CHENNAI: Exactly a month ago, things were not in favour of Pakistan Squash Federation. The body failed to secure Indian visas for their team who were set to take part in the World Junior Squash Championship in Chennai. After the intervention of the world body, they received the visas.
Now, fast forward to Thursday, the defending champions, seeded eleventh, took on hosts India at Express Avenue mall. If you are inside the venue and you hardly have knowledge about squash, it is common to hear these words from a passerby. “Are they playing it for real or is it like an exhibition match?”.
Unlike cricket or hockey, the rivalry between the two teams in squash is not red hot. But the quarterfinal clash did attract a decent crowd. Though one would have witnessed a passing crowd for the previous matches that India played — against Saudi Arabia and Switzerland — there was a steady bunch which did not show any intention of leaving the mall during the match.
To add to the India-Pakistan dramatization, even the anchor was dressed in blue and green. More than a handful of Indian national flags were spotted in the gallery, where a group of kids went “India, India” for every point won by an Indian. The stage was set for an exciting clash as even players from USA, England, Ireland and Germany decided to sit back and watch the arch-rivals playing against each other.
“I know a few players from Pakistan like Haris Qasim. It will be interesting to watch them play against India,” said Jared Carter, England squash player.
Going into the match, numbers were in favour of Pakistan, having defeated India in two meetings at the World Junior Championship in 2006 and 2008. Fifth seed India looked like they had an upper hand after two easy wins as compared to their opponents, who lost one and won one in the boys’ team event. But Pakistan proved seedings are just numbers as they made it two out of three, by notching up a 2-1 win.
Though home advantage and pressure can influence a player, determined Pakistani players showed nothing can play on their minds. Contrary to the belief, they even said they don’t see hosts as the enemy in squash.
“We did get into a pressure situation initially. Everyone was cheering for India. Even the anchor. That did put us off a bit. I think I was nervous and that’s why I lost the first set,” said Haris Qasim.
“But after that, I got used to it and I focussed on my game. We know India-Pakistan is always a big thing in sports. But we did not see them as rivals. We took it in a friendly manner and we hold no grudges.”PSF secretary Tahir Sultan had said that sports can help in strengthening relations between the nations and this may just be the beginning.
srinidhi@newindianexpress.com