Cricket in the time of diplomacy

A political tsunami is set to hit the Punjab Cricket Association Stadium in Mohali here on Wednesday. Large entourages of the prime ministers of India and Pakistan will descend on the venue of the World Cup semifinal between the countries. A diplomatic dialogue is not the most desirable sideshow for a high-intensity contest like a World Cup semifinal but then cricket has been a perennial diplomatic tool when it comes to India and Pakistan.

The political and diplomatic frenzy, however, is unlikely to affect the atmosphere here. Over 30,000 people are expected to watch what is being termed as the match of the World Cup. Some even declare it would remain the biggest game in the history of the World Cup till the two teams meet in the final. It is the biggest game not necessarily in terms of quality of cricket, but in view of hype, hysteria, frenzy, emotions, TRPs, sponsors… Never before has a game of cricket had so much at stake. The stakes are simply too high.

Skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni and Shahid Afridi stubbornly remained unfazed by the expected diplomatic hyperactivity. They declared the teams and the game would not be lost in the political hum and buzz. “It should not really be affecting us. We all know it’s a big tournament and we have prepared a lot for it. It is part of cricket and we have to accept it. The key is not to get involved. We will have the biggest distinguished guests and we have to be at our best,” Dhoni said.

The India skipper revealed that the team is not aware of developments elsewhere in the world.

“The ministers are coming in. That will be a distraction if I’m looking forward to that. We’ve not been watching TV for the last 30-35 days. My responsibility is to play cricket and that is the role that I have been handed.”

Pakistan captain Afridi said, “For us, the game is important not diplomacy. We’re focused on the game. It will be good to see the prime ministers. Cricket always brings the countries together.”