KARACHI: Three days after Pakistan went down to Sri Lanka in the Asia Cup final in Dubai, breaking hearts across their fan base after emerging as the heavy tournaments favourites, another national squad has won a World Cup in Australia.

This squad beat New Zealand on Wednesday to be crowned champions of the inaugural Over 60 World Cup, played in the scenic city of Sunshine Coast, Queensland.

Given a paltry 173-run target to chase in 45 overs, Pakistan crossed the finish line with 20 balls and seven wickets to spare, thanks to a solid batting show by Syed Ghaffar Kazmi and Mohammad Aslam, who contributed 71 and 70 respectively, while combining for 111 runs for the third wicket.

Earlier, Mohammad Yaqoob and Syed Saghir Abbas’ opening spells had the Kiwis stuttering at 38-4 before Russel Drake (51) and Michael Johnston (45) carried out a rescue effort to help New Zealand post a respectable total.

The fact that this group was made up of men past their retirement ages is probably enough to kill the hype surrounding the achievement. However, it is also true that Pakistan became champions after beating sides which boast proper veterans cricket systems.

On their way to the final, Pakistan were triumphant against their Pool ‘B’ opponents West Indies (by 24 runs), Rest Of The World (by 43 runs) and South Africa (by three wickets). They lost to New Zealand in the pool match by 44 runs on D/L method, while their group fixture against the United States was called off due to rain.

Pakistan’s performance in the first round earned them a place in the semi-finals — the national team’s goal coming into the tournament. Beating Australia in the fixture was when Pakistan surprised themselves and realised they could have a go at the World Cup trophy.

The game went down to the last over and ended up in a one-wicket, thrilling win for Pakistan after a batting collapse that saw them from being at 161-3 in the 33rd over to nine down with 18 to win.

“The Australian dressing room was in a state of shock,” Pakistan captain Fawad Ijaz Khan told Dawn.

It wasn’t only Australia who were shocked. The result was equally unpredictable for Pakistan.

“In countries like Australia and England, there are around 70, 80 veteran cricket teams,” said Fawad. “In Pakistan we have hardly four and we play 25-over cricket whereas it’s the 45-over format here.”

It was pure motivation and the experience of some “Pakistan-level” players, Fawad believed, that led the country’s Over 60 side to achieve the feat.

Fawad said the Pakistan players had prepared rigorously for the tournament by working on their fitness having a goal to perform, one of the reasons he believed veteran cricket culture should be promoted in the country.

“I’m 65 and I have been going to the gym for the last three months and have reduced my weight by 10-12 kgs,” he said. “This is how the urge to compete can keep you going. We couldn’t have imagined our parents playing sport at 60 years of age.”

Fawad, who is also the chairman of the Pakistan Veterans Cricket Association, said the country had also won honours at the Over 40 and Over 50 stage. He said the PVCA was working to expand the veteran cricket culture, which is mostly limited to Karachi.

Published in Dawn, September 15th, 2022