Cheek to cheek

People across the border love the game. But India-Pakistan cricket takes a hit yet again as politics takes precedence over sports

Qaiser Mohammad Ali, Hardnews

When the young textile mill owner Naeem Gulzar especially came down to Multan from Lahore to present a beautiful carpet to Virender Sehwag following his historic triple Test century on India's unforgettable tour of Pakistan in 2004, he emulated Zia-ul-Haq. The late Pakistan president too had famously presented an expensive carpet to Sunil Gavaskar on his 100th Test match in Lahore in 1984. Exactly 20 years later, Gulzar made the presentation in Sehwag's hotel room and had a quiet dinner with him.

These are amongst the many incidents that underline how intertwined cricket is with the masses in the two countries. It is also a very effective tool that politicians in both countries use frequently, unashamedly and selfishly. Therefore, when India's scheduled tour to Pakistan -- the third one in less than five years -- this January-February, was cancelled after the attacks in Mumbai, genuine fans and players mourned the decision. No one knows for sure when the bilateral series would now resume.

The first time the game was sacrificed at the altar of India-Pakistan politics was after the 1960 war. No series was held for the next 18 years. Later, a 15-year gap occurred between 1989 and 2004. During this period India did not undertake a tour of Pakistan due to political reasons, though a two-Test series did take place in India in 1999. Interestingly, the 2004 tour happened despite the Kargil war in 1999 and the failed Agra Summit between Atal Behari Vajpayee and Pervez Musharraf in 2001. Nobody could imagine that a cricket series would be played so soon because of the prevailing tension.

Bishan Singh Bedi, who was India captain on the path-breaking tour of Pakistan in 1978-79, is disappointed with politicians interfering with cricket. "I don't have good views about all this (repercussions of India's cancelled tour), that's why I don't want to say much," he said. The legendary left-arm spinner refuses to guess as to how long the suspension would last. "When we toured Pakistan in 1978, it was after 18 years. What happened?" Bedi probably implied that now the situation is different from what it was in 1960. Now, powerful voices are putting pressure on India and Pakistan to make up.

Former India all-rounder Manoj Prabhkar, who toured Pakistan in 1989 for India's last full-fledged Test series before the 15-year gap occurred, is also unable to predict. "It will take a long time. I can't see it starting soon in the present circumstances," he said.  A quiet change in world cricket administration has happened in the last few years with the International Cricket Council (ICC) becoming pro-active. It now tells countries to honour the Future Tours Programme, a long-term schedule for the Test-playing nations. An example of this was the Pakistan-Australia Test matches played in Sharjah in 2000-01, when the Kangaroos declined to tour Pakistan due to security reasons. If a country declines to tour another country without solid reason it faces fines up to $2 million. But in the Indian case the penalty doesn't apply since the government stopped the tour not the cricket board. Indian and Pakistani boards are reportedly mulling over Abu Dhabi in UAE as an alternative neutral venue. Although the facilities there are excellent, it boils down to government permission and arranging foolproof security.