Erratic and impulsive play symbolises both Pakistani and Sri Lankan cricket
The fickle fraternity of bookmakers, the legal ones abroad and the police patronised here, not to speak of the dwindling band of Pakistan cricket team supporters, must have spent a sleepless and disturbed night. For the morrow brings forth for the former perhaps the biggest test of their dubious oracle prediction skills, the do-or-die quarter-final match of the ongoing prestigious Champions Trophy between Pakistan and Sri Lanka.
In the first place, to make things difficult for them, the traditional English weather has played the role of spoiler all through the tournament, butting in at the most inappropriate times, making unexpected winners out of apparently lost causes and vice versa and hitting the betting community (if such it can be termed) where it hurts the most, their profits. For the Pakistani fans, the crunch clash will no doubt be a nervous blend of hearts in mouth here and raised hopes there, an unpleasant admixture especially in the fasting month, as rich Punjabi expletives usually fly thick and fast when the greenshirts are on the field, whether batting, bowling or fielding. The truly pious among the fans will, therefore, need to exercise iron control to conform to the rigorous morals of fasting.
The dilemma for all concerned lies in the utter lack of consistency that characterises both sides. One day they might be playing sublimely and flawlessly, and on the next appear worse than novices on their first outing, presenting a picture of a comedy of absurd errors and inexplicable panic to the spectators. A relatively young Sri Lankan team overthrew favourites India in their last match, a clear case of stone sling-throwing David beating the mighty cricketing Strike Corps of the Indian goliath. The greenshirt’s supporters would be fervently hoping that in Monday’s match, the Sri Lankan performance pendulum swings the other way, the off day syndrome.
After all, Sri Lanka (287) had even lost to minnows Scotland (291/3) in a practice match at Beckenham on May 21, a team that comprises part-time cricketers with regular jobs! When Pakistan last met Sri Lanka in a five-match ODI series, obviously in Sri Lanka in 2015, the greenshirts had managed to edge out the Lions 3-2.
Whether they can garner all their talent and resources, and keep their nerve for this crucial test, remains to be seen. Who makes the least number of mistakes during the day will emerge the winner, is all one can say, not counting the impact of rain. But in this match between the two great erratics or eccentrics of world cricket, we are beyond all reason, logic and common sense, and wandering in the realm of the unknown and the superstitious, so keep your fingers crossed and touch wood at all times when watching it. And the bookmakers and the local fans would no doubt be wondering, ‘O that a man might know, The end of this day’s business ere it comes. .. But it sufficeth that the day will end, And then the end is known’.
