Pakistan embrace the ‘Togetherness effect’

38-year old Younis Khan is certainly one in a million. Behind all the runs in the Pakistan shirt spanning almost a massive 16-year career is a light-hearted and jovial individual. On the field he may be as competitive as they come, yet, his off-field antics whilst being disciplined is something most cricketers yearn for. Perhaps it was the era he came from. The era where cricketers paid huge amounts of respect for their talent.

With some chewing gum in his mouth, Younis may well be the designated the grand old man of Pakistan cricket. Pakistan skipper Misbah-ul-Haq may be a fatherly figure for the youngsters, but Younis is most certainly the grand old man of the team. The chewing gum and the wrinkles on his face tell a distinct story of the man. A man who has carried Pakistan cricket for many a year, on his shoulders weathering storm after storm from the feeble and controversy-prone Pakistan Cricket Board.

It was late in the day at Lord’s. The iconic clock atop the dressing room showed the arms ready to meet to close the day’s play. However, despite the time of day, the glorious sunshine and clear blue skies prevailed. There was something poetic and romantic about the weather in London at that particular moment in time. It was like a scene from a Hollywood movie.

Pakistan had clinched their fourth Test victory at Lord’s. A disappointed Jake Ball and an awe-struck Steven Finn strode away to the dressing room. While they strode away, all 11 members of the Pakistan team stayed back on the holy turf of Lord’s. The puzzled expression of the England balcony reiterated the entire story. They lined up single file with Younis playing the part of the director, producer, and executioner. David ‘Bumble’ Lloyd and Nasser Hussain, two of England’s stalwarts from yesteryear toyed with the idea of joining them.

Also read – Younis Khan – The unorthodox backbone of Pakistan batting

One, two, three, four, and five push-ups from each of them and a salute towards the rose-walled pavilion. What were they doing? “They are all a part of the army now!” were the words that came out of the mouth of Bumble Lloyd. Apart from Alastair Cook’s disapproval of the Pakistan team’s antics, a part of him seemed to enjoy what they had done. Yes, it was synchronized to perfection (perhaps even as much as the opera level). However, for many others, it signified much more than just five push-ups and a salute to the dressing room.

The message sent by the Pakistan players at the time was directed towards the army. However, the message received by some who have been following Pakistan cricket for a long while has been incredibly powerful. Moreover, the sight of watching the Pakistani children in the stands witness the ordeal was something special and something that was damn near people’s hearts.

As of 2010, Pakistani cricket seemingly did not have a heartbeat. Having been exiled from playing cricket in Pakistan, the players in green had a taste of what it felt like to have little or no fans showing up for matches. Playing at Sharjah, Dubai, and various other places and with the PCB reporting heavy losses, cricket in the region was on the brink of being wiped out almost entirely, in spite of the fan base present within what has become a war-torn nation.

Things went from bad to worse when controversies began arising from the Pakistan camp shortly after the World T20. As has been the narrative, for the most part, the finger-pointing and the blame game began. This time, the axes swayed. Mickey Arthur’s appointment, while greeted with joy all over, sent out a strong message.

Also read – Open letter to the Pakistan team after their win in the Lord’s Test

One Test match into his Pakistan coaching career and the South African has already become a legend. A victory at the home of cricket has indicated something far more fathomable than one can comprehend. The victory and the celebration, in my opinion, does little to close the lid on the war on terror or better yet stop the crisis in the state of Pakistan. However, the impact of the victory has left an imprint on Pakistani hearts. The message? ‘Togetherness even in a crisis is a quintessential victory’.

The message, however, resonates much more than the togetherness and unity. In a cricketing aspect, this is the wave of Pakistani cricketers. Yes, you do have players in the twilight of their careers. This is not the same Pakistani team from 5 years ago. This isn’t a team of wild, eccentric and impatient players of yesteryear. This is a calm and disciplined Pakistan that has the conditioning, patience, and discipline of boot camps. In short, ‘The Mickey Arthur’ Effect perhaps. And, it clearly seems to be working.

Was this celebration just to showcase a bunch of players doing push-ups together. Hell No! This was a team of players who had given most people in Pakistan a reason to come together and fell happy and confident. It may not necessarily solve the problems present within the state of Pakistan. But, it will give most people confidence, especially in a crisis for some time at the very least.