Given the historic rivalry between the two countries, it’s not often that we see Indians enthusiastically greeting Pakistani cricketers. But this story of this incident I am going to regale you with is going to remove that notion from your mind.
The ABC radio presenter Alison Mitchell was commentating for the Australia and Pakistan 1st Test of 2019 when she narrated to her fellow commentator, former Australia pacer Mitchell Johnson about an incident when an Indian cabbie had dinner with 5 Pakistani cricketers, reported India Today.
It all happened when Mitchell took a cab to the Gabba stadium in Brisbane. Incidentally, the same cabbie was earlier called to the Pakistani cricketers’ hotel to take the five Pakistan players including Yasir Shah, Shaheen Afridi and Naseem Shah to a restaurant, revealed NDTV. The cabbie shared the entire incident with her.
Alison Mitchell said:
“A couple of days ago, he was called to the Pakistan team hotel and picked up five of the Pakistan players. They wanted to go to an Indian restaurant for a meal. He drove them to an Indian restaurant.”
Mitchell further revealed that that the cabbie didn’t even take the taxi fare from the cricketers out of respect. That is when the cricketers invited him to dinner along with them to return the favour.
“He showed the photograph on his phone of him sitting at the table at the restaurant with five members of the Pakistan cricket team,” she added.
The video of Mitchell narrating the story was shared online.
🚕🏏️🚖 The heartwearming story of the Indian taxi driver and five @TheRealPCB players.❤️
🎥📺@AlisonMitchell tells Mitchell Johnson about it on Commentator Cam. 🔊🎙️ #AUSvPAK
Listen live 📻📱 ABC Radio / Grandstand digital / ABC Listen app — https://t.co/dhH8gmo5FZ pic.twitter.com/qdwsK83F7X
— ABC Grandstand (@abcgrandstand) November 24, 2019
People on the internet applauded the kind gesture of the cricketers in reciprocating the cabbie’s kindness.
Humanity and love is the greatest religion
— shainz123 (@shainz123) November 25, 2019
Great story, thanks Ally and as well as the cracking job your doing!
— shanghaishawty (@shanghaishawty1) November 24, 2019
Great story. Cricket is true love 🧡 #AUSvPAK
— Kartik O 🏏🔗 (@KOCricket528) November 24, 2019
Lovely humane story..!!
— Bishan Bedi (@BishanBedi) November 25, 2019
Ohh what a heartwarming story!!
— AceofSpades (@AceofSpades_001) November 25, 2019
Great story!
— Imran tariq (@imranta02390532) November 25, 2019
Amazing!!! Spread love people!!
— Taher Jaleel (@TaherJaleel) November 25, 2019
Brilliant story! ♥️
— Karthik Manjunath (@karthik3645) November 24, 2019
The Pakistani cricketers lost the match at the Gabba stadium but won millions of hearts for their heartwarming gesture towards the Indian cabbie. Before labelling anyone Indian or Pakistani, people should respect them for what they are, isn’t it?