Amsterdam Diary: Indo-Pak Series Has Done Wonders to Boost Friendship

Javed Akhtar, Arab News

The last India-Pakistan cricket series in Pakistan has done wonders to promote peace and friendship between the subcontinent neighbors. Even the cricketers themselves have had very cordial relations through the years. So it was no surprise to see them greet each other warmly in the hotel lobby. Pakistan’s Shoaib Akhtar and Indian Irfan Pathan are two fast bowlers and fierce competitors on the field of play. So it was nice to see them chatting and exchanging notes. Shoaib is a fan of Bollywood star Shahrukh Khan and is likely to make an ad film with him in the near future. He is also very friendly with Indian actor Sunil Shetty. Two locals — Pakistan’s Haseeb Haroon and India’s Ajay Kumar — have joined hands to launch a website for a peace initiative. The site is indo-pakpeace.org as part of a “six continents initiative for permanent peace and friendship between India and Pakistan.” The two invite “Indian and Pakistani friends of peace all over the world to send us their support by signing to this noble cause.” Van Gogh Museum • A big attraction in Amsterdam is the Van Gogh Museum dedicated to the late nineteenth century Dutch painting genius. It has a large collection of paintings by Vincent van Gogh who died young after leading a tumultuous and eventful life marked by illness and poverty. Ironically one of his paintings sold for a record price at an auction by Christie’s. The museum holds a literal treasure trove as it also has paintings by other impressionist painters like Edouard Manet, Claude, Monet, Gauguin and Cezzane. Prints of Van Gogh’s paintings, picture post cards and books are available in the museum’s shop. Woolmer Happy With Pakistani Team • Bob Woolmer took charge as coach of the Pakistani cricket team in June and in less than three months his influence is already visible. Woolmer delivered some sort of a coup by bringing back Shoaib Akhtar into the team. Shoaib had been having a series of problems with the establishment. After the series loss to India, he was asked to appear before a medical panel. But once Woolmer joined, he had a chat with Shoaib. “He was told that if he wanted to be in the team, he had to join the training camp before the Asia Cup. He came and so the rest is history,” Woolmer said. Woolmer has changed the outlook of the team management. “We have made three committees to look after various aspects and this has helped a lot,” he said. Woolmer also did not like the long training camps the team used to have. “It was like preseason training. So I have changed that. Now there is everyday training. Each player is told what he is supposed to do stay fit. And the camps have become shorter,” Woolmer said. He said he was very happy with their response. “This morning eight of the boys went for a run on their own. Nobody told them to do it. That shows the attitude,” Woolmer added.