Public domain vintage cricket team

The amateur game of cricket is believed to have originated in 13th Century England to be exclusively played by aristocrats. In the 16th Century, it became a sport, and by the 19th Century, it had become an international sport. Synonymous with the British Empire, cricket was taught in its colonies with an air of superiority for “gentlemen” embodied with specific values.

Last month, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) abruptly cancelled a tour of Pakistan, citing “mental and physical wellbeing” concerns. The decision came three days after New Zealand abandoned a tour mere minutes before the opening match, citing a security threat.

In response, Pakistan Cricket Board’s new chair, Ramiz Raja, condemned the cancellations, saying his country was being “used and binned” by the West.

Several commentators have also accused the ECB of hypocrisy and double standards, including former West Indies bowler Michael Holding, who recently published a book on racism in sport. Holding branded the abrupt cancellation a showcase of “Western arrogance” exemplifying an attitude of “I will treat you how I feel like treating you, it doesn’t matter what you think, and I’ll just do what I want.”

Veteran cricket journalist George Dobell said England was demanding standards of others, which they are nowhere near maintaining themselves. It “appears to view some nations as far fewer important than others.”

At the height of the Covid-19 pandemic last year, when the UK was under lockdown, Pakistan went through the trouble of all the restrictions to honour a cricket tour of England and played all the games behind closed doors. In contrast to the sudden cancellation of the reciprocal tour to Pakistan, the ECB is going out of its way to try to fulfil a series of Test matches in Australia scheduled for the end of the year.

The discrimination against Pakistan was also notable when banning direct flights from the country in May but not doing the same to India, even though there were more Covid infections in India.

In his book, ‘Why We Kneel, How We Rise,’ Holding presents a powerful, poignant, and personal exploration of racism and its effects throughout history. He shares his experiences with some of the most iconic black athletes in the world. “Racism has been going on for centuries, it’s not going to stop over a weekend,” he says. “This is about education, it’s about teaching the true history.” Perhaps the ECB and other British institutions can take a similar leaf out of his book.