Unprecedented cricket fever has gripped Lahore as the nation is praying for success of the team against its arch rival India in the World Cup, 2011 semi-final on Wednesday at Mohali, East Punjab. The Pakistan ecstatic and bursting with joy after victory over West Indies in Bangla Desh was the real Pakistan.
Just a game of cricket and nothing more but it is hard to remember a similar explosion of joy across the length and breadth of the country, transcending all regional and provincial boundaries as on this occasion wrote eminent intellectual and journalist Ayaz Amir, MNA in a newspaper column.
"Cricket is one the few rallying factors other than their religion Islam for the people of Pakistan, and a dream match between Pakistan and India in the World Cup semi-final surely surpasses all other immediate concerns and topics of discussion/consideration", opined veteran sports writer Khalid Butt while talking to Business Recorder here on Sunday.
Pakistan cricket team's decisive successes against cricket giants like Sri Lanka, Australia and West Indies in the on-going World Cup 2011 have generated a new interest and enthusiasm among the youth of the country.
All parks, roads, and streets of the sprawling metropolitan were bursting with youth playing cricket on Sunday to express their love for the gentlemen's game of cricket and its culture of fair play and sportsman's spirit.
"Pakistan's cricket squad has resurrected the self belief and self-respect of the nation with its stellar performance in the current World Cup, wrote Aijaz Zaka Syed, a columnist based in the Gulf. "The game of cricket has become a metaphor for a nation's quest for dignity and journey of self-discovery, he added.
"Pakistan has given a clear message to all other teams that once we are united, we are a dangerous team, Dr Abid Rauf Orakzai said in his comment.
"It does not matter whether we win or lose against India. The real excitement is that we are playing semi-final against India in India, said 75-year-old cricket enthusiast M D Malik who witnessed Pakistan-India cricket matches in 1950's in Lahore.
Talking to Business Recorder Lahore born cricket hero and commentator Sarfraz Nawaz said he has never seen such a cricket fever and all encompassing interest in the game in Lahore as it is today.
"I would recommend that speedster Shoaib Akhtar must be included in the final eleven as he could prove himself a better choice in place of Wahab Riaz;. Shoaib's speed and experience along with Omar Gul's attack with new ball can be lethal against Indian batsmen who can easily handle spin bowling.
Another cricket enthusiast said "had there been no visa restrictions, quarter of a million Laborites would have crossed the border to see the match, with or without tickets'.