The recent clash between cricketing giants India and Pakistan in the ICC World Cup at Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad was hugely cheered by local fans. However, the match, beyond being a competition between bat and ball on field, also witnessed some unsavory incidents off the pitch, leading to a formal complaint from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).
Videos circulating on social media revealed that during the much-anticipated encounter, certain fans displayed inappropriate behavior, targeting the Pakistani cricketers with religious-centric chants and abuses. This behavior marred the taste of what should have been a thrilling cricket match between two arch-rivals.
In response to these actions, the PCB filed a complaint with the International Cricket Council (ICC) on Tuesday, addressing the “inappropriate conduct targeted at the Pakistan squad during the India vs Pakistan match.” While cricketing rivalries are part and parcel of the sport, such incidents detract from the spirit of the game.
If illiterate, uneducated Maulana Mohammad Rizwan offers Namaz in the middle of the field during a match, then it is okay, but if the audience chants Jai Shri Ram, it is not okay. If Rizwan, Faheem Ashraf tweets in support of Palestine after the match, it is okay and if a… pic.twitter.com/02SYFF9oqu
— Satya Prakash (@Are_Sambha) October 15, 2023
The best of rivalry once again ended in a one sided affair, with India maintaining their 8-0 unbeaten record against Pakistan in World Cup matches. The Indian team secured a comprehensive victory, winning by seven wickets as Pakistan was bowled out for just 191 runs. Pakistan’s batting lineup faltered, losing their last eight wickets for a mere 36 runs, and India emerged victorious in front of a massive crowd of over 100,000 spectators.
The stadium atmosphere, however, was marred by instances of booing, particularly when Pakistan’s captain, Babar Azam, arrived for the toss alongside his Indian counterpart, Rohit Sharma. Such behavior was regrettable. Sport is all about respect towards your one another and such an incident really disturbs the established ethos of the game.
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Mickey Arthur, the team director for Pakistan, expressed his disappointment, likening the match to a “bilateral series” rather than an ICC event. He candidly stated, “It didn’t seem like an ICC event, to be brutally honest. It seemed like a bilateral series, it seemed like a BCCI event.” Such perceptions diminish the global prestige and sanctity of ICC tournaments.
Another issue that arose was the logistical challenges faced by Pakistani journalists and fans traveling to Ahmedabad for the match. Only a handful of journalists from Pakistan managed to secure visas, and fans in Pakistan were left with limited information about the visa process.
The PCB, in its complaint to the ICC, raised concerns over these visa delays and the absence of a visa policy for Pakistani fans. Once the booing, abusing and religious chants were added to the saga, the taste got more bitter and there will be a clarification expected from Gujarat Cricket Association on this matter.
The India-Pakistan cricket rivalry is undoubtedly one of the most passionate and intense in the world of sports. Yet it doesn’t mean that limits should be crossed and people should jump at each other’s neck, politicising the whole environment.
The incidents of inappropriate behavior during the recent ICC World Cup match between India and Pakistan has sparked some controversies. It is important to upholding the dignity of the sport, ensuring that cricket remains a symbol of unity and a source of joy for fans across borders.
It is now up to the ICC to investigate and address the complaints filed by the PCB, aiming to preserve the integrity of international cricket tournaments.
