Free Kashmir protests outside The Oval ahead of CT 17 final

Controversy cannot be kept away from an India-Pakistan. The fans of both countries are so passionate about the sport and because of the history and current political animosity between the two countries, sometimes political thought takes over sports or rather mixes the two even when the two have no relation with each other.

While the cricketers of the respective teams continue to respect each other on and off the field, the drama from the administrators and fans cannot be contained. Ahead of the India v Pakistan final of the ICC Champions Trophy, few Pakistan fans gathered together for a Free Kashmir protest, outside The Oval.

While many comments to a tweet by a Pakistani journalist were mostly countered with humour or jokes, the majority were nasty fights between fans of both nationalities. Though sanity also prevailed for a small group as they said cricket and politics should not be mixed, but this was one of the many incidents where social media turns into a battleground in the high-octane sub-continental clash.

This is not the first time that these Free Kashmir protests have taken place before India-Pakistan games. Even in the clash during the group stage, Some 30 odd Kashmiri’s were seen protesting outside the Edgbaston cricket ground, with posters and slogans demanding a Free Kashmir.

Though no untoward incident happened even last time, how these groups manage to breach the tight security arrangements is a concern. This does not only pose a threat to security in the stands while watching the game but also increase the animosity between the two sides which should be kept away from the sport.

While the match is expected to be a fiery affair on the pitch, it will be just as tense and closely fought in the stands; with both Pakistani and Indian fans coming out in numbers at the Kennington Oval.