Cricket takes a hit in the absence of Indo-Pak series, reveals Forbes magazine
The cricket world comes to a standstill when the two countries meet
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The India-Pakistan rivalry has always been an enthralling affair, but with the diabolical relations between the countries, cricket has suffered the most. The frosty government relations and political differences between them have taken a toll on the players as well, with the teams having played their last Test encounter in 2007 after which the Indian government banned its cricketers to play their rivals across the border.
However, recently, the two teams clashed in the Asia Cup that the Men in Blue won after defeating Bangladesh in the final. India beat Pakistan twice during the qualifying phase to avenge their thrashing in the Champions Trophy final last year by the Green shirts, one of the most hyped finals in the sport’s history.
A recent report by the leading business magazine Forbes has described the India-Pakistan rivalry in cricket as the most passionate across all of the sports, even more “intoxicating” than Australia-England iconic Ashes.
Echoing how the relations have affected the game, the article read, “Cricket is not the most popular sport in either Australia or England, a far cry from the obsessive fandom in sub-continent. When India and Pakistan play each other, it’s more than a game for countries at loggerheads. Matches are seen as opportunities for diplomacy amid a volatile part of the world but contests between them have been scare in the past decade.”
ICC to try and facilitate discussions of revival
Fully aware of how crucial mending India and Pakistan relations are to cricket, ICC Chief Executive Dave Richardson has said that ICC would facilitate any discussion if it can but that it was up to the two parties themselves.
Highlighting the excitement the contest between the two countries produce, the report acknowledges that the cricket world comes to a standstill when they meet and ensure a financial windfall for the ICC, which it added, ensure that they meet only in the major tournaments.
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