I know that there is a lot of talk at the moment about how volatile and passionate cricket fans can be, especially in Asia it is said. Proof of this has been provided with journalists reporting that the streets of Pakistan were ringing with the cries of "Death to Inzamam and Bob" after the shock defeat of Pakistan by the Irish. Since his untimely demise however, nothing but kind words have been spoken by everyone and he is even to be posthumously awarded the "Star of Excellence" by Pakistan.
Let me confirm that I am not defending this erratic behaviour in any way ... I know cricket is almost a religion in Pakistan ... if they win the team are proclaimed superhero's ... if they lose, they are treated like flea ridden dogs ... That's life and cricket in Pakistan.
What I would like to do though is remind the world that this fanatisicsm is not isolated to Pakistan. It was not that long ago that effigies of David Beckham were being hung around towns in England after he was blamed for the team being kicked out of the Football World Cup.
We are not so different after all.
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Why bring David Beckham into it? I don't recall baying mobs burning effigies and clamouring for his death all over England. Wasn't it just one instance of a few West Ham fans with a surplus Guy Fawkes dummy they modified to look like DB that the tabloids picked up on and published? Besides, if England had gone down to Kenya yesterday I doubt we would have witnessed such chaotic scenes in London. If that had happened then the worst thing Freddie Flintoff could have expected was a pedalo or two dumped in his front garden.
DB may beg to differ on this given the death threats he suffered but I do take your point ... it is often a small minority who act foolishly that is picked up by the media and splashed all over the TV and papers. But can this not also be true of the media in Pakistan too? I haven't personally seen any footage of baying mobs marching with effigies in Pakistan! But the point I was making is that when expectation is high for a national team, as it was for England back in 1998, then emotions run high.
Dare I suggest that it is exactly because there is little expectation that England will do well that fans will take loss in their stride! And I am so looking forward to seeing a pedalo on Freddie's front lawn!
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