Cricket- A unifying factor between Pakistan and Sri Lanka

By Jaffer Bilgrami

The game of cricket is a passion in many South Asian countries and therefore both Pakistan and Sri Lanka are no exceptions. In recent years the game has attained new heights in both the countries and in a way it has taken a place more as a " soul" of the nation. The deep love of the people for the game of cricket in the two countries simply is unfathomable.

They treat the game more as a way of expressing their respective national pride and consciousness. Both Sri Lanka and Pakistan enjoy a deep bond of cordial friendship and understanding which is mirrored in various walks of life. The two Asian nations have a solid and unblemished history of standing together for each other in difficult times.

Common values

Apart from their deep mutual supportive relationship and sharing many common values the populations in both the countries are also locked in a deep rooted friendship which originates from the game of cricket. Both the nations firmly believes that the cricket is a not only a strong component which can be a harbinger for promoting peace and harmony in the region but also a great catalyst for bringing the people more closer.

Very often cricket has been described as an instrument which transcends all ethnic and geographical boundaries but the living example of this instrument is manifested in the cricket links that exist between Pakistan and Sri Lanka. Name of Shahid Afridi or Wasim Akram is familiar to a Tuk Tuk( auto rickshaw) driver in a remote town of pearl island while the intricacies of world renowned off spinner bowler Muttiah Muralitharan are well understood by a road side tea vendor in Quetta.

These are all indicators as how the game is so popular among the masses and how they admire the cricketers of the two countries.

No one can forget the rapturous applause was given by cricket lovers at the Ghaddafi Stadium in Lahore in 1996 when former Prime Minister of Pakistan Mohtarma Benazir presented the ICC World Cup trophy to Sri Lankan skipper Arjuna Ranatunga.

The uninterrupted cheer and applause given by crowd present at the jam packed stadium of Lahore was so vociferous as if perhaps Javed Miandad had lifted the trophy.

The pictures beamed across over the world which generated nothing but the goodwill and proved the point that the game of cricket is a greatest unifying factor. Similarly no one can erase the memory of the great gesture displayed by the government and the people of Sri Lanka who refused to impair the cricketing link between the two countries when Sri Lankan cricket team fell victim to an act of terrorism in Lahore two years ago.

The two countries made it point that such an act of violence by non state actors should not bring any negative impact on their existing ties.

Fine and talented

The red carpet welcome subsequently accorded to the bus driver of Lahore who saved the life of the visiting cricketers by the authorities in Colombo was a great morale booster not only for the game but also for the cricket establishment of Pakistan.

Tracing the history of cricket ties between Pakistan and Sri Lanka (Ceylon) which are as old or young as the two nations themselves. After the creation of Pakistan the first country to play against the then non-ICC member Pakistan was no other than a leading non-ICC member Ceylon.

It was in 1948 when the two teams exchanged visits. Some very fine and talented cricket players took part in these exchanged visits. Mian Mohammad Saeed, Munawar Ali Khan, Amir Elahi, Nazar Mohammad U.R.Chippa from Pakistan and Venon Prinz, Tita Nathaniez from Ceylon were the the prominent stars.

It was these games that paved ground for Pakistan for good performance against the MCC, West Indies and Commonwealth teams which ultimately "forced" the ICC to grant test status to Pakistan. Pakistan in a way returned the compliments three decades later by proposing Sri Lanka application for Test status.

These close ties were further strengthened in coming years and the two countries continue to support each other faithfully at all forums and all the arenas of the international cricket.

Ever since the test ties between the two countries had begun they have faced each other in sixteen test series with 21 tests out of which Pakistan has won eight, lost six and drawn seven. They have also played against each other on other international soils.

Some memorable feats have been witnessed from the world class cricketers of both the countries like Younus Khan, Inzimam ul Huq, Javed Miandad Saeed Anwar along with Arvinda D silva, Jayasuriya, Sangakara, Jayawardney, Dias , Jayawardaney.

Same holds true in the segment of bowling where cricket stadiums have witnessed outstanding feats by Imran Khan,Mohammad Asif, Danish Kaneria to Muralitharan and Ravi Ratnaikey.

The statistics of One Day internationals (ODIs) between the two sides is equally fascinating. Both countries faced each other in 120 fixtures out of which Pakistan won 70 losing 46 with one tie and no results in three.

In the initial days Sri Lanka was treated as an easy round for the opposition but since nineties they have emerged as a side to contend with their landmark performance of bagging the World Championship title in 1996.

Victory or defeat

Some exciting performance by Jayasuriya, Kaluwtharana and Sangakara matched the performance of Waqar, Wasim, Imran and Miandad. Pakistan may not be co-hosting the forthcoming World Cup but one thing is sure that the matches of Pakistan which may be played in Sri Lanka will draw a huge support from the sympathetic local crowd in Colombo and elsewhere. Victory or defeat either for Sri Lanka or Pakistan should be a secondary matter. What is more important that cricket may continue to make contribution to foster the friendship between the two vibrant cricket playing Asian nations.

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