Cricket in the Subcontinent is a second religion for many. Despite being an alien game and imported during the British Colonial era, cricket has taken root in this region.
In Pakistan, the game is loved and played at all levels. No street, no road, no public park, no school ground and no national stadium is a stranger to cricket.
There was high-voltage passion among Pakistanis when their team was passing through the tumultuous ICC World Cup 2011.
The Men in Green made it past the first round of the tournament after 12 years and it was hoped that they would bring home the coveted Trophy for the second time. But Pakistan lost to India in the semifinal game ofMarch 30 and thus returned empty handed.
Historically speaking, the Pakistanis can never accept and bear any cricket defeat to India, as the two neighbouring are archrivals. On March 30, 2011, there came a flood of tears and grief in Pakistan and the next morning no one was interested in cricket.
All passion and zeal disappeared overnight. The disappointed and aggrieved Pakistanis began to resent cricket as it had crushed their hopes and dreams.
After spending a few weeks at home, Team Pakistan left for West Indies to play a series of one T20, five One Day Internationals (ODIs) and two Tests. The series started on April 21 with the T20 game that Pakistan lost, giving another blow to the sentiments of their fans at home.
Then came the day of April 23, 2011, when a ray of light emerged out of the ashes of frustration and disappointment. Pakistan won the first ODI of the series by 8 wickets. All the players performed marvellously to steer their side to a convincing and thumping victory.
Hearing the news of their team’s success, the zeal of the dejected Pakistanis has perked up suddenly. Celebration calls and cricket discussions have started again. The streets are occupied by young cricketers and the game is again in the air in the country.
It seems that the Pakistanis have overlooked, if not forgotten, the World Cup demise of their team and are up to support and encourage them to win the series. Though the most ardent fans have still not recovered from the semi-final trauma, the majority is cheering up.
Now, the Pakistanis think and hope that their team will be able to replicate the history of 1992 in the 2015 edition of the ICC World Cup. They are pinning their hopes on new players, who have been selected in the squad, after lacklustre performances by senior players.
The Pakistani players, who lagged during the mega event, are gaining momentum. This was evident in the first ODI that Pakistan won for the loss of just two wickets.
The villains of the semi-final, Mohammad Hafeez, Asad Shafiq, and, Misbah-ul-Haq, scored 54, 61 and 73 respectively to claim a comfortable victory. With their sterling performances, they have partly made up for the loss of the World Cup.
Indeed, cricket has turned a new leaf in Pakistan.
If the Cornered Tigers manage to win the series against West Indies, the passion of Pakistanis will again rise up to sky and the game will gain a new life in the fun-loving country.
The Men in Green have a golden opportunity to win the hearts of their fans by bringing home trophies.
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