"YES, THE BOYS IN GREEN HAVE FASCINATED ME"
This one is also related to cricket. Followers and lovers of cricket would surely enjoy and relate to this. This blog is dedicated to the boys donning the green-jersey in cricket, where, I share my liking towards them. The nations decking out green-jerseys are South Africa, Pakistan and Bangladesh, among regular one-day playing nations. But, it is dedicated to the nation from the South-Asian corner, Pakistan(not Bangladesh, strategically, it is also in South-Asia).
Even if, South-Africa is the best of the lot(best among the green-dressed ones, and in fact one of the best in the world) but, viewing and excitement for Pakistani team is altogether a different experience. There are various reasons attributed to it. Because, it has been far more expressive and aggressive than others, and their expressions attract more because of the resemblances with our people, and being a giant market for cricket. Cricket is more than a sport in Pakistan, like its counterpart, India. But, people in Pakistan are more frenzy and emotional about cricket. I have grown up watching Wasim Akram-Waqar Younis-Shoaib Akhtar-Shahid Aridi-Inzamam -Ul-Haq brand of cricket. Heroics of Imran Khan will always be an inspiration for all, especially Pakistanis. One such instance is of 1992 world-cup. The unit was struggling, they lost their initial matches. They required nothing less than a messiah, who could saviour them from their dismal outing. And, the hero personally appeared in the form of Imran Khan. His advice to the boys,'Fight like a cornered-tiger' did wonders and what happened henceforth, is history. Their aggression, tactics, style, street-smart attitude, rowdiness is what has attracted the most. Wicketkeepers echoing from behind the stumps(Shabaash!!! Shaabash!!! Bowling Mushqi, well-bowled, koi masla nahin, ek aur-ek aur) and appealling as soon as the ball came close to the pads, or there was a slightest miss from the bat is unforgettable. Moin Khan deserves a special mention here. Current wicketkeeper of the side, Sarfaraz Ahmed is also the custodian of a similar style. They play in a conventional and orthodox style. Their style of playing is similar to our cricket of gullies, mohallas and maidans.
But, nowadays, it seems to be missing. The attributes, for which they were known best has somewhere disappeared from the scene. It is in a deplorable state. Cricket not being played in Pakistan, due to terrorist activities, paralysis of their system, mismanagement of the board, tussle within their camps, disputes, financial problem, disappointing performances.What more!!!! Their cricket is not as enjoyable as before. For, this reason, India-Pakistan flicks are not as exciting anymore, and it is becoming one-sided(There was a time, not very long ago, when Pakistan thrashed India). What they lack now is spirit, aggression, intensity, enthusiasm, passion, charged body-language. Heavy stalwarts are not there any more. Imran, Miandad, Akram, Waqar, Afridi(only playing T-20's) were custodian of aggresive cricket. They are extra-ordinary personalities and their presence was enough to lift the morale of the team and boost them. There was a brilliant opening pair of Aamir Sohail and Saeed Anwar. In the middle order, there were old-fashioned, yet handy and capable batsmen like Salim Malik and Ijaaz Ahmed, and henceforth, classy batsmen and legends like Mohammad Yousuf and Inzamam-Ul-Haq. Adding to that, very capable and technically correct Younis Khan. Then, boom-boom Afridi, noisy yet captivating Moin Khan, all-rounders like rustyAzhar Mahmood, very useful Abdul Razzaq and majestic Akram, the champion of 'doosra' Saqlain Mushtaq, Mushqi(Mushtaq Ahmed), sultan of swing, Waqar Younis, and how to forget last but definitely not the least, Rawalpindi express, Shoaib Akhtar. Since, the baton of captaincy passed over to Inzy(Inzamam-ul-Haq), the performance of the unit deteriorated. Then, Shoaib Malik, a good-strategy maker and a fine player could not bring the glory of before. Shahid Afridi(one of the best entertainer of all times) could not fare much better, but, his leadership in T-20's has been great. Mohammad Hafeez, the professor, also fared better as a leader in T-20s. Then, matured Misbah-Ul-Haq captained the team, but his track-record has not been that great(though, he has very well led the Test side) and now Azhar Ali.
Apart, from their cricket, Pakistani pop-songs, their Urdu, beauty of the Pakistani girls, Lahore have fascinated me. Revolutionary icons in Pakistan are most admired. Allama-Iqbal, Muhammad Iqbal, Qaid-e-Azam(Muhammad Ali Jinnah, Mohsin-e-Pakistan, Abdul Qadeer, intellectuals like Najam Sethi, Hassan Nissar, queen of pop-music Nazia Hassan, Junaid Jamshed(Vital Signs, and unforgettable, Dil Dil Pakistan), Sajjad Ali, Ali Azmat(Sayyonee), Ali Haider(Purani Jeans), Ali Zafar(Channo), Shazia Manzoor, etc[all music], Asma Jahangir, Sabeen Mahmud, Zarina Baloch, Malala Yousafzai(Human rights), Imran Khan, Javed Miandad, Wasim Akram, Shahid Afridi, Shoaib Akhtar(cricket). I feel a short-wave and spark of revolution in South-Asia and particularly Indian subcontinent comes from Pakistan(strange, it may sound).
Revamp of cricket in the nation would be great for them and provide a new lease of life to the country as a whole. From their extraordinary skills, their cyborg, their heroes, their good-looks, style blended with loudness and rowdiness, aggressiveness, tactics. All these attributes have captured our imagination for long. Well, we have truly enjoyed seeing them play and would love seeing them regain the form.
Even if, South-Africa is the best of the lot(best among the green-dressed ones, and in fact one of the best in the world) but, viewing and excitement for Pakistani team is altogether a different experience. There are various reasons attributed to it. Because, it has been far more expressive and aggressive than others, and their expressions attract more because of the resemblances with our people, and being a giant market for cricket. Cricket is more than a sport in Pakistan, like its counterpart, India. But, people in Pakistan are more frenzy and emotional about cricket. I have grown up watching Wasim Akram-Waqar Younis-Shoaib Akhtar-Shahid Aridi-Inzamam -Ul-Haq brand of cricket. Heroics of Imran Khan will always be an inspiration for all, especially Pakistanis. One such instance is of 1992 world-cup. The unit was struggling, they lost their initial matches. They required nothing less than a messiah, who could saviour them from their dismal outing. And, the hero personally appeared in the form of Imran Khan. His advice to the boys,'Fight like a cornered-tiger' did wonders and what happened henceforth, is history. Their aggression, tactics, style, street-smart attitude, rowdiness is what has attracted the most. Wicketkeepers echoing from behind the stumps(Shabaash!!! Shaabash!!! Bowling Mushqi, well-bowled, koi masla nahin, ek aur-ek aur) and appealling as soon as the ball came close to the pads, or there was a slightest miss from the bat is unforgettable. Moin Khan deserves a special mention here. Current wicketkeeper of the side, Sarfaraz Ahmed is also the custodian of a similar style. They play in a conventional and orthodox style. Their style of playing is similar to our cricket of gullies, mohallas and maidans.
Apart, from their cricket, Pakistani pop-songs, their Urdu, beauty of the Pakistani girls, Lahore have fascinated me. Revolutionary icons in Pakistan are most admired. Allama-Iqbal, Muhammad Iqbal, Qaid-e-Azam(Muhammad Ali Jinnah, Mohsin-e-Pakistan, Abdul Qadeer, intellectuals like Najam Sethi, Hassan Nissar, queen of pop-music Nazia Hassan, Junaid Jamshed(Vital Signs, and unforgettable, Dil Dil Pakistan), Sajjad Ali, Ali Azmat(Sayyonee), Ali Haider(Purani Jeans), Ali Zafar(Channo), Shazia Manzoor, etc[all music], Asma Jahangir, Sabeen Mahmud, Zarina Baloch, Malala Yousafzai(Human rights), Imran Khan, Javed Miandad, Wasim Akram, Shahid Afridi, Shoaib Akhtar(cricket). I feel a short-wave and spark of revolution in South-Asia and particularly Indian subcontinent comes from Pakistan(strange, it may sound).
Revamp of cricket in the nation would be great for them and provide a new lease of life to the country as a whole. From their extraordinary skills, their cyborg, their heroes, their good-looks, style blended with loudness and rowdiness, aggressiveness, tactics. All these attributes have captured our imagination for long. Well, we have truly enjoyed seeing them play and would love seeing them regain the form.
Comments
Post a Comment