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April 13, 2009
Posted on 04/13/2009 in Pakistan cricket
Karachi symphony

From S.M Arsalan Arif Khan, Pakistan

I was sitting at the National Stadium of Karachi. All alone; surrounded by a pack of thirty four thousand, two hundred and twenty eight empty seats. It was a bright and sunny day, illuminating a lush green deserted park. Towers of flood lights, that once upon a time illuminated the sky.. they stood still, with no power nor activity; sadly looking down at a deserted meadow of sprouting grass, just as I did. There were clouds usually hazed in strips; as if a white candy floss man had practiced his abstract strokes on the sky. And the ears were restrained to an excruciating mute. It was peaceful, but silent.

But peace and silence aren't always positive, because peace could also mean loneliness. The feeling of being targeted and outcasts. It was a depressing sort of peace. Solitary isolation granted by force. The only noise I could hear was the sound of the air blowing from the west; a region elsewhere; a country another. The atmosphere was empty, like time had stopped. Like someone had stole the soul of this mega structure, turning it into a weeping baby. And then came the heart ache, because memories leave indentations of fortune ... and memories bring along the heart-breaking form of nostalgia.

The dejected feeling of happiness and distress when you visit a precious place where you grew up with innocence and faith in a future that only promised peace. My heart broke by just glancing at the pitch that lay there in the centre. Brown and rolled; often criticized; often cherished. A center of attraction where hearts broke; and love won. Where there was a time when the silence in the park was overwhelmed by a roar of thirty thousand passionate spectators, adding another hundred and sixty million set of eyes that glared at this stadium through the lens.

The day India visited Pakistan for their friendship tour; some people may not know this ... but an official holiday was announced at Karachi, and I had never seen it so empty. No cars moved, no men walked out side. It was like everyone was smothered by the event of watching Shoaib Akhtar bowl to Sachin Tendulkar. No one cared about victory because cricket was back. India would smash a glaring 346 and Pakistan dauntingly replied with a total of 6 runs short.

This was a place where Mohammed Asif was introduced to world cricket as a leading swinger. It was Shahid Afridi's home ground. It was a place where Sir Vivian Richards whispered 'Murghi-Murghi-Murghi' (Chicken-Chicken-Chicken) to a Pakistani wicket keeper after he extensively appealed in vain. It was a place where Sir Vivian Richards smashed 181 runs in a world cup match: An event my father witnessed being there, and he often tells me stories about it. It was a place where Mohammed Yousuf completed his 9th century in a calendar year, piling up the world record of scoring the most runs in a calendar year; something Sir Vivian Richards embraced previously. It was a place where England battled it out even in the dark; just to ensure a victory. And they did. And who could forget Kamran Akmal's outstanding century, taking Pakistan from 39/6 to an Innings defeat.

There is a history piled up in that lawn of grass. A history of facts I can't even state in an article; because I'd need a book. And then I came back to the emptiness, staring at the blank screen switched off. And I felt low because the terrorists had won and I wondered why, because the instability was influenced by a war we weren't involved in. And I sometimes wondered, looking at that park ... about roses that bloomed in deserts and died through thirst. I would think about the oceans of pain and vengeance that stormed through hearts we never knew. The victims of terrorism and wars. Cricket was destroyed, and hate grew further. And by just looking at that park I wondered if I could just discover a part that might understand human depression as a whole. If only I could know why people commit wrong deeds for the right reasons.

If I could hold a magic wand and fill in the stadium with thirty thousand peace loving souls, I would. And then reality bit me. I recalled the firing Team Sri Lanka must have heard. The eight policemen who died protecting them. It was almost dark, as I closed my laptop and walked down to the stands. My Uncle, who is a PCB official was done with his work. We drove out of the ground; and I looked into the sky which had transformed into an emerald made of sapphires; a sky bleached with a tinge of darkness that surrounded my dead stadium: A place I proudly called 'my' home ground. The towers of floodlights beamed out hazards of red lights, reminding me that the soul of The National stadium still exists; like its heart still beats with the flickering of those bright red lights ... telling me it will live again.

Comments (56)
Posted by: pak_fan at April 13, 2009 4:05 AM

It was one of the most amazing, well written articles i have read..it touched my heart..and gave me hope that the "soul of National stadium does exists"...and more cricketers like Shahid Afridi and mohammed asif will be introduced in the future

Posted by: Nozaina at April 13, 2009 4:30 AM

This is beautifully written and very relatable. Nice Work.

Posted by: Ahmed Niazi at April 13, 2009 4:58 AM

BRILLIANT! you broke my heart and gave me hope!

Posted by: Chris at April 13, 2009 5:11 AM

The terrorist, by the very definition of their name, will NEVER win.

Posted by: shailesh at April 13, 2009 6:16 AM

What an amazing article. I am an Indian but I can understand how painful the current situation could be for such a cricket loving country and passionate people. I sincerely wish cricket wins again..amen

Posted by: Kaushik Lakshman at April 13, 2009 6:17 AM

Terrific article dude!!Beautifully written. Yup it is indeed sad that pakistan is not able to hold cricket matches at present. I really miss the Indo-Pak clashes.

Posted by: Samia Ahmed from LUMS at April 13, 2009 6:28 AM

this made me cry

Posted by: Sunny Khatri at April 13, 2009 6:32 AM

Cricket should come back to Pakistan. This article has really touched my heart and reminded me those beautiful moments when India started their tour from Karachi, and about 700 runs were scored in that match. The way in which spectators in Karachi behaved was unbelievable and even Sachin Tendulkar acknowledged that.
This is so disappointing that we are left alone by the cricketing nations. This is time to get united and fight against those who want to destroy our peace.

Posted by: Asim Khan at April 13, 2009 6:40 AM

Heartbreakingly moving, it brought tears to my eyes but also gave me hope that we will emerge out of the darkness and fight again as a proud unified cricketing nation.

Thankyou

Posted by: Sidewinder at April 13, 2009 7:52 AM

This truly reflects how the majority of people feel in Pakistan about Cricket,its so well inscribed that it touches one's heart.

Posted by: sobia at April 13, 2009 8:30 AM

great writing!

keep up the good work!

Posted by: faisal at April 13, 2009 8:33 AM

keep writing man..one of the best articles i have ever read..

keep up the good work!

Posted by: Javed at April 13, 2009 9:31 AM

These are not just words from Arsalan but a true reflection of how helpless us Pakistanis feel in the current situation we are in. We have been forced to fight someone elses fight. May cricket come back to its glory in Pakistan and I wish Afghanistan cricket team best of luck to qualify to play World Cup.. This may soften the terrorists heart.

Posted by: frIsbee at April 13, 2009 9:44 AM

best article ive read this year

Posted by: sameen at April 13, 2009 10:01 AM

this actually made me cry.. Karachi came to life during those matches. The whole of Pakistan did! and we all miss that alot. Best article on this website!!!!

Posted by: Sriram at April 13, 2009 11:52 AM

Arsalan, the pain of the situation in Pakistan and the yearning and agony of Karachi cricket fan comes across very touchingly in your piece.

Posted by: Mariam at April 13, 2009 12:06 PM

Nice. You've really captured the soul of the thirty four thousand, two hundred and twenty eight empty seats around you.
It made me sad.. But I know the stadium will be alive again! The terrorist will NOT win.

Posted by: wats in a name at April 13, 2009 1:30 PM

It's so well expressed and I agree with most of them, it touched my heart. It's something we all can relate to and feel deeply about.

Posted by: komal at April 13, 2009 2:02 PM

great job..............

best writeup i ever read...

Posted by: Stacy at April 13, 2009 2:56 PM

This is such a touching article! I really hope things change. Cricket fans in Pakistan have been disadvantaged due to these recent mishaps.
Very nice job indeed.

Posted by: Felicia Parker at April 13, 2009 3:21 PM

This is so heart touching. I am your fan.

Posted by: Yogesh at April 13, 2009 3:30 PM

Every Pakistan fan's pain very poignantly captured.

Posted by: arbash at April 13, 2009 3:30 PM

mr. arsalan all i have to say is dat your the voice of pakistan , yes sir you jst explained the world in golden words what every pakistani wants .. thankyou soo much for writing about our bleeding hearts ...
i hope this article brings back cricket in pakistan .. Amen
bless you !!!

Posted by: Rahul Sahai at April 13, 2009 3:44 PM

What right reason? Beautifully written but i dont think u can classify these people as doing wrong thing for right reason. Pray tell me what is the right reason, or do u think attracting world attention as right reason

Posted by: Preet at April 13, 2009 4:18 PM

It felt like as if I was there watching that empty stadium and can feel that emptiness of enjoyment and cricket...i guess ppl are as much crazy for cricket in Pakistan as in India..:)
Good WOrk..

Posted by: arbash at April 13, 2009 7:23 PM

@ preet.."wrong deeds for the right reasons" meant .. when a boy loses his dad he wants vengeance" - a 14 year old doesnt know whats wrong or right. he his built by the foundations of hate. innocence dies.


Posted by: Navneeth Sundar at April 13, 2009 7:41 PM

Gr8 article bro! It pains me whenever memories from history cry for help. And Karachi stadium is certainly one of the few places in the world deeply etched in every Pakistani and Indian fan's memories alike. All rivalries apart, at the end of the day, it is these fond memories that keep us going and living life like humans should. May those living their lives, otherwise, be defeated and destroyed, so that humans continue to write newer histories giving fonder memories for generations to come.

Posted by: Alex Brown at April 13, 2009 8:09 PM

This was perhaps the most beautiful passage I've ever come across on this website. The terrorists really have destroyed Pakistan. I hope, in fact promise you Arsalan all my Pakistani friends that Cricket will return to Pakistan and the magic wand of love will fill in the empty stadium with thirty thousand peace loving souls. Love always wins. Amen. I'm deeply touched and this keep me thinking all night long.

Posted by: Imran at April 13, 2009 11:38 PM

Heart-breaking yet hope inspiring, one can only hope your optimism becomes reality and Pakistan as a nation can defeat the scourge of terrorism. I would hate to think my children (and yours) will not share the same cricket obesessed childhood as you and I. Keep the words flowing buddy.

To Rahul Sahai at April 13, 2009 3:44 PM:
You ask a very fair question - in Arslan's defence (after re-reading the article) I think the question he is asking is why people who commit these savage acts are so convinced that they are doing so for the right reasons when the act is so clearly disgusting.

It is a question we in Pakistan ask ourselves everyday when we see ordinary people (good people in anyone's book), take part in these horrendous acts with the sincere belief that they are doing so for the greater good. The level of misdirection and brain-washing is truly unbelievable and frightening. I am glad you ask that question and I hope I did answer it.


Posted by: John at April 14, 2009 12:43 AM

I am left speachless. May God unite us all and let sport win.

Posted by: Zehra Khan at April 14, 2009 1:30 AM

How can one not cry reading this? How can one not agree it's beautiful? How can one not eventually become hopeful in the end? You should write more!

Posted by: safwan at April 14, 2009 1:56 AM

an outstanding article.......u sum up the fact that we have been destroyed by a war that wasnt even ours....how unfortunate!!! Pakistan's cricketing future is in doldrums, the predicament we find oursleves in, seems to be an un-ending one, cricket at home previously offered some respite to the people.....some hope amidst the unrelenting pain of watching the country burn....alas, even that has been taken away now!

Posted by: Anonymous at April 14, 2009 7:54 AM

Talking about cricket in Pakistan at this moment reminds me of a saying “playing the fiddle while Rome burned”. Any Society’s progress largely depends upon the political stability of a country and cricket is a small part of that society. The bigger picture is unless people of Pakistan stand up, agitate and demand their leaders to eliminate the terrorists and their medieval ideology, I fear there will be many more causalities like cricket.

I feel sorry for peace loving Pakistan cricket fans and this article aptly describes their pain and anguish.

Posted by: Maani at April 14, 2009 12:06 PM

You sir, are the voice of Pakistan. Thankyou.

Posted by: heart broken at April 14, 2009 12:28 PM

these aren't just words.... this is a painting of how we feel: the targeted outcasts. what a beautiful article!

Posted by: Rabiaa Malik at April 14, 2009 3:46 PM

Aala! Very well written, Arsalan. Keep up the good work. =) (Y)

Posted by: Patricia Clark at April 14, 2009 8:38 PM

I am in tears. This is beautiful. I am so sorry for you Arsalan, so sorry for Pakistan. I hate our government. I wish I could give you the magic wand even if it meant to give away everything I had. Brilliant article Arsalan get a column!

Posted by: Umair at April 15, 2009 9:26 AM

I believe , one day will come soon, when Pakistan host the major tournament of cricket. I am feeling so sad right now, after reading such a heart broken article.
We Pakistani people are cricket loving nation. Cricket is always people first choice in Pakistan...

Posted by: Anon at April 15, 2009 11:54 AM

Life altering.

'nuff said.

Posted by: Ana at April 15, 2009 12:53 PM

Wow...really well written...and so true! It is so sad to see the country and its national sport become increasingly defamed by the day. I wish those responsible would grow up and help create a brighter future for pakistan.

Posted by: Aqsa Riaz at April 15, 2009 1:23 PM

very nicely written, this article truelly reflect the feelings of all pakistanis... we love cricket n will never let these terrorists win! i really wish and pray to see cricket back in pakistan.... very soon..
gr8 article Arsalan.

Posted by: Fareeha at April 15, 2009 2:20 PM

People are like stained-glass windows. They sparkle and shine when the sun is out, but when the darkness sets in, their true beauty is revealed only if there is a light from within. God bless you Arsalan.

Posted by: swaleha atif hyder at April 15, 2009 8:02 PM

YES it will live again! It's one of the most amazing and well written article that i have read in a long time. It bought tears to my eyes while i was reading it but when i reached the conclusion i realized that if faith prevails then no matter come what may, Pakistan will survive! LIFE will win!

Posted by: sreemita at April 16, 2009 11:52 AM

Hey hommie,you rock!The write up is fantabulous! Im not someone who's deeply into cricket et al..but i really loved your write-up. The imageries you used were brilliant and the optimism was beautifully woven into the piece. I especially liked your desire to own a magic wand with the help of which you could get back the long lost golden era of cricket. The pathos in your piece was just unmistakable.I sincerely wish evey block of the dream called "peace" falls into place, and that the sportsman spirit doesnot get lost in the rhetorical jungle of political speeches. Kudos man!You've got a fan in me! Bless you.

Posted by: Ali Jawad at April 16, 2009 4:51 PM

Im totally speechless here Arsalan.This is the best article ive ever read about cricket.amazing.take this one to other magzines and sites and let the world hear the voice of the real Pakistani people.
My God bless you.

Posted by: Narif at April 16, 2009 4:57 PM

Wow, Arsalan. This such a great article. I'm so proud of you!

Posted by: waleed at April 16, 2009 8:52 PM

rock on yaar....words are limitless for the limitless wonders you have expressed in this tale....and of course cricket will be back...its probably right around the corner, just waiting for the signal of an everlasting peace...which will come to my country as welll..... insha Allah ...very soon!!!!!

Posted by: Shahrukh at April 16, 2009 10:52 PM

amazing! this is just AMAZING!

Posted by: Aniruddha Gupta at April 17, 2009 2:38 AM

Excellent article, reminds me of old urdu poets. Somehow i feel the language is more Urdu than English... amazing. Only part i dont agree with... "because the instability was influenced by a war we weren't involved in"... well its your home grown investments... now its payup time.

Posted by: Nida at April 17, 2009 2:25 PM

Awesome write-up!

Posted by: Eshant at April 17, 2009 7:24 PM

@ Aniruddha

So you are saying that Pakistan invited the NATO?

Posted by: Adeel at April 19, 2009 12:58 AM

NSK, is the very place where inzimam ul haq announced his return against bangladesh! amazing post!

Posted by: sahil khan at April 19, 2009 3:04 AM

I only wish if the terroists would read this and accept they have been defeated. A new star is born, which is you.
You are natural writer and God himself transforms in your pen power. Please do not let that be defeated.
One may kill the cricketers, kill the audience, destroy the stadiums and hate everything it stands for, but they will not kill or destroy the soul of cricket.
Those policemen who died protecting the cricketers are the present proof of it, and may God bless thier soul.
Keep up the good work and hope to read many more from you.

Posted by: razzak at April 19, 2009 5:02 PM

You have touched my heart, i remember the days i went to stadium to watch the matches , i cry used if there was a match at karachi and i couldnt go..and i almost cried after this piece of brilliance..INSHALLAH cricket will return, terrorist will never win..

Posted by: Ahsan at May 4, 2009 9:12 PM

WOnderful artile! The only one which truly etched my mind and soul in a long time. As a cricket enthusiast myself it pains me to see Pakistan's Home matches being played elsewhere. Let's hope it all normalizes.

Posted by: Fighters of Poor at May 5, 2009 9:49 AM

A people gets the government it deserve. This phrase is not a simple as it looks. it says the story of world. being an indian i can remember the memmorise of our freedom strugle. we can remember the great man mahathma gandhi. he lead the strugle of independence for our countries. and now it is our time to do the duties to our countries. we all indians will be in behind of your strugle to get your country well. let the pakistan's youth decides wheather there must be place for cricket and peace in there country. if they won to brought back cricket and love to pakistan the history will mark them. with full of prayer's and love for pakistan people and cricket an indian

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