Why Cricket Needs Pakistan

Pakistan is a blessing to the game of cricket, no two ways about it. With already limited no. of countries playing the sport, it can’t afford to lose Pakistan at any point in time, even with Pakistan trying really hard to make it do so. With the situation getting worse for the Pakistan cricket and cricketers, we take a look why the sport can not do without them for much long.

The foremost of the reasons lies in the fact that over the years, experts have aptly coined a name for the Pakistan cricket team i.e, ‘the Unpredictables’. Given the very same nature of the game itself, who else could be the true ambassadors of the game, if not them?

Pakistan are considered to be the most dangerous sides in the cricket fraternity. Although, the fire has been mitigated to an extent in the recent years, the tag is yet to be disposed of. They have the best record outside their territory of all sub-continent counterparts. The other countries from their region, popularly known as the sub-continent, are India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. India have started to perform well in foreign countries only recently, while Sri Lanka and Bangladesh are still struggling to prove their mettle away from their respective turf.

The Pakistan Cricket have boasted of producing world class cricketers for ages now. From Mustaq Muhammad to Saeed Anwar, from Zaheer Abbas to Wasim Akram, from Javed Miandad to Waqar Younis, from Imran Khan to Shoaib Akhtar. These are the listed names(otherwise an endless list) of some of the players who have the label of legends written all over them. What is interesting to note from above is that the list involves both the batsmen and the bowlers, which is an indication they provide excellent players all around and perhaps, that’s the reason why they have been a dominating force in Cricket throughout.

Imran Khan

A sport is characterized by the famous characters to have played the game and moments which linger on to a spectator’s mind long after the actual proceedings held. Pakistan has produced both. Be it Javed Miandad’s six of a penultimate ball to take his side home or the famous Aamir Sohail – Venkatesh Prasad face-off at Chinnaswamy stadium. The most precious(at least for them as a country) how from being on the verge of an early exit in the World Cup 1992 to went on winning it is a different story in itself. Pakistan has given the game its fastest delivery and taught their contemporaries the art of reverse swing bowling.

Also, over the period, Pakistan have always managed to throw some unforgettable characters in the cricket field consistently. From legendary Imran Khan to brilliant Wasim Akram, from toe-crusher Waqar to doosra-inventor Saqlain, from lazily elegant Inzamam to flamboyant Afridi and from entertaining Miandad to brat Akhtar. Pakistan Cricket has served cricket a great in the past and, hopefully, will continue to do so in the future as well, if all remains good.

Winners – 1992 Cricket World Cup

This is what defines the very nature of the game. They have given Cricket not only its meaning but also its exclusiveness, USP and the much essential X-factor.

Why ardent fans and cricket enthusiasts all over the world want to see Pakistan in action is not only apropos to the rawness it brings to the game or the charisma they exudes on the field but also, and more importantly, they amazing ability to make any ordinary contest into a nail-biting one just like that. Merely their sheer presence in the middle gives down shivers to the opposition and their fans. Unlike with most of the teams where you can take a chance to choose between the teams on the basis of their then current situation, Pakistan is certainly not a country you would like to take a chance with. They have not lost or won it till they actually have lost or won it. Whatever be the outcome, one thing is for sure, they remain in the game till the last moment and that’s what makes classic contests. Hence, making the game of cricket look far more interesting. Such is their effectiveness.

Times have changed now, but not much has changed in the Pakistan cricket scenario, skill wise that is. They have the ability to churn out young sensations and match-winners on their will. This can be concluded by their performance over the last 4 world championships in as many years – 3 T20 World Cup(2007, 2009, 2010) and 1 World Cup(2011). In each of these concluded events, they have at least made it to the semi-finals, reaching the finals twice and winning once. Not surprisingly, theirs are the only side to achieve this feat. And what more, each time they had different heroes emerging. They were Misbah-ul-haq in 2007, Umar Gul in 2009, Mohammad Aamer in 2010 and Shahid Afridi in 2011. That’s what Pakistan do. It throws a young kid to the field. These kids don’t fetter on the big stage, instead they make the opportunity count and build their reputation. They become stars and continue their rich legacy.

Pakistan celebrating T20 World Cup Triumph

What has changed is the scenario outside the cricketing field. Recently, plethora of problems have surrounded over the Pakistan cricket densely, match fixing scandals being the most critical. Young and bright prospects(esp. Mohammad Aamer) are being caught in its web too frequently and self-destructing their careers. The players – board rifts have become the regular feature. Negative vibes surrounding the dressing room and team meetings leading to internal disputes. Shoaib Akhtar who’s the latest to admit it (players performing namaz were selected to play under Inzy’s reign). Politics taking over the sport. Terrorism preventing the country from hosting not only the World Cup but also a test match for around 4 years now. Other nations resisting to visit them after the attacks on the Sri Lankan team. All these are mostly non-cricketing factors but are seriously denting the future of its cricketing aspects.

Thus, it’s a case of a brat child who more often than not gets into the trouble, Pakistan being the brat child. Now, the world has to take the decision whether to help the troubled child or turn a blind eye to it. However, it is infuriating to know that no one can help them except for themselves. ICC can’t help them neither can Australia or, for that matter, India. The only one who can save Pakistan is Pakistan itself. And it must do it for its people, for the game lovers and, the most importantly, for the game of Cricket. The move to make Dubai as their new ‘home ground’ is definitely a step in the right direction. Hopefully, better sense will prevail in the times to come. Amen!