregation ended. The job is not finished, but having friends on the other side quickly eliminates the idea of sides.

And one should not forget the 5-weeks of matches. India's Shoaib Akhtar has a 100 mile-per-hour delivery. Watching him bowl to Pakistan's captain Inzamam-ul-Haq will best be done in slow motion replay; the red ball is too hard to follow live, especially if Mr. ul-Haq catches it just right for six runs. Pakistan's bowling is slightly stronger, and they will have home field advantage. Still, Test cricket offers the chance for the ideal diplomatic solution -- a draw after five days of excellent play.

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