Play cricket, Afghanistan

As pain and tribulation set in at the cross roads of Central and South Asia, as thirty million people struggle to mend the past and let the future in, as the West leave, the East hesitate and the rest roil in apathy, as tears roll down the cheeks of children and women, play cricket, Afghanistan.

It is Rashid Khan, Right Arm Over the Wicket. That spun like never before. Winning against Ireland and Bangladesh is not enough, it is just a matter of time before the world bows. Wipe the tears out and play cricket. It is a game that made the world flat and people equal. It is a game that will challenge hierarchy, racism and sexism. It is civilized and it can save civilization.

It is Mohammad Nabi with an exquisite cover drive that made nobody move as the ball rushed toward the boundary. Let’s not stop, victory is within our grasp. As democracy rises and the autocrats fall, cricket will fill the gap. It is time to rise against ignorance and corruption. Don’t despair and play cricket.

It is Mohammad Shahzad behind the wicket. An edge in front of the vacant second slip and that won’t fall to the ground. Neither shall Afghanistan, as those who stand in silence will crumble and those seeking humanity will win. Don’t despair and play cricket.

It is Asghar Afghan with a seamer that swung away in the last moment. As the unskilled hang their greed outside the off-stump, it is just a matter of time they will be shown the pavilion. Such is the power of cricket, it can manufacture joy out of pain, hope out of hopelessness, success out of failure, light from darkness, knowledge from talk, and even smile from a veil.

Play cricket, Afghanistan.