Passion beats adversity

The universe of cricket has isolated them. The big stadiums at Karachi, Lahore, Rawalpindi or Multan remain empty. There is no festival of cricket, there is no music, and there is no joy. The stadiums are deserted.

International cricket doesn’t halt its caravan anymore in Pakistan as there are risks of a terrorist attack. The nation as a whole since 2001 terrorist attack in New York has been under threat of an isolation and after 2009 attack on the Sri Lankan players’ bus, the cricketing community just ignored touring the nation.

As a whole the country Pakistan has been turned into a ‘Registan’ for cricket.

But if one has enormous passion then nothing can actually stop him/her from keep the spirit going till the end and reach the pinnacles of glory.

Just walk across the streets of Lahore or Karachi you will hear voices echoing “Pakistan” “Pakistan.” You will assume immediately that you are watching the men in green in action toppling the opposition with their astonishing charismatic cricket. I’m sure; still the youngsters continue to exhibit their passion for cricket in the maidans of Karachi, Lahore, Multan or Rawalpindi. They still try, try and try to become an Imran, Akram, Miandad or Waqar.

Cricket is still breathing in Pakistan.

Pakistan as a nation, over the years, has been kicked in the abdomen, has been slapped on the face, and has been beaten hue and cry mentally. But despite all these their passion for cricket still shone brightly and it’s shinning even brighter in recent times.

At Dubai, today, Pakistan just completed another Test series win by beating the 2011 World Cup runner-ups, Sri Lanka and with this, Misbah’s tremendous run as the captain of Pakistan cricket team is reaching towards new heights. Mishbah is yet to loose a Test series.

But to me this win is the product of the hunger, the passion and the spirit which is burning inside each Pakistani player. I personally, watched a Pakistani team dominating the whole Test match throughout, after a longer period of time, an indication of even better things in near future.

Controversies kept on haunting Pakistan cricket again and again. But still they manage to script victories; still they make their fans smile. They don’t have a settled coach like the other countries, they don’t have sponsors to ensure luxuries, they don’t earn anything via any money making leagues which actually boosts many players’ confidence these days! They don’t have their media with them nor the reigning govt hardly care about them, but they have the passion for cricket.

And for this passion still Pakistan cricket keeps breathing. The win at Dubai is another victory of passion over adversity, another morale boosting win for the men in green and surely for its victory carved fans.

Bravo the men in green!

Thank You

Faisal Caesar