This ones for the dreams.

The stage was set that day. Top 2 of the 18 league teams move on to division 1. Our last game of the season, was a must win to stay in contention for the 2nd spot. If we lost, the season was over for us. The target was 197 and my team on 126/7 when I walked out to bat. Abdullah bhai who was already on the crease then was the only hope to carry us through. When I walked in he said, "Lets try our best and leave the rest to Him".
It was just by chance that I was there. The main wicket keeper walked out of the club following an altercation. Yes, Paki teams follow similar patterns everywhere. ;-) Asif bhai turned to me. Having had a bad first half off the season I was in no mood for playing but I understood how important it was for the team so there I was. I kept decently well that morning and hoped my job was done there. I didnt want to bat and hoped the other batters would finish it.
I nodded to what Abdullah bhai had to say. "I will be there with you till the end" is what I told him. Also the comment passed by the older keeper (who many think had come to watch us loose and watch me keep and bat badly) when I went in to bat had disgusted (read woken me up) me. When I went in to bat he said "Ankoor 4-6 marna hawa mein marna" which I thought was a silly reverse strategy to try an bog me down. This got me even more determined to win.
As I faced the first over I told myself. Okay so 70 runs to win... 7 wickets down. This ones for the dreams. Abdullah bhai was batting beautifully. He and I gave a stand of 38 runs after which he played on and got bowled. He was completely dejected. Before leaving he told me, "Ankoor pressure mein na aana, Kamal bhai can also bat a bit. Try your best". 32 runs to get, 2 wickets in hand and the last man could not bat for peanuts. Kamal bhai and I decided to finish it. Amidst lots of pressure and sledging we showed a lot of determination to not only come close to the target but also achieve it. The whole team jumped and danced in joy. Like Asif bhai correctly pointed. When we sit on our couches at night today all of us will proudly smile for a positive end to a tough season.
Yes that one was really for the dreams! An amazing co-incidence is the stark similarity of this match to my older blog "Cricket to me" which starts with 70 runs to win... 7 wickets down. Do blogs come true? Well, I should write more often then!