Daily Times

Pakistan won an epic victory at The Oval on the 18th of June. The victory was however more than that; it was a transformation over four matches from a humiliating defeat to a resounding victory.

There are two pertinent Cricket expressions in this context. The first is a universal one, “the glorious uncertainties of Cricket”; the second is Pakistan specific- “Pakistan is so unpredictable at Cricket that this team can make the easiest match look difficult but, on its day, it can make the toughest one look like a cakewalk”.

The Pakistan team not only gelled together, it began to play like champions. Most surprisingly- after the first game- it actually became predictable.

Historically, when Pakistan entered the Cricketing arena, it was a very predictable side. But, after the shorter formats of Cricket became popular, our team became consistently inconsistent.

Irrespective of ICC ratings and of the confidence the British team had as the home side, India was always the best side in the tournament in my opinion. The Pakistani side should have been better placed but we barely managed to scrape our way into the tournament as the lowest ranked team.

Our team seemed uncertain, unsure and under confident when we played India in our first game. By comparison, Virat Kohli was dismissively blasé of any unusual pressure and was supremely confident.

After winning the toss and putting India in to bat, our bowling was wayward, indifferent and without any bite. The fielding was lackadaisical; we dropped catches and allowed singles to run to the boundary.

Our batting imploded in the run chase and lived up to its famed brittle reputation. Our team played to the script that was expected of it, not the one people had hoped for. However, for some totally obscure reason, this defeat triggered our recovery process.

Against South Africa, we finally started playing one day Cricket. Our bowling had bite, and although still fumbling and dropping the occasional tough chance, we restricted them to a very ‘get-able score’.

The victory was worth celebrating and unblemished pleasure was expressed from every direction. However, the showering of millions of rupees in cash or through gifts of vehicles and plots upon the players is an extravagance that I consider to be in bad taste

But then our batting did not seem so sure of itself. When rain stopped play, we were still in a winning position but it could really have gone either way if play had resumed.

That was when the gods stepped in to help ensure our victory. Thanks to Messrs. Duckworth and Lewis, we won.

Meanwhile, the Sri Lankans had scored a surprise victory over the Indian side, and were our next opponents.

When we faced them, our side had suddenly become formidable, and we won the contest against Sri Lanka. Then came England and we brushed them aside as well. First, we contained their score and then chased down the total for the loss of only two wickets with plenty of balls to spare.

The semi final match against England showed the team had come of age. The performance was clinical in its perfection. But now we had to again face India in the final.

When India won the toss in the final, it was up to our very brittle batsmen. I am sure very few Pakistanis Indians, or any other Cricket enthusiast for that matter missed that match, so no further details are necessary. It was, however, surprising to see that the Indian team was visibly under pressure. We outplayed India in every aspect of the game; batting, bowling, and fielding.

But the real heart-warming thing was when Kohli unequivocally and ungrudgingly acknowledged Pakistan’s superiority. What was even more pleasant to learn was the fact that M S Dhoni was seen carrying Sarfraz’s child after the match.

Indeed the game of Cricket was the real victor that day.

A couple of comments in passing. Sarfraz should not have gloated after defeating England, and I only wish people like Amir Sohail could refrain from comments that merely show them as being petty-minded.

Unfortunately, Pakistanis have a way of creating a downside to every upside, even where one doesn’t naturally exist.

The victory was worth celebrating and unblemished pleasure was expressed from every direction. However, the showering of millions of rupees in cash or through gifts of vehicles and plots on the players is an extravagance that I consider in bad taste.

Those with wealth to spare, whether public or private, could better serve the nation by donating it to public welfare projects in the name of the team, or on the behalf of individual players.

The real downside, however, is the VVIP reception and security the players received on their return. Are they under threat from the Taliban for winning a Cricket match or did our interior minister fear they may be kidnapped by RAW since they beat India? Don’t we have enough Tom, Dick, and Harrys as our VVIPS, that we need to include all our winning sports teams?

Even worse; the parasitical dinosaurs looking after the PCB are going to claim credit for this performance. I would argue we won despite their best efforts since they will continue to (mis)handle the PCB’s affairs till death do us part.

The writer is a retired brigadier. He is also former vice president and founder of the Islamabad Policy Research Institute (IPRI)

Published in Daily Times, June 25th, 2017.