Should India continue to boycott cricket in Pakistan?

Should India travel to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy, especially since Pakistan is visiting India for the World Cup in 2023?

Sharda Ugra: It would be nice if the gesture was reciprocated, but ‘India versus Pakistan’ is rarely about sporting logic or fairness. Political events overtake the best of intentions. The cricketing relationship between the two countries has deteriorated and the Indian cricket establishment is treating Pakistan in a disrespectful manner in the World Cup 2023. But even if all these (incidents) are absent, political events always catch on, and have happened.

Sunil Yajaman: Probably they (Indian team) should try (to go to Pakistan), especially since Pakistan is traveling to India. Somewhere we have to maintain some relationship and sport has to go beyond politics. But if it’s a security issue, I won’t comment on it. India is ready to play Pakistan somewhere else, right? In a neutral place? Pakistan also came here. So, it’s definitely not about not wanting to have a sports relationship.

Pakistan has not hosted international cricket for 10 years after the terrorist attack on the Sri Lankan team in 2009. But since then Australia, England, Sri Lanka, New Zealand have all visited Pakistan. Can India get an exemption?

Sunil Yajaman: I don’t know the context in which India refused to travel (to Pakistan). If it’s just about security, it’s better to leave it to the two governments. But if not, exercise must continue. India even played the Davis Cup in Pakistan earlier this year (February) after 60 years. It is a contest between two countries, yes, but in the field of sports. In all fairness, we should have nothing to do with politics.

It is not fair to compare India’s relations with Pakistan with other countries’ relations with the country. But somewhere, we can try. There was a lot of skepticism ahead of the Davis Cup as well. But in the end, it turned out well.

Sharda Ugra: Concerns about security are justified if BCCI has resolved all other issues calmly and logically. But I fear we are beyond that stage. What is missing here is the ability of the Indian cricket board to deal with the Pakistani cricket board in a spirit of brotherhood and wanting the best for cricket. You can’t help it if politics catches you, but it’s the sense of fellow man that doesn’t exist. This is a position India cannot be in for reasons beyond cricket.

India hosted the 1996 World Cup with Pakistan and Sri Lanka and the final was held in Lahore…

Sharda Ugra: yes already. In 1996, a combined India-Pakistan XI played a match (before the World Cup). It’s not like there was no war, no hostility, and no political pressure before. The sense of belonging to the same place is gone. It feels like they (Indian cricket establishment) are bigger than that and the money is bigger.

India went to Pakistan for the Davis Cup (tennis), and Pakistan came to India for the SAFF Cup (football) last year. Is it fair for different sports to have different rules?

Sunil Yajaman: All other teams, be it tennis or blind cricket, are going (to Pakistan). I accept that traveling cricket is different: he is a bigger international star and the stakes are higher. So, there may be some security fears. But I feel that the sentiment should be the same for all sports.

Sharda Ugra: Cricket has become an emotional currency in both countries. In India, it has been amplified – how we now exercise, talk about it, see it on TV, and also how we comment. Why would they (cricket establishment) call if they get TRPs and ad revenue?

It is hypocritical to see other teams traveling over the border. But look at the environment that has been built around ‘India versus Pakistan’. Cricket can no longer be considered a sport.

Is it possible to keep geopolitical tensions out of the sports arena? And when they do, to what extent can you limit it?

Sharda Ugra: It is not in our power to allow or disallow this. We have to accept it, just because of the history of the two countries. The only way it can get better is if you disconnect cricket from hyper nationalism, but what if it is the biggest sport in both countries?

About this hybrid model you are talking about… I think it is a good idea. Obviously, Pakistan are upset, but no one is saying ‘let’s find a way to play’. At one point, we have Saurav Ganguly and Ramiz Raja, two Test captains, the title of the cricket board, but we do not hear from trying to at least find neutral ground and play. That’s sad.

Mr. Yajaman, how was your experience traveling to Pakistan for the Davis Cup?

Sunil Yajaman: We were welcomed and Pakistan went out of its way to make sure we were safe and comfortable. Hats off to them. For me, it was the second time in Pakistan. The first time was in 2008 for two weeks of ITF women’s tournaments. While there, the Mumbai terror attacks took place. But we never felt threatened. In fact, people were quite sympathetic. I’m talking about the general public and those in tennis circles. So, this time, when we had to travel to Islamabad, I was really good because I knew that the people there were really good. The security we get is unprecedented. He declared that we were like guests of the State. One of the main reasons Pakistan did that was to convey to India, ‘We can take care of you. Please come and play here’. They are very happy. Outside the tennis court, players such as Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi and our players are good friends.

Do you feel that the athletes, despite their friendship, are no longer shareholders in this great saga?

Sunil Yajaman: The players will feel the loss of friendship. He likes to go to other countries and spend time outside the field and have fun. Players like Virat Kohli and MS Dhoni … Everyone in Pakistan talks about them. He might be as popular as any Pakistani player.

Moving forward, it will be better for both countries (to restart relations) in music, sports, and art. But I will reiterate that if the government feels there is a security threat, then it is different. But it will be good to continue the sports relationship. Will India not travel to Pakistan help?

In a fantastic co-incidence, the Indian team has met Pakistan in every Champions Trophy, World T20, and ODI World Cup since 2013. The tie is a major money-spinner for the ICC. In a scenario where the global custodian of the sport has a genuine financial interest in the India-Pakistan match, can it be done fairly?

Sharda Ugra: I call it ‘Group Cooking’. In the FIFA World Cup, there is no mandatory match between Brazil and Argentina, right? It’s like: ‘no, our money will collapse’. Then maybe the marketing department isn’t working properly because the sport is great and there’s talent everywhere. This is a huge sporting contest. But can we create a level playing field? All that cricket says is ‘generate lots of money and income’. This demeans the actual sporting contest. The ICC doesn’t seem to have the administrative bandwidth to think ‘what if the India-Pakistan match doesn’t happen? What numbers are we looking at?’ Will people stop watching the World Cup if India and Pakistan don’t play? It’s like ICC in a bad relationship; has been wronged by India-Pakistan and cannot find a way out.

All other teams, be it tennis or blind cricket, are going (to Pakistan). I accept that traveling cricket is different: he is a bigger international star and the stakes are higher. So, there may be some security fears. But the sentiment should be the same with all sports.