INDIA-PAKISTAN AND CRICKET!!!!!!

Pakistan- the utterance of this word brings about a flood of reactions. For some its a troubling neighbourhood. For others the hub of terrorism. And still few others feel its a democracy gone horribly wrong. Pakistan and India can never be talked about in isolation. The traditions, cultures, rituals and beliefs of people in the two nations are very similar. And one more thing that is common to both countries is cricket.

In India cricket is religion. If there is one thing which brings the one billion Indians together then it is Cricket. And the scene is same across the border. No matter how much tension brews up in the country, if the Pakistani cricket team is playing entire nation would pray for its victory. If the match is won people erupt into celebrations, dancing in the street with joy, lighting crackers they hug each other as if they were the one's playing. They give royal treatment to their cricketers and worship them like God after every victory.
But if the match is lost the entire scenario changes. Cricketers' houses are attacked, their effigies burnt and people protest against them on streets. Cricketers are treated as if they are the biggest criminals.
Doesn't all this sound a bit familiar! It does and the reason is that Indian fans also treat their cricketers in the same way. Tears trickle down whenever India loses match and crackers are burst after every win.

Cricket is such a big factor in both the nations that every slight move is closely followed. And where there is cricket there is bound to be controversy. India and Pakistan happen to be amidst controversy more often than not. All team selection meetings are intensively covered by the media. Coach and the management is also always under the public eye. Each and every move of all cricketers is religiously followed. No wonder in both nations Cricketers endorse maximum products.
Cricket acts as a great binding force in both nations. World cup T20 victory was a great factor in bringing people together amidst tension of suicide bombings and Taliban attack in Pakistan. People came out on streets to celebrate brushing aside all fears. A lost match also bring people together but in protest and anger.

When it comes to cricket as a sport there is hardly any difference in its following in India and Pakistan. Emotions, feelings and reactions are the same. Its only the the teams that change with changing borders.