Don’t be swayed by those who claim that an India-Pakistan cricket match is just a routine game. If, in the coming months, you happen to hear Rohit Sharma or Babar Azam downplay the significance of the India-Pakistan clash, it’s essential not to take their words at face value. To truly understand the profound impact of this historic rivalry on both nations and the cricketing legends involved, turn to “Sultan,” an absorbing memoir co-authored by Wasim Akram and Gideon Haigh.
Within the pages of this book, a vivid narrative unfolds, recounting the tumultuous events of Pakistan’s 1999 tour to India. The chaos of that day is etched in memory: Sachin Tendulkar’s run-out following a collision with Shoaib Akhtar, the contentious decision by the third umpire against India, the resounding chants of ‘cheat, cheat,’ projectiles hurled at Pakistan fielders, an unexpected early call for tea, and the iconic Eden Gardens stadium, filled to its 100,000-seat capacity, appearing as a potential powder keg, with fans poised to ignite it with their fervor.
Yet, amid this fiery atmosphere, a moment of diplomacy emerged. On the very morning of February 19, 1999, as the match raged on, Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee embarked on his historic bus journey to Lahore. During the match break, as Akram reveals, Sunil Gavaskar and the match referee approached him with a unique suggestion. “Wasim, we think you should recall Sachin; people will love you in India,” Gavaskar advised the Pakistan captain. Akram’s response encapsulated the intricate nature of these encounters, which transcend the realm of sports. “Sunnybhai, they might love me in India, but they’ll hate me in Pakistan,” he remarked.
