The Fantasy of Cricket Diplomacy

Pakistani Team arrives in Chandigarh. The players are required to give four hour prior notice if they want to go out of Taj Hotel where they are staying.

If you had questions on your mind such as what can a game of cricket do for two countries that are not friends and have been so insecure about each other’s intentions that they chose to become nuclear powers and have never had smooth diplomatic ties, then here is the answer: Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh is to watch the 30 March Pakistan India ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 Semi Final match. And that is not all. World leaders observe complicated diplomatic protocol to meet one another but Manmohan Singh has invited Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani to come to the stadium and watch.

The two countries who have never played each other in India since 26/11 attacks in Mumbai will surely attribute the outcome as a diplomatic victory or defeat for themselves. The frustrations that both have developed towards each other eversince they separated in 1947 are often vented through cricket matches and so its not just a game of cricket that fans from both sides enjoy.

How Shiv Sena killed the astrologer parrot who had predicted Pakistan’s victory is just a recent example of what a Pakistan India clash means.

India might earn some more money by selling tickets, issuing around 5000 visas to Pakistanis and generating economic activity for hotels but then that’s the best this match can achieve. I doubt if Mr. Singh and Mr. Gilani might be able to persuade each other of their point of views on human rights violations in Kashmir.

Security concerns for Pakistani cricketers and the visiting fans remain very real ahead of the match on Wednesday. The fact that cricket fans on both sides celebrate each other’s defeat with no less happiness than they cheer their triumphs gives an impression there is another Pakistan India war in Mohali on the 30th.

I wonder what was it that led Shahid Afridi to fantasize about Pak India relations improving as a result of this match because both countries would have to play cricket almost everyday before they can sit down and tackle issues crucial to the security and survival of their people.