One of the world's most witnessed military rituals, since 1959 Pakistan Ranges (PR) and Indian Border Security Force have faced off at the Wagah/Attari Border; 30km from Amritsar (India) and 20km from Lahore (Pakistan). 1-hour before sunset, a daily and gallant choreography of oneupmanship air-kicking, boot-thumping, chest-beating, feather-dusting and flag lowering signals the day's end, whilst respective national anthems blare across the line.
As opposing crowds chant 'Pakistan Zindabad' and 'Jai Hind', one tough, hostile, one-beat hand-shake by opposing soldiers and the gates between the two super-powers are slammed shut for the night. The soldiers gracefully retreat in front of the thousands that flock to this presentation of national pride.
As you may see through the gate, there are more 'thousands of Indians' than 'hundreds of Pakistani'. The ever-growing grandstands share the growing wont of people to share in the ferocity of this event that started many years ago as a quiet 'goodnight handshake', quite possibly between friends that fatefully found themselves in an India divided in 1947.
When we host our Pakistan Cricket Tour or India Cricket Tour we will make the pilgrimage to either side if the Australian Cricket Team play in Lahore, Pakistan, or Mohali (Chandigarh), India.
