I was telling my American friend that I would be out of commission on Wednesday morning watching the ‘mother of all sports rivalries’ – the India versus Pakistan World Cup Semi Final match.

Being American she doesn’t get cricket. But she as a die-hard Yankees fan she gets sports rivalries. “OK it’s like the Yankees/Red Sox rivalry then,” she said.

“Somewhat like that, yes,” I said, “now add to that millions of lives lost over 60+ years through partitions, wars, religious conflicts, terrorist bombings and claims for a piece of land called Kashmir in which over a billion people have an opinion. That’s what an India versus Pakistan match represents.”

You didn’t have to be on the ground in Mohali to feel the passion. On Facebook, Twitter and YouTube the vitriol spills freely: mothers and sisters are cursed; Presidents and Prime Ministers are bashed; and cricketers are vilified in words most wouldn’t dare utter in public.

That was Wednesday. The match is done. India won and have moved on to the finals. After the storm comes the calm. Passions are cooling, heads are thinking, and for a few hours post-match we’re witnessing moments of grace on both sides that are transcending the madness.

The video below of Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi is the most graceful example doing the rounds. (Loosely translated Afridi is wondering why there is so much hatred towards India. After all Indian dramas are playing in Pakistani homes, our wedding traditions are so similar and Pakistanis enjoy Indian films).

Afridi speaks for those of us who continue to hold out hope for peace between the two countries. It takes courage to speak out as he does, arriving in his country after losing a ‘historic’ match as the hysterical media dubbed it. As the video makes its rounds, it seems some others too are listening. Not just listening, but also responding with the respect a gracious captain of the team that lost deserves.

Whatever the outcome of the cricket diplomacy between the two Prime Ministers is, Shahid Afridi has opened a door that more of us should walk through.