Cricket - a Clash of Civilization?

Cricket is a game played by 11 flannelled fools; GB Shaw said once. Someone else said that Cricket is a Gentlemen’s game.

In recent time we have seen Muslim cricket captains of England and India. At least 25% of the India team has been Muslim at almost any time in the last decade, Even in Pakistan you have seen a Christian (now converted to Islam for survival) cricketer.

Cricket, like any other competitive sport, respects only talent and not your religious or cultural affiliation. So what was Shaharyar Khan, the chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board trying to say here when his team was caught ball-tampering, possibly the worst form of cheating possible in Cricket.

Shahriyar said. “It is wonderful to see cricket between a Muslim country and England, a majority Christian country, and both sides being totally appreciated. Cricket offers a bridge of peace, why destroy this over a technicality."

When did a competitive sport become a Jehad between Muslims and non-believers? May be Pakistan is innocent of tampering (very unlikely?) but it would always be credited with bringing the 'War on Terrorism' and 'Clash of Civilizations' in the secular game of cricket.