I’ll be rooting for Team Pakistan: Veena Malik

By her own confessions, she's a diehard fan of cricket, and adds without any inhibition - "One thing that really fuelled this craze was the matches between India and Pakistan." And now, Pakistani diva Veena Malik is on top of the world! Reason? 

Team Pakistan will be coming to India soon to play cricket after five long years. She says, "It's a dream come true for me," and settles down to a candid telechat with us from Dubai...

'I'm so excited!'
There is genuine happiness in her voice, as Veena says: "I'm so excited to know that Pakistan Team is coming to India to play after a long gap! And I'm sure, all the cricket fans in India and Pakistan are equally thrilled! It's a well-known fact that each and every match between the two countries -whether it's a T20, ODI or a Test Match - is like a World Cup! And it's the only link, which can finally bring the two nations together! After all, what other connect do India and Pak have? There's hardly any trade, technique or cultural exchange happening! So, I want that more such matches should take place between the two, and I'm raising a toast for that!"

Divided loyalties
And now that her cricketing fantasy is coming true, which team will she be rooting for? She chuckles, and says: "You know, this is such a difficult question because my loyalties are divided! The kind of adulation and love that I have received from India and Indians is unparalleled! Even during the World Cup, I had difficulty choosing one team over the other in the semifinals. But then, as a Pakistani national, I will be rooting for Pakistan team, though I love Team India too!"

Friendly advice
Her enthusiasm for the forthcoming cricketing gala is understandable, but what's her take on Sunil Gavaskar cricitising the decision to invite Pak cricket team to India? "My friendly advice for senior cricketers like Mr Sunil Gavaskar is that they should support and endorse such things! How can you deprive the people of two nations of the biggest entertainment in the world! After all, what can be bigger than a match between these two countries, which drives two nations crazy! Akhir kab tak purani baaton ko lekar hum log baithe rahenge! We have to move on! I'm not going to miss a single match in this bilateral series," says she, adding, "right now, cricket is music to my ears!"