This team is an embarrassment, a joke, a car wreck, and train wreck, all combined into one
NEW YORK, USA: Yet again this season, Pakistan cricket underachieved and served as a microcosm for the more serious problems plaguing the nation. This defeat at the hands of Bangladesh in the 2016 Asia Cup was different. To say that Bangladesh simply eliminated Pakistan from the tournament is equivalent to saying that power outages are only a minor, non-substantive hiccup in the daily lives of Pakistanis. Nay, Bangladesh did not simply eliminate Pakistan from contention; Bangladesh embarrassed and unceremoniously dumped Pakistan from the tournament. The only thing more embarrassing would be if Bangladesh literally packed our cricket team’s bags and drove them to the airport.
As die-hard Pakistan cricket fans, we continuously stress loyalty and supporting the Men in Green through the good, the bad, and the ugly. This time, with an instant gut-check, it does not seem right to support the team, management, and the hierarchal set-up. It’s not about losing faith in the players, per se. It’s about losing faith in the implementation of a fair, well-constructed, and merit-based process; the same process which saw the birth of an independent Pakistan.
The PCB set-up takes advantage of us. It knows that fans like us across the globe will wake up before dawn, skip work, and ruin our weekends following the team. Realising how important cricket is to us, they take advantage of our patriotism by milking the gravy train for personal gains.
Half the players on the team do not legitimately understand the honour in representing Pakistan cricket. It’s one thing to boast about it on social media with hollow words and selfies, but it’s another matter altogether to realise the depth of the honour that comes with wearing the Gold Star on your head and heart. These players do not realise the contribution of Pakistan’s former sportsmen, common people and common workers made so that these cricketers have the opportunity to don the national colours. Shoaib Akhtar aptly said that he never once let his cap touch the ground, because he never wanted to see the Pakistan Star touch the floor. Such is the true embodiment of Pakistan cricket and Pakistan.
The current team has no semblance of this reality or any shame. For example, Shahid Afridi can do no wrong and can escape all accountability. The majority of the personnel in the PCB, having received their positions due to party or government connections, are indulging in favouritism and nepotism. Another example is the possible recall of Ahmed Shehzad into the team. These players know for sure they will be back after a series or two, and will do nothing in the interim to improve their game for the betterment of the team and the nation. Most players meander along, filling their pockets before the well runs dry, promoting their products, and increasing their visibility to potential advertisers and sponsors.
This team is an embarrassment, a joke, a car wreck, and train wreck, all combined into one. We deserve better.
Bilal Chaudhry
Published in The Express Tribune, March 6th, 2016.
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