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In the build-up to the marquee clash, there is a buzz and excitement in Kashmir with cricket nerds in the valley taking it to the social networking sites to unfurl their excitement and emotions for the mega-encounter. Facebook, Twitter and other social networking sites are awash with everyone having an opinion about the combination their favorite team should go with.
Any Indo-Pak cricket encounter is considered to be war minus shooting, and it virtually stops whole of Indian sub-continent. Kashmir is no different. The old and young will be glued to the TV on Sunday afternoon.
On paper India are oceans ahead of Pakistan with their famed batting lineup very much attuned to the demands of limited overs’ cricket. Bowling department looks as strong as could be and spin department is laced with guile and experience to trouble the best in the world.
Die-hard cricket fans don’t read much into it. They hope for a vintage Pakistan performance to derail Virat Kohli n co. The vastly reported rift between Indian coach Anil Kumble and Kohli in media has Kashmiris hoping that it distracts India in the encounter of the tournament. As has often been the case, Pakistan will rely on their Mohammad Amir led pace attack to dent powerful Indian batting arsenal and an experienced batting pair of Mohammad Hafeez and Shoaib Malik give much needed stability to the batting.
Mudasir Maqbool, a keen watcher of the sport, says tempers will be running high in the valley.
“At a time when the relations between India and Pakistan are at an all time low, this contest assumes a greater significance. The tempers will be running high not only in these two countries but in Kashmir as well. It will either be an "Eid" in the beginning of Ramadan itself for some and mourning for others depending upon the result. All in all, it will surely be another high voltage drama,” he says.
Cricket and political commentator Gowhar Geelani reckons India have an edge over Pakistan.
"On paper and form, India look favourites to win with their balanced side. Pakistan, on the other hand, appears a weaker side. But given the excitement and English conditions, anything can happen on the day when it matters the most,” says Geelani.
Geelani describes expected scenes in Kashmiri households on Sunday afternoon.
“People in Kashmir will watch the contest between archrivals, hoping for team Pakistan's victory. They will say that Pakistan is unpredictable and has a better record in Champions Trophy against India. Sunday evening will be a self-imposed curfewed evening in Kashmir. Many will break fast staying glued to the television screen. Prayer mats and dastarkhans will be shifted to TV rooms for a day!" he says.
Shabir Hussian, a journalist who has followed Indo-Pak cricket rivalry for more than three decades, says it will be a party time in Kashmir if Sarfaraz Ahmad marshaled side manages to upstage strong Indian side. He was, however, quick to add that a Pakistan win looks highly unlikely.
“Needless to say who Kashmiris will bat for. More so now, in view of the ruthless aggression New Delhi has unleashed on the Kashmiris. Despite the fact that India is a more stable side and more suited to ODIs, Kashmiris will remain optimistic about Pak win. It will be celebrations galore across Kashmir if Pakistan somehow manage to pull it off, which looks pretty unlikely though,” says Hussain.
Over the years, Kashmiris-mostly youth- had to pay a price for exhibiting love and support for Pakistan cricket team. The most telling example of Kashmiri suffering for cheering green shirts was witnessed in 2014 when Uttar Pradesh college authorities expelled 67 Kashmiri students after they celebrated Pakistan’s win over India in an Asia Cup tie. The state government didn’t stop there going a step further, charging the beleaguered lot with sedition only to withdraw it later after being criticized by all and sundry.
Cricket fan Umar Mirza says everything that is Pakistan cricket has a huge following in this part of the world.
“They call it the mother of all the clashes in the gentleman’s game. It is finals before the summit clash. Pakistan, particularly Pakistan cricket, and Kashmir have a huge propensity towards each other. Here, people love everything about Pakistan cricket. Their victory gives people all the happiness and their defeats, particularly against India, results in frustration and anger. Kashmir is in all sorts of despair and despondency in recent times, yet people r desperately waiting for the kick off. They want Pakistan to win. Nothing more, nothing less,” says Mirza.
While a super cricketing Saturday awaits cricket fans world over, for Kashmir, it appears, the game means just more than a sporting fixture. A result either way has a bearing on how Kashmir sleeps Sunday night.
