Cricket is greater than a sport. For each Pakistan and India, it’s ardour, satisfaction, and at occasions even id. The sound of the bat placing the ball, the roar of the gang, the colourful flags within the stands, all of this creates an environment the place individuals neglect their variations and immerse themselves within the spirit of the sport. But, again and again, politics creeps into this sacred floor and turns a joyous celebration into an area of hostility.
On 14th September 2025, in the course of the Asia Cup cricket match held in Dubai, the world as soon as once more witnessed how cricket, a sport meant to embody unity and wholesome rivalry was overshadowed by the load of political propaganda.
From the outset, the Indian public backed by a few of their so-called distinguished figures had been loudly encouraging a boycott of the totournament just because Pakistan was a part of the event. After that they insisted to boycott the match with Pakistan.Boycott? Of a cricket match? And allow us to not neglect, even earlier than the Asia Cup started, at a press convention the place Indian Captain, Suryakumar Yadav, shook fingers with Pakistani Captain,Salman Ali Agha and with Mohsin Naqvi, the chairman of the Asian Cricket Council, their public shouted lots in outrage over that very handshake. Are you able to think about the extent of hatred and the absence of tolerance this displays? This can be a basic instance of hostility dressed up as nationalism. What does that reveal besides worry and insecurity, the shortcoming to face an opponent with dignity? This isn’t energy, it’s psychological projection hatred born from their very own weak spot.
Nevertheless, regardless of all of the noise the match did occur and all through the match Indians stooped to Pakistan-bashing and vile remarks on social media. Nevertheless, India gained the match and the victory speech of the Indian captain, Suryakumar Yadav dragged the narrative again into politics. He devoted the win to the victims of the Pahalgam terror assault (April 22, 2025) and to the safety forces. He reworked a second of celebration right into a weapon of blame. His conduct revealed him as simply one other typical Indian pushed by hatred, blind to the true spirit of sport. It tied Pakistan to the tragedy with out proof and strengthened the belief of guilt.
In India, it’s being celebrated as a matter of satisfaction. However is that this actually one thing to have fun?
After the match, Indians went as far as to name their win a ‘revenge’ and if that is revenge, revenge for what? For one thing Pakistan by no means did.
The complete fiasco proved that almost all Indians are unable to compartmentalize life they usually combine one factor with one other. A really competent and accountable nation is aware of the right way to separate totally different features of life, however right here, politics was allowed to poison sport.
Traditionally, cricket has performed a task in diplomacy between the 2 nations. In 1987, President Zia-ul-Haq’s “cricket diplomacy” go to to India marked a second when sport softened political tensions. When Basic Pervez Musharraf visited India throughout a cricket match, it reminded the world that dialogue and connection are attainable even amidst political pressure. Gamers themselves have usually proven mutual respect. Wasim Akram and Sachin Tendulkar praised one another as legends, Shoaib Akhtar and Virender Sehwag later shared camaraderie in commentary packing containers, and followers witnessed moments when rivals hugged or congratulated one another after powerful matches.
Historical past bears witness that Pakistan has by no means been the one to provoke aggression whether or not in phrases or in motion but has all the time responded with resilience when provoked.
The Pahalgam assault had not been confirmed to be the work of Pakistan. It was primarily based on assumptions of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his administration, a political narrative used to strengthen hostility. Pakistan overtly mentioned it was prepared for a full investigation, however India neither allowed nor pursued any impartial inquiry. As an alternative, blame after blame was directed throughout the border. Later, with out proof, India escalated by attacking Pakistani airbases. Even after warnings, the aggression continued and Pakistan, traditionally not the one to provoke battle, was pressured to reply. Within the confrontation that adopted, Pakistan downed six Indian Rafale jets, a 6-0 ratio victory that shocked the world.
The fixed politicization of cricket and battle between India and Pakistan has deep psychological results on each nations. For abnormal residents, it creates a perpetual state of distrust and nervousness. As an alternative of viewing matches as joyful rivalries, followers take in the hatred pushed by politicians and media. This reinforces adverse stereotypes, instructing complete generations to see their neighbors not as fellow human beings, however as enemies.
For Pakistanis, there’s frustration and exhaustion. With a historical past of not being the aggressor together with within the Pahalgam incident the place Pakistan invited investigation the fixed cycle of blame with out proof generates emotions of injustice. It creates psychological fatigue: why should we defend ourselves for issues we didn’t do? But, when pressured into retaliation, Pakistanis additionally really feel satisfaction of their resilience, resembling in the course of the 6-0 air battle victory. This duality damage and satisfaction shapes nationwide id, but it surely additionally burdens individuals with a heavy psychological and emotional weight.
For Indians, too, there are prices. Unusual followers are manipulated into anger, residing with heightened nationalism that usually interprets into hatred quite than satisfaction. Fixed hostility robs them of the possibility to expertise sport and neighboring relations with steadiness. Their psyche turns into tied to propaganda quite than the pure pleasure of cricket.
The human mind, when fed fixed narratives of hostility, begins to normalize hate. In psychological phrases, it’s a collective trauma a shared psychological wound that retains reopening with each political sport.
The prices of politicizing cricket are many. Gamers endure the burden of strain that has nothing to do with the sport. They’re anticipated not solely to win however to hold the flag of political narratives. Psychological well being is compromised when sport turns into conflict. Followers, too, are robbed of the enjoyment of merely watching a sport. And worst of all, alternatives for real diplomacy via cricket are misplaced.
The place Do We Go From Right here?: The current India-Pakistan match ought to have been remembered for its cricketing brilliance and for the shared ardour of tens of millions of followers. As an alternative, it descended into an episode of hatred however not due to Pakistan, which performed no adverse function, however fully due to India. It was their actions, a hundred percent, that turned a easy sport right into a shameful spectacle.
Unfortunalely, each nations pay the value. This isn’t what the world wants immediately. India and Pakistan are neighbors; geography can not change that. However the high quality of that relationship is in human fingers. It must be formed by respect, diplomacy, and friendship, not animosity.
It’s time to reclaim cricket for what it’s: a celebration of ability, spirit, and unity.
