PAKISTAN’S final-over win against arch-rivals India in the Asia Cup on Sunday has sent the nation into a state of euphoria besides putting Misbah-ul-Haq’s men firmly on the path to the tournament’s final. All-rounder Shahid Afridi’s exhilarating display with the bat not only helped Pakistan pull off the improbable win in Dhaka, it also revived memories of Javed Miandad hoisting a last-ball six off Chetan Sharma in 1989 in that famous victory at Sharjah. Quite uncannily, the target set for Pakistan on both occasions was 245. Afridi, however, went one better as he overcame his chequered form to hit back-to-back sixes with two balls to spare to win the nail-biting contest for his team. While both Pakistan and India fielded a number of youngsters in their team for the key clash, the age-old idiom of ‘old is gold’ was proven right by veteran Afridi, who had his skipper’s faith in him vindicated by coming good at crunch time. The victory also serves as sweet revenge for Pakistan after their junior squad was recently outplayed by India in the Under-19 World Cup in Dubai. More importantly, the win gives the beleaguered nation something to cheer about amid the violence and terrorism that have rocked the country during the past decade or so. There are other factors to be overcome, such as the recent upheavals in Pakistan cricket, which make it quite difficult for the players to concentrate on their game. For them to hold their nerve, therefore, in a pressure game like the one played on Sunday is all the more commendable.

The celebrations that followed were, indeed, awesome and in keeping with the feat accomplished. However, fans resorting to aerial firing — as opposed to the fireworks that are the norm elsewhere — is a dangerous trend that must be checked. Pakistan is likely to face Sri Lanka in the final, and the Greenshirts will surely be looking to avenge their earlier defeat against the Islanders by successfully defending the Asia Cup title on Saturday.