There are thousands of aspects where Pakistanis are divided, but cricket is not one of them. Despite intense criticism from certain political figures with a huge following, the nation seems to be unperturbed as cricket returns to the homeland.
The second edition of Pakistan Super League (PSL) started with huge expectations. The spot-fixing controversy and the terror attacks in Pakistan did take some sting out of the excitement, but it didn’t dent the passion of cricket-starved nation. Perhaps, it was the same love that forced the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and the authorities to goahead with the final in Lahore.
Over the past three weeks, the friendly city rivalries were revived through a topic that Pakistanis love the most. With all the highs and lows the season saw amid the events both in Dubai and here in Pakistan, the cricket lovers stayed united to protect their league. For a moment, all the political rivalries and enmities seemed to have been forgotten, and it was all about Pakistan. The entertainment deprived people of Pakistan, for whom even small occasions of happiness have become more than that.
Overall, one game with a security only accorded to the highest dignitaries will not solve countries problems. The division may be by socio-economic background, language, sect, education, religion, politics or mere opinion but there is no denying the fact that nothing united this nation more than cricket.
As the two finalists descend to Gaddafi Stadium Lahore, it’s no less than a Super Bowl moment for Pakistanis. PSL is perhaps the most discussed topic in every gathering including the top-trending topics on social media in Pakistan. Even those people who have never followed the game are adding to the social media banter going on for the past three weeks. Although the preparation leading up to the final had made the citizens of Lahore uncomfortable with certain roads leading to the stadium being closed, the support for the authorities has only increased. People from across the country have been thronging to Lahore to witness an auspicious moment in Pakistan’s cricketing history. They say there is nothing that boosts patriotism in Pakistan quite like a Pakistan-India cricket match, rightly so. But it is perhaps the charm of the game and affinity for the game; similar has been on display for the past few days amid the preparations for the final. This time the patriotism is a uniting message for the people of Pakistan and an outright rejection of the fear that the enemies of Pakistan wanted to create among the citizens. That kind of enthusiasm is rare. Maybe this game is a symbol of hope for a country that is often disappointed but is striving very hard. This is the unity that Pakistan need to resolve the chronic problems it has been facing. But for now, it is time to sitback and enjoy the festivities of the season.
