The silence of Pakistan's victory

The sustained silence that greeted Pakistan's extraordinary victory today was the lowest point of a superb Test series. Given how a year ago applause had poured in for a dramatic last-ball victory by the Indians at Karachi, an applause that then resonated for the rest of the tour, Bangalore was an embarrassment.

This is not to say that applause must beget applause. As much would be gratuitous. Indeed, there is a minor consolation in that India-Pakistan cricket is assuming an air of normalcy, able to stand by itself as a sporting encounter. Yet if the first step towards that normalcy includes the inability to recognize the worth of the opponent's performance, then there is reason to worry. Bangalore must count as the most graceless performance by an Indian crowd since the racist barbs which were thrown at the West Indians by Bombayites two seasons ago.

Pakistan played stirring cricket today, and have done all series, notwithstanding the last day at Calcutta. They came a young and fragile team and that from a tour of Australia. Plain to the eye they worked phenomenally hard and shed themselves of fear. Inzamam and his exquisite hundred from 7 for 2 in the opening hour; Sami and his long pouty spells of short and fast bowling; Afridi, batting, bowling and fielding like a bomb on speed; Kaneria and his relentless scatter-limbed twirling, and of course, Younis Khan, who completed one of cricket's great turnarounds from Mohali, where he could not take guard without dropping a catch or losing his wicket.... Pakistan were inspiring at Bangalore. Considering the situation at lunch yesterday, they made a match out of nothing. They deserved a hand.

It should be perhaps spelt out here that there was no viciousness on view. Rather it was an indifference, one which has been evident over the last few days. Kaneria, among the performers of the series, regularly patrolled the boundary in front of the stand I have watched from, and not once did he receive appreciation at the end of a successful over or spell. Afridi was met with similar apathy. Words directed at them, if any, were not flattering. The contrast when an Indian extra walked by with a crate of drinks was embarrassing. Rarely was a Pakistani boundary or an Indian wicket, and there were enough of both, clapped on.

At the presentation ceremony fifteen minutes after the finish today, modest applause was handed out to Inzamam and Younis Khan. Again, the reception was, what, twenty times smaller than the boos for Ganguly and the cheers for Sehwag. Simply, you would think that this Test match was being played by one team. Well, it almost was, and that team was not India.

Granted that the Indians played pathetic cricket on the day, and the shock of their supporters is understandable. But just as there was a leaf to be taken out of Pakistan's marvellous performance by the Indian cricket team, so should there be one for the Indian spectators from their counterparts'. This insularity is regressive and terribly disturbing.