DOHA: Geopolitical tensions often spill over into sports, leading to heated confrontations on the field, whether in football or cricket — the most popular sports in the Indian subcontinent.
During the third ODI between Pakistan and New Zealand, Pakistani cricketer Khushdil Shah got into a physical altercation with an Afghan fan. This incident underscores the decline in values that have long been cherished and upheld by athletes in the past.
It’s alleged that a group of Afghan spectators directed inappropriate remarks toward Pakistani players.
Khushdil means “happy heart” — someone who symbolize positivity, kindness, and a cheerful disposition. But the behaviour of the Pakistani cricketer Khusdil at the Bay Oval ground in Mount Maunganui in New Zealand, definitely did not reflect such kindness.
Shift in Rivalry
Interestingly, the strained relationship between Pakistan and Afghanistan seems to have shifted the traditional India-Pakistan sports rivalry onto a new dynamic.
Historically, India-Pakistan cricket matches have been the focal point of subcontinental rivalry due to the partition in 1947 and subsequent political tensions.
However, as Afghanistan’s cricket team has risen in prominence over the last decade, and with ongoing political friction between Pakistan and Afghanistan, the rivalry has extended to the sports arena.
Afghan fans and players often have strong emotions tied to their national identity, which can lead to heated interactions with Pakistani teams.
However, the Pakistan Cricket Board on Saturday strongly denounced the alleged use of inappropriate remarks against Pakistan players by a group of Afghan spectators at Mount Maunganui.
After the Pakistani team lodged a complaint, two spectators of Afghan descent were removed from the venue.
Pakistan went on to lose the match by 43 runs, resulting in a 0-3 whitewash in the ODI series. The visiting team had also been defeated 1-4 in the preceding five-match T20 series.
Silent Protests
Sports arenas have long served as platforms to advocate for global issues and concerns.
Some football players show support for the oppressed.
For instance, Germany’s Mesut Özil and others in the recent past have shown solidarity with oppressed groups, by wearing t-shirts under their jerseys, while others take a stand against racism or express opposition to apartheid.
Anti-racism stances are common in football, with campaigns like “Kick It Out” and players taking a knee before matches to protest racism, particularly following the Black Lives Matter movement in 2020.
The Olympics, a major international event, has also been a stage where Black athletes have voiced their frustration and anger toward oppression.
The most iconic example was the 1968 Mexico City Olympics, where American sprinters Tommie Smith and John Carlos raised their fists in a Black Power salute during the medal ceremony to protest racial inequality in the US.
These silent protests differ from the more vocal and aggressive demonstrations often seen on social media today.
Cricketers are typically expected to exhibit self-discipline and professionalism while representing their national teams abroad.
As brand ambassadors, they must manage their emotions, even when provoked, embodying the ideals of sportsmanship.
However, maintaining such composure is often seen as increasingly rare in modern sports, where emotional outbursts can sometimes overshadow the spirit of the game.
Incidents like the 2018 ball-tampering scandal involving Australian cricketers (Steve Smith, David Warner, and Cameron Bancroft) or on-field altercations.
Many cricketers, especially in countries like India, Pakistan, and Australia, are high-profile figures with sponsorships and endorsements.
They are often trained to handle pressure and provocation, as their actions reflect on their team and nation.
For example, players like Virat Kohli or Babar Azam are under constant scrutiny and expected to lead by example, even in tense situations.
Sportsmanship includes respect for opponents, officials, and fans, and maintaining composure.
