DAMMAM, 3 March 2003 — Marriages may be made in heaven but they are often tested on the ground — the cricket ground, that is. For many marriages in which one spouse is Indian and the other Pakistani, cricket matches between the two spell tension and even domestic war!
“My husband always manages to raise my blood pressure when he says, ‘I support India or any country playing Pakistan’,” a Pakistani wife said.
“We usually get along well but during the present World Cup matches, we have done nothing but fight. I know it is childish, but I cannot help myself. He rejoices and dances at every Pakistani wicket that falls. It is strange that two happily married people have such opposing feelings over the same thing. But I am happy that the tension is finally over. Now I can watch the rest without any pressure.”
Her husband commented: “I am a die-hard Indian supporter. Any Indian victory is sweeter when the match is against Pakistan because we are traditional rivals. India’s victory over Pakistan was enough. It was like winning the World Cup. I am happy about India’s victory because things should now return to normal at home. My wife usually gets her revenge by spoiling something she is cooking or forgetting to put the salt in. When I complain she’ll say, ‘I was too busy watching India win!’”
Arab News spoke to many mixed subcontinental couples — veterans of the cricket wars. Tempers flared and spouses fought during the matches. “This has been passed on to our children too,” an Indian housewife said. “My son takes my side and my daughter supports her father. I baked a cheese cake in anticipation of an Indian victory. My husband and daughter are sad at Pakistan’s loss, but I’m sure they will eat the cake happily because it’s their favorite dessert!”
Another Indian said that after many years of marriage to a Pakistani, she had changed sides.
“Sometimes to tease my son, I pretend to be an Indian supporter. But I have no qualms in saying, I switched.”
Now if all spouses were only that understanding! But as long as there is India, Pakistan and cricket, there will be a war. Or a game?
