Many of cricket-crazy Indians would be disappointed with the fact that India lost the ODI series to Pakistan 2-1. I am no exception. However, I would opine that this series loss would sting a lot less than a lot of previous losses to Pakistan have. The reason being simply that this Pakistan team, which landed on Indian shores in December 2012,is not only a bunch of fighting and talented cricketers, but also friendly human beings.
There have been tremendous cricketers in the past who have represented Pakistan with pride and elan in the past,especially against India – Imran Khan, Salim Malik, Javed Miandad, Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis, Moin Khan, Azhar Mehmood, Inzamam-Ul-Haq and not to forget Shoaib Akhtar,to name a few. However apart from Inzamam in our era and probably Asif Iqbal and Zaheer Abbas in the past, none has been warm in their body language off-the field. It was not that it was meant to be a compulsion on their part, but still their behaviours and body languages kept cricket lovers at a distance. Emotional cricket loving fans in India were in awe of their perofrmances, but deep within they did feel a chasm, which never allowed us to truly admire them as ambassadors of the game.
Take a look at this Pakistan team and, its humility and toughness in unison. Naser Jamshed scored 3 centuries in a row against India, but had his head bowed in humility with a gentle smile throughout. Younis Khan is probably the only cricketer in world cricket for quite some time who plays with a smile glued on his face. Misbah-Ul-Haq is never somebody who would behave arrogantly on the field of play and so would Shoiab Malik. The young quicks Junaid Khan and 7 ft tall Mohammad Irfan are smiling assasins with no glares or gestures or swears. Umar Gul and Saeed Ajmal are probably the only ones with a bit of agro but nothing as bad as Shoaib Akhtar and Imran Khan.
Hence this Pakistan team would command huge respect around the world not only for winning cricket matches but also hearts of millions watching. Wishing them all the best !!
