Pakistan's missed opportunity

India and Pakistan are creatures of extremes: only yesterday they were all set to get betrothed; today they are at each other's throats. At one moment in transports of joy, at another in transports of grief. Sadly, such has been their brief.

Is the India-Pakistan cricket relationship on the verge of a break-up or will it survive the latest turbulence? Can bat and ball act as balm for the pangs of hurt?

In this tug of war of opinions and emotions, there are sections of society on both sides that are pulling against cricket diplomacy in favour of a show of antagonism toward each other. The other side is keen to give cricket a chance to break the stalemate of hate and promote the live-and-let-live theme. Conditions are in such a state of flux that it is difficult to commit too deeply in this affair. What about the PCB, though? Has it taken a position yet?

Reports confirm that while India is reticent, Pakistan is bending backwards to lure them into a contest, even at a neutral venue. I guess the prospect of a cash stimulus has got Pakistan thinking excitedly. Agreed, an Indian series is too lucrative to pass over, but is making overtures and running after India with a begging bowl the way to conduct cricket business? Doesn't the PCB get the message that India is not yet emotionally ready to play Pakistan?

This desperate state of dependency on others for funds is not a new phenomenon. Years of unimaginative and passive management have reduced Pakistan cricket to permanently searching for funds at the cost of honour and pride.

Isn't it madness to pin your hopes of getting rich on a source of revenue that you do not control? The odds of getting rich are as favourable as those of a blind man being able to walk a rope without falling down. Why, till today, has the PCB not unearthed a winning plan that would make it self-sufficient?

Over the years Pakistan's cricket administrators have had opportunities to position Pakistan cricket powerfully in the world theatre. Throughout the 90s, when the Pakistan team was the cynosure of all eyes, its administrators could have milked the advantage to develop international clout. They didn't.

In this regard, it is wrong to say that it is the size of your market alone that gets you respect and status. In fact, it's your cricket strength that provides you power and effectiveness. Australia is a cricket powerhouse today not because of its cricket commerce but because of its cricket performance. West Indies in the 80s used to demand exorbitant amounts of cash to tour countries on the basis of its great team. And during that period no country or law was able to challenge West Indies' slow over-rate tactics. On the other hand, Pakistan's glorious period was lost due to mismanagement that allowed player politics and player power to manifest. During all this internal strife, the value of voice and presence at cricket forums was lost.

It is time for Pakistan cricket to wake up and smell the coffee. If India and the rest of the world are to be engaged on equal terms as partners, and not as masters, the PCB will have to get its priorities right. To earn respect it has to develop a strong cricket team, an independent cricket mind, and a tough presence at the ICC. It must look inwardly to create a domestic revenue stream that it can have control over. For instance, a Pakistan Premier League can help to not only generate funds, the money may also induce international players to play in Pakistan. It may in the process unlock doors for bilateral series to resume in Pakistan.

Right now, India-Pakistan cricket is caught in a whirlwind of emotions and politics. For cricket between the two countries to resume, there has to be time and space. Let the clouds of mistrust lift and the dust settle before we broach the subject of cricket.

During cricket matches there are moments when tempers flare and hot-headed players on both sides clash with each other. But at the end of the day the handshakes arrest the angst, and teams make up. Cricket always wins.