Champions; They came, they were cornered, they conquered ...

Pakistan at the end of a 3 week WC venture have emerged as the World Champions, second time in its cricketing history Pakistan have won World Cup trophy. Amazingly, both occasions if not totally similar have quite a few matchable patterns.

When we need it we get it

Between 1992 and 2009, there haven't been many times when Pakistan needed to win this badly. They lost in the finals of 1999 WC but that WC Pakistan played like a professional, fit and perfect team rising to the final with no problem whatsoever and unfortunately that hasn't been their style ever. If they would have had won then there was nothing better than that for Pakistani cricket but I guess nature has its own course to manage things, the higher you rise the probability of falling for a longer duration rises or it is just how the fans who decided to move on saw it. Anyways, 1999 has been a sad memory for Pakistani cricket and lets leave it for now.

In 1992, nation had a recent return to political setup after long painful years of dictatorship and the setup was not delivering. Imran Khan was on the edge of his career, he has made comments about leaving after WC himself, the team was a mixture of youth and goldy oldies, the team had its star fast bowler injured before tournament, the team struggled with its batting order, fielding was beyond poor and in all these gloomy surroundings Imran Khan was building a Cancer Hospital, the first of its kind for Pakistani people. Pakistan at one point in time were announced as knocked out of the tournament when they were bowled out for 74 against England, all England needed was an hour of play to wrap up the game but as it unfolded nature had other plans, rain came to Pakistan's rescue, that 1 point combined with so many other "ifs" all happening Pakistan's way landed them into higher stages and then once nature let them roll they started to rock around the semis till Imran & Co. lifted the Cup. Every time I look back at it I feel the Cancer Hospital had a major role in that victory, hadn't Pakistan won in 1992 it would have been very difficult for Imran to continue his venture and somehow nature took the most responsible course.

In 2009, Pakistan has come out of decade long dictatorship, turmoil and turbulence has been higher than ever, remains of dictatorship, return of corrupt politicians and war on terrorism has crippled every part of life in Pakistan. The levels of tension in daily life have been enormous, a huge population has been pushed out of the range to even buy their kids cricket bats, those times are long gone when most of the families would sit together and cheer Miandad, it has been a fight for survival for quite sometime now. These times are worse because Cricket has been directly victimized by terrorism and so much more we touched upon in previous articles. Bottom line is that there hasn't been a single good news for Pakistani people in the past 5-6 years. What could have been done in such times? From getting jobs to electing a sincere political leader the whole nation had lost the will, hope and desire to even continue or make an effort.

From the common man of Pakistan to the National Cricket Team every Pakistani was cornered, potentially, physically, mentally, psychologically, financially and in every other goddamn way you can think of. We needed a victory, a tale of inspiration, an example of fighting back, a vision of cornered tigers, a beacon of success to follow so desperately that on some fronts it had started to affect our integrity and existence. What better way to achieve all of it other than winning a Cricket World Cup, Cricket has survived on the land of Pakistan in the most difficult of times, we have produced the best players of world cricket without lush green fields, huge funds for grounds, equipment, training and practice. Therefore, it had to be cricket, I might not be wrong when I say that cricket literally is the only interest left as common to people of Pakistan. I can't think of any better victory than cricket world cup as more memorable for Pakistani people.

T20 WC 2009 has given a reason to smile to millions of Pakistani people, out of these millions to quite a few it has given a hope to continue struggle till the end, to some it has set an example of self-belief, motivation, inspiration and hard work.

So I guess we have done it when we really needed it and I hope we can build on such achievements rather than letting them go with a few days of dancing, singing and sweets distribution.

Finishing it in style:

Younis Khan wrapped things up in style on many notes. Responding to the critics about his T20 being fun comment he made it clear he wasn't joking or anything by quitting after leading his team to victory. T20 has faced a lot of criticism, to the orthodox cricket fans and understanders its just a show of muscle power and doesn't help the game of cricket by putting ODI and Tests in the background which involve the essence of cricket, which is, exhibiting planning, temperament, execution and skill. Although, with only 50% of sixers hit this T20 as compared to in 2007 and bowlers dominating the tournament, T20 is surrendering to the basics of cricket, still if you don't like it you don't and he made his point with grace.

I putted it on my twitter a few days back that "let the world know if they can't come to play with us, if they snatch our hosts matches we will snatch their world cup trophies and put them in our home till they realize they are doing wrong". That was the emotional way of putting things up but when Younis reuqested, on the biggest stage of cricket, to the cricketing nations to come and play at his home, he conveyed it in a humble and elegant way that the world should realize; leaving behind the ones handling your created troubles is not the right way. We can do it alone hopefully but don't push us in the corner, don't leave us out because whenever we have come out of our corners it has costed you World Cups.

In short, he lead from the front in the Ground and he did it even better wrapping things up. He was graceful, elegant, composed and mature, in some ways he handled it better than Imran Khan. Kudos to Younis.

Remembering the ones who stood by you:

Younis's wonderful gestures doesn't end there. Although, It was wonderful how every team player interviewed after the match mentioned that they realized how important the match was for the fans and people back home and how they are thankful for the nations' prayer, it made the nation feel good. However, the gem of the ending ceremony, the most beautiful, elegant and timely gesture landed when Younis dedicated the victory to Bob Woolmer and when he committed he would do that before winning it. It showed that his tears on Woolmer's death were so natural, it showed the world we care for our mentors, we care for people who have stood by us in difficult times, it shows that we don't forget and God knows if Woolmer can know about it, it must be the best moment for him. Younis has shown the purity of his heart through the beauty of his gestures.

The Intikhab Alam & Aaqib Javed factor:

Surprisingly, not many from 1992 have stayed a part of the team but the then Manager and present coach Intikhab Alam and the then fast bowler and now bowling coach Aaqib Javed are the duo to be part of both world cup winning team combinations. They have had a fairy-tale involvement with Pakistani cricket skipping the parts between 1992 and 2009. They would surely live to tell tales about their world cup involvements.

Letting it spoil you:

We have done it before and we have spoiled it before. We are pushed in the corner and then someone from us stands up makes a valiant effort leads everybody out with courage and bravery, puts the step on the first step of the ladder and the whole nation loses it in that instance of adrenaline rush, anger, joy or whatever it is. When we do that we start celebrating by making fun of Indian cricket and not thinking beyond dancing and eating sweets.

When we do that we lose the opportunity to build on top of our success and make use of it in making further progress as a nation. What has Indian cricket to do with our success? if they have made fun of us, if they have ridiculed us, if they have attacked us with taunts or sarcasms it was their show of character if we celebrate our success by doing the same we spoil the moods, we return cheap tactics with cheap tactics and we certainly have to grow beyond that.

Turning celebrations into optimistic progress is a vital step that must come with a success. We have won the world cup we have defeated international criticism and skepticism, well done, now at some point in time we have to stop celebrating and use this moment of national integration, motivation and strength to solve problems we haven't been able to solve yet. This trigger might prove as the vital weapon on those war fronts and we certainly should not let it slip away. Whether its the problem of terrorism, corruption, lack of will, electing leaders we have to channel the energies world cup has brought in right directions because if we don't do that today, we might have to wait another decade till the moment arises.

Well done Team Pakistan and now its Pakistani nation's turn to follow the example of bravery you have set.

T2O WC Final: When Cricket defeated lots of Ts; Taliban, Tamil Tigers & Terrorism ...

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.

T20 Semi-Final Postview, Pak vs. SA, The Mavericks overpower The Elite

Bookies had given them a rate of 8/3, cricketing pundits didn't leave any criticism bullet in their pistols unfired, taliban spoiled their reputation, many said 'no' to come to their home and playing, ICC snatched their hosts status for World Cup matches, ICL/PCB row destroyed their team composition, their board was held hostage to a dictators' buddy list for many years, their star players got involved in leagues and controversies, they were expelled from commercial league cricket forums and this list goes on forever.

Their opponents came to play with plans As, Bs, Cs all the way to Z, they left their dugout with just one plan to leave the corner and fight like a tiger who has suddenly forgot how to lose a game.

Can you push a nation who groomed the game of cricket for decades further than that? I hope not, why?, well one, because thats not how the Pakistanis play sports, and two, you have tried this tactic before and suffered, remember 92, 99 and many more. We love to play and compete in the ground but on and off we are pushed aside by different international tactics and domestic problems, so we have learned to bounce back, but sadly, yes you can push a cricketing legend to these limits.

Should you push a nation destined to rule the game of cricket for this long and this far? Well, being a student of history I would say if you want to win the game you don't annoy them, how can you even forget that in 92WC you were easily beating them around the ground till you did too much and the skipper called them to leave their corner and when they did that, could you stop from them from taking the World Cup home?

So everybody has to share the blame from bookies to taliban, you called them minnows, you used their name to quote inconsistency, you time and again raised fingers on their players, you took them too easy and thats when they had too much. The world for one last time has to realize and realize it very well, don't take the game of cricket outside the ground because for the Pakistani Nation, cricket, if not equal, is second to their religion.

I often think that what is it that makes our team, in specific, and nation, in general, full of surprises. I am never sure about the answer but my heart tends to agree with the fact that on every front our opponents try to suppress us to the point we don't deserve and then like the cornered tigers when we retaliate we only stop at the top.

This evening Pakistan almost did everything correct, apart from occasional fielding lapses. They read the pitch, ground and weather conditions perfectly and played the toss well by opting to bat first. From the word go when Akmal dispatched the ball over square for a ballistic four, the message was clear, there is no holding back, SA was told in the first over that we have left our corners and now we will come at you guns blazing. SAans, at their best, came back excellently dismissing newcomer Shahzaib for a duck, first ball next over.

The turning point of the game, for me, was Afridi coming to bat at No. 3. I thought that the bravest of captains would have had decided that it was time for plan B, going back on the defensive till batting consolidates (and for that you can send in Kungfu Panda but not Afridi) but Younis was surprising when he sent Afridi at 3. No doubt it was a brave decision and message to SA, it was a gamble, a gamble that turned well but had every chance of going otherwise and for me that was Younis' bravest move.

I wouldn't say South Africa choked, I believe thats a pundit-myth created and circulated to demoralize them as a team. From where I saw they played wonderful cricket they started off with pretty much expected short pitched balls cramping Pakistani batsmen and taking 2 wickets, they kind of lost it in the middle but fought back excellently towards the end and I wouldn't dare comment on SA's fielding till Oxford comes up with a superlative of the superlative 'excellent'. Later on, they started off well, a stable steady start, but looking at the previous pitches at Trent Bridge I had already said the pitch wouldn't be easy playing, specially second innings and 150 was a more than decent target. It looked less because Pakistan were well placed at 100+ in 12th over, they lost the momentum to excellent bowling by SA towards the end.

I would leave the luck out of the equation as well, there were no lucky chances for either sides, Pakistan outclassed South Africa with 2 Afridi wickets in 2 overs. They didn't see it coming, they, might be in an attempt to put him under pressure, under estimated his strength and effectiveness. With run-rate climbing, spinners bowling, pitch getting old and winds starting to blow across the ground South Africans had very little chance, they didn't choke, they took every opportunity they saw Alam's one over, Amir's inexperience, lazy fielding but the holes weren't enough for them to dig their boots in the ground. Playing on neutral venue crowd distribution wasn't fair either, Pakistani fans literally wiped out any visible existence of African fans.

All in all, for a nation where people commit suicide if their team loses a cricket match, for a nation deeply pushed into dark jungles of despair, for a nation that cherishes their victories in cricketing grounds and for a nation which so badly needs something to cheer in these difficult times, these 11 Maximuses of Pakistan made their nation proud when they went out and fought like tigers, they held their flag high enough for the nation to love them. When they entered the ground they had a lot to prove, they had a gigantic opponent in front of them, to everyone else it looked impossible but they knew what they had in themselves the belief and anger to prove everybody wrong and they precisely did that.

Because when the dust settled and the sun sent in its last pack of brightness towards Trent Bridge there was only one color that conquered the ground and their was only one voice that echoed, the color was of the green flag of Pakistan and the voice was 'Pakistan Zindabad'.

Its never the destination that matters its the journey that holds the essence, you have made us Proud Team Pakistan and we pray for your success at Lord's.

Beware Lords for the tigers are unleashing hell.