With recent political issues curtailing the behemoth that is known as a Pakistan v India cricket match, a vast majority of the general cricketing public, purist, journalist and player alike, are missing what is seen as one of the great sporting events befitting any calendar.
Regardless of the venue, you can be sure that these long time arch rivals will be pitted in an atmosphere of intense battle and pressure, where a loss is simply not tolerated or indeed, bearable. Indeed, these rivalries bring out the best in both teams and provide more than excitement.
There have been many memorable moments throughout the history of these clashes. Who could ever forget Javed Miandad’s lusty blow for 6 of Chetan Sharma in Sharjah and Aqib Javed’s 7 wicket haul at the same venue, or my long time partner, Saeed Anwar’s majestic 194.
Test clashes have been none too shabby either, with Sehwag pummelling a Test Triple Century in a day, or, the first ever Asian Test Championship in Calcutta, where a near record 500,000 spectators witnessed a Test of titanic proportions, which saw Pakistan cross the winning line by 46 runs.
The pre match build ups for players are equal to those of a world heavyweight title fight. There are constant requests for interview and sound bites. The verbal jousting and mental disintegration aided by the Media. Some players handle these emotions better than others, and it’s not just the older pro’s under the microscope. Both sides have played each other regularly. Finding new strengths and weaknesses can inevitably come down to some individual moment of brilliance on the day, as opposed to getting an analyst’s dissection report.
Outside the ground, tickets change hands for many times their face value to those who are desperate. It’s a mega social event and it beats any night out on the town.
Normally, the wicket conditions are stacked in favour for the batters, and fireworks galore are guaranteed as both teams are able to call on heavyweights hitters and wristy stroke players. The bowlers prize these scalps like a Van Gogh masterpiece. Mixed into the cauldron, a deafening crescendo of noise, season with a billion plus armchair fans and stirred with on field machismo, you have a tailor made recipe for a fascinating denouement.
For a player to perform in a game that takes his side to success, he is catapulted from zero to hero status, as quick as a Ferrari zooms from standstill to 60mph. Everyone simply wants a piece of you and becomes your friend, with doors opening to you that were previously shut.
Pakistan leads the head to head clashes in both formats, with T20 tussles, still in their infancy.
However, these clashes are becoming scarce due to outside forces. The honest fan in the street is being deprived to a basic right and that right is to watch competitive sport that knows no bounds, creed or culture.
Let’s get it back on as this is no cricket match, this is war, however, the beauty of this war, is, that it brings both nations together, builds bridges and makes friends.
Regardless of the venue, you can be sure that these long time arch rivals will be pitted in an atmosphere of intense battle and pressure, where a loss is simply not tolerated or indeed, bearable. Indeed, these rivalries bring out the best in both teams and provide more than excitement.
There have been many memorable moments throughout the history of these clashes. Who could ever forget Javed Miandad’s lusty blow for 6 of Chetan Sharma in Sharjah and Aqib Javed’s 7 wicket haul at the same venue, or my long time partner, Saeed Anwar’s majestic 194.
Test clashes have been none too shabby either, with Sehwag pummelling a Test Triple Century in a day, or, the first ever Asian Test Championship in Calcutta, where a near record 500,000 spectators witnessed a Test of titanic proportions, which saw Pakistan cross the winning line by 46 runs.
The pre match build ups for players are equal to those of a world heavyweight title fight. There are constant requests for interview and sound bites. The verbal jousting and mental disintegration aided by the Media. Some players handle these emotions better than others, and it’s not just the older pro’s under the microscope. Both sides have played each other regularly. Finding new strengths and weaknesses can inevitably come down to some individual moment of brilliance on the day, as opposed to getting an analyst’s dissection report.
Outside the ground, tickets change hands for many times their face value to those who are desperate. It’s a mega social event and it beats any night out on the town.
Normally, the wicket conditions are stacked in favour for the batters, and fireworks galore are guaranteed as both teams are able to call on heavyweights hitters and wristy stroke players. The bowlers prize these scalps like a Van Gogh masterpiece. Mixed into the cauldron, a deafening crescendo of noise, season with a billion plus armchair fans and stirred with on field machismo, you have a tailor made recipe for a fascinating denouement.
For a player to perform in a game that takes his side to success, he is catapulted from zero to hero status, as quick as a Ferrari zooms from standstill to 60mph. Everyone simply wants a piece of you and becomes your friend, with doors opening to you that were previously shut.
Pakistan leads the head to head clashes in both formats, with T20 tussles, still in their infancy.
However, these clashes are becoming scarce due to outside forces. The honest fan in the street is being deprived to a basic right and that right is to watch competitive sport that knows no bounds, creed or culture.
Let’s get it back on as this is no cricket match, this is war, however, the beauty of this war, is, that it brings both nations together, builds bridges and makes friends.
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