THE visuals of the recent Asia Cup match between Pakistan and Afghanistan were quite disappointing so far as the spirit of the game is concerned. It is a textbook principle that sports are the cine qua non for a healthy and balanced life. Sports create bonhomie between nations, and sometimes even improve frosty equations.

`Cricket diplomacy` is not an uncommon term in the region.

The lack of sportsmanship displayed on the field by Afghan players and out of it by their supporters, has left a bad taste in every sports-lover`s mouth. The misconduct hasdefied all the ethics of sports. Damage done to stadium is tantamount to vandalism.

Ithasfalsihedthefactthatsports are a proven panacea to extremism. It is taught to students of schools and colleges that we can channelise our energy through sportsto avoid imbalance of hormones that can make us violent in our routine life. But all this stands nullified by the belligerence exhibited by Afghan players and their fans.

The media, on the other side of the border, as usual, started politicising this episode, just to add fuel to fire. The anchors taking sides with Afghanistan were hellbent on proving that this acrimonious behaviour of Afghan players and hooligans, has its roots in tough politics between the United States and Afghanistan in which Pakistan in public perception tends to side with the Americans. Media pundits of such ilk were sympathising with Afghanistan, blaming Pakistan for the rancour that causes hostility among Afghan players. The Afghan players and people must know that the said media is notorious for blaming Pakistan for just about anything that happens anywhere in the world.

The Afghanistan cricket team should never forget that Pakistan has always rendered its neighbourly obligations without fail, whether it is trade or sports.

Pakistan is like a second home for Afghan people. Pakistan has always treated Afghans well, especially the refugees.

Even Afghan cricketers have honed their skills playing in Peshawar and Islamabad. Pakistani cricketing legends have coached them on various occasions.

As such, the venting of their spleen on Pakistani players was ill-founded.

On our side, media and former cricketers did not display sanity at all by reminding Afghan people of the favours Pakistan has showered upon them. The use of derogatory appellations by our media persons is equally culpable. All this does not fall in the ambit of sports and their spirit.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has said that it would lodge a protest against the incident with the International Cricket Council (ICC). Though the players involved in the misconduct have been fined 25 per cent of their match fee, and the hooligans among the fans have been arrested by the local police, the ICC must come up with effective measures to pre-empt such skirmishes in the future.

M.Nadeem Nadir Kasur