When India and Pakistan were carved out of Partition 75 years ago, they formed one of sport’s most ferocious rivalries.
Any cricket match here between two countries is now one of the most watched games on the world sporting calendar, with victory used to promote each respective nationalisms.
The competition between the countries is so intense that they can’t even agree on the date of the division that gave their independence, with Pakistan celebrating on August 14 and India a day later.
“India playing Pakistan engages the emotions of millions,” remarked Wasim Akram, a former cricketer turned broadcaster.”You has become hero if you do wellโฆ you become a villain if your side loses,” the former Pakistan captain explained.
Matches can cause a lot of excitement, but they can also alleviate geopolitical tensions between the countries, which has also fought four conflicts since their independence from England in 1947.
During one time of escalation in 1987, when troops were massing near their border, military ruler General Muhammad Ziaul Haq appeared unexpectedly in New Delhi, allegedly to watch a match between the two.
The plan, as devious as any a cricket captain could devise on the field, resulted in a meeting the Indian Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, as tensions were relieved.
