Bishan Singh Bedi hasn’t stopped going to Pakistan after his first visit as Indian captain in 1978-79. He accompanied Rohan Kanhai’s West Indians in 1981; toured as a journalist in 1982-83 when Indians took another tour and is just back from a goodwill visit to the neighbouring country. He sees this as a serious moment in history. ‘‘There is much to gain, and far more to lose, depending on how we use the present’’, he says. Right on the mark, as usual WE HAVE TO HELP PAKISTAN I was very moved by my recent visit. For the first time, I didn’t see a smile on the face of many Lahoris — which pained me because they are usually very warm, earthy and spirited people. I found them struggling, bogged down by problems which, as you and I know, could only be financial. We all have to make an effort to bring sanity. Pakistan is not pardes for us. We speak the same language, there is the same culture. MY EQUATIONS IN PAKISTAN I have more friends in Lahore than in New Delhi. I can reel off names — Shaukat Rana, Intikhab Alam, Imran Khan, Javed Miandad, Zaheer Abbas, Mushtaq Mohammad, Wasim Bari and Sarfraz Nawaz.We always meet with a big hug, a roar of laughter all around. IMRAN, THE TRUE PROFESSIONAL There is much to rake up from the past and people looking for stories would find heaps of them on umpiring and other controversial stands. But we shouldn’t forget that Imran and Sarfraz were outstanding cricketers. They were just too good even with the old ball. I have never seen any cricketer in my life who worked as hard on his fitness as Imran did. I am yet to come across a cricketer who punished his body as Imran used to do. I call him General. When it was a matter of handling on-field captaincy, Javed Miandad was always there. He might have been cheeky and all but he was a superb competitor. He was very tough on the field. I remember a game Imran won for his team against India during the 1982-83 tour. He bowled long and took many wickets yet after the game he asked his boys to go with him for a long run on the ground. After what seemed hours, and even after everyone else had pulled out, Imran was still running at full tilt. A marvellous professional. BLOOD BONDS, AND MY INSTANT FAME I donated blood when I was part of Kanhai’s team in 1981. It struck a chord in Pakistan which hadn’t occured to me. Reading the papers, I saw an appealing for a blood donation for a young boy. They wanted RH Negative, a rare group, where I could have been of help. I rang up the hospital and asked them if they didn’t mind using an Indian blood, I was game. They later learnt about my identity and the word spread. I was hesitant because I hadn’t done it for publicity. It made the headlines and it seemed everyone was applauding me. President Zia gifted me a carpet and subsequently silverware and cutlery on following tours. DON’T LOSE THE MOMENT I am sure both teams would play tough cricket and that’s the way it should be. There could be the occasional show of temper but it’s part of the game and could happen anywhere. Only because it is India and Pakistan, it shouldn’t be blown out of proportion. There could be a few who would look to play spoilsport but the majority could — and should — generate goodwill. The long-term promise of this tour should never be lost. (Cricket News)
