A jubiliant Pakistan team after they beat Sri Lanka in the final at Lord's.
Well, Pakistan has won it, beating Sri Lanka in an unexpectedly (though thankfully) easily fought final, and one wonders if there still is something to the sport in the country. For over a decade the Pak teams have basked under the former glory of the tigers of ’92, and presented their fans with a lot more hope in each tournament than they actually had themselves.
The win brings with it a wave of joy across a country that is caught between a rock and a hard place. The turmoil of the general public in Pakistan is still continuing with the Taliban being at war with the government. President Zardari lashes out at the US policies ever since the Soviet Afghan war, and then asks the world for financial aid and free trade. The Swat Valley is being controlled by the Taliban and so far 1200 Pakistani soldiers have died trying to take it back. But for one day, euphoria took over, stock markets were bullish and the people lay aside their troubles to wave the green flag of hope.
A flag I hope will keep flying, not only in terms of cricket, but for the nation’s future too.
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