Hardcore cricket fans are stumped by India’s crushing defeat against Pakistan at the Champion’s trophy final. However, one cricketer has warmed the hearts of many Indians. A new photo of MS Dhoni holding Pakistan captain Sarfaraz Ahmed’s son has gone viral on the internet.
The picture, taken a few hours before the India versus Pakistan match is a testament to the fact that there’s no love lost between the two teams. Dhoni’s camaraderie with Ahmed is seen in his adorable picture with the infant.
According to reports, the picture was taken in Hotel Grange City’s lobby and Ahmed even shared it with his uncle, Mehboob Hasan, who lives in India.
Many of Dhoni’s fans from India and Pakistan tweeted why they are his biggest supporters. Evidently, this picture reinforced the fact that a game of cricket against the neighbouring country doesn’t have any political agenda.
I'm thankful to the person who posted the photo of MS Dhoni with Sarfraz's son. We need peace and not hatred. #PakvInd #CT17
— Aqse Zahra. (@Aqseyy) June 18, 2017MS Dhoni with Sarfraz´s Son 😍 #Mahi always ur fan but this was jst amazing pic.twitter.com/UchfbPLTjY
— Marwa Khursheed (@marwa_khursheed) June 18, 2017Sarfraz ahmed's son with the world best Captain Ms Dhoni,The reason I am his big fan from Pakistan👏 #love #respect #PAKvIND #INDvPAK #CT17 pic.twitter.com/ytqbdvcys7
— Ibrahim Yousafzai (@Ibrahimusufzai) June 17, 2017Beyond the cricket field, the players teach us to be compassionate towards one another. A picture od @msdhoni with Sarfraz's son❤ #IndVsPak pic.twitter.com/ZiZEpg1eYk
— MSDian Harshali🇮🇳 (@DhonixFaithful) June 17, 2017@msdhoni with Pakistans captain Sarfraz Ahmed son... Abdullah
Sport is better than politics. #IndVsPak #loveit #CL17 pic.twitter.com/vzISOcTVuq
Personal relationships between cricketers of the two countries are often untouched by the political tension between India and Pakistan. Players from both teams hang out off the pitch and their families even share a close a bond. In fact, Team India gifted Virat Kohli’s jersey to Pakistani cricketer Shahid Afridi on his retirement.
Indian stalwarts Ravi Shastri and Sunil Gavaskar also share a close friendship with Wasim Akram and Imran Khan. Shastri and Akram, popularly known as Shaz and Waz, even hosted a TV show many years ago.
Yuvraj Singh once commented on Shoab Malik and Sania Mirza’s dubsmash video like they’re really good friends. He said, “Such outstanding players! But terrible dancers.”
@realshoaibmalik @MirzaSania such outstanding players ! But terrible dancers
— yuvraj singh (@YUVSTRONG12) July 20, 2015A few days ago, Sehwag sprang to the Pakistani captain’s defence when the latter was criticised for not speaking English. Sehwag tweeted, “Criticizing Sarfaraz for not speaking English is insane. His job is to play & he has done brilliantly 2 take Pak in finals #StopColonialMindset”
Criticizing Sarfaraz for not speaking English is insane.His job is to play&he has done brilliantly 2 take Pak in finals #StopColonialMindset
— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) June 17, 2017
Dhoni’s picture with Ahmed’s son may have gone viral, but he isn’t the only cricketer who knows a fundamental truth: sports, art, cinema, love and friendships transcend borders and always have.