A Perennial Propaganda - Perspective
The series between Pakistan and India had long been awaited by fans of cricket on both sides of the border. It started off to a great start, with the Indians putting in some truly commendable cricket. The first test ended in a tie, as the Pakistani team somehow managed to draw a game that was expected to be won by the Indians. They gained a comprehensive victory over Pakistan in the second test however, and it was expected by most that India would take the test series away from Pakistan. However, the Pakistani youngsters showed their opponents what they are made of, and in the face of enormous pressure, outplayed India at their own game. Inzamam and Younis Khan along with the support of a few others, managed some big scores and drew the series by 1-1.
Once the one day series commenced, the Indians notched up two extremely convincing victories. Until that point, many Indians believed that the series would favor the Indians and that the Pakistanis would hardly manage one victory in the ODI series. After the third and fourth matches were won by Pakistan, the Indians did what they are best at; they raised the 'Match fixing' card to discredit the amazing Pakistani performances. They began predicting that Pakistan would win the 5th ODI match too, following an Indian victory to level the series and please the Indian fans since the last victory would belong to the Indians. In addition, to prove their position, they pointed out the fact that there would be 6 encounters, which is quite an odd number of matches to be played, since there is a great chance for a series draw. The fact that the two teams would play 6 ODI matches never bothered anyone until Pakistan won the 3rd and the 4th ODIs in succession.
Once Pakistan snatched the 5th ODI away from India, supporters of the Indian team (and some pessimistic Pakistani fans, unfortunately) were absolutely positive that India would win the last match to draw the series, which would be a good addition to a series of tit-for-tat moves in the field of politics to buttress the peace relations between the two nations. To their horror, the Pakistani side disproved all the negativity that was being pelted at them, defying all predictions against them, and took the series away from the home side in what turned out to be a fantastic display of all round team effort.
With Pakistan winning the series, the Indian fans have found a new version of the 'match fixing' propaganda. It is now believed that India hosted the series right about the time when Indo-Pak relations are at a crucial stage, when President Musharraf would be invited to India and be greeted by an Indian loss (Not a Pakistani victory) in the game of cricket. This is how enthusiastic the Indians are towards peace. This is a sign of friendship, they say. To them I say, what was that the Indian fans did at Jamshedpur and again at Delhi? Is this the type of friendship in which you are interested? I would respect a defeated opponent who would accept his/her defeat with grace, than an opponent who would blame his/her loss on external factors.
Once the one day series commenced, the Indians notched up two extremely convincing victories. Until that point, many Indians believed that the series would favor the Indians and that the Pakistanis would hardly manage one victory in the ODI series. After the third and fourth matches were won by Pakistan, the Indians did what they are best at; they raised the 'Match fixing' card to discredit the amazing Pakistani performances. They began predicting that Pakistan would win the 5th ODI match too, following an Indian victory to level the series and please the Indian fans since the last victory would belong to the Indians. In addition, to prove their position, they pointed out the fact that there would be 6 encounters, which is quite an odd number of matches to be played, since there is a great chance for a series draw. The fact that the two teams would play 6 ODI matches never bothered anyone until Pakistan won the 3rd and the 4th ODIs in succession.
Once Pakistan snatched the 5th ODI away from India, supporters of the Indian team (and some pessimistic Pakistani fans, unfortunately) were absolutely positive that India would win the last match to draw the series, which would be a good addition to a series of tit-for-tat moves in the field of politics to buttress the peace relations between the two nations. To their horror, the Pakistani side disproved all the negativity that was being pelted at them, defying all predictions against them, and took the series away from the home side in what turned out to be a fantastic display of all round team effort.
With Pakistan winning the series, the Indian fans have found a new version of the 'match fixing' propaganda. It is now believed that India hosted the series right about the time when Indo-Pak relations are at a crucial stage, when President Musharraf would be invited to India and be greeted by an Indian loss (Not a Pakistani victory) in the game of cricket. This is how enthusiastic the Indians are towards peace. This is a sign of friendship, they say. To them I say, what was that the Indian fans did at Jamshedpur and again at Delhi? Is this the type of friendship in which you are interested? I would respect a defeated opponent who would accept his/her defeat with grace, than an opponent who would blame his/her loss on external factors.
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