File Photo. Chris Trotman-Getty Images North America—AFP
For Pakistan, it doesn’t matter that Aisamul Haq Qureshi did not win. Disappointed in its fallen cricketers and starved of good news, Pakistanis have embraced the 30-year-old tennis player even if many don’t exactly know how the game works.
Qureshi and his partner, India’s Rohan Bopanna, lost the men’s doubles final at the U.S. Open in New York City on the eve of the ninth anniversary of the 9/11 attacks—the same day that alleged, match-throwing cricketers Salman Butt, Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Amir landed at Lahore airport and had to be secreted away from an awaiting mob.
Addressing the packed Arthur Ashe Stadium after the match, Qureshi choked up. “There’s a bad perception that Pakistan is a terrorist nation,” he said. “We’re a friendly, loving, caring people. We want peace as much as you guys, may God bless us all.” The winners of that match, brothers Rob and Mike Bryan, donated $10,000 to help Pakistan’s flood victims. Pakistan and India’s ambassadors to the U.N. were among the crowd: “Hardeep and I are … always looking for avenues to open and this is a magnificent one,” said Hussain Haroon on behalf of his Indian counterpart.
Qureshi and Bopanna have been playing together as the “Indo-Pak Express” since 2003 and promoting relations between bitter rivals Pakistan and India. Qureshi arrived in Lahore on Sept. 15 to newfound national prominence as the country’s top sporting hero amid news of worsening violence in India-administered Kashmir, which is claimed by Pakistan. It will take more than tennis to improve Pakistan-India ties, but it’s a fine start.