Cricket – A Battle for Pride
His face turned red, his tense body relaxed, but he wasn’t happy. What was happening to him? He lowered the volume of the news bulletin and eventually turned off the TV. His favorite team had lost the match. Akram’s family was used to his reaction and laughed it off. Akram is me, Akram is you. Akram is every Pakistani. The deep-rooted love and craze for the game of cricket is a constant for pretty much every Pakistani. To us, It isn’t just a game, it defines one’s sense of pride around here.
Cricket has a prestigious history dating way before the creation of Pakistan. The game evolved from rolling the ball on the ground and the batsman hitting it with a “hockey-styled” bat, to pitching the ball and playing it with a straight bat. Cricket had been introduced in its earliest forms in some parts of England. The focal point of cricket for almost 30 years was Hampshire, though, in 1787 with the opening of Lord’s Cricket and the formation of Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC), this game started to spread to other parts of the world. In the subcontinent, however, the game was popularized in the 18th century by British East India Company.
In Pakistan, however, cricket had a dwindling past. Since 1952 when Pakistan became a member of the Imperial Cricket Council ( International Cricket Council as of today), by proving its worth in 1951 against Nigel Howard’s M.C.C. team, cricket has seen a lot of ups and downs in Pakistan.
From an infant team standing against the might of England and winning hearts, to winning the world cup, cricket has had a rough journey in Pakistan. It has been led by amazing captains like the current Prime Minister of Pakistan Imran Khan, who played a pivotal role in securing the first World Cup for the country in 1992, Inzamam-ul-Haq, Misbah-ul-Haq, Sarfraz Ahmed, and one of the top-ranking batsmen of today, Babar Azam. It has bred some of the most valuable players of all time, one of the fastest and most feared bowlers Shoaib Akhtar, the magician with the ball Saeed Ajmal and one of the best all rounder’s of all times the ‘Boom BoomShahid Khan Afridi’ to name a few.
Pakistan’s sports climate is always active. Pakistanis being fanatics of many games, ranging from indoor games like table tennis, squash, and volleyball, to outdoor games like football and hockey, to more physical games like kabaddi and mixed martial arts which are gaining immense popularity among Pakistani youth nowadays. Even though hockey, being the national game of Pakistan, lags in popularity behind cricket.
Cricket is the first game, most Pakistani children would play in their narrow streets. The more privileged ones might get to play with a proper bat, otherwise, for most of the children, a straight wooden board will do the job. It has roots so deep in our minds, it’s hard to imagine even a day without either playing, watching or talking about the game.
With the emergence of domestic leagues in Pakistan, this game has taken a new turn. Locals can showcase their talents through the right channels. From playing with “plastic” balls to playing with “electrical tape wounded” balls in tournaments and leagues, Pakistan has a variety of options when it comes to cricket.
With the inauguration of the Pakistan Super League, cricket in Pakistan has a whole new vibe. The franchises have a separate fan base, there are internet wars against the opposing franchises, the balloting, opening ceremonies, every match, and the post match ceremonies are watched regularly. The craze, zeal and zest, and enthusiasm soar high because cricket isn’t only a game for us. It defines our choices, our tastes, and our ethnic backgrounds.
Pakistanis have developed such an overwhelming craze for the game, some might call it irrational, some ?obsession, but the game has our hearts. One of the most awaited occasions in Pakistan is a cricket clash between Pakistan and its historical rival, India. This game of Cricket is no less than a war for the fans of both Pakistan and India, The players are expected to give their all and win at all costs. Families sit together infrontof their TV screens, to witness the battle. There is a whole new sense of constructive rivalry exhibited in the game. Winning the game results in celebrations all across the country, and sorrow, anger, and frustration in the opposite case. It is against a Pakistani’s pride to lose a game of cricket especially against the cross border arch rivals.
Pakistan’s rural areas have regular cricket tournaments on both the Eids. The whole village/town witnesses the sport, teams fighting for dominance, not only for the tournament but throughout the year. It isn’t just about the monetary awards, it is always about pride in Pakistan.
Cricket is not just a sport, it is a passion for the Pakistani people. Unfortunately, politics have always been involved in the game, which has put a toll on the development of our beloved sport. With a little effort and consideration, Pakistan’s immense talent can be manifested to the world, not only helping in creating a soft image of Pakistan but also providing our youth with a channel to showcase their talents and abilities in a positive way.