WE WILL MIS-YOU, BUT SHOW MUST GO ON

After most, if not all, of the cricketing world came together and put their arms around Pakistan, it may just feel a bit weird that Pakistan will return to what they have been doing over the past seven years — playing cricket away from home. But then, it is what it is and like they say, the show must go on.

After leading a nomadic life for the best part of a decade, for no fault of their own, Pakistan cricket and its fans were endowed with a blessing when a World XI side toured the country for the first time in years.

Three Twenty20 Internationals, sanctioned by the governing body ICC, no less, were played out at Pakistan’s home of cricket — Lahore (although some might beg to differ and say Karachi).

And while it was time for euphoria and a chance to make a statement, it was just a trailer, so to say. The big picture will arrive slowly but surely enough.

But for now though, Pakistan have returned to a place which they have called ‘home’ away from home. And, the reason for the ‘men in green’ shifting base was due to the terrorist attack on the Sri Lankan bus back home in 2009.

By 2010, the UAE became Pakistan’s adopted home and the gracious hosts that they are, the UAE are ready to put on another show.

Over the next one month, the UAE and its iconic venues — Zayed Cricket Stadium, Dubai International Cricket Stadium and the historic Sharjah Cricket Stadium — will play host to two Tests, five One Day Internationals and two T20 Internationals between Pakistan and Sri Lanka. The first Test begins in Abu Dhabi from Thursday.

A third T20 International is scheduled to be played at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore.

The wind of change looms as far as cricket returning to Pakistan is concerned and the only constant is change.

Pakistan step into a new era and into the unknown starting with this tour. They will be led by a new captain in the young and dynamic Sarfraz Ahmed, who has big shoes to fill.

After having been a loyal servant of Pakistan cricket, Misbah-ul-Haq, called time on his career, c although, even at 43, he is still one of the fittest and can waltz back into this side.

But what is done is done and Pakistan have to now look forward. It will be a massive, massive void to fill. Apart from his leadership qualities, Pakistan will, more pertinently, miss his trade mark calmness and his a ability to read the game.

His staring into nothingness while addressing the press pack before, after or during games, will be missed, and will now be part of folklore.

At the other end of the spectrum, Pakistan will miss the steel of Younis Khan. The Pathan was the warrior, defiant, battling and grounding bowling attacks to dust. The opposition had no escaping his view.

The absence of these two men from now on, will feel a bit weird. They were the wheels on which Pakistan chugged along, for years.

They were what Rahul Dravid and VVS Laxman were for India and perhaps, there may never be another Misbah and Younis.

They were much bigger than all the numbers that can be thrown around and a statistical analysis would be an exercise in futility and not to justice to these two men.

The impending series will be an audition of sorts for those two roles, for some of the men in the current side.

For long, they were hand-held and guided by these two men and now the time has come to use their absence as strength, and walk it alone.

james@khaleejtimes.com