GO PAK - Why I want Pakistan to win this World Cup

Back in '87 my dad brought home a copy of Sunday magazine (of the Anand Bazar group of publications) and on it's cover was a dapper Imran Khan in coat and suit. The cover story, I remember made compelling reading although I dont remember much of what was written. I'm sure it was all about how much he meant to Pak cricket (duh !!) and what a chick magnet he was. I remember a picture of Imran with Parmeshwar Godrej who probably coaxed him into doing a spot for Godrej soaps. That issue of Sunday which made me seek a copy of Imran's autobiography is what led to my fascination with Pakistani cricket. That also quelled, to a certain extent, the loathing I'd developed for Pak cricket after THAT six which Miandad had somehow pulled out of his ..er, hat.

In 1992, I was among a minority of one in a crowd of 10 that watched the World Cup Final at a friend's house in Madras. All through the match there was this back and forth between me and the rest. I was a traitor they said and as the match progressed, far worse things. I couldnt care less. To me all that mattered was that a team from the sub-continent was going up against a Colonial power and hence needed to win. I was ecstatic when Wasim took two in two. Mushtaq turned and teased. The incredulous expressions of the English batsmen was priceless. Oh, how I loved it.

There's the stable of fast bowlers that's such an envy on this side of the border. I mean, they are essentially the same as us but how is it that they produce all these great bowlers? Rahul Bhattacharya throws some light on this subject in Pundits of Pakistan but back in the day this was a big mystery. I'm sure everyone else wondered too. There were insinuations by the English of ball tampering which was typical English - point fingers and hide their own inadequacies against top quality swing. And surprisingly now Dan Vettori has decided to renew the allegations against Umar Gul. What a shame.

Then there's Shoaib. You cant party all offseason and dream of bowling 100 mph over 5 days. The guy doesnt even last 4 overs these days. Talk about waste of talent. You are just left to ponder the what ifs with him and partner-in-crime Mohammed Asif. Imagine Cheech and Chong bowling alongside Umar Gul. That'd be a heady cocktail. Unfortunately the two were interested in cocktails of a different kind. You must wonder had these two played in Imran's regime would they have been led astray?

Much has been written about the system in Sri Lanka - their competetive school-level cricket which is breeding grounds for their internationals. Australia has it's cricket academy and top-class domestic cricket. England and India have very good domestic systems as well. Even Bangladesh has invested heavily in cricket development. Pakistan doesnt even have a stable Board so one can imagine how it is at the lower levels. With a dysfunctional board and no structure to speak of it's amazing how they produce top quality cricketers. And it shows on the field. Their fielding is abysmally poor for a top flight team. There are days when you wonder if they should be playing cricket at all (e.g the test against Australia in Sharjah a few years back when they were dismissed for under 60 in both innings of a test). But boy can they turn it on !! Especially in formats such as this World Cup where they possess a knack for running into form at the right time. Seriously what makes them tick? Passion? Pride?

These last few years have been tough on Pakistan cricket but I really hope it survives. They are short on international competition and now there's talk of playing home matches in England. Now, it's not the same as playing in your backyard. Or is it? How many really watched the tests during India's historic tour in 2004? They'll certainly attract the crowds in England. An India-Pakistan test at Old Trafford is a mouth watering prospect.

Lifting the World Cup would be a great shot in the arm for Pakistan cricket. We need the romanticism of Pakistani cricket, their ability to thrill and disappoint in equal measure. Indian fans, I'm sure would like to see the rivalry between the two nations continue. While we gloat that we have a clean record in World Cups against our archrivals, Pakistan has done one better than us by getting to their 4th World Cup Final. They can get even on the wins if they clinch it on Sunday. And as they endevor to do so, they can count on the support of atleast one person from across the border.
(I started writing this during the warmups, before the WC started but didnt finish it. Then I thought it'd be apt to finish and post it now that Pak has made it to the finals).