It took six full years without cricket at home to unite this country. The T-20 game at the Gaddafi Stadium on Friday was accompanied by chants of joy and expectations across Pakistan and so engrossing was the non-cricketing part of it that it appeared at points during the match as if some Pakistani players were finding it tough to overcome the sentiment and concentrate on the game.

It was an entertaining, brisk-paced game. Pakistan won. But entertainment value and winning were not that important on the night. The intent was to prove to two audiences apart — the outside world and closer to home the spoilsports out to disrupt normal life — our ability to continue our love affair with cricket.

Read: Pakistan seal victory in first T20 against Zimbabwe

Over and above this, it was a collective statement by people from all regions, walks of life and affiliations to live by our own popular code that has taken so long and so many influences to evolve.

A full celebration will have to wait until the completion of the tour by the Zimbabweans later this month but the organisation of the first game was big enough for statements to pour in from everywhere.

Apart from the greetings that were lavished on the team the spirit of goodwill in this instance extended to the oft-maligned cricket board as well.

Gripped by a sense of expectancy, the fans were willing to forget the ‘blunders’ the board is infamous for, and the board seemed rightfully proud of this achievement. And indeed the prime minister was there to claim a share in the credit.

The statements by the top leadership of the country, while they hailed the return of cricket, could perhaps have carried greater praise for the men of the moment — the brave Zimbabwean team.

Also read: Zimbabwe cricket team arrives in Lahore on historic tour

The message by the prime minister proudly reminded everyone how government policies against militancy had helped the cause of the game and the people of Pakistan. The people of the country will be hoping the prime minister will have reason to repeat the claim frequently in the days to come.

Published in Dawn, May 24th, 2015

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