What was wrong before is right now for India (BCCI) to resume ties with Pakistan in cricket? 

In emotions and excitements we some times forget to give a real hard look at events that get unfolds in front of us. The announcement of BCCI on resumption of bilateral series with Pakistan cricket team is one such event. It is a known fact that whenever a bomb explodes or terror activities raises or war tension increases, ties between the two nations gets affected and in turn, all other relations in sports, goods and tourism takes a dig. It is a long continuing tradition that whenever India takes on Pakistan in any sports, it is a virtual war that one of either nations gets bitterly disappointed in the end.

Is declaring India as “most favoured nation” good enough improvement shown by Pakistan for resuming cricket?

Its a seesaw of events that India and Pakistan cricket stops, and later resumes bilateral series between them. More often than not resumption is absolutely based on tension between two nation relationships. If there is no terror attack, bombing, illegal invading at border and war signals, then cricket will be back. Last time cricket break happened between these two nations was after a cruel and unforgivable terror attack on Mumbai a little over three years ago, killing 164 peoples and wounding more than 300 peoples. That was just a marquee attack actually, because after that we had bomb blasts in places such as Goa, Pune, Delhi and Mumbai over the last three years ago. P. Chidambaram, Home Minister of India in April said, “11 terror modules neutralized and 53 persons arrested since November 2011 alone.”

So, what changed after Mumbai 2008 attack? Nothing significant if you ask me. Ajmal Kasab still going through trails and living in disgust of billion, intrusion continuous to happen at border line, Pakistan continuous to reject all claims and not caring out trails against Mumbai terror attack suspects, more and more terrorist being arrested, and Indian warriors (army men’s and police) still fighting somewhere to protect people from terrorist.

From India’s point of view, biggest reason apart from politics and terror for canceling India-Pakistan bilateral series is difficulty in awarding visa for Pakistan people to come and watch the match. Home ministers of India don’t take chances because there is complete trust deficit during high tension periods. This is one of reason for BCCI canceling bilateral series and not allowing Pakistan players in IPL. With the recent arrest of Abu Jindal triggering new revelation of Pakistan hand and more terror attacks planned, how can visa will be given now?

Starting from Saturday (July 21st), India will be playing in 10 test matches, 13 ODI’s and 6 T20I’s plus a minimum of two matches in T20 world cup (also add Champions League T20 matches) in matter of just over 240 days, where players will be on the field for nearly 100 days. Then IPL (starting from April 3rd) arrives, after just few days of marquee test series with Australia completes. Err! management in India? Profit at any cost.

It is irony that BCCI suddenly thought about resuming bilateral series when nothing much improved and to worse, put it in-between a packed cricket schedule. Sunil Gavaskar as true mumbaikar voiced sadness which is shared by all Indians for resumption of cricket when Pakistan still refusing to act on Mumbai attack case. If BCCI and India thinks cricket improves relationships, then they shouldn’t had cut ties and must had been open to play at neutral venues during last three years. If BCCI and India are that much series saying cricket replicates relationship, then they should have refused to play Pakistan in champions trophy 2010, world cup 2011 and Asia cup 2012.

What if something happens between now and December, will the series still goes ahead? It is hard to deny the fact that BCCI is playing their cards to keep their power within ICC ( DRS and creation of new post, ICC chairman). Support of Pakistan, Bangladesh and Srilanka are key for BCCI in objecting and wanting any favourable decision in ICC meeting.

It is hard to understand the vary reason behind this urgency shown by BCCI for putting this high volt series in the gap of 18 days between already touring English side leaving and arriving back for Christmas & New year celebration. As you may know, current season of cricket will see India either coming back to top or going further down. Yet BCCI showing no mercy on players and schedule to help compete better (less fatigue) against England and Australia.

It should be either cricket whatever happens or nothing until all resolved. Its time, we should take hard stand on our principles, be it on sports or government administrations.

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