This year I saw my first live cricket match at the national stadium in Karachi — the Pakistan Super League Final. That was one game definitely worth watching. Whilst travelling to the stadium with a colleague, I was made aware of how smoothly the PCB with the Rangers, Sindh Police traffic had set up the entire process. From my drop off point, I took the shuttle provided till the gate. I was searched professionally without being made to feel uncomfortable, I was asked to stand in lines for checking and, more checking and then one more checking till I was a bit unsure how many times I could’ve reloaded my handbag. But I do understand protocol. Queue lines went smoothly and nobody cut in. At some point, somebody got me tea and we all shared food with those around us. We cheered at the right prompts, all in good fun; I made friends with children seated next to me who seemed to have made me their aunty.
We were imbued with a sense of national spirit as the players and even performances had the crowd roaring with excitement. People played musical chairs at points but that was sorted peacefully as well. Sounds like a movie scene doesn’t it? In a style befitting a sports match in a stadium, my colleague got threatened as well, as he objected to a blockade by a chair. Here I got to hear threats like “My Abbu is such and such and I’m so and so.” What excitement for my first time at a match! Random hooliganism by the son of a somebody! The entire box seemed to be full of such people. These were actual people who were happily enjoying the match and did not feel the need to display their power because they just wanted to watch a cricket match. We decided to laugh it off and went back to enjoying the event. Eventually, the Quetta Gladiators won the final and people went home happy for them or disappointed.
Preceding the PSL Final, excitement had already been produced a day before that Cricket is coming home and the PSL in entirety would be played next time on home ground. By the time I had called my Careem ride back, the article I had started to write had changed itself.
I agree that the PSL should come to Pakistan in its entirety. But perhaps pragmatism is also needed. There must be practicality dedicated to the results after the roar. PSL matches held in Pakistan will bring many social and economic changes, as well as investment. But are we really ready? I believe correct marketing and media will tell us that we are.
PSL matches held in Pakistan will bring many social and economic changes, as well as investment. But are we really ready?
The initial fear of going into an arena with several thousand highly strung fans with the security that people are always unsure of was completely alleviated. Initially, I was a bit overwhelmed as I had never sat through something like this, but when I looked around I was alright, and I got home fine. This year, PSL 4 saw the most amount of footfall. As Pakistanis we see the sense of nationalism come alive alongside the onset of cricket and amplified through it. PSL as a tournament has now happily inculcated itself almost as a social and cultural festival in Pakistan. The effort behind the coordination of such a large event by the PCB cannot be ignored (thank you Ehsan Mani) neither can the enthusiasm of its main patrons, HBL who yes see it as a marketing strategy saw it through successfully and with great organisation.
Cricket is an integral part of Pakistani culture. Sportsmen have become philanthropists, brand ambassadors and now even Prime Ministers. The sync from sports to politics must be an oddity to the world but it has suited us well so far. In PSL, The joy it brings to have the teams set up with Pakistani as well as foreign legends participating give this tournament extra zest. Even people who do not follow the game follow the news updates. One comment that has stayed in my head “in the end — Pakistan wins!” This is true, it is one event (apart from beating our neighbours) where we see Pakistanis unite and rise above.
We must stand with the thousands of men that are sent far away from their homes in order to protect us so that we the nation can sleep at night. They are the real heroes of the nation. They leave their entire lives, children and families sometimes are posted in gruelling situations and have earned their uniforms. The Rangers that stood there that day were standing for hours; they had to be alert about each and every detail that came by them, whether it was a claim of teasing or a skirmish or assistance for direction. They would have to handle each situation with care alongside the police.
To the crowd in the box and the stadium, wherever you are, aunties, uncles, grandmothers, couples, children and members of the press, thank you for being such a good audience to be amongst. To the ladies of Sindh Police, thank you for your patience and commitment to duty. I knew it was difficult to do this as you had thousands of incoming visitors to search for hours on end.
Thank you to the city government and local authorities who stood every few blocks till the end of the night on guard ensuring my safety. Thank you to the teams, our foreign guests, the organisers inside and outside the stadium to the set props the food courts and to the janitors. Thank you, Karachi.
To the real Captain and Leader of this country, sir, you have inherited some very uneven ground. The task before you is daunting and must be delivered and the nation salutes you as each scenario or judgement brings you a new test for each inning you play in the game of politics.
This is not a challenge posed to question you but the welcoming of a new world, an idea that you gave to us. The question is not are we ready for PSL? PSL will be a feather in a cap for many and hopefully a long line of wins. This is only the beginning.
The question is, are you ready for this field given to you beyond the grounds of cricket? And you have a lot of fields to cover. Let me put it clearly, we are your team.
This is very real with millions of lives at stake. This will be a game of strategy, thought and command by a great leader.
You will be that closure for generations, which have been left without justice. There are minorities which have been left hanging with assurances but no deliverance. Promises of rivers of milk and gardens of bliss, unreal expectations given by false leaders but never the construction of food, community, houses let alone water to drink. You gave us the promise of something recognisably real. The question is, will you be a game changer for this nation? The game changer we need for a different game?
