Indian and Pakistani cricket fans find common ground in friendly games
Pakistani and Indian fans met in Edgbaston on Sunday during the much-anticipated Commonwealth Games fixtures between the South Asian rivals, with fans hailing the occasion as a chance to strengthen harmony.
Australian cricketers are hot favorites in Birmingham but nothing beats the fierce competition between two cricket-loving South Asian nations.
Due to political tensions, cricketers from both countries currently only meet at multinational events.
India severed bilateral cricket ties with Pakistan following the 2008 Mumbai bombings, which officials blamed on Pakistani militants.
They have not faced each other in a men's bilateral series since Pakistan toured India for One Day Internationals (ODIs) in 2012/2013 and during a brief thaw in Twenty20 relations.
Indian fans arrive for the Twenty 20 cricket match between India and Pakistan
Indian fans arrive for Twenty 20 cricket match between India and PakistanAFP
But there was no excitement as thousands of fans from Birmingham's large Indian and Pakistani communities flocked to Edgbaston to witness Sunday's women's team clashes.
Spectators tried to stay dry in the steady early morning drizzle as "Mr Blue Sky" by Birmingham rock band Electric Light Orchestra played.
The sun eventually came out and the match was reduced from 20 to 18 per over with Pakistan winning first.
Pakistani fans were delighted with their masks - one wore a 'Mad Hatter' style outfit in national colors and another wore a superhero outfit with green hair.
But Indian fans had more reason to celebrate as their rivals were just 99 in their 18 overs.
India then achieved a win by eight wickets in 12 overs, with Smriti Mandhana scoring 63 runs.
'To kid'
Pharma consultant Rahul Vyas said the Commonwealths Match - also known as the "Friendly Games" - is a "wonderful place to promote love, harmony and peace".
Vyas was traveling from London with his two teenage children and sister.
For him, sports matches between Pakistan and India offer an opportunity to bring two groups of fans together.
"It can be a unifying force," the 47-year-old told AFP. "If I can't interact with my Pakistani friends, how can I be friends with them?"
A young Pakistan fan in Edgbaston
A young Pakistani fan at EdgbastonAFP
"Today is a great opportunity - look at this Pakistani boy, he's about the same age as my son.
"They both have the same passion for cricket, there is too much to build a friendship."
He added: "There are some things our countries are fighting for, but let others deal with the political issues.
"We ordinary Indians and Pakistanis can lay the roots of greater friendship through cricket."
Vyas' friend Piyush Somaiya echoed these sentiments.
Somaiya, wearing an Indian-colored court hat, said the players set an example themselves by being friends off the pitch.
Indian fans pose for selfies in the stands
Indian fans pose for selfies in AFP
"It's the biggest competition in cricket, whether it's men, women or U19," he said.
- Unlike supporters of rival football clubs, we sit together. Lots of jokes, then more good jokes and it's fun.
"At the same time we appreciate a good shot from an opponent and he does too, which is nice to see."
The 43-year-old accountant, who traveled near London with his wife and two young sons, also believes women's football will get a big boost from his Birmingham debut.
"Having him at the Commonwealth Games is a great idea," he said.
“It gives momentum to women's cricket. There will be more and more of these in the future. Can you believe this is almost sold out on the test field?
0 Comments