The thing about the rivalry between India and Pakistan is that most of it exists on the political level. There are heartwarming incidents that we come across from time to time, that prove that most Pakistanis and Indians share a feeling of brotherhood and friendship towards each other.
The story of an Indian taxi driver refusing to take money from Pakistani players in Australia is another such incident.
Pakistan cricket team is in Australia for a series of test matches. ABC radio presenter Alison Mitchell narrated the story of the driver to former pacer Mitchell Johnson in the commentary box. She came to know about the incident from the cabbie who drove her to the Gabba stadium in Brisbane for the first Test between Australia and Pakistan.
In the video which is now viral, she says, “Good story from a taxi driver, who brought us in from the hotel to the ground at a quarter to six. So this taxi driver who was in fact Indian asked us are you going to watch the match or are you working and we said we work in the commentary and he got very excited.”
Continuing the story she said, “So a couple of days ago he was called to the Pakistan team’s hotel and he picked up 5 of the Pakistani team players. He is a cricket fan, he was delighted to have members of Pakistan team in his taxi. They wanted to go to an Indian restaurant for a meal and he drove them there. They got out of the car (and when the offered money) he said don’t, it’s on me, don’t give me any money. So in return, the player which included Yasir Shah, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah said if you are gonna give us a taxi ride for free, come in we will take you for dinner.”
The driver did go to dinner and showed Alison Mitchell the pictures.
It was a beautiful gesture on the part of the driver to refuse money from the members of the Pakistani cricket team and the way they reciprocated, just as beautiful.