A geeks marriage invitation!

Swing, Speed and Flick!

On a dew kissed night at Eden Gardens, Irfan Pathan was finding his feet back. He had just removed one of the Pakistani openers and the snakes of run rate had just started to raise its hood. The air got denser by cries of the famous Indian cry, “Jeethega Bhai Jeethega,Hindustan Jeetaga!”.The Youhanas and the Younis Khans were the only roadblocks between India and victory,or so did we all think.

A certain 20 year old had other plans. His strokes brought back memories of that left handed wrist artist Saeed Anwar, whom Pakistan missed badly. But, we Indians thought, this lad, like most Pakistanis who would sparkle lighting the hopes of millions only to fade soon. By night, the 90,000 strong crowd had fell silent, a lakh televisions sets which were destined to watch star sports were instead watching start tv. So many more remotes broken. Salman Butt delivered what he promised at the start of innings. Alas, if only he could deliver what he promised at the start of his career.

While, all the former greats laud the decision of the the wise men in a bid to save cricket from falling into corrupt hands, as a cricket lover, I feel cheated. Cheated, I was, not because of the million black notes. Not because of playing with my emotions. Because, Salman Butt, you promised us much more. How much more, I do not know. In sports, its these junctures of careers which are most romantic and there is so much for a fan to expect. A three years later, the scandal would have only blot your character. However, important it is to him, it isnt to me!

I am from India. And a huge fan of Salman Butt. Yes, he has played with the emotions of a million neighbours. He deserves to be punished. But, when he leaves, he leaves behind an untold story. A story, with careful build up,numerous pitfalls and a pheonix rise. So many questions? Would he have eventually become the 'great' batsman that was being predicted? Would he barge his way his way into the pantheon of Zaheer Abbas, Inzaman Ul Haq? Or would he end up the Shahid Afridi way? Form,fitness,focus. Nothing is permanent in cricket.

Yet to think of it, its not Salman Butt who is punished. Its the millions of his fans who lived as him. The millions who waited with bated breath for his signature wristy cover drive, the patient nudging of singles. Its we, the fans who are punished. Its our dream which remains unfulfilled. While its true that no mortal in this world is indispensable, its equally true every human is special in his own special ways. For us, Salman Butt will remain the quintessential Pakistani star who promises you so much only to deceive us in the end.

A broken dream. Wish its only a nightmare. Hope the Sultans of Swing and Speed are back. Those silken wrists!