An open letter to all India and Pakistan fans

To the fans from India and Pakistan,

Before I begin saying anything substantial, I just want to mention one thing. You guys have been the perhaps the best part of the Indo-Pak encounters. In spite of the political tension between the two countries, you guys have showed us time and again that everything goes to rest on the cricket field. You have also given people like myself hope that ‘Sport unites us all.’

Each time India and Pakistan face off, a massive political cloud has always carried weight in all encounters. In that time, I have been led to believe that India and Pakistan have faced each other numerous times. However, each time I see the two sides objectively, I cannot help but think of the effigies burnt and the number of riots that has taken place. Each time these sort of marquee matches take place, my mind goes back to another rivalry in another sport. While the events at Hillsborough in 1989 still haunt me, it is something to be loathed with severity especially in a sporting arena.

Having said that, I cannot help but think about the good times Indo-Pak fans have shared over the years. 2007 at Durban, both sets of fans were at the edge of their seats. Intense stuff, but a joyful evening at the end of it all. The World Cup in 2011 was yet another event which saw fans from both sides share a common pavilion at Mohali. It even moved me to see fans from both sides clicking selfies together while Manmohan Singh and Yousuf Raza Gilani sat side by side.

The #ProfilesforPeace on Facebook has been a brilliant success. I have seen Indians and Pakistanis embracing their support with the same vigor on both sides of the border. Despite some blood-thirsty individuals on both sides clamoring for war, I firmly believe that there are millions on both sides desperately seeking to end this and live in goodwill.

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I implore you, please leave the politics to the politicians, leave the diplomacy to the diplomats and the cricket to the cricketers. Let us come together as one and let us celebrate the “Gentleman’s Game” as it is supposed to be. Let us put all our cultural, social and whatever difference we may have aside. Let us appreciate the spirit of the game that has given our countries so much hope. Whether it is a player wearing a green jersey or a blue jersey, let us come together and celebrate cricket.

Let the rivalry remain on the field irrespective of the outcome because, at the end of the day, it is us, the cricket fans who benefit the most from a game of cricket between India and Pakistan.

May the best team win.

Sincerely,

A fan