The greatest moment in any cricket nuts life in the subcontinent has come today when India and Pakistan shall face-off in the Cricket World Cup semi-final. Many are billing it as the final before the final and indeed this rivalry is one for the ages. The Ashes may be more than a hundred years old but they cannot hold a candle to the passion and the fight that this rivalry sparks. Bolstered by the support of the entire nation, this is sports at its pinnacle. A thing of beauty; a thing of inspiration.
The politicisation of sports is a very bad idea. Its an independent sphere of life which should neither serve senseless jingoism nor just be mindless entertainment. It should be celebrated as something that inspires and is to be enjoyed for the power and sway it hold over billions.
All those people making comments like this whitewashes the regions real problems or that the winner will be cricket or peace should keep their rhetoric to themselves. The sport is sport and their will be only one winner and the fans should be allowed to indulge their partisanship. Its better we battle it out in the pitch rather than elsewhere.
The history of India-Pakistan cricket has produced many well-fought matches and this one promises to be a cracker as well. A world class bowling attack versus a world class bowling line-up. Even if its a one-sided match (which it hopefully wont be), it will be drama encapsulated in a stadium. After all, its Team Green vs Team Blue. And we want with all our hearts for The Greenshirts to triumph in a blaze of glory. Peace will come later. Right now, this win will do.
KAMIL HASSAAN
Lahore