But the diplomacy has now been dismantled, the détente discarded; there is a cricket match to play as India face Pakistan in what is viewed as the world’s most politically charged and intense sporting derby. Facebook Twitter Pinterest India fans at the rained-off match against New Zealand on 13 June. “There’s always a lot of tension when India play Pakistan, but this time it feels as if there’s more,” says Qays Mir, the club’s general manager. The last time India and Pakistan met on the cricket field was also in England, during the 2017 Champions Trophy final, which was watched by an estimated 1 billion people. Pakistan won, prompting wild celebrations bordering on jingoism, which many Indian fans also stand accused of when their team wins.

Source: The Guardian June 15, 2019 15:00 UTC