World Cup 2011: Time for Pakistan to shine
The hopes of 170 million Pakistanis rest on 11 shoulders; it's time for our team to unleash their talent!
As we embrace the month of February, cricket fans across the globe wait with bated breath for the 10th edition of the ICC Cricket World Cup, which will be jointly hosted by India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.
In about 10 days, the greatest cricketing spectacle will hold the attention of cricket frenzied fans. The hands of Pakistanis will collectively be lifted in prayer for the victory of a disenchanted nation with suffering. The boys in green, therefore, carry the hopes of a country - a nation that needs smiles on faces that have only worn tension and tears.
The ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 comes at a time when demoralised Pakistanis could really use a trophy and the world championship; even if just to smile and celebrate for a change.
However, the 10th edition holds more significance for Pakistanis, emotional as we are; this is the tournament Pakistan was supposed to co-host with India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.
Whether Pakistan was rightfully stripped of the chance to host matches of this tournament is a debate that transcends cricket. However, what most Pakistani cricket fans may be bitter about is that the last time the World Cup was played in the subcontinent, Muhammad Azharuddin led a combined India-Pakistan line-up in Sri Lanka to prove to the world in general (and Australians in particular) that the country was a safe place to play cricket.
Pakistan would rightly feel aggrieved that no such support has been forthcoming. But the root of the problem, is in our system if not the sprightly “young” man who is chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board.
Fans are praying that the team does well in the World Cup to show the world that our cricket has not decayed and we still have the greatest talent and entertainers in our ranks.
The hopes and prayers of a170 million people rest on eleven shoulders – we expect them to carry the burden.
So team Pakistan, give us a reason to rejoice!
February 4, 2011
Correction: An earlier version of this post stated that the upcoming World Cup is the 9th edition. It is the the 10th edition.
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