An Open Letter to Shan Masood

Champions Rise From Ashes: A Spark of Belief for You, Shan

Shan, my man, I know the air is thick with disappointment after Perth. That final wicket falling, the scoreboard mocking with Australia’s dominance, the sting of defeat biting deep. We’ve all felt it, every fan, every teammate, every Pakistani heart united in the agony of a game slipped away. But let me tell you, chin up, captain. This is not the end, it’s just a bend in the road, a chance to show what champions are truly made of. Now you have a chance to rewrite the narrative, to carve our own legend from the ashes of this loss.

Remember India in Adelaide? The ghosts of 36 still haunt them, the humiliation of their lowest Test score etched forever in cricket’s tapestry. Yet, did they crumble? Did they drown in the self-inflicted despair? No, Shan, they rose stronger. Like phoenixes from the ashes, they soared on the wings of unwavering belief.
Rahane and Pujara, twin bastions of resolve, carved centuries in Melbourne, each run a defiant brushstroke against the canvas of doubt. Bumrah and Jadeja, with fire in their hearts and steel in their arms, ripped through the Aussie batting, each wicket a declaration of intent. They didn’t forget Adelaide, they learned from it, they used it as fuel to burn brighter.
Shan, your leadership is crucial now. This is where the true captain emerges, not amidst sunshine and glory, but in the furnace of adversity. Let the Perth fire temper your resolve, not diminish it. Gather your boys, the warriors in green, and remind them of what they are – a force to be reckoned with, a team that thrives on challenge, a unit stronger for its scars. It reminds us that true champions are forged in fire, their mettle tested in the crucible of adversity.

Here’s your battle plan, captain:
~ Refocus, not Rehash:
Dwelling on Perth will only sap our energy. We analyze, learn from the mistakes (in the first innings out of 10 our five wickets fell to Australian spinners/slow bowlers and out of 15 Australian wickets our spinner took no wicket) and then put it behind us. Our gaze is fixed on the horizon, on Melbourne and beyond. We visualize victory, not the ghosts of defeat.

~ Remember, the Cricket Field is a Battlefield of the Mind:
The game is won long before the first ball is bowled. We walk onto that field with unwavering belief in ourselves, in our teammates, in the green flag that flutters above us. We are warriors, not lambs to the slaughter. Shan, this is not just a series, it’s a declaration. We declare our unwavering spirit, our unyielding passion, our unwavering belief in the green of our flag. We declare that we are not defined by our losses, but by the indomitable will to rise again and again.

~ Fuel the fire within:
Channel the Perth disappointment into righteous anger, a burning desire to prove the doubters wrong. Let this team play with the passion of a thousand roaring fans, with the fury of a cornered tiger, with the unyielding spirit of a nation that never backs down.

~ Remember your strengths:
You have Saim Ayub’s fearless blade, Babar’s silken touch, Rizwan’s unwavering resolve. Muhammad Wasim’s fiery spell, Aamer Jamal and Khurram Shahzad’s uncanny wicket taking abilities, Noman Ali and Sajid Khan’s wily spin – a formidable arsenal waiting to be unleashed. Trust your players, their talent, their grit. This is not a one-man show, Shan, it’s a symphony of green warriors in perfect harmony.
~ Adapt and conquer:
Australia may have the home advantage, but remember how in 2020-21 series Indian team came from behind to win the series. Every pitch is a new battleground, every match a fresh canvas. Study your opponents, exploit their weaknesses, unleash your own strengths with tactical brilliance. Be the chess master, Shan, move your pieces with cunning and grace.

~ Embrace the journey:
This comeback won’t be easy. There will be stumbles, moments of doubt, whispers of negativity. But hold your ground, captain. Lead by example, with unwavering focus, with infectious positivity. Celebrate each victory, learn from each loss, and let the journey itself be the reward.

Shan, Pakistan is behind you. Every heart beats with the rhythm of your determination, every prayer echoes with the hope of victory. This is not just your cricket team, captain, it’s a nation unified in green, a chorus of voices chanting your name. Remember, a true champion rises not when the sun shines, but when the storm rages. Go forth, Shan, lead your warriors into the battle, and paint the canvas of this series with the glorious colours of a hard-fought, well-deserved 2-1 victory. We believe in you, captain. We believe in Pakistan.

Onward to Melbourne and Sydney, with hearts ablaze and hope untamed!

Your fellow Pakistani,
A Believer in Green.
Syed Nayyar Uddin Ahmad
+92 321 9402157
Lahore.