PSL: Unifying a divided nation

Unfortunately, as a nation, Pakistan is easily divided. That division may be by socio-economic background, language, sect, education, religion, politics or mere opinion but there is no denying the fact that in today’s time very little unites Pakistan. Fortunately, cricket is one of those very few and rare things that do.

Even though I have never been a big cricket fanatic but it fascinates me how this game has always brought people together. They say there is nothing that boosts patriotism in our country quite like an India-Pakistan cricket match and rightly so. But, it is not something about Pakistan and India that excites the masses; the real charm lies in game of cricket. This game has an appeal that gets people out of their homes, on streets, in cafes, in grounds, in foreign university clubs thousands of miles away from home to gather and unite together and enjoy the game. That kind of enthusiasm is rare. Maybe this game is a symbol of hope for a country that is disappointed often but is striving very hard. Maybe it’s a sense of achievement for a nation that craves accomplishments and success. Or maybe it’s the passion about this game that thrives in every child who is looking for an avenue to unleash it. Sometimes I feel like cricket has a specific nationalistic element but if you ask any cricket fan, you realise it is much more than that.



So many of us have spent late nights watching cricket matches, Sundays dedicated to test matches and Twenty20s and get-togethers planned to screen cricket with friends and family and all that makes the game an integral part of our lives and the good times we have spent. Pakistan has gone through a lot in the past few months. It began with the tension between Pakistan and India where we felt like we were at the verge of a war and the constant confusion over the panama papers case’s decision, which seems like will never see the light of day. Just when it felt like all was well in terms of security and we started getting excited over the PSL, militant attacks took place in different parts of the country leaving us battered again. At a time like this, the PSL is a blessing in disguise. There has been much debate and criticism about hosting PSL in Pakistan and some of that may make sense too but one cannot deny the fact that the tournament has brought immense happiness to the mundane lives of many. It has united us in ways nothing else could. The PCB executive committee chairman Najam Sethi stated, “The Pakistani nation is peaceful and it will not be blackmailed”, he said giving hope to thousands of people in Pakistan. It is this feeling of hope that the masses crave and need in today’s time.

Pakistan has been starved of international cricket, apart from a short visit by the Zimbabwe cricket team in 2015. Agreed, international cricket’s biggest test is security, which is a challenge in Pakistan right now but a game like this is also an opportunity for our military and government to join hands and prove that they can provide security. Attacks have taken place all over the world including strong regions like Europe and America but no other place has been deprived of sports.



Hosting our matches away from home comes at huge financial costs too. Reduced cost of ticket sales, less sponsorships, cost of players traveling and the decrease in potential tourism are just a few causes of the financial loss. The PCB is estimated to have missed out on $100 million since 2009 and if cricket doesn’t come home soon, the figure is going to continue rising. PSL cannot be compared to big bashes like IPL and it doesn’t come even financially close to them but one can’t ignore its passion. And seeing how that has largely been amiss in the country, it is this passion of PSL that is the need of the hour for Pakistan.

PSL is a reminder of what it feels like to be united as a nation. It is a reminder of what it feels like when everyone; the literate, illiterate, rich poor, Muslims and minorities hope for the same thing. PSL is a reminder that our people can find memories, dreams and happiness in cricket. In cricket, we can find the meaning of hope.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 5^th, 2017.

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