The news came as a shock to Pakistani cricket officials, players and public as well. It seems odd that the best side in the game was ignored in the most glamourous event of the game.
A Mish Mash of Reasoning
The Pakistani players had missed the initial deadline to be a part of the IPL, as the NOC by the Pakistani government to travel to India was not received in time. Hence, there were no visas by the 7th December deadline and the Pakistanis were replaced by their IPL teams with fresh recruits. IPL boss, Lalit Modi said that the only the Pakistanis could be a part of the IPL would be through the auction on 19th December. But the players were ignored in the auction. It is the football equivalent of the Brazilian national team not being allowed to complete in the English Premier League.
The Pakistani sports minister Aijaz Jhakrani said he had complained to his Indian counterpart about the exclusion of Pakistani players from the lucrative IPL games. But the 'complaint' proved to be of little use as the Indian minister said that the IPL was a private venture and had nothing to say about the issue. As the ball was passed back to the IPL bosses, who continued to claim that the Pakistani players went unsold because of the uncertainty surrounding their availability - due to visa and NOC issues.
The Reprecussions
Needless to say, Pakistanis at all levels - politicians, players and the people - were miffed. At a time when India-Pakistan ties are in serious need of some tender, loving care. And the one thing that both peoples are passionate about - cricket - is now driving the two even further apart. In the previos IPL seasons it was refreshing to watch traditional rivals playing together on the same time and putting on a flamboyant show of Twenty20 cricket. This was followed by an official cancellation of a Pakistani Parliamentary delegation to India. With the opposition calling for a complete ban on any sports activity with India and screenings of Indian movies. Needless to say, both countries will suffer the consequences of this childish behavior - if I can care to call it that.
The whole series of events is just damaging on many levels. The IPL instantly loses its popularity with Pakistanis at home and abroad. Broadcasters and cable TV operators in Pakistan are already talking about not showing the series at home. There goes the advertising revenue for both the Indians and Pakistanis.
The IPL could also have been a great opportunity for India and Pakistan to warm up its strained diplomatic ties over the alleged Mumbai attacks - providing a unique opportunity to have both teams on the same team. And as most South Asians will agree, cricket is a unique binding force for the people of these nations. But as I write this blog, I am watching the Indian and Pakistani teams playing an Under-19 cricket world cup game.
UPDATE: Pakistan just won the quarter-final match against India in the Under-19 tournament.
I will go so far to say that public diplomacy goes much further than so-called officials calling on each other. This was a golden opportunity that both sides failed to make the most of and went on make things worse on the political front. But the question of who started the whole row and which side is to blame – I will leave to the readers’ better judgment. Here’s hoping for an injection of sporting spirit for both sides.
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