In Pakistan: A national song of unity

There's a pop anthem that's been playing across the stadiums celebrating Pakistan... and it's followed us pretty much everywhere we've been. The chorus goes 'Pakistan... Pakistan'. Obviously, there's no doubt what the singers intend to do. Charge the sentimental and patriotic feeling of stadia and mass gatherings. But today in Lahore, it was the cause of completely different sort of emotion.
There's about a thousand Indian fans here to watch these games... and I believe they stampeded at the Wagah border to be able to come here and pack themselves into a stadium with 30,000 odd other people... but that's what cricket does to you I guess. Anyway, while this anthem was blasting on the PA system, a large group of some Indian fans holding the tricolour decided to get up and started dancing to the tune. In a short while, there was another group that came and joined them. This one was a mix of Indian and Pakistanis. Applause then started to come from another part of the stadium and it was another group of Pakistanis appreciating the effort. It was a really surreal moment, as I watched this from besides the press box. It was a strong emotion of how much this mean to the people to be here, and actually experience the fact that even in a country where we Indians are made to believe is a culture that mistrusts and dislikes us, things are just the same. It seemed like a homecoming of sorts, simply because surely it was for a lot of these people.
But then, of course, the game started and the chants of 'Jeetega Bhai Jeetega, Pakistan/ India Jeetega', and I realised we might be the same and one in many respects. But when it comes to cricket on the field, it's still war... Well, all I say, is that as long as there's nothing nuclear about it.