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Politics : Idea Of The Day -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: IQBAL LATIF who wrote (45747)	3/14/2004 6:11:55 AM
From: IQBAL LATIF	Respond to of 50167

Love conquers all--The Karachi crowd takes its cricket extremely seriously, and as expected it was fulsome in its welcome to the home squad this morning. Sachin Tendulkar and Virender Sehwag, however, would be forgiven for wondering if their armoured convoy had deposited them on a domestic field. The roar that greeted their walk to the middle was deafening. Tendulkar especially must have thrilled in the roar that greeted every boundary, every cover drive. Memories of that 1989 fixture in this city when a minor riot broke out after Pakistan had been reduced to 27-3 and of the curtailed 1997 ODI on account of stone-pelting must have been banished for ever. Today every shot from the Indian bat was cheered, every dive in the field lauded. Men held the two flags together, the women celebrated every skier with appreciative abandon. Shoaib Akhtar will often return to the Karachi scorecard, in his seven wides and three no-balls he will spy the six runs Pakistan sought in vain. But in the moment, he congratulated Rahul Dravid for a well-made 99 as he made his way back to the shed. And Dravid on that lonely walk back must have found comfort in the sympathetic stillness in the audience. If this is Day One, if this is cricket, just bring it on CHANDRESH NARAYANAN indianexpress.com

To: IQBAL LATIF who wrote (45747)	3/14/2004 9:37:18 AM
From: IQBAL LATIF	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 50167

Dear Editor , We saw this first ODI between India Pakistan in a small skiing resort in Swiss, we had pre-arranged Sky Sport reception, the match was played in a great spirits, and my Indian colleagues were totally surprised and taken aback from the reception that Karachites accorded fans to the Indian team. It was in my opinion Pakistan's best moment and visage moreover in background of tragic events of Madrid was a very timely reminder that way forward amongst nations is only peace and amity. A new relationship has been spotted, it was also first time for me that although we lost the match I was not at all disappointed, I was rather happy we loss the battle but won the greater test of endearing Indian hearts and minds, this match for me is a beginning of a new era between the two nations, my Indian friends were surprised with the level of sportsmanship displayed in Karachi, no Brit would ever wave Aussies flag in an Ashes series Pakistani did and cheered the great display of stroke play by Sehwag, Dravid and Kaif. The love and above board display of respect of likes of Tendulkar and Ganguly by Pakistani fans and stitching of flags moved the entire community of very senior investment bankers who were with me here in Swiss. The stitching of flags stitched the hearts of people, the distance that was not conquered in 55 years this match helped navigate in 6 hours. As I go back to London tonight I am proud to be Pakistani and Karachites made me feel one good Pakistani today, thanks and keep it up Pakistan. This series is about winning of hearts and minds of India and Pakistan did very well on the first day they won the most important part of the equation, games are their to be lost and won but we own what we needed the most. As Sunil Gavaskar told one of my Indian friends very nicely 'now we know what we missed all these years.' India did beat Pakistan in an electrifying contest, however the most important element was the display of great sportsmanship by the two sides and love showered on Indians by the crowd, Tendulkar and Ganguly must have been certainly bowled by the 'people to people contact' the way nations are coming together is just great, this may be the era that eluded the two nations so far. Gone are the days of stone pelting as Tendulkar walked in the National Stadium it was as if Miandad has made an entry in his home ground, for a batsman this is the ultimate high to be accorded a welcome in his opponents’ territory of that of a hero. Mohamed Kaif getting that catch putting India in front also left a message for we Pakistanis that India has 150 millions Muslims too and we need to reach out to each other, I would love to see in test match Dinesh Kaneria getting Sachin with his googly. That will give a new definition to our two nation theory baggage. Mr. Advani says this is the ‘century of India,’ I add to that this is the century where poverty from our region will be eradicated and we emerge as self respecting nations where our poor and needy will not die out of need, this century should be it, the renaissance of knowledge is unleashed in our region and cricket as the word suggest is helping bring this dream together. Zain Latif Investment Banker J.P. Morgan