Daily Times

Between a troubled bowling lineup, captaincy woes, a crippling absence of any effective management, an injured Naseem and little to no early-innings aggression from Shaheed, all forces in the universe appear to have united together to spell the end of the Pakistani cricket team in the ongoing World Cup. Three is definitely a trend. And that’s why a resounding defeat against Afghanistan has drastically diminished any chances of making it to the semi-finals. An untimely return is imminent considering how the Men in Green have lost the mesmerising appeal of the first two matches. A lot of politics has also entered into the foray with Afghani batsman dedicating his Man of the Match award to Afghan refugees in Pakistan. Meanwhile, in Kabul, the interim Taliban government has taken a small break from their usual ultra-conservative model of governance and allowed fireworks and gunfire to express an eerie sense of joy.

That cricket a game used by the international community as a powerful tool of diplomacy has now been reduced to a mud-slinging match would definitely go down in history as a great disservice rendered by the partisan cricketing bodies. However, the lasting implications of now allowing a team to enjoy the support of a friendly crowd, recorded evidence of authorities shunning freedom of expression and the usual vile spins on routine matters would unravel once the World Cup is done with. A razor-sharp focus on what the squad has been eating and confining them to their hotel rooms in the name of security are just convenient ways of showing one’s hostility. For now, it can only be hoped that the Shaheens would take a deep look within and step on the field against South Africa in their best form. To see a world-class bowling line turn into a non-affair is heart-wrenching.

Under no circumstances can one injured player sink the whole ship. The present fast bowlers need some burden off their backs, the captain needs to realise he has to think about the bigger picture on every ball and the entire Pakistani nation needs to pray for a miracle. *