A bitter end to Pakistan’s fairytale World cup journey but hope lingers on:
What started at the G for Pakistan, ended at the same venue too. Just three weeks ago, the crestfallen Pakistan players were seen leaving the MCG after a very unfortunate last ball defeat by arch-rivals, India. The sight was the same on the eve of 13th November as well, however, a dim light of hope followed them this time.
Pakistan’s journey to the finals has been downright surreal. Not many teams in the world have the ability to bounce back the way Cornered tigers in green did. Had it been any other team, its journey surely would’ve ended after the historic defeat by Zimbabwe. For Pakistan, though, the end itself, even, is never the end.
Babar’s men showed first signs of life during the marquee event, when they defeated the Dutch in the 3rd match of their World cup campaign by 6 wickets. After this victory, the team faced ups and downs but was unstoppable, handing the then unbeaten Proteas their first defeat.
‘Law of Nature’ as the Pakistan head coach calls it assisted Pakistan’s hitch-hike as well. The World gaped with wide open eyes when Netherlands defeated South Africa and flattened the way further for the Shaheens. At this point, between finals and the team who had to wait almost 10 days after the start of the World cup to obtain its first two points, stood only an encounter against Bangladesh. Happens very seldomly when the Pakistan team acts according to the script and their win against Bangladesh was one of those instances. Pakistan defeated Bangladesh and cruised towards the semis as if their first two matches never happened.
New Zealand, or as the World calls them a team whose Kryptonite is Pakistan, had been unbeatable throughout the tournament until before the semi-finals. Riding on the wave of unpredictability with their tendency to make even the most dead-rubber and tedious matches thrilling, the Pakistan team locked horns with the Kiwis in Sydney. The SCG witnessed Pakistan chanting that they have grabbed the opportunity presented to them by the Qudrat ka Nizam (Law of Nature) with both hands. The team made no mistakes against the Black caps. No fielding errors, no no-balls, no irresponsible shots. So much so, people started doubting if the Pakistan team has been replaced by robots with AI.
Amidst all the excitement and the world humming to the soft tune of Dil Dil Pakistan, the tigers led by Babar Azam once again started their journey towards the place where it all started, the Melbourne Cricket Ground. The MCG, however, did not welcome the team with open arms. Instead, it terrified the World with the thick black clouds which were in deep embrace with its skies.
The black clouds, luckily, were respectful enough towards the game that they departed hours before the match was scheduled. The prospects of washout left and was replaced, in a very little time, with nervous excitement, thrill and chants from the 80,000 people from the stands.
The grass on the pitch smirked seeing Pakistan batters coming, after the English captain, Jos Buttler opted to field. Surrounded by a symphony of tons of raw emotions, both teams started the final, which was anything but one-sided since the first ball.
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The match ended and the English dug-out was seen running enthusiastically towards the ground while the unlucky men in green walked back with a somber silence. The English team was crowned as the T20 World champions for the second time.The Pakistan crowd was in silence. Pakistan players were shaking hands with the opposition for the sake of the gentleman’s game.
The scene was like the one on the night of 23rd October, on the other hand, the scene was nothing like the one on the night of 23rd October. Positivity and hope stood between both nights. The Pakistan team was not taking the trophy back to their country, but they were not going back empty-handed either, the World knows this.
The pack of young lads in green with undying thirst to prove themselves and do anything for their team, who made the pioneers and masters of the T20 games struggle on their way to achieve a paltry target of 138, can not be kept away from winning for long, the World knows this as well.
It is for sure the end of Pakistan’s World cup journey on the most unwanted side of the history, but it is the beginning of what will be one of the most brilliant eras of Pakistan cricket. As Charles Dickens would have put it, it is the best of times, it is the worst of times.
