The stage is set for the father (not using mother for June 18 is father’s day) of all battles as arch-rivals India and Pakistan meet in the final of the ICC Champions Trophy at the Oval on Sunday. At a time when tensions are high at the borders in the wake of the claims of attacks and counter attacks by both nations, Sunday’s game is being seen as a war minus shooting.
India, no doubt, enter the stoush as a clear favourite considering their higher ranking and consistent performances in the last two years. Pakistan, on other hand, have been a surprise package of the tournament. After suffering a drubbing at the hands of India in their first group match, even their diehard fans would not have given them a chance to make it to the last-four let alone final. But, Sarfaraz’s men proved both their critics and fans wrong by lifting their standard and registering three wins on the trot including the one against the tournament favourites, England, to set up the title clash with India.
On a personal front, though, I don’t feel the kind of excitement that I would get enveloped with in the run up to an India-Pakistan clash in the past. This may be owing to the fact that the Pakistani team of today is not as formidable as it used to be 10-15 years ago. In the recent years, there has been a sense of inevitability about the outcome of an India-Pakistan match. Post 2011, I don’t remember even a single big tournament match where Pakistan would have stretched India. Be it their face off in the 2012 T 20 Championship in Sri Lanka or an encounter in the last edition of Champions Trophy in England in 2013, all these matches were lopsided with India breaking hardly a sweat.
However, with Pakistan playing some outstanding cricket in pulverising a very strong England side in their last match, it can be hoped that they manage to retain the same level of excellence against India in the final. No doubt, Pakistan’s bowling looks threatening with the likes of Amir, Junaid and Hasan Ali capable enough to scythe through an opposition. It would be thrilling to watch their contest with the Indian top oder troika of Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan and Virat Kohli who have been in imperious form. The same, though, can’t be said about the contest between Indian bowling and Pakistani batting. While Indian bowlers have managed to choke every opposition except Sri Lanka in the tournament, Pakistani batting unit has had only one decent outing (against England in the semi-finals) so far.
Inevitable as Indian victory appears, cricket is a game of glorious uncertainties and it should not surprise anyone if Pakistan pull off an upset on Sunday. What we as lovers of cricket need to ensure, though, is that we treat it only like a game and not war. The main purpose of a sporting contest is to provide entertainment and spread the message of love and harmony among people of different races and nations. Hate should not be allowed to become the leitmotif of an event aimed at promoting goodwill. Let the best team win! Bring it on, India! Bring it on, Pakistan!
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