Game Report – Team Boom Boom wash out the Soapy Goats!

Running high on their win against Scared Hitless, Boom Boom turned out in weather reminiscent of Canada and were hungry for more success. They welcomed back one of the old sons of the Boom Boom family, Matt “Mr Cricket” Smart returned to the team after a hiatus on the sidelines.

Moe “Ejazz Butt” Satti again lost the toss and Boom Boom were asked to bowl. Hassan “Swing” Ehsan started with two wides much like Wasim Akram in the 90s indicating to the bookies whether his team would win or lose. He followed it up with three quick wickets in the first over which had the Soapy Goats reeling.

Shatta “Watto” Hossain continued the great bowling display and took a further two wickets in the second over and the pressure was building on the highly rated Soapy Goats as they only managed to put up 10 runs in the first 4 overs. Ejazz Butt made the smart move and did not use Salik “Steve Waugh” Ali until the end overs. Jazz “Jazzy B” Kang continued his good form with the ball changing his pace, length and line, Mark Nicholas was heard in the commentary box saying “what variety!, good cricketing brain that is”.

Soapy Goats attempted to rebuild, however Boom Boom’s bowling and fielding was too strong with Yaatha “Sangakarra” Aiyel leading the way. In the 8^th over he put his body on the line and took a dive near the boundary saving what was certainly going to be 4 runs. This become too much for one fan who let out a gasp and squeal much like Ayshwaria Rai wining the 1994 Miss World competition. Sangerrs got back up winked at the fan, as if to say “I’m all okay babe”.

Sangerrs with his fan

Omair “Mark Waugh” Ali was again feisty with the ball, coming close quite close to beheading the batsman. His sibling Salik “Steve Waugh” Ali finished the tail off as Soapy Goats limped to 100 in 16 overs.

Needing only 10 runs in the first 4 overs Yaatha “Sangakarra” Aiyel and Hassan “Swing” Ehsan easily scored 46 in the first 4 overs, this however wasn’t without incident as Hassan “Swing” Ehsan stupidly ran out his partner, mistaking him for Usain Bolt.

Shatta “Watto” Hossain and Salik “Steve Waugh” Ali showed why they really are the batting backbone of team Boom Boom demonstrating some classy elegant cover drives much like BC Lara, They too managed to secure the bonus points.

Jaz “Jazzy B” Kang and Omair “Mark Waugh” Ali played their best innings of the season scoring 59 runs in 4 overs, Jazz was a bit unlucky having been caught at the boundary on a few occasions. Ejazz Butt and Mr Cricket finished it off in style also securing the last bonus point.

Boom Boom again proved to be too strong. Team Green Machine were spotted in the crowd analysing and critiquing for future games to come. One was seen with a camera and what seemed to be a picnic basket.

Ejazz Butt was quoted as saying “I’m proud of my boys, they put many sixes, I will no longer send them late night messages” – Ramiz Raja was a bit taken back by that answer.

Jazz “Jazzy B” Kang asked the media – “Where is the chicken?”

Crowd – 1
Half Time Oranges– still 0
Sponsorship – still a ongoing problem for the Boom Boom board.

Boom Boom have almost secured second place, they now take on take the last ranked Agitators next week – good things will come.

Boom Boom!

Destroying Pakistan Cricket – Pathani Style

The Author of this article is a immensely massive Shahid “Boom Boom” Afridi fan and has been one for as long as he can remember. Some will not agree with what I say, many of you will have your own views on this – here is mine.

The world cup had just finished, – Pakistan had made it to the semi final and lost in that heart breaking, nerve racking game against India in the city that starts with “M” and ends with “ohali”. Given what Pakistan cricket had gone through leading up to the world cup, the semi finals were a long shot – let alone beating Lanka and the Aussies. Yet we some how managed to do it – and found the leader “Shahid Bhai” who so humbly apologised to the nation for losing the semi final. Everyone celebrated his awaited return and we were proud to be Pakistani cricket fans.

The West Indies tour was shortly thereafter announced and Boom Boom wanted a rest, said he was mentally too tired from the world cup – as fans we were also exhausted, could we blame him? Yet after a yes no argument somewhat similar to Pakistan’s running between the wickets he agreed to play and took a young team to the Caribbean. No significant performance from the captain himself, the team managed to win the first three games and then awefully lost the next two – the same “has been” individuals criticized the team for lack of “committement” and “stupidity”, normality really.

A few days later however, there was an article published noticing a rift between the coach waqar younis and boom boom, the alleged rift was over selection and that boom boom had apparently walked out of a team meeting, had breached the code of conduct in a variety of ways – speaking against the team at a press conference, creating conflict with the coach, walking out of a team meeting and not even speaking to the players – the key word being allegedly here. –

Upon return to Pakistan he was sacked and replaced by Tuk Tuk Misbah ul Huq as captain – the reasons given were breach of the players code of conduct. I pause here for one second, Mohammad Amir, Salman Butt and that other bowler whose name I can’t even remember were also technically charged with breaching the ICC code. – Insulted, humiliated, and in the end cricket was the winner(if they go to jail – cricket really will be the winner) – why in the Afridi v Saga are we destroying the game and Pakistan at the same time?

Granted – Butt is an imbecile who could not run a corner Pan shop. – Granted Butt has no communication with the team, has no respect for his players, has no respect for the game and is only there at the head of the PCB because of his political links – but if the Chairman is trying to punish a player for breaching the code why aren’t we letting that cause take its action? What message are we sending to the next generation? That one day you too could become bigger than the game that no one will be able to touch you? – Afridi of course, by way of hearing which is scheduled has an avenue to have his voice heard and if it turns out that he hasn’t violated any code of conducted than Butt should be sacked.

There was open debate in the national assembly over Afridi’s sacking, lawyers and politicians have been approached – As much as it pains me to say this but I find Boom Boom in the wrong here – I am one of his biggest fans, I put on a jersey with his name on it every Tuesday night when I play indoor cricket – I honestly believe from a cricketing point of view he is the best captain that we have and we should let flourish – but if he has broken the rules and is proven to have done so he should be sanctioned and punished, keeping in mind that he is a repeat offender – scruffing the pitch in the test match against England, hitting attempting to hit a fan in the stands and then the infamous mistaking the ball for an apple case.

We can not let The PCB become the government where we let individuals become bigger than the game and the country. We can not provide them with a proxy NRO and allow players to become bigger than the game. The day that happens, the PCB becomes very similar to the government, the players indirectly become the politicians (if they already havn’t done so) and cricket becomes an egotistical tangible asset. If and when that happens Pakistan cricket dies. – Why are we partying in the streets supporting him? We are we meeting him at the airport?

Like many of your innings boom boom – I as a fan seek some answers in relation to your recent decisions. Lets think rationally, not emotionally. We have no one else to blame – but ourselves.

Aik Aarzu Hain Mere – I have one wish

Coke studio at its best.

I have this song stuck in my head – brilliant!

The new recruits shine as Team “Boom Boom” topples Scared Hitless

With the introduction of the new passionate team, “The Green Machine” the Tuesday nights competition has well and truly come alive with the competition heating up.

Still reeling from a tightly fought loss to the Green machine last week, Boom Boom were hungry to get back into the top 3. They were pumped up by the presence of one of their own in the crowd; injured Justin “Paddlepop” Theologidis was spotted in the crowd by the camera crew, knee-brace and all.

The initial omens were good as the entire team managed to turn up on time. The newly recruited Salik “Steven Waugh” Ali was presented with the infamous number 10 jersey. A proud moment no doubt, for the young recruit.

Moe “chairman of selectors” Satti once again lost the toss and Boom Boom were asked to bowl on a batting friendly deck.

The new shiny Kookabura was to be shared by Hassan “Swing” Ehsan and Salik “Steven Waugh” Ali. Both were able to swing the bowl like a swinging monkey through the jungle, they however, were unable to get the initial breakthrough. A new opening pair however had formed, much like the two W’s in the 90s.

It eventually took Yaatha “Sangakarra” Aiyal to knock over the woodwork and get the initial breakthrough. Once that happened, the opposition were no match for the perfectly timed bowling changes by the chairman. Wickets kept falling and the runs dried up. Not to be outdone by his older brother, Omair “ Mark Waugh” Ali showed his skills with the shorter ball, coming quite closing to KOing the batsman on a number of occasions. The tight bowling of the Boom Boom’s other new recruit Shaata “Watto” Hossain meant that the opposition could only muster up 53 runs in 16 overs. Shaata “Watto” Hossain announcing himself as threat against any batting lineup.

Hassan “Swing” Ehsan and Yaatha “Sangakkara” Aiyal were sent in to secure the first skin (bonus points) and chase the needed 36 runs in 4 overs. The game took a serious turn in the 3^rd over when Hassan “Swing” Ehsan took a powerful cover drive from Yaatha “Sangakarra” Aiyal to the head sending his glasses flying, much like the stumps of the opposition. The two regathered and managed to secure the points. A strong show from the two meant the rest of the team needed 14 runs from 10 overs.

Jasdeep “Zinger” Kang and Omair “Mark Waugh” Ali were next to face the music, whilst sweetly timing the bowl, their running seemed relaxed, asked about it post game, our sources were told that Jazdeep “Zinger” Kang was bugged down by a cold, showing his commitment he still played, a lesson no doubt for the younger generation. Moe “Chairman of selectors” Satti showed a variety of foot work capable of being included in any computer based cricket game. Salik “Steven Waugh” Ali and Shaata “Watto” Hossain showed the depth in the Boom Boom batting line up. Andrew “Afridi” Smitty kept the crowd entertained with his entertaining shots.

In the end, Boom Boom comfortably managed to chase down the runs. Their batting relaxed towards the end, but a comfortable win in the end. Boom Boom regain their spot in the top three and now look forward to playing the much stronger Soapy Goats next week.

Chairman of selectors was quoted as saying “im proud of my boys, but we need to improve in our batting intensity” Jazdeep “Zinger” Kang has promised to cut down on the KFC.

Crowd – 3

Half Time Oranges– 0

Sponsorship – 0

Chairman promises to look into sponsorship and half time oranges.

http://www.hassanehsan.wordpress.com

Droning for Democracy – Questions for Captain America

Three weeks to the day, I was walking out to get lunch, when I received a text message, “the Americans killed Osama, found in Abbotabad Pakistan”

Shock? Relief? Wasn’t he already dead? Didn’t he have liver or kidney problems? Does this mean that the drone attacks will now stop? What on earth was he doing in Abbotabad??… pause…think….re-read the text message again… hang on wait.. ….What the hell were the Americans doing in Pakistan ?? 

As the news unfolded, it transpired that the United States of America had invaded Pakistan, I use the word “invaded” purposefully, attacked an unarmed man, shot at him, his family, allegedly buried him at sea, left and then informed the Pakistani government of what had just transpired, all the while, senior officials in Washington along with Captain America himself, watched the matinee show on the big screen.

No one condones any of the actions of bin laden, his beliefs, ideologies and principles.  He does not represent Islam or anything that the Islamic religion stands for, in fact he single handily created the fear and negativity towards Islam.  One however, does question the actions of the United States of America. Pakistan was been labelled the biggest ally of the United States in their created war on terror, it was said that the war on terror could not be won without the help, input and support of Pakistan.

Yet the US of A gave no regard to the sovereignty of Pakistan as a nation, gave no regard its obligations under international law and murdered an unarmed man upon invading on of it’s closest friends. Sadaam Hussein was arrested, given a trial and accordingly sentenced. There is a separate tribunal set up for war crimes committed in the former Yugoslavia, should bin laden not have been arrested and brought to “justice”?

In late 2009 the United States started sending  drone planes to destroy terrorist safe havens in the North Western Province of Pakistan. The above first picture is allegedly one of those terrorist safe havens. Despite weekly drone attacks on towns, villages, homes, shelters and entire communities, there has been no respite in the violence, carnage and bloodshed that has been happening in Pakistan, rather an increase.

The question must be asked, what are the drone attacks achieving?  Over time the drone attacks have increased not only in regularity but also in their ferocity.  What of the innocent civilians that lose their lives? What of those that lose their Parents? Sisters? Brothers? Friends and extended family members?  The drone attacks are creating the exact monsters that the United States are trying to extinguish.  They are fuelling the anti American sentiment that is so apparent not only in Pakistan but through the entire Middle East and Asia

The irony is, Osama bin laden in the late 1980’s was funded by the CIA to fight the formerUSSRinAfghanistan.   His organisation was provided with ammunition, weapons and financial support.

What was the killing of Osama bin laden meant to achieve?  Revenge? Closure? Celebrations at point zero inNew York?  I feel for all those that loss their loved ones in  9/11,  but bin laden’s assassination has resulted in nothing but an  increase in  violence, bloodshed and the loss of innocent lives and perhaps, the exact thing that Bin Laden wanted.

Even after his death, the drone attacks are continuing on a regular basis, they continue to be allowed by the Pakistani government,   innocent people continue to loose their lives, their livelihoods, their homes.     The sell for the drones was to “target” extremist hideouts and camps and somehow eradicate extremism and assist with the further establishment of a democratic and stable Pakistan.  I still don’t know how they “target” what is an extremist hideout and what isn’t.  Nonetheless, the drone attacks continue, the bloodshed continues and innocent civilians continue to be killed every day.

This week, Australia mourned the loss of its 24^th Soldier in the war on terror, whilst the loss of each life is a tragic, especially in war,Pakistan has lost over 5000 soldiers to date, this is not including civilians. Pakistan continues to fight America’s war, this must now stop; we can no longer continue to fight the terrorists that, the US, by proxy of their actions and foreign policy continue to create.

After being elected as the President, Obama attempted to reach out to the Islamic world and in his speech in Cairo said the following:

“It is time for us to act on what everyone knows to be true, too many tears have flowed, too much blood has been shed”

 Whilst the higher echelons of the Pakistani government might not be directly standing up the Americans, this Pakistani is; it is one voice among many, Obama Sir, you are doing exactly the opposite, every citizen that is killed in Pakistan; their blood is on your hands.

A few months ago, all over the world, a video of the teenage kid “Casey” standing up to a school bully went viral, its time Pakistan stood up to this international bully.  Unity, Faith & Discipline is what Pakistan was founded upon, we will not continue to fight your war, nor will we let you fight it from our land.

Obama? Yes we can? – I think not.

Songs of Blood & Sword – A Daughters Memoir

I wrote this book as a labour of love. I wrote it to honour the last promise I made Papa before he was so brutally killed on these roads. I promised him that I would tell his story. He could not write it himself, he joked, because what he knew was too dangerous. They’ll kill me if I write my life story he said, laughing quietly so that his smile spread across his face. You write for me, you can tell my story when I’m gone.”

Told through the eyes of Fatima Bhutto, Songs of Blood and Sword- A Daughters Memoir is the story of the Bhutto Dynasty, it is a rare insight into the Bhutto home at 70 Clifton Karachi, Pakistan. Six years in the making, the novel, and I hesitate to call it that for reasons when you read it you will understand, takes you on a quest through time and around the globe. It is an epic tale of four generations of a feudal family that has gone through political violence, sabotage, murder, treason and revenge. It is written importantly however, by one who lived it.

The author describes meeting old friends of her father’s from Harvard and Oxford University, love interests of her father and infamous aunt Benazir. It is the portrayal of living in exile in Kabul and Dasmascus through the eyes of at the time a 10 year old.

“In September 1996 a fourteen-year-old Fatima Bhutto hid in a windowless dressing room shielding her baby brother while shots rang out in the streets outside the family home in Karachi. This was the evening that her father, Murtaza, was murdered along with six of his associates.” – At the time her “Phuphoo” was the Prime Minister and her father’s political opponent. Accusations, and fingers point to two people and two people alone, one is currently serving as the President of Pakistan.

“It was Zardari on the phone…. Oh you don’t know? Your father has been shot……”

The retellings of the deaths of her grandfather Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto, Uncle Shahnawaz, her father Murtaza, and Benazir are all shocking and moving, with a focus on the human aspect which has long been buried beneath the fear, cynicism, suspicion and politicking that defined the events.

The history of this extraordinary family ironically mirrors the tumultuous events of Pakistan itself, and the quest to find the truth behind her father’s murder has led Fatima to the heart of her country’s volatile political establishment. Fatima publishes numerous letters, file notes and diary entries from the various infamous members of her family, the most revelling are the letters written by Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto to his sons whilst in Jail on death-row.

Fatima openly criticises certain policies of her grandfather that ultimately led to his demise, and certain personal choices of her father’s personal life. There is a lot more to this novel then simple “Zardari bashing”. I will not outline the claims she makes and supports against Asif Zardari and her once beloved Aunt Benazir that she “lost”. That is for you to read!

Underneath all the violence, political revenge, and greed for power is the story of a daughter’s love for her father, her attempt at understanding the truth behind the events that lead to his death, it is the portrayal of her relationship with her father, comical, loving, affectionate, caring and devoted. The last chapter detailing his death is quite moving to say the least.

I have numerous “favourite” parts, the author’s account of meeting her father’s friends in the United States for the first time to her account of her fathers return to Pakistan from exile and eventual release from Gaol

It is a gruesome tale of life in Karachi at the height of the political violence in the early 90’s, and as the child of a political activist and niece to the Prime Minister, regular visits to court houses, gaols and hospitals to see her father, family and friends was normality.

“There may not be justice in politics and justice may be muffled in the courts of Pakistan, but we seek it still. One day, it will
be ours. That is my message to my father, to all our fathers. Don’t worry Papa, nothing happens to the brave. History is built on the strides and sacrifices of the brave.”

A must have on every Pakistani citizen’s bookshelf. I hope that one day she steps into the Pakistani political picture as the “real Bhutto”

RIP Mir Murtaza Bhutto….. Zardari I hope you burn in hell. – A must read.

Keep that Fire Burning – can not & must not let it die

It felt like being stabbed in the chest, the lump in the throat will be there for a while.  I saw the first half of the game at a local sports club with about 100-120 rowdy Indian fans.  Every run, every wicket, every dropped catch, every lbw appeal turned down was cheered on.   I felt nervous, anxious and times wanted to get out of there.  I am not really sure what it would have felt like playing in front of 40,000 Indian fans – pressure? What pressure?

The loss to India hurts, especially knowing that we didn’t play at our best, we didn’t bowl, field or bat well.    The hype and media attention leading up to the game didn’t help our cause.   We were nervous, we were always going to be, I am not sure if many of you saw the hug that Wasim Akram gave Shahid Afridi as he walked to the toss, I am not sure if that was meant to be broadcast but it was a sign of hope, belief, determination and passing on of the baton if you will – Son I made it in 1999, fell one short – you played alongside me then – now its your turn, go get em.

From there on, nothing went to plan, from the get go the pressure got to us. Where was the real Umar Gul? A man we had become accustomed to giving us great starts, perhaps he was correct? Maybe he did need the Rawalpindi express at the other end.  Why didn’t Hafeez open the bowling? Why didn’t Akhtar play? How fit was he? Where were the safe hands of Misbah and Younis? – I died a little inside every time we dropped Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar, honestly speaking, when you drop perhaps arguably the greatest ODI batsman not once or twice but four times you don’t deserve to play a final. All those dropped catches came off the captain’s bowling his fielders had let him down.  All these questions are easy to ask when you throw the tv remote on the floor and curse your players, answers are not easy to give – but perhaps we need to walk in their shoes just a little before we ask them, its a lot easier from the couch.   A witch hunt now is not the answer.   How many of us have trouble public speaking? – try playing a pressure cricket game on enemy soil in front of 40,000 screaming Indian fans, add to that your PM.

Where do we go from here? Only one place! Forward! So many revelations! So many positives! but before I do that  spare a thought for Shoaib Akhtar what a sad and tragic way to end what has been an entertaining and yet oh so controversial career, thank you Shoaib for the memories despite the playboy antics, media attention and disciplinary actions, you never sold out your country or your true fans, you are a match winner against any batting side, be it Australia, India or South Africa, there will never be another Rawalpindi Express – Never

Ten days prior to this tournament, all teams had their strategies in place, had finalised squads and had commenced training, where was Pakistan? Without its two strike bowlers, now currently facing time in prison, and without a captain.  To think that the PCB wanted to remove Afridi as Captain! –   We must stand up and applaud the work that has been done by Intikhab Alam, Waqar Younis and Shahid Afridi.     Prior to the cup Boom Boom said he would like to make the Semi Finals and that we were a dangerous team – one response to that was “Pagal Khaab Dhek Raha Hain” –   – now that we did make it – journalists are saying “why wasn’t he aiming for the final?”– – clutching at straws here the media.

This tournament showed and unleashed the full potential of Afridi as a leader, a leader who lead by example, on the field played with passion, fire, drive and executed plans continuously performed with the ball.  It was him who finally caught Sachin, it is unfair to judge his performance simply on his batting, whilst we love it when he fires, over the past year it hasn’t been his strong point.   Importantly, it is Pakistan v the rest of the world, not Shahid Afridi v the rest of the world.   After the loss to India Afridi apologised to the nation. Sir you don’t have to apologise to me, your passion and leadership has reignited that fire and passion that had been missing in Pakistan cricket, the dancing on the streets after the australia loss and beating the windies is one of many examples.  That fire has now been re-ignited, we need to look forward, start planning ahead for future tournaments. We need to work harder, improve our administration, improve the cricket at the local level, we can not let cricket become the new Hockey.  We  need to back our team to continue growing.   We need to keep that flame burning!

The worst thing we can do now is ridicule or unjustly criticise the team.  The media must not at any circumstances conduct a witch hunt.  Ironically however,  even as I write this, Aamir Sohail is currently on Dunya TV criticising Shahid Afridi’s captaincy, (he had been doing that throughout the tournament).   Zulqernain Haider dialled in as a guest blaming the loss to India on fixing said that he had evidence,  and that only favourites get to play.  Really Zulqernain, really? Sour grapes much?  South Africa choked again, New Zealand performed badly in their semi final no open criticism there, – why us?  Sure questions need to be answered as to what happened against India –but not now.

We need to continue building the future of Pakistan cricket, we need more Asad Shafiqs, more Umar Akmals, more Saeed Ajmals, more Umar Guls and Shahid Afridi’s. That will not happen if our media is our own worst enemy.  Ridiculing them is the worst thing to do, it is detrimental to the youngest and future generations of Pakistani cricketers, who day in and day out see the “bezati” of their team – if this continues Cricket will go in the same direction as Hockey and Squash have done so.   Today’s generation needs to see their heroes, making a world cup semi final is a big achievement given where the coach, captain and manager picket them up from – the loss hurt, it will for a while – we feel crushed, we must not let it break us.  The steaks were high, we crumbled under pressure, do not let it dampen what has been a successful cup, no one expected us to top the group and make the semi final.  lets celebrate the teams overall performance, we want more Shahid Afridis,  Asad Shafiqs, Umar Guls, not more rock stars, we have too many already.

The baton has well and truly been passed to a new leader – his famous celebration has become iconic, we just need to keep that flame burning! – The results will come.

the road to redemption – Badal do Zamane Ko

The idea of writing this note came to me at 2am – like any and every other fan I was thinking about the pending game against India in Mohali and what it would mean to beat India in India in a World cup Semi!  I had images of the Rawalpindi express steaming in and knocking over Tendulkar early just as he had done all those years ago in Kolkatta – the thought alone put a smile on my face. I subsequently got out of bed and made a few notes – so here goes nothing.  Oh and Osman Samiuddin if you are reading this I would love a job as a blogger at cricinfo 🙂

As the clichéd term goes, “it doesn’t get any bigger than this”, well there could have only been one event bigger, a Pakistan v India world cup final, but at this moment in time for some, the game in Mohali is the world cup. This note is an attempt at calming the nerves and trying to get on with normal day to day activities without thinking about Wednesday!

As a Pakistan fan I don’t propose to focus too much on India but for what its worth, India will be looking to win the toss, bat and hope that Sehwag and Tendulkar start strongly.  Sachin has a brilliant record against Pakistan, hell he has a brilliant record against any country, – if they get off to a flier it could get nasty – let’s not go there.  Their bowlers are the weak point, Zaheer Khan is the only one that has looked dangerous ,the others simply have been below par, picking Ashish Nehra / Monkey Man / or RP Singh will not make a difference!

 

 So what does this game in Mohali mean for us?  Recently a friend of mine asked me why all the fuss? Isn’t it just another game? (woh gora tha), my response to him was “what do the ashes mean to Ricky Ponting?”

The last 5 years for Pakistan cricket have been hell, infighting, shooting, politics, spot fixing, disastrous tours, eating balls, and losing to minnows have been some “lowlights”.  I will never forget the feeling of losing to Ireland during the 2007 world cup and then waking up the next morning for my Dad to tell me that Bob Woolmer had passed away. It was soul destroying.   I did not want to go to work the next day. The ridicule has been wide spread, far and very very extensive.   Our own media has had numerous field days – I am looking at you Geo television and in recent times Sohail Ahmed – what has made it worse is that many of us have been involved in the ridicule and urged the media to do more.

We were supposed to co host this event, with the two semi finals to be held at the Gaddafi stadium in Lahore. That right was taken away from us, out of no fault of the cricket fans in Pakistan.  What an atmosphere that would have been, Gaddafi stadium packed to capacity!

The important thing about Wednesday is not that we are playing India, the important thing is that we are playing a world cup semi final, the opposition simply happens to be India. It is what has happened to Pakistan cricket over the last 5-10 years which makes Wednesday so important, a win will obviously see us in the final.  It is the manner in which we have played cricket over the last year which has been important, the road to redemption began with the England tour, continued to the Asia cup and then to the recently concluded NZ tour.

Beating Australia here in the world cup was one statement, smashing the West Indies as we did was another – beating India in India will be the strongest statement yet – Pakistan cricket will well and truly be on the road to redemption.

The last time Pakistan played a world cup final was on 19 June 1999 – my 13th birthday, I was looking for the best birthday present a young cricket lover could ask for.  We were unbeatable in the rounds, had a fantastic semi against New Zealand, there was no way we could have lost.  Our bowling attack alone was made up of Wasim, Waqar, Akhtar, Saqlain and Razzaq – we all know what happened.  I will never forget going to school the next day.    Since then whilst there have been some victories, there has been nothing major to be added to the trophy cabinet.

I urge all the fans for Wednesday and beyond to forget the heartache, the embarrassment, the ridicule and to join as one to urge on the green machine.  For Wednesday is a chance to come one step closer to redemption, redemption began with the defeat against Australia, winning the world cup will complete it.  Lets do it for Waqar Younis, lets do it for Shoaib Akhtar, lets do it so that Ian Chappell can’t sleep at night, lets do it for Bob Woolmer – a man who gave his life to Pakistani Cricket, lets do it to create new heroes for the future generation of Pakistani cricketers, Imran Khan, Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis will not be around forever.

Many have said this is just another game, I am sorry but its not, it is much much more than that, it is the personification of the spirit and passion that Pakistan cricket is played with, the game itself is an answer to the cricketing world that we are here to stay and are a force to be reckoned with, – controversy or no controversy.

 

What ever happens come Wednesday, when the anthem is played I for one will be standing proudly with my right hand on my heart.

Pakistan Zindabad!