The debility of Colonialism

The wicket keeper is out, there's still seven balls to go. Havin come at the fall of the sixth wicket, the keeper has done a great job of batting and battling till the end, only that its not yet the end. Still seven balls to go and sixteen runs to get.

The Janjua Rajput born on the 21st of December, 1981, is the first of the tail. He has done his bit with the ball today. Four wickets in a ODI is good going. He even got the marauding opener out bowled. But the deed is not yet done. He has to show his skills with the willow. But first he walks up to the non striker 's end.

Cos its the turn of the Sikh, he is only the second Sikh to represent his country, to bat. They had crossed over when the keeper was caught. The Sikh and the keeper have got their team close to the finish line. All is left to do is to cross it. The innings has been a coming of age experiece for the Sikh. Sure to be praised by the over zealous press.

The last ball of the 49th over is struck for four. The Sikh looks like he is going to get the deed done. But first, the Pakistani Janjua Rajput has to give the strike to him. The Sikh is the recognised bat, the Janjua Rajput is not bad, but he knows his duty is to give strike to the the batsman and then quietly watch the proceedings from the non-strikers end.

First ball of final over nudged by the Pakistani to off, quick single and the Indian is on strike.

Second ball of final over, 11 runs needed... sexy paddle sweep lifted over the short fine leg from outside off stump to the boundary for four.. just what the team need.. 7 runs from four balls... next ball driven through covers for two... the Sikh gets his fifty... 5 runs from 3 balls... single taken off next ball.. the bowler is back on strike.. the Rajput needs to get the Sikh back on strike.. and he does... single taken of the fifth ball..

The final ball to be bowled.. 3 runs needed... can the Sikh do it.. will this be a legendary victory.. it is.. but not for England as Ravinder Singh "Ravi" Bopara gets bowled off the last ball. Fernando bowls a straight ball, Bopara swings and hits air, the ball hits wood.. stumps are disarranged...

Ravi Bopara and Sajid Iqbal Mahmood nearly did it for England... but now they walk back dejected and their Zimbabwean coach looks on...