The biggest events of the year
Pakistan were up against it right from the start as they lost to arch-rivals India in their opener by seven wickets, with the batting order posting a target of just 131. But the men in green fought back with wins over Australia and Bangladesh to set up a decider with the West Indies.
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Pakistan’s run at the Street Child World Cup was a surprise package not only for the global audience but even for those watching at home, as the young under-privileged players made their mark on the sport by winning the bronze medal at the seven-a-side U16 championship.
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The biggest sporting event in the world, the 20th World Cup hosted in Brazil, witnessed countless breathtaking moments. Germany lifted the title after a hiatus of 24 years, having finished as runners-up in the 2002 World Cup and third in the 2006 and 2010 editions.
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The recent International Cricket Council (ICC) crackdown on chucking has left Pakistan’s plans in disarray for the 2015 World Cup.
Saeed Ajmal and Muhammad Hafeez, two key players in Pakistan’s ODI line-up, were both suspended by the ICC over ‘illegal bowling actions’. The suspensions have disturbed the team combination and are certainly the biggest low of 2014 as far as Pakistan cricket is concerned.
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Pakistan is often called one of the pioneers of hockey. The Greenshirts boast a plethora of wins over the years: eight Olympic gold medals, four World Cups, 18 Champions Trophy medals and 14 Asian Games medals to name a few.
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One gold, one silver and three bronze medals. Pakistan were able to win only five medals from the 20 disciplines that they took part in.
The country’s half-hearted campaign at the 2014 Incheon Asian Games left much to be desired, doling out more cringe-worthy moments than celebratory ones for those watching back home.
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On the back of being whitewashed 3-0 in the ODI series, there were very few who were giving Pakistan a chance going into the Test series against bogey side Australia.
When the hosts lost both openers with just seven on the board, those watching at home feared the worst. However, it was all Pakistan from there on in one of the most dramatic turnaround in fortune in their recent cricket history, as a Younus Khan hundred on the first day set the tone for what was to come.
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The Pakistan Football Federation hosted its first ever international women’s championship in November, a step that brought teams from seven different countries from the region to Islamabad.
However, the hosts crashed out in the group stages against evidently superior sides but their performances did see them receive plaudits, as India, Sri Lanka and Nepal all praised the way Pakistan played.
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With former IBSF World Champion Muhammad Asif suffering from patchy form, Muhammad Sajjad was forced to take up the mantle as Pakistan’s premier cueist. He delivered in the IBSF World Snooker Championship in India, making it to the final before eventually losing out to 14-year-old Yan Bing Tao.
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Phillip Hughes, Australia’s youngest Test centurion and the youngest to score centuries in both innings of a match, was a player of short stature, who used to relish playing the shorter deliveries.
Having impressed in his debut series against South Africa at Johannesburg in 2009, taking on the likes of Dale Steyn and Morne Morkel, he was full of promise. But consistency issues cost him a regular place in the side in a stop-start career.
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Before the quarter-finals, no one would have predicted the Greenshirts making it this far in the tournament after they lost all three of their group-stage matches to Belgium, Great Britain and Australia.
However, despite that and an otherwise poor past year amidst financial constraints, Pakistan deservedly won their spot in the final four after a superb display against the Netherlands, emerging 4-2 victors.
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Published in The Express Tribune, December 31st, 2014.
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Najam Sethi no longer PCB chief... thats the biggest achievement of 2014 (and all times to come)