India's decision to invite Pakistan for a short limited overs cricket series later this year is a welcome one, although both countries need to be clear that sporting ties cannot be a solution to the long standing political problems that have dogged the warring neighbours for decades.
A look at India-Pakistan ties over the past 65 years brings into sharp focus a pattern where cricket is used as a vehicle to give the impression that both nations are at least interacting with each other and keeping things moving, as it were, until greater peace and understanding is reached at some point of time. This, tragically, has never happened.
In 2004 when India went on their first Test tour of Pakistan in 16 years following a thaw in relations, it created massive media interest throughout the world. Television stations and newspapers from even non-cricketing nations sent their representatives to cover the historic series and capture the thrill and excitement of a high-profile clash between the two proud nations.
Ironically, it was the Hindu nationalistic Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) that was in power in India at that time, with Pakistan headed by military leader Pervez Musharraf. That Indian Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee and Musharraf could hit it off despite their strikingly different personalities was in itself a miracle of sorts, even considering the fact the politics in the subcontinent is often insincere and contrived, with nobody sure from where the knife in the back would be coming from.
That “historic” series in 2004 – every series that comes after a few years between the two countries is historic for that matter – saw India and Pakistan clashing with each other on the cricket field on an annual basis thereby filling the coffers of both cricket boards before the terror strikes in Mumbai happened in 2008.
It was back to square one after that with India upping its rhetoric against Pakistan saying that the terror attacks had its official backing. Pakistan, of course, denies this, with the result that allegations and counter-allegations have been traded over the past four years jeopardising whatever little progress had been made in the period between 2004 and 2008.
The terrorist attack on the Sri Lankan team in Lahore compounded matters with Pakistan declared a no-go area as far as international cricket was concerned, leaving the PCB in desperate need of cash. The resumption of ties with India could ease its financial concerns to a great extent.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) swiftly welcomed the proposed series, which will now require approval from the Indian foreign affairs and home ministries.
“The decision is great and we welcome it. It seems that millions of cricket fans have their wishes fulfilled,” PCB chairman Zaka Ashraf said.
Many in Pakistan have welcomed it, as also in India, although batting legend Sunil Gavaskar spoke out against it saying Pakistan has not dealt with the 2008 attacks sincerely.
But will cricket lead to a permanent state of peace?
Going by history it’s highly unlikely, but until then we at least have the cricket.