From Underdogs to Chieftain- The Pakistan Story

  They were underrated by cricket pundits and were priced lower by the betters. They came with quite unknown side and had nothing to lose. They could hardly qualified for the tournament and were ranked eighth in ICC ODI rankings. They were even demolished in their very first encounter.

   But this has been a story of past; they are at zenith now.

   The Pakistani side came all guns blazing after their first game and stopped only after getting what every team came for. They beat the defending champions and favourites Indian side to clinch their first ICC Champions Trophy title. After losing the first game they came strong against the power-packed Proteas and stunned them. After that they vanquished Lankans with much ease to enter semis.

   Then came the strongest contestant- the hosts. It was just miracle as the green-shirts totally outplayed them in all departments. It was just unpredictable as the in-form Englishmen were said to be the strongest side in the tournament.

    It was nothing less than a dream final for millions of spectators as they were to contest the finale with the arch-rivals India. The super sunday was set and the prices for ads rose to fifth tier. And then they did something perhaps only they believed.

   The shaheens were never expected to win the tournament and therefore world witnessed another example of uncertainty involved in the game of cricket.

   In other sports mere hard work can win you games but in cricket you not only have to have hard work but you also have to have strategy. The Pakistani team worked on that and they have it.