India-Pakistan rivalry now a one-sided memory for fans

IN THE WALKWAY beside the air-conditioned nets for trainees at the ICC Academy, a father reminisces the ferocity of India-Pakistan rivalry to his two children, both wearing a Pakistan jersey bearing their names. "Woh zamana alag tha. Hamare paas duniya ke sabse ache fast bowlers the. Badiya batsman bhi. Unn dino hum India ko hamesha harathe the (Those times were different. We had the world's best fast bowlers and great batsmen too. We used to beat India regularly)," he tells them, trying to win their distracted attention.

- SANDIP G

The father, Rashid Alam, who is from Karachi and works in Dubai as a software engineer, says: "They don't understand what it once meant. They can't be blamed. The rivalry has become one-sided."

Similar laments echoed in the stadium during and after Pakistan's thrashing of UAE, a 93-run victory that infuses them with momentum before the cricket-world stopping game between the fierce rivals and neighbours, the first encounter after the recent cross-border skirmishes. A Pakistan supporter is all enthusiastic in front of the television. "Hum India ko 70 runs mein all out karenge. Iss team mein junoon aur jazba hain," he says. Once the eyes of cameras leave him, he returns to reality and tells his friends. "Hum India ko 70 all out karenge, and aur woh humko 50 mein all out karenge! Umeed nahin hain."