Cricket fever that had kept the whole population of the sub-continent in its grip for a major portion of the last couple of years, and reached a stage of delirium on Wednesday, March 30, came to a shuddering halt in Pakistan late that evening when our cricket team under Shahid Afridi lost the semi-final to arch-foes 'India' after a tense and nail-biting encounter at Mohali.
Although I don't believe conditions were any different in the neighbouring country so far as popular hype goes, but in Pakistan it reached an almost incredible show of national unity and expectations, not witnessed in ages. From the eldest to the youngest child just learning to speak, anywhere and in any station of life, there was but one aim - pray for Pakistani team's victory. The government declared a half-holiday, educational institutions were closed, the markets shut, and the usually busy streets wore a deserted look.
Afternoon traffic was off the streets, and every body sat glued to the TV screen watching their heroes under "Boom Boom Afridi" putting up a disappointing display of insouciance that belied the grand build-up over the last so many years. The spectators at Mohali grounds included the Prime Ministers of the two countries besides a host of other dignitaries and a crowd of enthusiasts - including the ever-present 'Chacha of Pakistan cricket' waving the Pakistan Flag in his trade-mark green robes.
The spectators in multifarious hues of apparel presented a kaleidoscope of colours and adornments in the festive atmosphere under tight security, rooting for their national teams. On paper India was the top-favourite globally, but in Pakistan, Indian-held Kashmir, and elsewhere in the world where Pakistan nationals or people of Pak origin reside, continuous prayers were being made for a Pakistan win.
With their record of inconsistencies and un-predictability, Pakistan did what cynics thought was inevitable - they snatched defeat out of the jaws of victory, to the huge gloom of their fans. Dropped catches and a lacklustre batting reduced Pakistan to the losing end of an easily achievable target. People's chagrin at the outcome can only be compared to a deflated tyre. What more can one say. Every sport has winners or losers, but disappointing hundreds of millions of supporters through inept performance cannot be forgiven.