Committed to PEOPLE'S RIGHT TO KNOW Vol. 4 Num 301 Fri. April 02, 2004       Letters to Editor Cricket for friendship ABM Shafiqul Islam, Dept. of English, Jahanginagar University The world has never seen friendly relations between the two neighbours, India and Pakistan, since their independence in 1947. Both the countries possess nuclear weapons and hyper-voltage tension always runs high between them. But this tension is merely a sham which has once again been proved by the continuation of negotiations between these two countries. Friendly gestures from them for easing this tension have resulted in Indian cricket team visiting Pakistan where they got a big applause and warm reception. Thanks to both the governments for giving priority to the common sentiments and to the unfathomable attraction for each other. They really deserve congratulations as they have taken cricket as the mediator of conflicts. The present tour has proved that only cricket can bridge the gap created earlier. It not only reunites them but also creates a far reaching effect which will be acting as a catalyst in melting the ice of stalemate. They have set up the finest example before the rest of the world that sport can be an arbitrator and it does not follow any conflict. No one could think about the grand success of the tour in which security concern was a great barrier. But the Indian players valued the people's anticipation and thus they not only won the hearts of hundreds of thousands of cricket fans but also beckoned very explicitly that cricket can be the best way of interweaving the apparel of friendship.