The word cricket has survived Bodyline, Match Fixing, the Underarm Controversy and still stands for all that is fair. Despite all the changes to the game that have transformed it for the worse we still say - "That's not cricket" when something unfair happens. Which is why yesterday's dastardly attack on the Sri Lankan team has left most observers of the game speechless and numb. Let's not forget these cricketers filled in for an Indian team that opted out of their tour of Pakistan post the Mumbai terror attacks and finally gave something for Cricket fans in Pakistan to look forward to. While the world view has been echoed across International media and that there is no doubt that the Sri lankan team deserves all our deepest sympathy and support, the biggest loser will be cricket in the region. Cricket is probably the only common thread that brings the subcontinent together despite other political and diplomatic differences. The most shell-shocked reactions across the web came from cricket fans in Pakistan who feel the only positive thing in their country has been stolen from them after yesterday's attack. Kamran Abbasi one of Pakistan's leading cricket writers and a strong advocate for more International cricket on Pakistan soil reacted on Cricinfo within minutes saying "This is the end". The subcontinent needs cricket and the drastic reduction of teams touring the region has already seen the fortunes of the Sri Lankan and Pakistan teams slide. The region is gearing up for the 2011 World Cup and the attacks could not have been more ill-timed. The perpetrators of what is probably the worst attack on a Sporting team since the Munich Olympics should not be allowed to go free and should not achieve their goal of isolating Pakistan from the International cricketing fraternity. The Subcontinent needs cricket but more importantly the world of Cricket needs the Subcontinent.
0 comments:
Post a Comment