Cricket is a game of glorious uncertainties and nowhere else is it more evident than in the T20 format which seems to uphold the much-cherished triumph of the underdog, time after time. How else do you explain India winning the inaugural T20 World Cup in 2007 as rank outsiders, the non-glamorous Rajastan Royals bagging the inaugural IPL in 2008, the bottom-ranked Deccan Charger’s triumph in IPL 2009 and the least-fancied Pakistan team lifting this year’s World Cup?
When Pakistan lost the practice game against India before the start of the recent tournament, they looked totally out of sorts and their captain Younus Khan seemed confused and diffident. However, once the tournament started, they lifted their game match by match and peaked in performance during the semifinal and final against the two most formidable opponents of the tournament.
As if guided by their one-time coach Bob Woolmer from heavens, all their tactical moves succeeded, be it holding back Umar Gul to bowl in the second half of the innings, promotion of Shahid Afridi up the batting order or bringing back ICL-returned Abdul Razzaq to replace the more successful Sohail Tanveer. The manner in which they outplayed Sri Lanka in the final, that too after losing the toss, was absolutely brilliant, striking vital blows with the ball and executing the run chase to perfection.
After suffering international isolation for the last four months for no fault of theirs, the Pakistani players wanted to do something special for the people of their country and how well they did it! Therein lies the incomprehensible connection between sporting success and national pride. Hats off to Pakistan!
Brilliant Pakistan (Cricket Team)
Dear Sir,
Cricket is a game of glorious uncertainties and nowhere else is it more evident than in the T20 format which seems to uphold the much-cherished triumph of the underdog, time after time. How else do you explain India winning the inaugural T20 World Cup in 2007 as rank outsiders, the non-glamorous Rajastan Royals bagging the inaugural IPL in 2008, the bottom-ranked Deccan Charger’s triumph in IPL 2009 and the least-fancied Pakistan team lifting this year’s World Cup?
When Pakistan lost the practice game against India before the start of the recent tournament, they looked totally out of sorts and their captain Younus Khan seemed confused and diffident. However, once the tournament started, they lifted their game match by match and peaked in performance during the semifinal and final against the two most formidable opponents of the tournament.
As if guided by their one-time coach Bob Woolmer from heavens, all their tactical moves succeeded, be it holding back Umar Gul to bowl in the second half of the innings, promotion of Shahid Afridi up the batting order or bringing back ICL-returned Abdul Razzaq to replace the more successful Sohail Tanveer. The manner in which they outplayed Sri Lanka in the final, that too after losing the toss, was absolutely brilliant, striking vital blows with the ball and executing the run chase to perfection.
After suffering international isolation for the last four months for no fault of theirs, the Pakistani players wanted to do something special for the people of their country and how well they did it! Therein lies the incomprehensible connection between sporting success and national pride. Hats off to Pakistan!
Jayavant Prabhu
P O Box 50077
Doha
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