They would ask how was it to be a Muslim in India? Mohammad Kaif writes

I was barely 15 when I played my first high-profile India-Pakistan game, it was the final of the age-group World Cup, says Mohammad Kaif.

It's been a few days since the India-Pakistan T20 World Cup game, but there is one frame that has stayed with me. The picture of Virat Kohli warmly shaking Babar Azam's hand and later encouraging the other unbeaten Pakistan batsman Mohammad Rizwan by ruffling his hair, was my takeaway from the action-packed game. It brought to mind my playing days and those India-Pakistan games.      

I was hardly 15 when I played my first high-profile India-Pakistan game, it was the final of the age-group World Cup. We all were young but there was clarity in our minds. It was a game where our eyes were on the trophy and not on the colour of jersey our rivals wore or the history of the two countries. I would be lying if I say it was 'just another game' because it wasn't and it can't be. One it was a World Cup final and, two, I was very much aware of the intense cricketing rivalry between the two countries. But to say that I would have been less focused and less driven if we were facing Australia in the title contest would be wrong. I know India-Pakistan games matter a lot to the fans but everyone should understand that for a player every match that he or she plays for India matters. To wear India colours and to play under tri-colour is a serious matter, always.

READ | Babar Azam is a BIG player but Virat Kohli’s side are favourites, says Mohammad Kaif