We often take the five day cricket as just a form of entertainment, but the truth is that playing a sport consisting of more than 40 hours of match time says volumes about each and every personality on the field, and with my fascination of humans around me, there is always a chance to learn from everyone everywhere.
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| It requires blood, sweat and tears to succed at any level |
Bob Willis may not be a popular person in Pakistan right now, but his one comment today really struck a chord with me. Comparing the English and Pakistani players, he said that apart from Saeed Ajmal and Younis Khan there are no other players in this team who can be said as glitzy stars of cricket. Even barring Ajmal none will feature in a world eleven. But as a combined package, they are head and shoulders above the current world number one.
This is one key lesson that the political superstar Niazi of nowadays can learn from the level headed humble Niazi of cricket. The recipe for success is not about the glamour and glitz of your own personality and individual team members, in fact completely contrary to that, it is in the humbleness, dedication and unity of your companions.
For Misbah and Co, the one enduring feeling that has given them the grit to grind out from the toughest scenarios of cricket is the pain of loss. Not only on field losses to many teams throughout the previous years, but the loss of a captain, a future star, a genius of a bowler and more importantly the loss of respect. Of all the pains a person can endure, the pain of losing credibility and self-respect is the hardest to swallow.
I frankly am not much of a fan of Umar Akmal, but the lasting image of him sitting on the pavilion balcony in Dubai last year with teary eyes after nearly steering Pakistan to victory against Sri Lanka says a lot about this current crop of players. They understand and feel the 'pain of loss' and thus do whatever is possible in their capacity to avoid it.
And it’s not so surprising that Pakistan as a nation also has endured the pain of loss more than any other nation in this world. We've lost 35,000 human lives, our peace, our sense of security, our economic stability, our right to host international teams and above all our respect as a nation in the world. People who have travelled abroad will understand it much better than anyone else that what level of respect is shown to the 'green passport holders'. Imran has promised to turn the tide, but the question is; can he do this with his current party attitude?
Imran Khan needs to learn from his Nazi neighbour. If he wants to really change the fortunes of this nation as Misbah has done for the cricket team, he need to realise that it is only possible with a unique blend of reassuring seniors and talented youngsters. Imran has taken on the path of collecting old 'Political Superstars' in the name of creating an election winning party, but the fact is a galactica of superstars can never achieve anything substantial. The best example is of the megastars of Indian team, currently on a losing streak not matched by many in the recent years, the only reason is the fact that they still are relying on the array of ‘Old Superstars’ who are well past their prime.
So Mr Khan, please realise that in their hardest times nations can only rise with humbleness, dedication and unity. Not with any ‘glamorous political performances’ or loud singing and cheering, its blood sweat and tears that differentiates winners from losers. Each and every political ‘gaddi nasheen’ of Pakistan may end up joining you at some stage; you may even win a two third majority in the coming elections via the aid of these heavyweights. But if you really want to deliver anything for this country, please build personalities around you - not just persona and glamour.
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| Political Legharis, Qureshis and Tareens are no better than cricketing Tendulkars, Dravids and Laxmans |
