Right time for cricket diplomacy

Fasihur Rehman Khan

Rith Imran Khan at the helm of affairs in Pakistan, it may be the most suitable time for the best innings of cricket diplomacy between the two countries to kick-start. And who could sense it more than a shrewd diplomat backed by the respective foreign office bureaucracy. Symbolic it may seem, but the top Indian diplomat in Pakistan presenting the incoming Pakistani premier with a bat signed by the Indian cricket team hints at a change of mood on both sides of the border. 

 Imran’s inner circles are also contemplating a near future match in India where both the premiers (Imran and Prime Minister Narendra Modi) meet and vice versa. But, this change of atmosphere and mood is not sudden, surprising it may seem in public eye. All this is the result of months of back channel talks and track-two diplomacy, calculations of strategic advantages, etc. 

Skeptics may take a back seat for now. They will have ample opportunities, given the history of often unpredictable India-Pakistan relations. Now is the time for cricket diplomacy to once again kick-start stalled and tense relations between the South Asian neighbours. The most famous sport in the region has historically been used by politicians, diplomats and rulers as an ice-breaker when nothing else worked. Charged crowds, overwhelming emotions and a hate for defeat is definitely enshrined deeply in millions of cricket lovers in both the countries. Still the game itself acts to inculcate sportsman spirit, hard to find in spheres like defence, trade or even diplomacy. 

The new military leadership in Pakistan under General Qamar Bajwa is already keen to extend an olive branch to India as it looks towards the resolution of terror-related disputes in both the countries, leading ultimately to resolution of Siachen and Kashmir issues. For this, a peaceful border and open diplomatic channel is the first requisite. And Imran and his government would like to use this advantage to its favour, a situation not enjoyed by former premier Nawaz Sharif — having his own reasons and the history of tense relations with the military. 

For Pakistan, peace in Afghanistan looks like the number one priority of its state apparatus. With proding from China and Russia, easing of tensions with India looks the second priority as both the South Asian neighbours now occupy a full member status in the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO). India, on its part, wants to resume good trading relations with Pakistan. Under PM  Modi, it would not like to miss the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor advantages in months and years to come when Iran and Afghanistan join in ultimately. And everyone acknowledges that war machines take a backstage in these times as economies matter.    

The history still remembers then Pakistan President General Zia-ul-Haq landing in Delhi in a surprise 1987 visit to witness a cricket match to avert a possible war as the two countries engaged in aggressive war games on the border. Interestingly, the incoming Pakistani premier was leading the home team at that time. Now, 31 years down the road, Imran is now preparing to lead the country. From a firebrand, aggressive political leader transforming into the head of a government, Imran has this tedious and difficult task to prove himself on a bigger canvas, much bigger than a cricket playground.

However, Imran is considered an unrelenting competitor and a team maker. A 22-year-long political struggle finally fetched him success, but with a pinch of salt — a thin majority in Parliament, just like the 1992 World Cup when Pakistan returned from the brink and claimed glory against the odds. So expect him to do the same in his second innings.  

— The writer is a Pak-based journalist, security and foreign policy analyst