The Pakistani Spectator

The nation-wide jubilation of the nation after the Pakistani cricket team beat its traditionally friendly rival Sri Lanka in the 2nd Twenty Twenty Cricket World cup in Lourdes raises a point to ponder that we as a nation are not only proud of our identity but look for a status of  self respect and dignity as a nation.   We are as much nationalists as any nation imbued to nationalism —- be it Turk, Iranian, Swedish or German.

The match began at 8 am but hours ago people managed to settle their day to day business lest the match hours are disturbed.   A demand by the public by that there be no load shedding during the match hours was assured by the Minister of Power.  No matter how far the demand was honored or was possible in the cities having been bereaved of the power supply for more or less whole day, it was public enthusiasm for an event they owned as do or die event in sports.   There many cities in the country, at least in Balochistan, where electricity supply went off during the match hours or was not available, but one could see public tuning to transistors/radio for know about.    There was a see saw of sentiments and emotions with a minute to minute play.    Many were saddened after Pakistan lost the toss and was put to field with Sri Lankan batsman going for a big score.   Though Pakistan dominated the match from the beginning but it was not one sided.   Soon after the first wicket fell one could see claps and cheers for the bowlers in immediate and distant neighbors.   A boundary against Pakistan would keep them silent and worried.    I personally know many people who are engaged in part-time jobs office and manual jobs, i.e. rickshaw driving or record keeping in a gas station, took their day off to cheer and back the ones playing thousands kms away from them.   One could smell silence and slightness of dismay during the last four hours when Pakistani batsmen were struggling to meet the target.   The public burst in the second last over after Said Afraid hit a smashing six and four.   The target was within a stroke even with 9 balls to go.

Soon after the match public marched on the streets.  In Islamabad, Karachi and Lahore, there were public gathering watching the matches on big screen, for whom the sites turned into procession with shouts Pakistan Zindabad.    I watched the match at my house on Balochistan University Campus, Quetta.    There was a shutter down and wheel jam strike called by Balochistan Republican Party on Sunday.   The strike was no more after the result..  The shops opened, one could hear firing and shell sparks in the sky, with people no matter from whatever ethnicity was in jubilation.  No one remembered that the city in witness to day to day tragic and pathetic scene of  target killing and mourning after missing people, was perfect mood of sustaining peace and fraternity with the victory the Pakistan team made at Lourdes.  I saw a Baloch student waving the Pakistan flag in happiness on his bicycle at campus.   He looked at me and shouted we won the battle.       The match was a battle was for him which either side can win or loose.   It reminded me a phrase from Napoleon I , “No matter who wins the battle.  The matter is how the battle is fought.” I was happy he owned the match and the country.   In fact we own the country and its pride as we did the cricket match against Sri Lanka provide there is an integration of  system and values supported by leadership role model.  A nation is built on the aspiration and trust of its people which leaders build. A nation is neither run nor developed on empty slogans and pseudo politics.

The match was over with a brilliant success for the team which nation shared in enthusiastic mood.  They were sharing the moments of happiness and pride the nation has unfortunately been deprived off in day to day life due to growing instability and lawlessness.    One day international and test matches were popular events in Pakistan of which are deprived of due to  the terrorist attacks on Sri Lanka team in February 2009.   One on TV in happiness showed his hope of  Pakistan winning  the world cup 2010 with Pakistan hosting the matches it had to before the Lahore incident.   He like thousands of  Pakistanis was optimist who sees opportunity in every difficulty.   They are our hopes which should never die for a hopeful future.   The time will change and so will be the fate this nation with each one’s head erected with pride as was on Sunday after the match.  Keep the hopes alive.