They crossed our border with that blend of anxiety and excitement that the youth representing their nation know. Their parents and friends had told that we didn’t know hospitality, that they would be treated roughly.
India has already won
And even before their match, India has already won – won their respect, by showing them the kind of love they never imagined. Calling India’s welcome “fantastic” and Indians “excellent people”, 23-year-old Faizan Khan, captain of Pakistan’s Government Jinnah College team told Indiatimes that: “It doesn’t even feel like we are in India. We’ve gotten even more love here than in Pakistan!” In Dehradun for the Red Bull Campus Cricket, a global T20 cricket tournament for university cricket teams, that serves as proving grounds for cricketers to showcase their talent.
Pakistan and cricket - a grim picture?
Even as Shiv Sena fights against India-Pakistan cricket, the only venue of true bilateral diplomacy, this team from Karachi has been literally bowled over by how Dehradun treated them. Since the March 2009 terror attack of Lahore that saw Sri Lankan cricketers airlifted from the stadium, Pakistan have played all their home matches in the UAE. Moreover, Pakistan’s bilateral series’ with India have been few and far between, especially after the 26/11 Mumbai terror attack of 2008. The last time Pakistan played cricket in India was in 2012-13 when they beat India 2-1 in ODIs and drew the T20Is 1-1.
“Things are completely opposite to what we perceived before coming here”
When they’d told their friends and family members they were coming to India, these lads had only received fearful warnings about how Indians would treat them. But within days, calls made home to Karachi only has happy memories. "We are extremely happy to be here. Things are completely opposite to what we perceived before coming here. We have been treated warmly since we landed.” Faizan told the Times of India. They haven’t done any sightseeing yet, but they’re trying to convince their manager to see India.
No Hindu Muslim conflict here either
The team also have two Hindu brothers - Ram Ravi and Amit Ravi. The brothers, who got admission in the Government Jinnah College through the sports quota, aim to play for the Pakistan cricket team in the future. "Sports is the religion of sportspersons and they should be left to play the game. We want cricketing ties between the two countries to resume," said 16-year-old Ram Ravi.
Sports should not be influenced by politics
Faizan laughed when we reminded them of the Indo-Pak cricket match in ‘Bajrangi Bhaijaan’, and said that the Indo-Pak cricket cold war must end. “Especially considering how the world loves watching the India-Pakistan matches, these issues should not occur.” Despite clear evidence of how quickly India can wins over Pakistan’s most impressionable minds, delays in getting a visa are a cause for concern. "We got our tickets just a day before our first match in the tournament," the team's opening batsman Shahzar Hasan had said in an earlier interview. Today, Faizan repeatedly urged that sports should not be influenced by politics.
Only the 11 got visas – there’s no coach or support staff allowed, due to stricter visa regulations. This, despite our government’s attempts at easier visa regulations. Yet, they’d prepared enough for the Dehradun pitch, and seem confident.
