Supporting Pakistan

Most of the people notice the skills and also the image of players before supporting a team. Though we cannot forget the history of our Liberation War, we should not mix cricket with it.

I was amazed to read the letter titled 'Supporting Pakistan' dated Friday, the 29th of April. The writer, Mr. Abdul Malek from DU, said that he was sorry to see that most of his friends were supporting Pakistan, the country with which we had fought in 1971. I think it is wrong to bring politics into cricket.

Even Manmohan Singh and Parvez Musharraf were present during the final match of the Pakistani cricket team's India tour. And we must bear in mind that India and Pakistan were bitter enemies. So if they could shake hands and forget their disputes to watch an exciting cricket match, we could also follow suit. I am an Indian fan but I do not want sports to be vitiated by politics.

Samiul Karim, Uttara, Dhaka

I have read Mr. Abdul Malek's letter titled "Supporting Pakistan", published on April 29, 2005. As a reader and as a citizen I would like to answer his questions. His first question was, why should we support the Pakistani team? Well, there are different types of people having different ideas and thoughts. It's true that many people support Pakistan because it is a Muslim country, but Islam doesn't say that all non-Muslims are our enemies. There are 14 crore Muslims living in India so why shouldn't we support that country? His second question was, could we become independent without the help of India? The answer maybe "no". But that doesn't mean that we have to support their cricket team.

If we to go back to history then we cannot support Britain, because our land was once a British colony, but it's useless to think like that, after so many years.

Tahsin Hyder, Dhanmondi, Dhaka

Referring to the letter published in "The Daily Star" on 30 April 2005 titled "Watching for pleasure" by Ms. Ruhi, I would like to express my views on supporting the Pakistani cricket team which, I think, is a widespread concern among the general people.

If a game is watched only for the sake of mere entertainment, there is, of course, nothing to be worried about, regardless of which country a team represents. I agree with Ms. Ruhi up to some extent as the game provides us with joy that is a must. So anyone can support whatever team he/she prefers. But the problem arises when it goes far beyond the limit, and whereupon it becomes a matter of grave concern. To my utter dismay, I have noticed that some fans of Pakistan fly the Pakistani flag if they win a game and this is, indubitably, a massive onslaught on our sentiments.

Is it not too much ? The nightmarish memory of the barbaric genocide carried out by the Pakistan army in 1971 haunts us. To remember 1971 is part and parcel of our patriotism.

Supporting the Pakistani cricket team may be all right, but flying the Pakistani flag is not.

Ramprashad Banik, Jahangirnagar University

Mr. Abdul Malek wrote that supporting the Pakistani cricket team amounts to neglecting the history of our country. However, the logic behind his contention is poor. We may have a lot of problem with a country, but that should not blur our vision when it comes to art, culture or sports. So cricket should remain free from politics.

Muhammad bin Abdullah, Cox's Bazar