Mumbai: Both the countries have been at loggerheads on the political front since years but the gentleman’s sport united them whenever possible. However, Team India – like other teams – have not toured India for years due to the terror threat and the Pakistan fans missed their arch-rivals during the ODI against Zimbabwe in Lahore on Tuesday where the hosts emerged victorious by 41 runs.
Nonetheless, during the match, the television cameras zoomed on a group of people who carried a banner that said: “We miss you India.”
“Now we call India, come and play.”
One of the banners also read saying that they are not terrorists.
India and Pakistan – due to political tensions – did not play Tests in Pakistan for near about a decade since 1989 when Sachin Tendulkar made his debut as a 16-year-old.
Later, after the 2008 Mumbai blasts, the Board of Control for Cricket in India cut all ties with Pakistan Cricket Board. Though at present, both the parties are holding consultations for revival of cricket between the nations but nothing has been finalised yet.
India went to Pakistan after 15 years for a series in 2004 where they won 2-1. After that, they came to India in 2005 and drew the series 1-1.
However, Pakistan’s perfect revenge came in 2006 when they thrashed India 1-0 in a three-match Test series in their own backyard.
The last time the two sides locked horns (in Tests) was in 2007 (in India) where India won 1-0 under Anil Kumble’s leadership.
