May the better team win

The semi-final clash between Pakistan and India today at Mohali will keep people everywhere out of office and detached from their normal pursuits. The build up by the media — even more notably on the Indian side than the Pakistani one — has been quite extraordinary. While hype and frenzied excitement have always been a part of Pakistan-India encounters, and are not entirely unwelcome, this time round things seem to have gone over the top. It is worth remembering that we are preparing for a sporting encounter, and not World War III. There needs to be some degree of rationality. We need to see things in some kind of perspective. Sports should not be taken to levels of insanity.

The extent to which the event has become wrapped up with politics is also telling. It is ironic that it took a cricketing encounter to bring the leaders of both countries to the talks table. We should be able to expect greater maturity from those elected to represent millions of people. They should not need the draw of a sporting encounter to bring them together. Surely the needs of people, concern for their welfare and for the future of the region should be the prime consideration of politicians, regardless of whether a game of cricket is to be played or not.

The upcoming match has temporarily driven away thoughts of their many concerns from the minds of people. This is the formidable power of sports. It also generates a kind of unity we rarely see in other times. The entire nation will come together today to cheer on Shahid Afridi and his men, who carry on their shoulders the enormous weight of the expectations of millions. We all hope, of course, that they can make their way into the final. Our country needs the joy such a triumph would bring. But we must also set our sights on seeing a match played well, in the right spirit and without the retort to cries of foul play or even violence that have in the past marred some Pakistan-India contests. The team that holds its nerve and is mentally stronger is in all likelihood going to emerge the winner. May the better side win.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 30^th, 2011.