'I've had to struggle a lot' - Pakistani Sikh bowler opens up about facing discrimination at many levels

Pacer Mahiner Pal Singh, currently in his 20s, aspires of becoming the first player from the Sikh community to represent Pakistan in international cricket. The speedster was born in Nankana Sahib, the birthplace of the founder of Sikhism, Guru Nanak which falls in Punjab province of Pakistan.

However, Singh, in his pursuit of breaking into the national side, has witnessed discrimination at various levels. Being from the Sikh community, he has revealed that he had to struggle a lot while hearing snide comments. But Singh isn’t planning to compromise on his dream to play in the national side.

“I’ve had to struggle a lot and there have been some very tough days, but I am not prepared to give up on my dream. I have encountered discrimination at many levels and some snide comments, but there are good and bad people everywhere,” said Singh, who is reportedly the first Sikh player to play in Pakistan’s domestic circuit.

Singh had first hogged the headlines when he was called up for an emerging players camp at the High-Performance Centre in Multan in 2016. He was playing in departmental cricket before the PCB revamped the structure and dissolved departmental teams.

Would mean so much to me to play for Pakistan against India: Mahiner Pal Singh

India-Pakistan encounters are one of the most thrilling contests at the biggest level where both the cricket-obsessed nations fight for glory. Singh also said that he would love to play against India at any level. His friends and family members in India have also promised Singh that they’ll support Pakistan if he ever dons the green jersey against India in future.

“It would mean so much to me to play for Pakistan against India at any level of cricket. If you ask any cricketer, he will say that he wants to play in high-pressure matches, the big occasions where the world is watching. India versus Pakistan is always a special occasion and I would love the opportunity to be a part of this occasion at some point in future in my cricketing career,” Mahinder told Pakpassion.net.

“I would love to be called a hero in a high-tempo match, against a strong opposition and watched by fans all around the world. I have relatives in Punjab in India; my aunt lives there along with many other relatives who we meet on a regular basis. As well as this, I have a lot of fans in India, especially from Punjab who always wish me well and say that if I ever play for Pakistan, they will support me and Pakistan in those matches,” he added.