Cricket and Pakistan have had a close-knit relationship since the very start. The bond runs so deep that it feels like cricket has lived in our soil...
OPINION
By Mariam Rasheed
Cricket and Pakistan have had a close-knit relationship since the very start. The bond runs so deep that it feels like cricket has lived in our soil longer than memory itself. It’s like when someone asks you what Pakistan is about – the two things that immediately come to mind are either cricket or food.
Cricket holds a cherished place in the hearts of Pakistanis. It’s more than just a sport. It captures the spirit of unity, pride, and unwavering support, woven deeply into the fabric of our culture. It is like a strong magnetic force that pulls the nation together, binding hearts, bridging divides, and igniting a collective spirit of hope, pride, and resilience. It’s not just tradition – it’s just who we are and how we are built.
Pakistan has rightly earned its reputation as the ‘land of pacers’, consistently producing a remarkable lineup of world class fast bowlers. From legends like Sarfraz Nawaz, Imran Khan, Wasim Akram, Waqar Younas, and Shoaib Akhtar to rising stars like Naseem Shah, the nation continues to be blessed with an extraordinary wealth of bowling talent.
But today the individual I’ve sat down to write about is undoubtedly the most loved and renowned cricketer in Pakistan right now. He possesses a charismatic ability to attract audiences, resonate with them, and make them cheer for him, all through a single wooden piece in his hand. In every cricket conversation, his name inevitably comes up. You might have already guessed who I’m talking about: it’s none other than Babar Azam, a name that echoes in the hearts of cricket lovers all across the globe.
While readers might already be well-acquainted with Babar’s stellar stats across all formats, his impact actually transcends mere numbers etched on scoreboards and in record books. It’s his place in the hearts of millions of Pakistanis that makes him stand out, and his magnetic presence, his dignified demeanour, his personality, and work ethic that makes youngsters and aspiring cricketers look up to him.
For years, perhaps even decades, Pakistan longed for a batting prodigy, a talent capable of bringing glory to the nation. We endured years of waking up with agony and witnessing football-like scorecards, such as the 1-4 score versus the Windies. But then came Babar, emerging as a beacon of hope, elegance, resilience, and defiance. His arrival was not just the rise of a cricketer but the rekindling of a nation’s dreams and hopes which had been shattered after the 2010 match fixing scandals.
Babar is an artist. His cricket bat is like a paint brush in his skilled hands. With each stroke, he crafts masterpieces, painting his artistry on the pitch which is his canvas. His presence in the field is like gravity – it pulls everything towards itself – or like a magnet that draws iron. His batting is pure enchantment – each shot is like a spell cast with his magical wand-like bat, leaving spectators mesmerized. He is blessed with the ability of winning hearts, making the crowd love and cheer for him and get behind him. He doesn’t seek the crowd; they come to him.
Have you ever wondered why he is so dear to Pakistanis? His life, with all its trials and triumphs, unfolded like a book, each chapter marked with determination, resilience, and courage. The obstacles, challenges, and hardships he has faced are unknown to none. Perhaps that’s why people relate to him and resonate with him just like he’s one of their own.
He is treasured and cherished because he embodies the hope people have yearned for. In moments of despair, he ignites belief akin to a lone ember glowing to life from the ashes of lost battles and abandoned lands. He didn’t just lead a team; he rebuilt its soul. He restored a sense of unity in the team, something that had been sorely lacking in the previous squads and had left many fans emotionally disconnect with the team and game. He built a side that never crumbled or surrendered, no matter how adverse the circumstances. Like a steadfast ship, it stood firm against all storms, tides, or cyclones that tried to wreck it.
The thing about Babar is that while he was born and raised in Lahore, he is more than just Lahore’s lion. He is Karachi’s king, Multan’s sultan, Sialkot’s stallion, and Peshawar’s panther. He is celebrated all over the country. His stardom isn’t marked by any geographical limits. He defies city boundaries and is embraced by a wide array of admirers.
He has also inspired a number of young cricketers in Pakistan. His junior teammates look up to him, eager to learn from his experiences. They seem excited whenever they get a chance to bat alongside him or simply be around him, hoping to absorb anything from his technique and work ethic and incorporate it into their own. Reaching such a level of greatness at just 30 with potentially half of his career ahead of him is truly remarkable and not something everyone is capable of. There is undeniably a special quality about him that makes young players emulate him, follow his footsteps, and learn from him.
In the realm of Pakistani cricket, Babar Azam is the heartbeat that keeps millions in rhythm. For every child that picks up a bat, running twos and threes in the street, to the tearful crowds chanting his name in the stadium, he lives everywhere. For his fans, he is more than just a player – he is someone who carries the weight of their hopes on his shoulders and shows that greatness can be humble. He has built a legacy no one can undo. As the chapter of his career continues to unfold, will you take a moment and promise me this? If you have children someday, when they point to his pictures, please tell them his name. Tell them how the crowds went wild when he stepped on the pitch. Tell them about how a man carried his nation’s hopes, dreams, and pride every time he stepped on the turf; who led not just with runs but with dignity and grace; who made every child dream; who made every fan believe that magic could be created in the middle of a cricket pitch. At the end of the day, for Babar, Pakistan is everything, and for Pakistan, Babar is everything!
