ISLAMABAD: Sport brings out both the best and the worst in men and women. One’s inner feelings rise to the surface, be they of racism, parochialism or anger. And sometimes it simply brings out the unity among men. Cricket acts as a binding force in Pakistan, with people of all ages, sects and beliefs, coming together to grieve or rejoice as the situation demands.
It is seldom that cricket-crazy Pakistanis cheer for any team playing against their own side, and that too in the final of a major tournament.
However, that was the case when Pakistan met Bangladesh in the Asia Cup final. The nation prayed for the success of the national team. However, there were many who cheered for Bangladesh, not only because of their brilliant performance throughout the tournament, but also because they genuinely felt for the crowd at the packed Sher-e-Bangla stadium.
How often is it that a match remains so nail-biting right down to the very last ball? And, how often is it that after the final delivery is bowled and your team wins, you still feel a tug at your heart when you see the losing team’s players weep unashamedly. Even in victory, Pakistanis felt the heartbreak that the Bangladesh team and nation went through after such a close encounter. One thing was obvious even to the generation born after 1971. Our two nations still have a common bond that lingers on to this day.
Nighat Kamal Aziz
Published in The Express Tribune, March 27th, 2012.
