In Pakistan the spirit of nationalism is kicked up manifolds when Pakistan is playing against India, the old rival both in the game and the politics. The match between the two countries could also yield a fair amount of tolerance and goodwill as it happened during Musharraf visit to Delhi and Gilani’s visit to Mohali. In both cases Manmohan Singh was the host and in both cases Indo-Pak bitterness was over taken by cricket’s reservoir of goodwill. Sports could play tremendous role in opening door for peace even among bitterest of enemies. Late Justice Warren of American Supreme Court once remarked his newspaper reading habit saying, “On the front pages I read about man’s failure and on sports pages I read about his success.”
Besides generating goodwill between the two neighbours, the Mohali encounter has with one stroke restored Pakistan’s image of cricketing nation. Over the last several years Pakistan’s image of peace loving nation offering an atmosphere for cricketing has gone down along with what the fame offers in the process of national unification. Our re-entry into the international cricket highlighted by Mohali should revive that reputation.
As regards, Pakistan’s defeat one should not to be too seriously. Among the two contestants one has to loose. In any case India’s victory is not much convincing. With only a degree of improvement in its batting line and fielding, Pakistan could win the match.
Loosing by twenty-nine runs is not much of a defeat. Watching India and Pakistan play in the same segment of time, leads one to conclude that there is not much difference in the capability of two teams. Going beyond the loss or given question in cricket match, curtain has been raised on the prospects of resorting all disputes strong negotiation.
Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani joyfully disclosed of an accord to resolve all disputes peacefully. His host Dr Manmohan Singh responded by stressing that a “permanent reconciliation was required with Pakistan.
His Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao went a step further saying “Today it is the Mohali spirit that pervades our relationship. This was extremely positive and encouraging spirit that has been generated” as a revolt of meeting between the two Prime Ministers.
