On June 21, 2009, 1500 Hrs at the Lords the game of Cricket will officially register one of the greatest achievements of sports and culture in the war fought against terrorism, pain and despair.
Often in the history of societies and nations, sports, being deeply interleaved with culture, has played vital roles in raising hopes and bringing happiness. However, rarely has history witnessed a series of events spread over a few weeks and ending in what can be termed as the most beautiful and appropriate climax of any sports event.
Whatever happens at the end of today's game, the winner of the WC might get to take a cup and a bigger chunk of the achievement cake but the term "loser" can not become more inappropriate for the losing team than today and so the "runners-up" today will be the "other winners", I would say.
As very nicely put by some authors @ cricinfo, Sri-Lanka might deserve the award more on the basis of their form and quality of game but none other than Pakistan need it more. For Pakistan this WC would do what its dirty politics couldn't do i.e. to being happiness and smile to sad and dull faces, for Pakistan this WC can start its victory in the years long war against war in terrorism imposed on it by international politics and coward dictators.
For what Pakistani team has already achieved in this WC, they have bypassed by a huge margin all the expectations their fans and nation associated with them at the start of the event. There is no more exam they need to pass, there are no more hearts left to be won and there is no more war left to win when they enter Lords today. They have brought down all criticism, cynicism, sarcasm, blames and allegations and they have done it in the most elegant and beautiful manner as their nation back home expected. They might not have played the most elegant cricket of the tournament but they have certainly played the bravest cricket of the tournament. These men in green have written a fairy tale in the history of Pakistani cricket which kids in green will admire and trace for generations to come and this starting point will bring many World Cups to Pakistan, hopefully.
To these brave sportsmen of Pakistan the message today is not to bother or worry too much about fans back home. We love you anyways and in the perfect momentum of beating cricketing giants if you do beat Sri-Lankans and bring home the World Cup it will be an added joy.
We as a nation have proved a lot in this event, we have made the world realize we will never leave the game of cricket, we have proved we will always be the best of the best, we have proved that no conspiracy, criticism or terror can stop us from winning or demoralize us.
One last thing, I pray, we prove today is for the world to know that if you snatch our share of World Cup matches we will snatch your World Cups, if you want to learn the lesson the hard way let it be.
May the Green flag rule the game of cricket today at Lords.
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