India and Pakistan go to the mattresses
Today’s semi-final match is set to eclipse anything the World Cup has provided thus far, writes SHAFEEN MUSTAQ
If ever there was a sport to get the people of the subcontinent worked up to a fever pitch, it would be cricket. And if ever there were two countries with a temperamental and passionate history on and off the field, it would be Pakistan and India.
Having a shared cultural and national history spanning over a century and having gone through a war, genocide, nuclear attacks, cultural and social events to reacquaint themselves with each other, Pakistan and India are the quintessential malfunctioning on-again-off-again couple.
Despite their differences, both these countries have a passion for cricket that borders on – nay surpasses – mania. Cricket is more than a religion for some: it is a way of life – a game they live and breathe. Whether a child knows his alphabet or not, by the time he can comprehend, he knows cricket, by the time he can walk, he can hold a bat and by the time he can run, he can bowl.
India and Pakistan first met in a cricketing match in Delhi. They were to play a four-day test from 16 to 18 October 1952 but it took India only three days to reign victorious over Pakistan by a 70-run margin. India won the 5-match series 2-1 and held onto the title of victor for 26 years. Ten draws and 26 years later Pakistan won a match against India in the 1978-79 series. The two teams have played 59 test matches and 119 ODIs of which Pakistan has won 12 tests and 69 ODIs respectively. Both teams have made totals exceeding 600 against each other in a display of great talent and perseverance which proves their flair for the sport and justifies the excitement of their fans.
Today’s India-Pakistan semi-final of the 2011 World Cup in Mohali is a match is so eagerly anticipated that it overshadowed the match between New Zealand and Sri Lanka that preceded it – indeed will perhaps even overshadow the World Cup finals that will subsequently take place.
India and Pakistan last played each other in September 2009 at the ICC Trophy in South Africa, a match India lost by 54 runs. A loss which caused a furore back home, and resulted in the burning of effigies and threats to well-being players which were held up as idols only days before.
No other cricketing team lavishes rewards on their players like the Indian team and no other country faces more embarrassment from match-fixing accusations than Pakistan. Despite the rumours, the relegations and the risks – these two teams are sure to put on a show that will eclipse anything the World Cup has provided thus far.
