This post is dedicated to the India-Pak match at Mohali last night. And this post is dedicated to the greatness of my new found cricketing favorite. Of all the great cricketers I have seen ever since that dreadful evening when I saw my first cricket match – India v Zimbabwe in 1999 – I have never been more inspired by the sensibilities of this one man. Never before did I believe one man can change himself so much. Never before did I believe that one man can change his surroundings so much. They call him Shahid Afridi.
It was the biggest game in the history of Cricket yesterday. There were no shades of grey as everyone drew swords to their favorite sides – either India, or Pakistan. The whole cricketing world was divided over these two great cricketing nations. But, ironically, cricket unites as it divides. If the world of cricket saw two nations against each other, the rest of the country saw to it that the two nations came together off the field, if not on it. It was a display of Cricketing Diplomacy – or plain, simple bonhomie by the Indian Government and Pakistan – remember, Gilani was postponing a personal visit to his critically ill son at London. Either way, they came together, and boy oh boy, was it a spectacle?
Anyway, coming back to Pakistan, no one expected anything from them. They were resurfacing from a highly demoralizing scandal, and lost faith with the people of their country. They were down and out. Down and out until, one man changed the story. Shahid Afridi, the captain of Pakistan, brought his jittery team, back together.
Incredibly tough, when every catch you drop is taken to be evidence for spot fixing, and Kamran Akmal adamantly wears gloves made of cloth having zero Coefficient of Friction (and consequently drops everything that comes his way), it is indeed tough to get trust back. Shahid Afridi did it. A very positive approach to the tournament, his evolution as a strike bowler for Pakistan, it was an inspiring sight to see his arms spread out facing the pavilion, in triumph after taking every single wicket.
Dhoni needs more than a lesson or two from Shahid Afridi on leading from the front. Whenever Pakistan felt the most under pressure, they looked to Afridi for inspiration, and he offered it in plenty. He always had his comforting words ready, his strategic advice going, and most importantly, never let pressure get to his team. As several commentators observed, the team looks to the captain for reassurance, and Afridi always saw to it that he had enough reassurance to give.
It was no surprise that though the Pakistan team lacked on individual merit, as a unit, they were always synchronized. Every member of the team had something to offer at crucial moments. Umar Gul terrorized batsmen throughout the tournament, but when he took a beating, Wahab Riaz was able to rise to the occasion. Cricket is a lot about functioning in sync with the rest of your team mates. And Pakistan did it time and again this world cup.
Pakistan lost the Semi-final at Mohali. They had an edge when they restricted India to 260 after the first 50 overs. But they lost. However, in loss, they showed grace. The look on the captain’s face in the dressing room was one of utmost depression, but Afridi’s replies at the post match presentation showed maturity. He didn’t let his depression bog down the euphoria over India’s victory. One statement said it all. “India played better cricket.” Throughout his chat with Ravi Shastri, he never failed to emphasise the brilliant work by India on the field. Compare this with Ricky Ponting’s self-obsessed narcissist comments in the same situation after the quarter final. At the end of it, he apologized to the people of Pakistan, something I can never imagine even Dhoni to do. Even if there was anger and dissent among Pakistani cricket fans, it would have evaporated with those words of their captain. I was disappointed with Dhoni and Tendulkar though. As a gesture, it would have been fabulous if they had congratulated Pakistan for their efforts. They missed it.
Ultimately, Pakistan has risen from the ashes. Hope they have a long good run ahead. Hope India- Pakistan start playing regularly again. And hope Shahid Afridi and his men bring back glory to Pakistan and Pakistan Cricket. For, they may have lost the World Cup, but they have won our hearts!
