Cricket: Is It Between Muslims & Infidels?

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India celebrated another national victory day on 24th September 2007. If you are wondering what was the celebration for, you are standing out from the group. That was the day India had won an international match, ICC World Twenty 20. The day proclaimed India's comeback as a powerful team after their shameful defeat in 2006 World Cup. However what made the victory much sweeter was India's final moment victory against the arch rivals Pakistan.

There is one soundbyte that may spoil all your enthusiasm and sportsman spirit after watching the final match between India and Pakistan at the Twenty20 World Championship. This crucial remark stood as a sore thumb during the post- Twenty20 World Championship celebrations and was criticized by people all over the world. The religiously fanatic comment came from none other than Pakistan captain Shoaib Malik. At the award ceremony, Malik said:

“First of all, I want to say something over here. I want to thank you back home Pakistan and where the Muslim lives all over the world."

Celebrations stopped for moment with shock at that overly religious statement. There was a natural question in all the cricket fans' minds at that time. “Was that a Pakistan-India Twenty20 World Cup match or a fight between Muslims and infidels? What about the cricket fans, who support Pakistan despite their nationality and religion?" The remark was highly cited as the visible attitude of religious affiliation from a sect of fanatic muslims.

Shoaib's religious fanaticism did not go unnoticed. The comment was cited as indecent that lacks sportsman spirit, which could lead to communal polarization. While people all over the world are seeking Shoaib's apology for the crude comment there are some people who believe the sincerity in Shoaib's words. Pakistan"s former opening batsman Mohsin Khan told: “We do know that Shoaib is a practicing Muslim and belongs to the religious-minded clan of Pakistani cricketers."

Supporters of Pakistan are ignoring the hard fact that there were two Muslims in the Indian cricket team - the Pathan brothers who played a major role in India's victory. Pathan brothers' mother Shamim Bano reacted to Shoaib's comment: "Shoaib must have said that for his own countrymen, how can he speak for all the Muslims of the world? The way Irfan and Yusuf played for India, that's all that matters to us. They have made us proud of the way India won the Cup."

There is also a group of people who believe that Indian media is creating a controversy by misinterpreting his statement. They believe that they should not pay attention to what the Indian media says about Shoaib"s comments. Pakistani media also has conveniently taken a mute stand and never remarked anything regarding Shoaib's statement ,the way it has been projected in the Indian media.

It is interesting to note that despite their defeat in ICC World Twenty 20, Pakistan cricket team has received a warm welcome at their homeland. It was for the first time in the last many years that Pakistani players returning from a foreign tour were feeling confident enough to face the public. Was that remarkable welcome refer to Shoaib's comments or Pakistan's team spirit? It is left for you to comment...

After word: There is also a view that Malik phrased the comment badly because of his discomfort with English. A much reasonable justification than Mohsin Khan's views!