My initial thought was "hopefully we face Bangladesh in the final". But then my consciousness kicked. I looked at myself in the mirror and said to myself "that's not who I am."
Wishing for BD in the final is a wish of a coward. It's the wish of a risk free person. It's the wish of a 'let's play it safe guys' kinda person. It's the wish of a ' I don't want to fail' type of a person.
And you know what? That's not who I am! That's not what I strive to be in my life! My attitude towards life is not to avoid failures and go for the easy route. I am always up for a challenge. I am a daredevil. I like to take calculated and also uncalculated risks. I like to jump in the cold water. I don't hesitate to take on difficult tasks heads on. Only this way I can grow and become stronger.
I am from a nation of brave people.
Then why shall I wish for my team to be given the easier option? Why shall my team not take on a tough challenge? Their is a huge risk of failing badly and ended up humiliated?
Oh yeah!? So what?! Life can not be lived like a timid turtle.
I appreciate sports because of it's potential to inspire me in my daily life. When I see critics pointing fingers at a certain player/team and write him/it off I look at that player/team. I look closely. And observe if they dare to take on the challenge, if they dare to stand up and fight it out. If they have it in them, against all odds, to ll come out on top. Leaving the naysayers and critics completely stunned.
Then in my life when I am facing hurdles and difficulties I think about that special moment when against all odds that player defeated all his challengers and came on top. If he can overcome his hurdles so can I.
Pakistan is one such team with a lot of potential and history of coming at the top against all odds. Unfortunately it also has a rich history of massive disappointments.
Past few days though have given me a new hope. The way the team dealt with the humiliating defeat against India and came back in the tournament with a new spirit. Led by a brave captain who was under scrutiny himself. A team with some new and young talents with fire in their eyes and courage in their approach. All this has given me the belief to stand behind this Pakistan team and place my trust on it.
So here it is. The challenge of the challenges. An opportunity to wash away old wounds. An opportunity to prove one's worth. An opportunity to regain glory. An opportunity of a lifetime.
Let's take it on! Forget about the easy route. We are here to prove our worth. We are here to be crowned as champions. We defeated the #1 team, crushed the undisputed favorites and now it's only befitting to face the archivals. There shall not be any shying away. Let's be brave!
Let's take it on! Let's hed into it with full strength. Let's be fearless. Let's trust the youth and stand behind them. Let's play as we have been playing in the past few days.
Let's fight it out. Win or lose it is part of the game.
In worst case we will lose. Some internet trolls will have a field day and might remind us about it for the rest of eternity. So what?
If we win though, we will inspire a whole generation.
No doubt India is a top team and defending champion. It is not about underestimating the opponent. It is about trusting oneself. It is about believing that we are good enough. Understanding that failures cannot be avoided. Heck, understanding that failing over and over again is necessary.
What doesn't kill us will make us stronger, no doubt about that.
Our first match was against India, let our final one be against India too.
No surrender, no retreat!
Let the result be whatever it might be. The fear of bad result shall not frighten us from make a move.
Just bring it!
