Bravo, champs !!!!

Afghanistan was amazing, as we have seen in the recently-held arise Asia cup!!!

Players, brought up in those refugee camps of Pakistan, witnessing war, longing for peace, and identity, had to fight.  They had to fight against all the odds. And they did it, bringing hopes for a war- ravaged country. Kabul rejoiced that night, after a long time. Sounds of firecrackers were heard in the distance and nobody thought it was some Kalashnikov. The whole country smiled, and it was made through the great game of Cricket!!

Every nationality, race or a human being longs for recognition. That is why all of us need icons in everything. It is an effective tool to forget all of our sadness, desperation and negativity. That is why diego Maradona makes people hopeful. That is why people used to cry whenever Sachin Tendulkar walks back. That is why Sports is important in cultivating a national consciousness.

Cricket is a game of patience. You need to be patient here, because it is not you playing there then. A nation will be waiting for you, listening to you and praying for you. In 1983, a wiry captain called Kapil Dev created history by beating the strongest team back then. It was the beginning of a sensation. In 1992, Imran khan marched along with his 11 warriors to eternal glory. In 1996, Arjuna Ranatunga created history by winning the world cup. You need to be creative, patient and calm here. You msut be attentive and imaginative. It is a game of hearts.

The same I felt when those brave Afghans defeated a test-playing team- Bangladesh in the Asia cup. They have suffered a lot to reach there. They didn’t want to win a trophy there, but it was a matter of identity. They just wanted to tell the whole world that their country was more than those Molotov Cocktails or Kalashnikovs.

Today cricket has been played in so many countries. Some of them like Papua New Guinea and Nepal have been really impressive too. I was happy to see a batsman like Tony Ura from the remotest part of that region. They look very promising and hard working too. I was touched by the amazing support from people for the Nepal cricket team. It is very evident from the cheerings and encouragements for

them whenever they play.

It might be preposterous to say to day, that one day all of them would become global superpowers in Cricket. It is so because cricket needs nourishment too. They need more exposure, more media promotion and encouragement. But I hope one day we will see many new countries playing amazing cricket.

I salute all heroes and upcoming heroes of this amazing game!!! Let all of them may be able to play, grow and make us smile

Or that is my dream !