How decent is cricket politics between India and Pakistan

Cricket of diplomacy. Cricket of politics. For many years, India and Pakistan have been using cricket as a tool of politics and diplomacy. Both countries exploit extreme nationalist ‘sentiment’. For the vast populations of both nations, cricket is equivalent to religion. In times of internal political crises and election battles, cricket has been a major issue for many years in those two neighbouring countries.

Although Indian political leaders and the ruling government are more tactful and aggressive, Pakistan has not lagged behind in this regard. Some may recall that in 2005, after Pakistan’s long-range missile ‘Shaheen II’ successfully hit its target, their President General Pervez Musharraf said he was pleased and satisfied. This was because his country had finally been able to cross the threshold of minimum deterrent capability. Two weeks before launching ‘Shaheen II’, Pakistan had informed India that President General Pervez wished to attend the India-Pakistan ‘Friendship Cricket Series’ match in India in person, if invited. It was an aggressive diplomatic move. India then invited Pakistan’s President, suggesting he watch the match in the southern city of Kochi. But Pervez Musharraf wanted to watch in Delhi, to meet Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and conduct diplomatic discussions alongside the match. In the end, Pervez Musharraf watched the match in Delhi and spoke directly with Indian politicians. Cricket ‘diplomacy’ helped temporarily ease the nerve tension between the two countries.

Indian cricket businessmen control world cricket. The ICC never wants to get into disputes with businessmen. Their major ‘financiers’ are Indian businessmen. For these financiers, the ICC constantly grows ‘plump’. The Indian cricket board’s funds expand accordingly. Each year, the Indian cricket board’s ‘net profit’ rises. The dominance and economic power of Indian cricket are backed by these businessmen. England, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa all respect Indian cricket businessmen, because money tastes sweet to everyone.

No other sport between India and Pakistan generates such tension and nerve strain as cricket. India and Pakistan play while police patrol the streets in Ahmedabad. There is no way to deviate from usual routine. Earlier, international hockey used to stir battles between the two nations, but those days are gone. Both have now become like last-row students in class in the case of international hockey. Cricket is now marked as a battle of prestige between the two countries. Although in recent years, Pakistan has been less successful on the field compared to India. Some politicians in India and Pakistan understand the word ‘game’ to mean only cricket for specific reasons. I once observed in Delhi how cricket craze is exploited in the electoral market to gain advantage in parliamentary elections.

In the subcontinent, the ICC global tournaments, championships, and ACC cricket tournaments have always been accompanied by commotion. Despite rigid stances, the matches have ultimately been held at hybrid and neutral venues. India and Pakistan have played as planned. This planning is driven by cricket business and their interests. Without India and Pakistan, ICC’s global tournaments would risk being unprofitable. Economic power is important to both countries.

The full schedule of the upcoming Asia Cup (T20) has already been announced. If India is the host, the matches will take place in the United Arab Emirates. The tournament will start on September 9 and the final match will be on September 28. Eight teams will compete in the Asia Cup, divided into two groups.

On the evening of July 24, I spoke on the phone with Indian cricket journalist Swandip Patel. Swandip said that the cricket news here is that India and Pakistan are in the same group. Being in the same group means that before the final, India and Pakistan will face each other twice in Dubai, UAE. And if both countries reach the final, they will play three times. The cricket business will flourish. The last Champions Trophy was held under a hybrid model. Pakistan hosted, while India played in the Middle East. This time, the Asia Cup venue is Dubai, UAE. There will be no shortage of spectators in Dubai. Meanwhile, the ICC had already announced that four of its events will be held in a hybrid model, since India and Pakistan teams will not visit each other’s countries. The ICC made this decision considering the rigid stances of the two countries.

The Indian cricket team has not toured Pakistan since 2008. However, the Pakistan team visited India for the 2016 T20 World Cup and the 2023 ODI World Cup.

After the student-public uprising in July–August last year and the change of government, India has postponed its Bangladesh tour for a year in August. It has repeatedly denied visas to players and sportspeople. The under-20 women’s football team did not come to Bangladesh. Their kabaddi competition and the SAFF Athletics Championship were cancelled. For injured Bangladeshi cricketers, India is now unwilling to grant emergency visas as before.

Ikramuzzaman: Columnist and analyst; former senior vice president, AIPS Asia; lifetime member, Bangladesh Sports Press Association; and panel writer, Football Asia