You need talent and not nationality, to inspire someone. Time and again, sports, especially cricket, has proved this right, as many great players have inspired people across the globe. The whole world knows that Pakistan’s star player Kainat Imtiaz believes India’s veteran player Jhulan Goswami to be her inspiration. In 2017, when this fact became public, people from both the nations received the news quite warmly. But the political and sentimental unrest between the two neighbours has been increasing ever since then. But amidst the growing tensions between the two, there is yet another inspirational tale where a fan and a cricket player bridged the gap of hatred.
Here’s what was written in the letter sent to Mansi Joshi on her Instagram by a young Pakistani cricket fan:
Thank you so much di.
I can’t believe that you replied to me. I am becoming unconscious. Going MAD!!!
It means a lot to me. I am just an ordinary girl who dreams to become the fastest woman bowler in the world.
You are my inspiration.
I had never thought that my idol would reply to me.
I know it doesn’t matter much to you, but I have no words to tell how special it is to me.
May God bless you always.
Thank you so much.
So, revered readers – not the religion, not the country and not the nationality, but it is the ‘True Spirit of the Sport’ which still prevails high above all. Cricket-madness and cross-border inspiration are still common, despite the long-standing differences between the arch-rivals.
Loves all things female cricket