Mohali: The agony and the ecstacy (VI)

ISLAMABAD: Perhaps not since 1992 has our national cricket team inspired the country as it did during the course of the current World Cup. Needless to say, Afridi led from the front and inspired his team to be the fighting unit they are. He believed in them, supported them when the chips were down, and they rewarded him with respect and performance. Coming fresh out of match-fixing scandals that rocked the team’s composition, it is amazing the way they fought to a well-deserved place in the semi-finals.

One only has to look at yesterday’s papers and, indeed, various social networking sites to see the support coming in from all quarters for the team, despite the loss, showing that the team, along with its valiant leader, gave the nation something to truly believe in. As a leader, Afridi has shown how much believing in your team counts and we can all learn from this. Let us not be fickle fair-weather supporters, loving them when they’re winning and hating them when they lose. Team, we love you and support you. You inspired us and, win or lose, we’ve got your back. You’re the champions of our hearts.

Faez Roger

Published in The Express Tribune, April 01^st, 2011.