Daily Times

On Wednesday (March 30), hardly anyone will be talking of anything but cricket. It is Pakistan vs India! So it is more than an ordinary match. It is the World Cup semi-final that adds to its significance even further.

The India-Pakistan match is estimated to attract up to one hundred million television viewers according to well respected TV ratings firm ‘Initiative’. The Indian and Pakistani cricket teams have been long-time archrivals and their rivalry is considered one of the most intense sports rivalries in the world. Defeat is usually unacceptable to the fans of both teams. In the World Cup matches, India has a 4-0 record over Pakistan, although in Champions Trophy matches between these sides, Pakistan has a 2-0 record over India. Let us hope that by this time good ‘cricketing tradition’ has been understood and a game is seen as a game. I would like to appeal to all viewers to be calm and graceful whether we win or lose; a game is after all a game. We do not need to go wild and fire in the air, drive motorcycles at crazy speeds, or do one-wheeling, etc, in case of a victory. Nor do we need to smash windows, collapse on our bed, be depressed, miss office and quarrel with friends and family and least of all prepare to insult the cricketers on return in case of defeat. This is not a war between ‘kufar’ and ‘Islam’. Grace in victory or defeat will be the test for us, and we, the fans, must pass the ‘test’. Yes, surely, pray for Pakistan by all means.

Pakistan cricket team has a very interesting history. I recall the days when the venue of Test matches used to be the Gymkhana Club ground in Bagh-e-Jinnah. Following independence in 1947, cricket in the country developed steadily. Justice A R Cornelius, who later became the chief justice of Pakistan, was the captain of Lahore Gymkhana, with his other fellow cricketers like Mian Muhammad Saeed, Dr Jahangir Khan, Sheikh Muhammad Nisar, Dr Dilawar Hussain, and Q D Butt invited then Chief Minister Punjab, Khan Iftikhar Hussain, the Khan of Mamdot to form the Board of Control for Cricket in Pakistan (BCCP). Khan Iftikhar Hussain became the first president of BCCP.

The matches in the Gymkhana ground were held by creating a makeshift stadium of wooden planks. On the occasion of a match, when a lot of Indians were expected to come and see the match, the atmosphere in the city was amazing. Lahore households felt like hosts. The Lahore spectators, including our family and friends, cooked food to serve to the Indian visitors; we carried extra darries (rugs) to be put on the wooden planks and saved space for the Indian visitors. It was an unprecedented show of hospitality and goodwill; a tradition that needs to be carried on.

Pakistan was given Test match status at a meeting of the Imperial Cricket Conference at Lord’s Cricket Ground on July 28, 1952. Abdul Hafeez Kardar emerged as the most significant captain in those times. He was a good all rounder, a disciplinarian, inspirational, and carried himself gracefully. His captaincy was what was needed by the country. His educational background helped. The Pakistan team visited India. Pakistan’s first Test match was played in Delhi in October 1952 as part of a five-Test series, which India won 2-1. Pakistan won at Lucknow, thanks to a century by Nazar Mohammad and devastating bowling by Fazal Mahmood. Everyone in Pakistan was glued to the radio for commentary. Commentators like Rajkumar of Vizianagram ‘Vizzy’ and Tala Yar Khan set standards of sports communication on radio.

In 1954 came the first major challenge. Pakistan’s Test status was on trial during the team’s visit to England. Pakistan had lost one Test, two were drawn, and the final in the series was to be held at the Oval. It was a close match. We were glued to the radio. Fazal had taken 12 wickets, 24 runs remained and the last English batsman was playing. He made a strong hit, Hanif Mohammad fielding near the boundary line, picked up the ball, made a good throw and the batsman was run out! The Test and Test status were won. Kardar wrote the book, Test Status on Trial, later on. To draw against the most formidable team spoke of the great potential of Pakistani players. In a lighter vein, one is also reminded of the potential and determination of the players of this subcontinent in Aamir Khan’s celebrated film ‘Lagaan’.

In recent years the game has changed a lot. The Kerry Packer influence in introducing ‘One Day’ cricket was sneered at in the beginning and now it is the most popular format. It is colourful as against the white dress of the ‘Test matches’ and is affordable in time. The 20/20 format is a hit and run game, exciting but not really serious cricket. Personally I enjoy the One Dayers and the Tests.

The current Pakistan team has been through very hard times recently. Starting from the chairman Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and down to the players, real hard bashing has been going on. Cricketers have been the favourite punching bag of all and sundry. England proved to be the land of scandals when three important cricketers were suspended for ‘spot-fixing’. The biggest damage was caused to the bowling side because of young Aamir’s loss. Aamir was growing as a phenomenal cricketer and was improving consistently. He was named as the world’s most promising young player. Unfortunately, he got trapped in a scandal. At the age of barely 18 he should have been guided and taken care of.

However, the team and the team management have learnt their lessons. The team seems to have left its problems behind and after a long time started to behave as a well knit, consistent and professional side. Good luck to them and all the viewers. Hold your breath and be supportive.

The writer is a culture and media management specialist, a researcher, author, director and actor