In sports you win or you lose, for victory or defeat seeming to last forever is not in the scheme of things, and more so in cricket which is said to be a game of glorious uncertainties. We go to the Down Under next month with fervent hope to bring home the 2015 World Cup, but if we don't we shouldn't cry foul. The mega event is contested by the best in the world, and in the ranking quite a few other teams are placed higher than us. But for a change this time, 23 years after we won the World Cup under the skippership of Imran Khan, hopes are high given that the 15-man squad selected for the Cup has the right mixture of vigour and experience to win the Cup. The selections seem to have been made on merit and according to chief selector, Moin Khan, 'preference was given to those who had the ability to (give) performance in tough Australian conditions'. The factors that weighed in with selectors were suitability to play in Australia and New Zealand where pitches are bouncy, performance in international and domestic contests and choices of captain, Misbahul Haq, and head coach of Pakistan team, Waqar Younis. Eight of the selected for the 2015 World Cup played in the last World Cup while the remaining seven are first-timers but have been picked for their recent form. Then there are old timers like Misbah, Afridi and Younis Khan, and the newcomers including Ahmed Shehzad whose performance has been simply stunning. Yet there is some criticism of the selection, but it's well-argued by those in know of things. They ask why Sohail Khan, who had been away from the national cricket for four years and showed up only recently, has been selected. They also wonder that some better record have been left out. Given that a lot of left-handed batsmen would play the 2015 World Cup former Test great Abdul Qadir thinks the selectors 'forgot' to include an off-spinner in the squad.
But there is no such thing as an ideal team here in Pakistan or anywhere else in the cricket world; but "Overall, I think it is the best possible combination of players we have selected," argues Moin Khan, with an 'appeal to every Pakistani to support our team'. The support, people of Pakistan will give aplenty and day one of the World Cup on February 14 when Pakistan meets India on lush green Melbourne Oval. Cricket of today has been aptly described by the veterans a gruelling do-or-die contest under the sharp glare of media, unlike the past when it was the gentleman's game. The biggest challenge to Pakistani cricketers has been fitness and will remain as they would play in Australia and New Zealand. But there are not very many takers of the argument that at 40 an ageing Misbah is a liability. Don't forget that the only time Pakistan won this Cup was in 1992 when the national squad was led by another ageing captain, Imran Khan. It was the same nonchalant skipper who has been able to keep the national squads focused and controversy-free. We look forward to a sparkling cricket by our boys and preparing to receive the glassy trophy.
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