COLOMBO (News 1st); Cricket in South Asia is often described as a rivalry, a clash of nations, and sometimes even an extension of geopolitics. Yet history offers reminders that this game has also been a powerful force for unity. One of the most striking examples came during the 1996 Cricket World Cup. That year, Sri Lanka was hosting the tournament for the very first time alongside India and Pakistan. Just weeks before the matches, however, Colombo was rocked by a devastating bomb blast. Security fears led Australia and New Zealand to refuse to play their scheduled fixtures in Sri Lanka. It was a decision that left the host nation diplomatically isolated and deeply disappointed. What followed was extraordinary. In an unprecedented show of solidarity, India and Pakistan set aside their own fierce rivalry and sent a combined team to Colombo for an exhibition match against Sri Lanka. The gesture was symbolic but powerful. It reassured a shaken host, affirmed the legitimacy of the tournament, and demonstrated that cricket could be a unifying force across borders.
Source: News 1st
