What could possibly make a Pakistani fan turn away from a clinical performance by their cricket team, while it’s in progress? The score line of a James Cerritani and Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi vs. Marco Chiudinelli and Roger Federer doubles game!
For a moment it almost seemed surreal: Federer in his ‘formal attire,’ a brown Nike jersey with white trim on the collar, wiping the hair off his forehead, with his left hand before bouncing the ball in his trademark style and then serving with body in perfect unison. And the receiver of the serve? For a minute it seemed as if the satellite signal had scrambled and the cable operators had changed the order of the sports channels. But no, it was true. Federer was in fact serving to Pakistan’s Qureshi in the ATP Swiss Indoors tournament in Basel, Switzerland.
That Pakistan were routing New Zealand in the first face-off since the infamous semi-final loss in the Champions Trophy seemed like an afterthought. The fact that Shahid Afridi, having scored 70 off 50 balls, was on a hat-trick after castling Danniel Vettori and trapping Nathan McCullum LBW, didn’t really matter. Because at the same time, Pakistan’s lone hope on the international tennis circuit, Qureshi, along with his American partner Cerretani were leading the Swiss pairing of Federer and Chiudinelli five games to four in the first set. Qureshi had aced into Federer’s body, and to hear the commentator say ‘that’s tremendous serving by the Pakistani,’ was unreal for many reasons.
It’s rare to hear or read the word Pakistan during an ATP tour. That the Pakistani was part of the event in Basel was an achievement itself, keeping in mind that Qureshi funds all his international tours personally. But playing Federer, albeit in a doubles match, was as much a dream come true for the fans as it was perhaps for Qureshi himself. And everyone knows when Federer is playing, the whole world is watching.
The biggest moment, however, came at the end of the match, amidst the joy of a Qureshi/Cerretani 6-4, 6-3 victory. It was surprising. It manifest in the form of a sentiment previously felt, but never at the same magnitude. When Federer and Qureshi shook hands, it seemed in that instant as if Pakistani tennis had been recognised, and that the country had had its much needed ‘positive moment’ on the tennis world stage.
As soon as the match ended, many frenzied phone calls were placed. People who could not articulate what the match itself had meant relied on analogies: ‘just imagine a Pakistani soap artist sharing a set with Al Pacino in a Hollywood movie.’ Comments like, ‘I didn’t know I was capable of such animosity towards Federer,’ were also made by die-hard Pakistani fans of tennis champ. To be fair to the Grand Slam winner, he did look out of sorts sharing the court with someone and not being able to control the fate of the plays. But a loss is nonetheless a loss.
As the initial euphoria from the Qureshi win – more than Pakistan’s victory over New Zealand – was dying down, two magnificent goals by Sohail Abbas propelled Pakistan to a 4-2 win over France in the hockey World Cup qualifiers in Lille, France. It capped an unbelievable day for Pakistan sports with the biggest moments coming from the most unlikely places. Such a hat-trick for Pakistan sports brought back memories of the 1990s when Pakistan ruled the world of cricket, hockey, squash, and snooker. Would it be premature to anticipate more glory days for Pakistan sports?
Taimur Sikander is a sports editor at Dawn.com.
The author clearly doesn’t follow a lot of tennis. This wasn’t the greatest achievement for Pakistani tennis, nor was it the greatest achievement in Aisam’s career. Qureshi is an accomplished doubles player as is Cerretani. They were favorites to get the win over their wild card opponents (regardless of Federer’s presence) and did so with panache. What would have been the greatest achievement would have been them winning their next match against the world’s best doubles team Zimonjic and Nestor. Unfortunately that was one hurdle too many.
The great Pakistani sports talent needs to be appreciated and rewarded.
In general Pakistani sports talent lacks discipline, training, physical fitness, and mental toughness. It takes professional coaching and training to transform raw talent into a winning combination. When matches are being won by virtue of prayers and not by proper planning, use of tactics and strategies. There is something seriously wrong.
Great Article Taimur !!!
We are very proud of the Glory Aisam has brought to Pakistan. He deserves all the praise for the years of sweat he has put in.
Why doesn’t he play Davis cup for Pakistan anymore? Why doesn’t he play in Pakistan anymore?
The same with our 2 A1 drivers who do not want to race in Pakistani colours anymore. One has gone into wilderness the other to F1 Renault.
The answer is simple but hard to digest. We never gave anything in return to these stars of our country not even respect.
Well great job Aisam. The people of pakistan should feel proud of it. I think its a great achievement. hats off to Aisam. Let me say that the media should also project Aisam. It seems like they have taken sleeping pills. If this had been an indian they would have projected him as super natural being.
Yes, this is an excellent news for the global fans of ‘green-shirt teams’ no matter which sport they represent but the million dollar question at this crucial juncture in time and history is,”For how long can this trend persist?”
Great match and great result! It’s time more folks took up tennis and racquet sports in Pakistan! It’s ony been squash for so long. Hello tennis!
Long live Pakistan….thanks to all our heroes!
This is great news and I pray that our sportsmen achieve more success. AMEEN.
I sincerely hope that we continue to work hard to improve Pakistan, it’s image and more importantly, ourselves.
Welldone Pakistani Players , I hope Pakistani players will perform well in Snooker World Champioship to be held in India and World Golf Championship in China
Pakistan Zindabad
Well its not every day Aisam beats Fedrer on court but we should still remember that we do the best in all parts of the world the only thing is we dont appriciate it as a nation!!!!!!!
long live pakistan and may Allah give us all a chance to serve n make our country proud.
Pakistan Zindabad
Very well written article…….
That’s really great that atleast there is some one who is challenging the top slot of the sport’s world.
Well done Pakistan!
Excellent season!
I saw that match live and my hands were always up praying for our Pakistani hero and seems in full Action, may Allah give him a long life and he play for our Nation and InshaAllah he willl become a Top Tennis Player of the World.
Even the biggest fans of Federer from Pakistan wanted this time Quereshi to win. I think govt has now no excuses , they should support the Tennis just like hockey or cricket because the current achievement by Quereshi suggested that we have some future in this sport as well.
Quereshi has really made all of Pakistani feel proud. He also deserves atleast to be attended at the airport by prominent figures of our country on his arrival back to home pakistan.
Thank God, Its not all doom and gloom. There is something to cheer about as well. May Allah help us overcome our internal and external problems and we take pride in who we are (PAKISTANIS)and in our on and off field achievements, Amen.
We should recognize the achievements of our countrymen and reward them for their brilliant performances.
LONG LIVE PAKISTAN
LONG LIVE PAKISTAN
LONG LIVE PAKISTAN
And last but not least,
LONG LIVE PAKISTANIS
a perfectly articulated article…!
with all the gloom we have in lives today seeing our people being treated as inhumans. You made us have the courage and confidence again or else these wins would have passed by as mere happenings in our lives.
May Allah give even more victories to our nation.
Wonderful achievement, however, sad on the part of Pakistan media ignoring these events. It seems Pakistan media is there to serve anti national causes such as faking stories about the Younis Khan’s team loss to New Zealand. Instead of cheering them up they chose to play into Indian media hands.
Pakistanis are always the best when they are performing to their potential.
The only Missing Factor is the Home Environment which is not encouraging enough to provide our youngs much needed CONFIDENCE to rock the world.
The world has not seen this for the first time, that SPORTS have lifted the spirits of the most troubled nation on earth at this moment, Pakistan.
Long Live Pakistan and its BRAVE youth which always come forward to give the nation something to cheer up.
Good Job guys, and Inshallah keep doing a better job. Allah ka shukar hai that finally some relief atleast in sports.
Its good to hear such a news….HAT trick indeed…..Pakistan Zindabad
A wonderful article, written in the most heart felt way!
Hats off to our heroes who makes us feel a proud Pakistani.
May Allah protect our country from this biggest conspiracy of all times to destabilize Pakistan. Ameen !
Well Done. Such a great news after long time. Wish you play Wembeldon one day. Hats off for you!! God bless Pakistan.
A great achievement by a Pakistani. Congrats. But look at our media which is alway out to portray the country as a troubled state. Had it been done by any Indian you could see the coverage in thier media. Our media should come forward and highlight this achievement. Truly great. Media should show the recording of this match.
I almost had tears of joy in my eyes on reading the article. It’s another ray of fresh air after the T20 World Cup victory. We have the ability to out-perform “The Best in the Business” it’s just a matter of having the opportunity.
Hats off to Aisam
First of all Congratulations to the PAKISTANI NATION – Always proud to be a Pakistani.
Secondly, a very good eye on all these sports because being a common man, I really didnt knew any thing about Hockey AT ALL. So I personally thank you TAIMUR for being so aware and also spreading it as well.
Great work PAKISTANI SPORTS GUYS, Specially Afridi, Aisam and Sohail Abbas.
A hat-trick indeed but not worth much except Aisam beating federer, the Pakistan vs. newzealand cricket series does’nt hold much value and the hockey victory is a qualification tornament for a country which used to “own” the hockey field!
Well done Aisam . Keep it up !
I think it is a result of great dedication, devotion and determination from this guy who has been persistently working hard while not taking into account the scarcity of facilties and support from the government.
Well done Aisam you really deserve it.
I hope that era of our glorious succeses in sports will come back. Inshaallah
Way to go Pakistani’s we all are proud of you. May Allah keep our motherland safe. Ameen.
INSHALLAH, we will bring more and more glories like this to this part of the world as it is badly needed at this stage, INSHALLAH GOD will help us all in this regard.
Alhamdulillah.
we should thanks to Almighty Allah that he gives us the most beautiful country in the world and brilliant people as well. We have to realize this before it’s too late.
PAKISTAN ZINDA AUR PAINDABAD…
Govt should promote sports. Instead of making parks, Govt should make Tennis, Volley Ball, Bandminton courts with reasonable maintenance fees as those who has the talent to play and can not afford, get the opportunity to show their skills to world and prove that Pakistan has got the real talent in every field.
ALL THE BEST FOR ALL PAKISTANI in every aspect of life. well done our national players,. u make us happy Allah bless u.
Congrats to the nation! Many prayers for our sportsmen bringing smiles and glory! Pakistan Zindabad!
As salam o alikum all,
Aisam ul Haq you make us proud!. May u get more like this, this is the only start you have to go on & on & on. Country is with you. I hope now tennis federation must arrange funds for you.
Pakistan Zindabad
These exploits of Pakistani sportsmen has reinforced the fact that there is no dearth of talent in this country. All we need is use of merit in selection, hardwork, dedication and above all Discipline. We can certainly out perform many of our neighboring rivals in the field of sports.
Aisam has made something possible which was impossible. Who could have thought that Pakistan could secure such a victory.
Although our govt has done nothing to help you in your efforts but you have made all of us very happy. I would not use the term very proud for it but im proud. Yes we are very thankful to ALLAH for letting us have this big happy moment a memorable victory through Aisam.
Pakistani’s have ability to show our real metal in most desperate of times. Our blessings are countless. This is what makes Pakistani’s unique.
Way to go Aisam!! And what a wonderfully written article. Such a warm feel good feeling it brings. Pakistan Zindabad
Pakistan Zindabad, InshAllah!
With love,
from Pakistanis in Ireland.
I think this is the biggest and postive news I heard after june when our cricket team won T20 world cup. I like to Congratulate them on winning the first match, you don’t know how much this news source of joy for us especially Pakistani student community at UNSW sydney
I just love DAWN!
They have stunning and talented bloggers and to add to that list we now have Taimur.
Taimur Bhai thanks for that article, and thanks for recognizing the hockey performances and the tennis performance by Aisam -ul- Haq.
Pakistan Zindabad
First of all I would like to thank Allah (Remember Boom Boom). Thanks to every player who contributed to this hat trick of wins, from Khalid Latif to Sohail Abbas.
I am very proud Pakistani today. I wish we should stop all schedule TV shows and show our performance in sport and inspire the nation from hopelessness and bring us together as Paksitan FIRST…
Aisam has made every Pakistani proud, he has achieved this level all by himself because of his passion and love for tennis. Tennis board should be ashamed of there severe incompetency, corrupt mentality and giving more importance to other issues then his talent. May GOD BLESS PAKISTAN.
Well done Aisam bhai. Your a Pakistani Hero. Thanks for this..:)
Just goes to prove that we are a nation and we can hold our own with the best of the best, if given the opportunity. We shall come out of this and be what we are mean to be a great nation. Pakistan Zindabad!!
Very well done indeed Pakistan particularly for Aisam ul haq who has achieved all this without much help. Our sports men are our real ambassadors, you make us proud!
We can all remember the glory days of Pakistan Sportsmen, but lets not forget these are just few games not titles that are won at all 3 fronts. Lets keep the focus and pursue it till the end. Keep up the hard work. Our prayers are with you all.