Giles Clark and the ECB must be given credit for making an unprecedented decision to host a Test series between two other nations © Getty Images

It's been some week for Pakistan cricket. An incredible rush to the World Twenty20 title is followed by the wonderful news that Pakistan will be playing an unprecedented six Tests in England next summer. This is an unimaginable treat, even for somebody like me who has been watching Pakistan tours of England since the 1970s.

Delight, of course, is tinged with sadness that Pakistan will not be playing international cricket at home anytime soon, but I guess British Pakistani fans will not be complaining. Indeed, their passionate participation during the Twenty20 World Cup must have been the final clincher on a deal that has been cooking for several months. When the traditional Pakistani coach paraded around Lord's after last week's final, with celebrating supporters sitting on and hanging off every inch, it was a sign that the tide is turning favourably for Pakistan cricket.

Unusually for this blog, this is also a moment to congratulate all three cricket boards. The PCB has chosen an imaginative solution to a dreadful problem. Cricket Australia has been one of the least keen to visit Pakistan over the years but it has rarely been reluctant to play Pakistan elsewhere. It's not worth quibbling that it's only a two Test series. And the ECB has made an unprecedented decision in hosting a Test series between other nations.

Ultimately, the players did themselves the best favour by thrilling us during the World Cup. Star performances sell and Pakistan are box office again. Test series against Australia and England will be tough, especially for a sporadic Test playing nation. But tours of England are always invaluable learning experiences, and Pakistan have a good record in English conditions over the last twenty years.

2010 promises to be a dream come true for Pakistan cricket fans based in England. Indeed, it will be a relief for all Pakistan fans that their team will play the highest form of international cricket for a sustained period.

I'm finding this very hard to say but . . . well done Mr Butt.

Lord's was a flag-waving sea of green and Dil Dil Pakistan rang out once more to celebrate Pakistan's victory in the 2009 Twenty20 World Cup. A Pakistani bus with people hanging off every door, window, and cramming the roof blared its horns outside the home of cricket. What a moment for Pakistan cricket fans and the residents of St John's Wood, NW8.

Pakistan cricket and unpredictability have become bedfellows over the years. At the start of this tournament there was a sense that the bedfellows were falling out of love. Pakistan had become predictable no-hopers. An underwhelming show in the warm-ups was followed by a cold performance against England.

Fans of Pakistan cricket may be pleased to know that unpredictability is back with a vengeance. Not only have Pakistan gone from unconvincing to unbeatable, they also won the final with the cool of habitual winners.

When everybody expected Sri Lankan to rocket away in the first six overs, Pakistan ripped the heart out of their batting. A blow that Kumar Sangakarra recovered from in masterful fashion. Sri Lanka had set themselves 155 plus when they won the toss. After the first six overs, they settled for as many as they could get, which ultimately was not far short of their original target.

It was enough to make Pakistan supporters anxious. The response by Younis Khan's team did little to settle nerves. For the best part of 16 overs it was hard to decipher whether the Pakistan innings was an exercise in immaculate timing or a stumbling chase of a manageable total.

When Shahid Afridi, the man of the match and Pakistan's man of the series, launched Udana for six over midwicket the verdict was a beautifully paced chase. The crowd bayed Afridi's name each time he faced a ball, and their champion--as if making up for years of disappointment--responded by winning the World Cup for Pakistan.

Sri Lanka were heroic today as they have been throughout the tournament. They are cricketers of unusual intelligence and dignity. Their battle to defend a low total was brave and skillful. The two best bowling sides in the tournament went toe to toe, and it was the batsmen of Pakistan who held firm.

Younis Khan followed in the footsteps of his hero Imran Khan and lifted a World Cup for Pakistan. Each intervening year has made this victory sweeter. Younis also followed his hero in two other ways. First, he managed to pull together a disjointed Pakistan team into a world beating unit. Second, he announced his retirement--but only from Twenty20 cricket.

He may as well. How can you beat the drama of this moment? The past years of desperation in Pakistan; isolation in international cricket. No cricket ground you can call home. A nomadic life with sporadic international cricket.

At the end Younis Khan dedicated the victory to Bob Woolmer, his mentor, and to the long-suffering people of his homeland. Whoever scripted this is a genius.

	There is something about Pakistan's determination to put right some of the wrongs of the past, and lift the mood of the people back home © Associated Press

In 1999, Pakistan played thrilling World Cup cricket only to be crushed in the final by Australia at Lord's. In 2007 Pakistan came within an agonising 5 runs of winning the inaugural Twenty20 World Cup. In one fell swoop - a Twenty20 final at Lord's - Younis Khan's team can banish both those painful memories for Pakistan's players and supporters.

This is an unexpected opportunity. Few people predicted Pakistan could reach this stage. Cricket's perennial underachievers have overachieved in this tournament. They have already made their supporters proud. Against Sri Lanka they will again start as underdogs.

But if Pakistan play with the same passion, pride, and fearlessness that they have displayed in the latter half of the tournament then they have every chance of success. Pakistan play a strong Sri Lankan team, but the teams are evenly matched. A flash of genius from a player from either side will seal this match. Enter Shahid Afridi, a player with verve. This could be your moment.

Sri Lanka would be worthy winners too - and the dignity they showed after the Lahore attacks would be reason enough- but there is something about Pakistan's determination to put right some of the wrongs of the past, and lift the mood of the people back home, that is compelling.

Younis Khan's admonishment of Mohammad Aamer for failing to complete a run out when the semi-final was already won tells its own story. Afridi and Abdul Razzaq have the pain of a decade ago to ease. Many of the players watched India celebrate in South Africa two years ago. Above all, their countrymen have suffered on a daily basis for many months. Younis, Afridi, and Umar Gul are from the war torn North West Frontier Province. Pakistan have many powerful motivations to win this cup.

But the match will not be decided on sentiment. Pakistan may not have an Ajantha Mendis but they possess a more consistently powerful bowling line-up. Sri Lanka shade the batting although Pakistan are fast improving and must have one big score in them, surely? At least they will be confident of tackling Murali and Mendis. It was Lasith Malinga who undid them in the Super Eights match. Pakistan must play him with a clear plan. The last outing was panic-stricken.

It is always difficult to predict a Twenty20 match with certainty. But I am certain that Younis' team have been the best ambassadors that Pakistan has had for many years. They have not achieved this through politics or money. They have achieved this through their skill and passion on a cricket pitch and the joy and excitement that they have brought to this tournament. Changing the world's view of the people of Pakistan was harder than winning any World Cup.

Now for the easy part. Go Pakistan! Dil Dil Pakistan . . .

	Shahid Afridi's complete all-round game brought the South African juggernaut to a halt © Getty Images

"I just blew him a kiss," smiled Shahid Afridi, when asked about his on-field exchange with Jacques Kallis. It was a kiss that sent Pakistan to Lord's, as Afridi won an old-fashioned battle of allrounders.

Afridi decided to spread the love as he killed South Africa's chances of lifting this World Cup.

Pakistan's talisman was the difference. A fact agreed upon by both captains, thousands of spectators at Trent Bridge, and millions of viewers at home. Halfway through this tournament Afridi changed his approach to batting. Encouraged by his captain, he has decided to take a couple of sighters instead of launching immediately into a reckless assault.

Younis Khan's greatest trick has been coaxing the best out of his unpredictable matchwinner, especially as they have clashed at times in the past. In the last three games Afridi has produced a complete all-round game, and the results leave Pakistan standing tall.

This was by no means a perfect performance from Pakistan. Some of the batting was slow, especially in the last five overs. But credit should go to South Africa for excellent death bowling, and the pitch blunted the most extravagant strokeplay.

In the field, Younis introduced Fawad Alam at a perplexing moment, and misjudged the number of overs for Umar Gul. But these gambles paid off for Pakistan's captain, fortune was with him.

Yet Younis has made his own luck. He has encouraged a determined and aggressive attitude, something that caught South Africa off guard. In the past, Pakistan have struggled against South Africa, largely because Pakistan have been mentally beaten before a ball has been bowled. This may be only Twenty20 but Pakistan's attitude made a palpable difference.

Behind his smiles, Younis is determined to win this World Cup for his country and especially for his embattled North West region. He and his team can hold their heads high. They have made hundreds of millions of their fellows very proud. A semi-final berth was a pleasant surprise, a final appearance is beyond expectations.

This is a sweet moment for Pakistan's long-suffering fans, who passionately follow a team that often produces frustration but sometimes conjures magic. Nobody swings more sharply between frustration and magic than Afridi. He epitomises Pakistan cricket.

Today Shahid Afridi was magic. Pakistan fans will hope the spell can last another three days.

	Younis Khan's Pakistan is shaping up nicely in this tournament © Associated Press

Pakistan fans should outnumber South Africans at Trent Bridge today, and Younis Khan’s team will require every last breath of support if it is to defeat the tournament's most formidable opponents. Has any Pakistan team's progress ever acquired greater significance?

South Africa pose a severe threat to Younis’s stated dual ambitions of winning this World Cup to uplift the people of Pakistan and to honour the memory of his previous coach and mentor, Bob Woolmer. Behind an inane grin Younis is a serious fellow.

His Pakistan are shaping up nicely in this tournament--it would be wrong to imagine the coach has any significant influence. A varied and aggressive bowling attack has allowed the batsmen to slowly find their form. But the concern is that Pakistan may be facing South Africa a match too early.

Historically, Pakistan have struggled against South Africa, especially on pitches with pace and bounce. This South African team boasts fast bowling aplenty, venomous and brutal. The better bowling attacks have troubled Pakistan, even the mediocre ones have broken their stride. On this basis alone South Africa must start favourites although Trent Bridge might just suit Pakistan.

But all is not lost. In every game, Pakistan have grown stronger. They have hit upon a team formula and a game plan that feels right for Twenty20 cricket. Shahzaib Hasan and Abdul Razzaq add some power hitting, creating a better balance between measured strokeplay and outrageous attack.

The players even look to be enjoying themselves, not in a frivolous WWE kind of way but in recognition of their improving game. When Younis Khan described Twenty20 cricket as fun he invited ridicule although it was really a clumsy cover for his intense annoyance with his fellows. He now seems very serious, especially following New Zealand's shameful attempt to question the integrity of his team.

There can be no question, however, about the quality of Pakistan's bowling in this tournament. For that alone, Pakistan fully deserve to be in the semi-finals. And it is the bowlers who stand the best chance of reminding South Africa of their chokers tag.

This will be the toughest challenge South Africa's batsmen have faced. Can Umar Gul, Shahid Afridi, and Saeed Ajmal stifle South Africa as they have stifled others? I'm most fascinated to see how teenager Mohammad Aamer fares against South Africa's blasters.

Pakistan's flair can defeat the functional approach of South Africa. But this is a mighty South African team, and Pakistan will require an exceptional game in all departments to progress to Sunday's final. The senior players will need to lead the way, especially with the bat. Misbah-ul Haq and Abdul Razzaq, in particular, are capable of an unstoppable assault.

It might just be that Pakistan are peaking at the right time while South Africa are due a defeat. This might just be wishful thinking, South Africa are ruthless. Yet Pakistan have started playing with a swagger that comes with confidence, and in Twenty20 cricket anything is possible.

Win or lose, I want to see Pakistan play with passion and panache. In a few games of Twenty20, Younis Khan's team have reminded the world why Pakistan cricket is an essential, thrilling, and fascinating ingredient in our international game.

Win or lose, Pakistanis around the world have held their heads up high for a couple of weeks. "Proud to be Pakistani" shirts have made a reappearance. The Pakistani flag is once again associated with sporting performances that bring joy rather than the fear of international terrorism.

Win or lose, when people tell you that cricket is merely a sport, please tell them that for Pakistan this mere sport is a symbol of hope, a vibrant and pulsating connection with the international community.

No wonder Younis Khan chooses to smile. The enormity of his burden might otherwise crush him.

I write this on behalf of England fans at The Oval for the Super Eights match on Monday. I was in the crowd to enjoy the unique spectacle of England and Pakistan playing on the same day but against different opposition. Delight at Pakistan's progress was tempered by the manner of England's defeat. In fact, you woz robbed.

Paul Collingwood should have paid attention to the weather forecast and batted second. But the rain interruptions were cruel to England since the revised target favoured Chris Gayle's cultured sloggers. England were admirable in their passion to stay in the tournament but a packed house at The Oval deserved better.

International cricket administrators must decide who the game is for? Supporters were drenched twice but still committed to watching West Indies bat 20 overs, which was possible as conditions remained fine well after the match finished.

Floodlights don't run out of energy at 9pm. Public transport keeps running and the roads remain open. Spectators don't need to rush home, brush their teeth, and slip under the bedsheets.

Why, then, is the artificially imposed cut-off point for the end of a game so early? It makes it more likely that overs are lost. These are the rules of the competition but why are they the rules?

A Twenty20 game is so brief that every attempt must be made to ensure a full match. Anything else is unfair on the players and the spectators, especially in such a short game of cricket.

The Duckworth-Lewis method already exists to decide on a result if bad weather forces an abandonment. Why do we require a second system for revising a target if rain interrupts a match rather than prematurely ends it?

With ten wickets in hand, West Indies were gifted a favourable target which they almost made a mess of. Paul Collingwood's team must have been fuming, deprived of a proper contest. Spectators were deflated and, after all, cricket is for them and not for television executives and prime-time schedulers.

Can the ICC fix this one before next year's tournament?

	Saeed Ajmal’s combination with Shahid Afridi is proving critical for Pakistan in the middle overs © Getty Images

As with other minnows who do not play regular international cricket, Ireland’s bowlers posed more of a challenge than their batsmen. Boyd Rankin, in particular, troubled Pakistan with his pace and bounce.

Nonetheless, a solid if unspectacular performance ensured that Pakistan posted a total that was way beyond Ireland. Kamran Akmal was the backbone of the effort, with Shahzaib Hasan, Shahid Afridi, and Abdul Razzaq playing handy cameos.

Still, there should be some disappointment that Pakistan failed to post a bigger total. The current batting approach is short of ingenuity and invention, which is something of a surprise from a Pakistani team.

Misbah-ul Haq, usually the prime architect of unusual strokeplay, has yet to discover his touch. His teammates will be hoping that he is saving his best inventions for the big games ahead.

Once more, Pakistan’s bowling proved formidable. And it was a day for unsung heroes to come to the fore. Saeed Ajmal continued his excellence in this tournament. His four wickets effectively snuffed out any challenge from Ireland. Ajmal’s combination with Afridi is proving critical for Pakistan in the middle overs.

Mohammed Aamer again wowed the crowd. His second over marked by fast bowling of the highest international standard. Aamer is improving with every outing and could become a truly special bowler for Pakistan.

As ever, Umar Gul finished off the Ireland innings with venom, the highlight being two consecutive yorkers that uprooted the stumps. Unfortunately, the first was off a free-hit delivery and did not count as a wicket.

It has been a tough 24 hours for Gul, whose world record-breaking spell against New Zealand has been tarnished by thinly veiled accusations of ball-tampering. It is an accusation that the New Zealand camp should hide their heads in shame over.

Pakistan have now banished some of the demons of their last defeat against Ireland. Several banners in the crowd urged Pakistan to win it for Woolmer. They did just that, and for themselves and their country.

Pakistan may have had one of the easier routes to the semi-finals but they had the worst 24 months of any team. It is a moment of joy and pride that they have gathered themselves to reach the final stages of a major international tournament.

The hard work begins now.

	Why is that when a man in green produces something special the immediate reaction is to cast doubt on that achievement? © AFP

Gul's brilliance is his ability to bowl his chosen length at will, either yorker, back of a length, or on a good length. He rarely errs by bowling a half volley. At the death, this predominantly yorker attack has become almost impossible to plunder runs off. This is the result of years of hard work and battle against injury. Gul is an intelligent bowler with absolute control over his armoury.

Hence, the whiff of suspicion created by Daniel Vettori and some journalists is a disgrace. Why is it that when a man in green produces something special the immediate reaction is to cast doubt on that achievement? If it had been another country then the issue would not even have been raised.

Grow up boys, we've had twenty years of this nonsense and we're sick and tired of it. Your sour grapes have become rancid.

	Shahid Afridi's array of drifters, spinners and yorkers bamboozled New Zealand © Associated Press

Umar Gul fried New Zealand at The Oval but it was Shahid Afridi who lit the fire. Afridi's sprinting catch off Scott Styris was a delightful surprise for all Pakistan fans, and it set the tone for a sparkling performance and swung the psychology of the match in Pakistan's favour.

Let's be clear, Pakistan still have their problems. The fielding can be geriatric and the batting isn't entirely convincing but Pakistan's bowlers are becoming a formidable combination. The root of this is a varied bowling attack that can halt the run rate through aggression.

Gul produced a glorious record-breaking spell but his first wicket belonged to Afridi's exhilarating race to grasp Styris's soaring strike. By then Afridi had already bewildered New Zealand's batsmen with his array of drifters, spinners, and laser guided yorkers. For Afridi fans it is a relief that his bowling has become so formidable in cricket's shorter versions, else he might have been lost to the international arena.

What's more, Afridi also found time to revert to a batting approach that can restore his confidence. He remains a beautifully clean striker of the ball but he betrays his ability when he allows impatience to force him to hit across the line.

Afridi is at his best striking through the ball and straight, an approach that requires at least a few sighters before an all-out assault. Now Afridi and Pakistan have a further opportunity to fine tune their form and strategy when they seek revenge against Ireland and a berth in the semi-finals.

This was a good day for Pakistan. Apart from Afridi and Gul, Shahzaib demonstrated some promising firepower, and Aamer again showed ability and temperament that helped him recover from a poor start. Abdul Razzaq made a vital and emotional return too.

Pakistan know all too well that a team that times its run right can cause a surprise. A Pakistani triumph in this tournament would still be a surprise but only three straight Twenty20 victories, with the first against Ireland, is an appetising challenge.

	The New Zealand game is ideal to recall Abdul Razzaq © AFP

Pakistan thew away a golden opportunity to put themselves in a strong position to qualify for the semi-finals of the Twenty20 World Cup. A target of 151 was better than Pakistan could have imagined once the Sri Lankan Frying Pan and Battering Ram were laying into their opening bowlers.

The recovery from Pakistan's bowlers proved that their mix of speed and spin is capable of helping them succeed in this tournament. And, today, even the fielders managed a decent performance.

Pakistan might worry about the number of extras conceded but it was their batting that lost them this match. Younis Khan is shoring up his team's batting effort and requires more consistent support from his senior colleagues. Misbah-ul Haq, in particular, has failed to live up to his magical Twenty20 reputation, while the rest are too inconsistent in their hitting ability.

All of this could mean that the New Zealand game is ideal to recall Abdul Razzaq. Pakistan require more power hitting, something that Razzaq specialises in. Salman Butt could be the man to lose out since Fawad Alam deserves more of an opportunity and Sohail Tanvir requires more overs to return to match-winning form.

It is a straight knock-out for Pakistan from this point onwards, and the batsmen cannot afford to panic in the way that they did today against an efficient if unspectacular Sri Lankan bowling effort.

Razzaq might be capable of giving the batting the boost that the performance of the bowlers deserves.

	Shahid Afridi took the crowd's plaudits against Netherlands with a match-winning spell © Getty Images

Pakistan discovered that winning is more fun than losing, when they comprehensively defeated Netherlands at Lord's today. Netherlands played with spirit and had an even chance of qualification until Younis Khan introduced the spin pairing of Saeed Ajmal and Shahid Afridi.

From that point onwards, after the sixth over, Pakistan seized complete control of the contest.

The rain kept away and allowed Pakistan's spinners to find improved control and bamboozle the opposition batsmen who are unused to facing such an unorthodox duo.With Pakistan's pacers also finding their length, Younis Khan can be well pleased with their bowling performance and, unusually, the wicket keeping of Kamran Akmal.

Afridi took the crowd's plaudits today with a match-winning spell, a six off the fastest bowler in the match, and Pakistan's first direct hit of the competition in the field.

Pakistan now require the bowlers to continue to be a strength because the batsmen did not score enough to bat Netherlands out of the match. It was good that the senior batsmen took more responsibility but at times, particularly during the partnership between Shoaib Malik and Younis, Pakistan's batting lacked daring and urgency.

Nonetheless, Pakistan's supporters will be relieved that a completely different team turned up today, one that was professional and determined to win. What's more, Pakistan now find themselves in the easier half of the draw with a golden opportunity to reach the semi-finals.

To be more successful, Pakistan require to move to a higher level of performance in their batting and fielding. But the longer they stay in this tournament the stronger they will get, as Pakistan's main handicap--now that they seem to have put their attitude right--is a lack of recent international competition.

A win against Netherlands doesn't make a summer but at least it allows Younis's undercooked team to fight another day.

	Pakistan need Imran Nazir in the Twenty20 squad © ICL

A washout—and rain is threatened at Lord’s—will mean that Pakistan will be eliminated.

Pakistan might point to the Dutch team’s freak victory against England as a stroke of misfortune but, ultimately, they only have themselves to blame. Pakistan’s preparations have looked lazy and their match performances have lacked sharpness.

Off the field, the Pakistan camp has been prone to public gaffes. First, Intikhab Alam raised eyebrows when he stated he was “unconcerned” about defeat to India.

This was followed by Younis Khan’s silly claim after the England match that he only thought of World Cup Twenty20 cricket as “fun” even if it was international cricket.

Such errors of judgement are no surprise as Pakistan have once again turned up for a major tour without a media manager. The modern media world is complex and sophisticated, and to leave this important area in the hands of a coach and a team manager who are both past retirement age is sheer folly.

In Younis’ defence he was visibly shaken by defeat, and in between his smiles and his easy-going attitude, he was clearly disappointed by the performance of his senior colleagues, namely Shahid Afridi, Salman Butt, and Kamran Akmal.

He has promised that there will be changes for today’s match and that the senior players will be asked to take greater responsibility, which includes a move up the batting order.

Indeed, one of the perplexing decisions at The Oval was the sight of Misbah-ul Haq, Pakistan’s Twenty20 miracle worker, striding to the crease once the game was all but lost. Pakistan must have experience at the top of the order.

On the bowling front, Shahid Afridi’s consistency has vanished, a handicap to Pakistan in the middle overs. In addition, Yasir Arafat looks a poor choice to open the bowling, often pitching too full and allowing the batsman to clear the infield.

Pakistan’s traditional strength has been its bowling, a necessity because of batting and fielding frailties, but the current bowling line-up has struggled to exert any control over any opposition.

Netherlands are inexperienced but confident enough to take on the bigger teams, as they showed against England. Pakistan should, however, have more than enough firepower to defeat them by the required margin to ensure qualification.

Unfortunately, Pakistan’s performances up to now have made their supporters concerned about the team’s attitude, and a tournament that could have been fun has begun miserably.

The question now is whether or not the Pakistan captain and management can motivate the players to qualify for the easier half of the Super Eights draw?

Certainly, Pakistan can do it. But the disorganisation and disruption in Pakistan cricket over the last few years is now beginning to take a severe toll.

Whatever the result today, a drastic overhaul is required. If Pakistan cricket were run properly, would the Twenty20 team be without Imran Nazir, Abdul Razzaq, and even possibly Shoaib Akhtar, warts and all? The Badshahs and Badmashes have been sorely missed.

The major problem for Pakistan supporters is that their team hasn't even come close to winning any of the warm-up matches or the opening encounter against the hosts. It is hard to pinpoint where Pakistan lost this match, as they lost it almost everywhere and every which way they turned. Pakistan, in truth, have looked below par in every department, with the biggest concerns around the fielding and batting.

A lack of ability could be excused but a lack of competitiveness cannot. Pakistan's team has given the appearance of taking this whole tournament too lightly, which is a shock as this is Pakistan's opportunity to remind that world that it is a cricketing power that should not be ignored. On these performances, Pakistan can be easily ignored.

Younis Khan described the tournament as "fun" and something not to be taken too seriously as its main role is to entertain supporters. The miserable expressions of thousands of Pakistan fans in the stadium would beg to differ.

These supporters have been brought up on the bravado of Imran Khan, Javed Miandad, Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis, and Inzamam-ul Haq. The current approach of the Pakistan squad and its entourage is an insult to its millions of supporters and their heroic predecessors.

After all, this is a World Cup. Supporters pay to watch at the stadium, via satellite, and on the Internet. They want to see their team win. If not win, they want to see their team battle. Fun comes a poor third in the hierarchy.

Pakistan need to quickly get their priorities right. Even a win against The Netherlands may not now be enough.

Ultimately, though, it is hard to blame the players entirely. When a cricket administration is as hopeless as the PCB has been, how can we expect the players to be impeccable professionals?

A trivial match against The Netherlands has now acquired the flavour of a World Cup Final. Come on Pakistan, show some pride and passion.

	Passionate rival fans at The Oval can peacefully co-exist © Getty Images

It was an amusing juxtaposition. The Oval was pulsating and bursting at the seams as Asia's old enemies got excited over a "warm-up." Meanwhile, a meagre politely-applauding crowd watched the home nation at Lord's. The matches were equally one-sided but the atmosphere at The Oval was worthy of a World Cup Final.

I approached The Oval expecting a buzz but fearing a riot. My mind goes back to my first India-Pakistan match, an unofficial one-dayer in the early 1980s that took place in the small Yorkshire town of Harrogate. Possibly ten times the ground capacity had crammed into the ground and onto the pitch, with the boundaries pulled in to accommodate the fans. There was passion, an uneasy tension, and countless pitch invasions. At one point, an Indian fan ran across the pitch waving his country's flag, and several hundred Pakistan fans immediately chased after him. Who knows what happened to him?

Just under thirty years later, British Asians are equally passionate about their teams, perhaps surprisingly so as each generation places mistier memories between itself and its familial homeland. Yet at The Oval both sets of fans sat side by side, often stood side by side, and frequently chanted side by side--chants influenced by football rather than Bollywood.

"Are you Scotland in disguise?" mocked India's young fans, as their team romped to victory. The Pakistan fans sitting next to them smiled back. The Indian fans had done just the same when they had been taunted. If there was a greater pleasure than seeing India and Pakistan competing on a cricket pitch then this healthy and good humoured rivalry was it.

Now the supporters of India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka must continue in this fashion until the end of the tournament. They have an opportunity to show their compatriots around the world that competition needn't lead to hatred. By electrifying this World Cup, British Asian supporters can make this a memorable competition and, let's hope, a turning point in the damaging trajectory of international cricket.