Who are the Champions?

What else could a Pakistani have wished for on 23rd March eve!
Pakistan brings Asia Cup home! When the 11th edition of the Asia Cup
kicked off in Dhaka, Bangladesh, on 11th March 2012, little did anyone
know that ten days later, on 22nd March, the whole Pakistani nation
would be celebrating with joy that would have no limit. The final of
Asia Cup 2012 crowned Pakistan as the Asian Champions.


A failed batting unit, a moderate total on the board, bowlers striving
to get wickets, but failing, and still Pakistan managed to hold the
trophy aloft. Last night’s game proved that if you have the
determination, you succeed in achieving your goal no matter what comes
in between. A nail-biting encounter that was decided on the last ball
of the match saw both the teams, Pakistan & Bangladesh, fight for the
glory. In the end one had to win & one had to lose. And this time,
Pakistan wrote its name in the book of winners. All those who watched
the match (I’m sure everyone did) would agree when I say, that it
was one match during which you could not have left your seat even for
a second. There was action on every ball! This match saw everything-
run outs, some spectacular catches, Afridi’s SIX and the list goes
on and on..


Pakistan’s victory would not have been possible without the
noteworthy performances of some players. Sarfaraz Ahmed’s knock of
46 runs made it possible for the Pakistan team to set up a respectable
total. A vital role was played by the ‘man of the crowd’ Shahid
Afridi who not only used the bat but also the ball to steer his team
to the title. He scored 32 runs and took one wicket. And this list
would be incomplete without the mention of the ‘Hero of the last
over’ AIZAZ CHEEMA. This guy knows how to bowl under pressure
situations. Four runs were required by Bangladesh off the last
delivery, Bangladeshi batsman Shahadat Hossain was unable to connect
Cheema’s yorker & Misbah-ul-Haq and his boys were celebrating!


But then who can forget the tears of the Bangladeshi team? We have won
the trophy but Bangladesh has won millions of hearts. Bangladesh’s
awesome performance changed the course of what was expected to be a
not-so-exciting and one-sided affair. Kudos to Bangladesh! Not taking
anything from the winners here, yes you guys have proven once again
that if there is unity, victory will come at your doorstep
automatically. So, stay united, keep practicing, keep winning & keep
bringing laurels home! PAKISTAN ZINDABAD!

Also published here: http://blogs.thenews.com.pk/blogs/2012/03/who-are-the-champions/