So Pakistan has been ousted by Sri Lanka in the semi-final of the t20
world cup, 2012. The defeat was marked by vehement protests against the
giants of the Pakistani cricket team; Shahid Afridi being in the spot
light. People from every walk of life started fulminating against the
players for their performance.
Let’s just pause the music of contumely
for a while and check this status out that Shahid Afridi posted after
the match:
“I Know many of you people just sleep after watching the match but you
remember after loosing last T-20 semi final against Australia which we
lost due to saeed ajmal last over and then when he returned to his home
his father kicked him out of his house and after 6 months later he is
able to join his own home in Faisalabad. Do you understand what’s the
situation of players & their families right now? Are they sleep or
not ? and you are criticizing Shahid Afridi due to his poor
performance”.
This reflects a very bitter truth. I totally concur with him. Winning or
losing is a part of the game. The real victory lies in the manner of
the fight that you put up. Performing under tremendous amount of
pressure, in the presence of huge crowds, in a noisy and clamorous
atmosphere takes a lot of courage and a stout heart. No one should
forget that Pakistan in the only team to reach the semis of all 04 t20
world cups. In fact, starting from 2007, Pakistan has always reached the
semi-final of every major ICC event. This is what is called performance
in its true sense.
In lieu of just launching into diatribes against the team let’s just
think over it for a second. Let’s place ourselves inside their minds and
see the things from their viewing angle. Defeat frays our emotions even
when we are sitting against a TV screen miles away from the actual
place of encounter. So doesn’t defeat hurt those who are directly
involved in the action? Yes, it does; it surely does! Ask them and their
families. Try to discern their dismay and try to listen to their silent
screams. Try to peep inside their heart and it will transpire on you
that their heart sheds a tear after every second, for they were the
chosen ones and they failed to bag a victory.
Pakistan is a cricket crazy nation. Whenever our team is about to embark
upon a major tournament we lade them with a huge burden of
anticipations and always want them to come out as victors. We always
forget that there are other teams as well and that their nations also
have faith in them and want them to bring home the cup. We can’t always
win. We should inculcate in ourselves some toleration. If we can’t
remain with anyone in his bad times then we shouldn’t be with him in his
good times too.
To sum it up, don’t forget that we are ‘Pakistan’. These 11 men are our
heroes. They are, indeed, champions. They have made us proud. They are
the sons of our soil. Their heart also throbs for Pakistan. We, the
Pakistani nation, are their strength. We are their courage and their
real zealot. For once, just for once, embrace them warmly and I assure
you that results would be magnificent. When a whole nation gets behind
her team even in predicament then nothing, and I mean nothing, can stop
the team from clawing back triumph. Pakistan Zindabaad, Pakistani team
Paindabaad!