Why I’m interested in cricket, once again.

This year’s world cup was different for me, I wasn’t interested. Somehow I was cynical and pessimistic from the start. I was unaware of the team which would represent us and aloof from the details of the groupings, the score boards, the qualifying rounds. With friends and family around with ‘cricket fever’ I wasn’t inclined to indulge in the excitement.I based my pessimism on the past performance of our team. With life bans, dope tests, match fixing allegations, ball tampering and in discipline exhibited by our players, I was disappointed.

I was being constantly informed that the team was performing extremely well. Then came the much talked about match, Pakistan vs Australia. I was convinced that Aussies would blow our team but to my surprise, it was our ‘boys’ who played extremely well and crushed Australia’s 34 match winning streak.

I then saw Pakistan play against the West Indies, I was hopeful yet again. The performance of the team was unbelievable, everything was in place. it seemed the  team had left no room for mistakes, with their balling, batting and fielding at par. leaving the Indies in shock. I was proud of the team even though the main battle was ahead of us. The match that excites the world, leaves adrenalin pumping and brings emotion into play like never before. It was the ‘final before the final’ India Vs Pakistan playing the Semi Finals in Mohali.

The country was excited,ready and united. With screenings all over the cities, the young and old gathered together to witness the moment. I was happy to see the country united as one.

Unfortunately the result wasn’t in our favor. Pakistan wasn’t on top of its game, with 5 lives spared to Sachin Tendulkar, misfields and dropped catches, along with a weak batting side that wasn’t able to chase a total of 260. We lost the Semi finals to India, but i wasn;t disappointed.

I somehow felt that reaching this far for a team which has seen so many ups and downs was commendable. Shahid Afridi displayed great captaincy and apologized to the nation in the end, for he knew how much it meant to the country. And so I feel that without dissecting and criticizing everything that we saw in the match, we should appreciate the team for coming this far and bringing glory back to the game and the team.