The Lord's Victory

Editor: Mumtaz Hamid Rao (Pakistan Times)

True to nation's aspires and expectations - Pakistan Cricket Team - has once again taken the marvelous image of the grand nation to the highest altitudes by captivating matchless ovation from each and every pragmatic soul and spirit - irrespective of one's faith, cast, color, creed or credo.

As matter of fact this magnificent appreciation for our zestful Cricketers didn't remain confined to the lush-green lawns of Lord's in the UK or on the lovely soils of Pakistan - but the entire world has showered bouquets of fragrant flowers on the team - which has revived the truth that it is really a taxing task to contest in any arena - the great nation - Pakistan.

The great, grand and grandiose victory in Twenty20 World Cup tie at the Lord's - by all means manifests the real and superior image of Pakistan - which has by and large been targeted with a negative onslaught - specifically by the media in the West sans any logic or raison d'être.

Amid this splendid triumph - global media and the leaders with pragmatic vision [except India] - have eventually acknowledged that of-course Pakistan is a nation - par excellence. At home, the unique victory has surfaced visible delight on every face - which previously looked depressed due to the overall national scenario - hit by nasty terrorists, extremists and miscreants at multiple places of the sacrosanct soil.

Of-course amid the courageous, bold and daring operation - set-off by the brave, valiant and gallant armed forces to eliminate the scourge forever even with supreme sacrifices - Pakistan's victory at the Lord's has helped infuse a new spirit and fresh confidence among people - irrespective of their age or gender.

To recap - in a well-deserved victory at Lord's on Sunday - Pakistan clinched World Twenty20 title defeating rival Sri Lanka by eight wickets.

As is indexed in the history, this is the first major victory of the nation in cricket after a pause of seventeen years - as it was in 1992 when Imran Khan's team lifted the World Cup by beating England in the final at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in Australia.

Thus, this win carried much significance for the country and augurs well for the future of cricket not only in Pakistan but also in Asia. It was indeed one of the most difficult and high pressure match - yet individual as well as collective excellence by players - led to the proud outcome as the entire nation burst into joy the moment Afridi waved the magic bat.

The victory sent a wave of jubilation across the country with people from all segments of the society coming out on roads - even beyond midnight - to express their joy - filled with excitement. There was aerial firing and fireworks and cricket fans danced on roads to rejoice the vital conquest.




Amid this setting - it is all the more significant that the victory lifted the sagging morale of the nation - which is engaged in a struggle to defeat terrorists at all cost. By now, the current situation in the country was sending dismal signals to the people - as bomb blasts and suicide attacks - have become a routine, crime rate is on the rise and people are groaning under sky-rocketing inflation.

Under these circumstances, the victory of the team at Lord's has correctly been phrased as 'feels a good gift for the nation' - by most of the analysts. Initially - there were not many expectations as performance of the team left much to be desired - but with the passage of time and with every match the pace improved and ultimately resulted into the remarkable win.

As we look at it, every member of the team contributed a lot under the leadership of Younis Khan. Shahid Afridi hit a career-best 54 off 40 balls - playing the lead role in an unbeaten third wicket stand of 76 with Shoaib Malik to hand Pakistan a dream victory. Kamran Akmal and Shahzeb Hassan gave a 48-run opening, with Akmal hitting an entertaining 37 off 28 balls that included two sixes and two fours.

The performance of the vigorous teenagers was mainly impressive as it was a fully charged, difficult and trying event - yet they demonstrated remarkable stamina, control and confidence that paved the way for the success of the team.

Virtually, Pakistani nation has immense potential to excel in all walks of life. The very fact that the country achieved mastery over the world's most difficult and sophisticated nuclear technology is also reflective of this potential. That is why we feel sorry when some domestic circles and sections of the Western media try to present negative picture of the country because of stray incidents that are not peculiar to Pakistan.

Every country has some pluses and minuses but they are not jolted the way Pakistan is made target of negative propaganda. At the same time - it is regrettable that our leadership has not been able to rise to the occasion and fulfill obligations - as it is ought to do so.

We are of the view that the nation can march forward on the path of peace, progress and prosperity - only if the leadership works hard to ensure good governance, rule of law, justice and upholding of merit, fairplay - with sagacity and equilibrium as the hallmark.

While feeling optimistic that the egalitarians shall fulfill the desires and aspires of people who reposed confidence and elevated them to the highest status as members of the parliament - and even to the apex corridors of power - in the same style as our team has done - with utmost vigor and sincerity.

As the nation congratulates the marvelously-led Cricket Team - it shall shower identical flora of aromatic praise and admiration for the leadership - as is said; 'A leader is one; who knows the way, goes the way and leads they way'.