Hadeel Obaid
Green arrows, silver linings
It's time Pakistan's fans embrace the fact that consistency is not in our blood
Hadeel Obaid
28-May-2013
Cricket in Pakistan is for the irrational and the passionate. It draws in believers who refuse to give up hope. It's for adrenaline junkies and masochists happy in their pursuit.
There's something daring about being a fan of this team. There is no logic to be applied, no predictability. You live for each day, placing blind faith in a team that breaks your heart and then makes you love again, keeping you hungry for more each time.
Over the last five years or so analysts have diligently emphasised the need for depth in the Pakistan line-up. They've referred to stats and brought up examples from the past. There is a general agreement among the experts that consistency is the cure for the team's ills.
Full postLosing our religion
The Pakistan cricket team has transfixed the world and given succour to a nation for more than half a century - but the scandals and snubs are beginning to take their toll on the coming generation
Hadeel Obaid
08-Apr-2013
It is a matter of a bat and ball. Eleven men each side, two umpires, three stumps and the second-highest fan following of any sport in the world. Cricket is a sport for the patriots, the dramatic, those hunting for faith and hungry for battle. In 1952, the Pakistan cricket team was established but nobody could have fathomed the antics, hysteria and mayhem that would envelope this team in years to come.
This was a country built on emotion; this is a team built on moments. We have Shahid Afridi with his fastest century, Saqlain Mushtaq with his doosra, Shoaib Akthar's speed, Umar Gul's T20 record and the stats just keep coming. We live for our seconds of glory, that spark of brilliance that brings us to our knees, believing again. In 2013, we are a team with cracked walls and several leakages, a spot-fixing scandal that haunts us and a ban from international cricket at home, which begs me to question: what will be the fate of Pakistan cricket?
It is hard to convince a generation of teenage boys that cricket is relevant to the country. They haven't witnessed matches at home, they cannot relate to the intensity and passion; they have not felt the unity of 30,000 strong intently praying for a win. Little in this world can compete with watching a match live. Walking through the stadium gates, you can feel the energy and mutual respect of cricket lovers who believe in their team. Nothing is impossible on this sacred ground. Miracles have happened, prayers have been answered and ignored, hearts beat, pulses race, and there is a feeling, a connection thousands of people share in that moment that makes you realize just how much this game means to its followers. That is the moment you fall in love with cricket.
Full postShowing 1 - 2 of 2
Most Read
Writers