Pakistan vs Australia

Cricket runs in our blood. The ‘hurt’ in the recent past overcame that love but I must say ‘winning’ is a great healer. Everyone is the cricketing world likes to write us off. Our image was tarnished with scandals and terrorism. We in spite of being the victims were convicted. When we lost the right to host the worldcup being played in South Asia my heart cried silently. Our stadiums were deserted and our players looked upon with doubt.

What has happened so far in this World cup 2011 proves that actions always speak louder then words. When Pakistan won against Kenya, Zimbabwe and Srilanka not many appreciating words were heard blaming the weakness of the opponents. Now that Pakistan defeated Australia, who has not lost a World cup match for 12 years, we all have taken a sigh of relief, a breath of joy and a moment prayer, Thanking Almighty Allah.

Pakistan were the last team to overcome Australia at a World Cup and it was they who brought Ricky Ponting’s 34-match unbeaten run to an end with a four-wicket victory in Colombo to secure top spot in Group A.

Pakistani team is not full of ‘super stars’ but are playing like a team. They always bowled well but this time excellent fielding supported our bowlers. Australian batmen never settled facing the Pakistani attack. Shahid Afridi has a few more chances out in the field to change his image of being someone who will come and swing his bat even if its not needed and hundreds of spare balls are left. Saying this I do not mean to take any credit away from him for gelling the whole bunch together and motivating them to play with a spirit that shows on the field.

Afridi’s team’s commitment is complimented by Waqar younis being around who says to the players “This is your job. I do my job I get paid for it, now you do your job.’ It is a simple, professional interaction. Forget friendships and matey-ness. Let’s make it professional. ‘My job is to tell you, teach you and so on. Your job is to do it. You do it. If I make you do something and you don’t get results, then you come and tell me, “You said this and it didn’t happen.”‘ But then you have to put your head down and do it properly. But this culture will not change overnight.” Read more.

I hope Pakistan’s best performance is yet to come! All the best Team Pakistan. May Allah help you.

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