The Board of Cricket Control in India (BCCI) has
decided to resume bilateral cricketing ties between India and Pakistan after a
gap of almost five years. So, what has changed since 2008, when the ties were
snapped following the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, to warrant such a change?
Nothing.
You’d fooling yourself if you thought that such realities
ever bothered BCCI. India Pakistan cricket series has been one long start-stop-start-stop affair for the
longest time. Following the 1965 and 1971 wars cricket was stopped for almost
15 years between the two neighbors and then in 1999 the Kargil War saw a break
in cricket for some years. With the gaps in between matches only increasing
with the passage of time the matches have assumed the garb of a war of sorts
whenever the two countries play. The passions run high and the emotions only
higher. While there’s always been a definite reason to snap ties on every
occasion, there hardly any justification in restarting play.
BCCI announced that the Home Ministry was taken into
confidence before the announcement of a short Indo-Pak series between December
2012 and January 2013 and it didn’t have any objection. It’s strange that on
the one hand the government of India is crying hoarse about Pakistan’s lack of seriousness
in dealing with the 26/11 perpetrators while on the other hand it is ready to
play cricket without a change in the reason for which it was stopped in the
first place. Sunil Gavaskar has, rightfully, questioned the urgency with which
the Board has forged ahead to revive the ties. The former Indian captain feels
that there’s has been no co-operation from Pakistan in the Mumbai terror
attacks probe besides an already heavy schedule would only put greater stress
on the players.
Pakistan has been the pariah of the international
cricketing community for a while now. The 2008 Sri Lankan tour of Pakistan
where the visitors’ bus was attacked ensured that every country opted for out
of playing a rubber in Pakistan. Cricket has been at its lucrative best in the
subcontinent and Pakistan hasn’t made its fair share. BCCI’s decision will
ensure that Pakistan Cricket Board gets its share of the Rs. 210 crores the
Board stands to make from this unexpected series, which is one of the reasons
why Pakistan Cricket Board would welcome this decision.
Politicians like Sharad Pawar, Arun Jaitley and
Manohar Johsi occupy some of the highest offices in cricketing bodies across
India. While they vehemently oppose anything connected with Pakistan in the
Parliament they have no qualms in looking the other side when it comes to
cricket. This hijacking of nation’s interests isn’t happening for the first
time but who cares as long as there’s big money like Rs. 210 crores to be made
in just a matter of in a matter of 3 ODIs and 2 T20 matches. In the end the
players would be happy, the viewers would get something to look forward to, the
boards would make a killing, especially the BBCI as its six year deal with Star
Sports doesn’t mention India-Pakistan matches, which means BCCI is free to hand
the rights to anyone who pays the most.
It’s time for the Indian cricket team, the blessed hen
that it is for BCCI, to lay one of those golden eggs again. Play on!
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