Perfect in every way

Published October 26, 2021

GLORIOUS. Gratifying. Liberating. Pakistan’s thumping victory over India in their opening fixture of the T20 World Cup on Sunday night was all that, and more. It was the 13th time the arch-rivals clashed at a World Cup with India having won all the previous encounters. This time, though, the scars of the past didn’t matter; the cobwebs were dusted off.

This time, this squad — with eight players making their debut at a T20 World Cup — didn’t show they had been overburdened by the weight of history or expectations. There was a sense of serenity, a sense of calm not generally associated with the Pakistan team, as Babar Azam’s men cruised to a 10-wicket win. It was one of those days when everything came together in the perfect manner. The bowlers, led by the effervescent Shaheen Shah Afridi, the fielders, and the batters, Babar and Mohammad Rizwan, all delivered. The UAE has been a home away from home for the team for long. And it showed.

Read: 5 takeaways from Pakistan's historic humbling of India

Pakistan had gone into the tournament knowing that the India clash was a chance to make a statement. A month before, cricket in the country had been dealt a body blow when New Zealand cut short their tour citing security concerns and England followed suit. PCB chief Ramiz Raja had asked the players to channel their anger at the tournament and they responded superbly. Crucially, they didn’t lose their heads for almost the entirety of the match; apart from a few moments late into the Indian innings. More importantly, there remains a sense that this was just one match and not the end of the road. That was evident from what Babar told his team in the dressing room after the victory.

He said that this was just the beginning, that the World Cup wasn’t just about the India-Pakistan clash even if the fixture had overshadowed almost every other thing, every other game. He said the focus shouldn’t shift, that the victory should spur them on to do even better in their second Group-II fixture against New Zealand on Tuesday. A victory against New Zealand would not only increase their chances of making the semi-finals but also burnish Pakistan’s credentials, with the team having already been installed as favourites by Australian spin legend Shane Warne.

Read: Pakistan vs New Zealand: 5 reasons why Black Caps should be very worried about tonight's T20 clash

That is the tag that Pakistan didn’t have going into the match against India. They were the underdogs then but against New Zealand, it will be a different matter. There is the added pressure of avenging the damage New Zealand caused by leaving without playing their scheduled series in September. Babar was quick to remind his players against excessively dwelling on the victory against India and letting their guard down. He said that the ultimate aim was to win the World Cup. The victory against India has set the tone for that. Now they have to keep that momentum going.

Published in Dawn, October 26th, 2021

Opinion

Editorial

Military convictions
Updated 22 Dec, 2024

Military convictions

Pakistan’s democracy, still finding its feet, cannot afford such compromises on core democratic values.
Need for talks
22 Dec, 2024

Need for talks

FOR a long time now, the country has been in the grip of relentless political uncertainty, featuring the...
Vulnerable vaccinators
22 Dec, 2024

Vulnerable vaccinators

THE campaign to eradicate polio from Pakistan cannot succeed unless the safety of vaccinators and security personnel...
Strange claim
Updated 21 Dec, 2024

Strange claim

In all likelihood, Pakistan and US will continue to be ‘frenemies'.
Media strangulation
Updated 21 Dec, 2024

Media strangulation

Administration must decide whether it wishes to be remembered as an enabler or an executioner of press freedom.
Israeli rampage
21 Dec, 2024

Israeli rampage

ALONG with the genocide in Gaza, Israel has embarked on a regional rampage, attacking Arab and Muslim states with...