Right Decision

Hamid was an outstanding cricket player. As a child, the first thing he held properly in his hands was a bat. He then did not let it go. He used to practice hitting a ball all day long. He would tie up the ball to ceiling fan and kept hitting it till the thread broke or his arms gave up. Everyone around him knew that he will earn a good name in this game.

He captained his school cricket team for three years and won many trophies. He had the ability to single handedly win a match. He was not only a good middle order batsman but he could bowl too, and his ferocity in fielding was unmatched. He was a perfect all-rounder.

Hamid belonged to a humble background. However, he always had full support of his parents and siblings in pursuing his dream. After school, he got admission in a good college on sports scholarship and also started playing for a local club. His performance in local matches was outstanding. He broke many records like fastest 50 and fastest 100 in T20 matches against some very good teams. He had also taken 100 wickets in as many local matches with 35 catches and 20 direct hit run outs. Few years down the line, he started playing first class cricket from a renowned bank and his record out-shined many good players.

Hamid was included in the auction for the newly launched super league. There were total of 503 players who were part of the initial draft including 194 local and 309 overseas players. He was part of the emerging player category and was picked up in round 2 of auction by ‘Tigers.’ He wished to play for another franchise but had little say in the matter.

The super league had a total of six teams. Each team was featured in a two-leg round-robin league. Every team was to play 10 games and at the end of the league stage of the competition, the top four sides were to play in a playoff. Team Tigers did not win all matches but managed to reach in the playoffs. They faced Kings at knock out stage and easily defeated them with Hamid scoring an astounding 72 runs. Final was all set to be played between Tigers and Rhinos in a jam packed stadium with rest of the nation watching it on their television sets.

The game began with Rhinos winning the toss and electing to bat first. They hit two boundaries in first over but the follow up exceptional bowling and fielding effort of Tigers restricted Rhinos to 115 runs only. The target was 116. During interval, Tigers were declared favorite to win the first final of super league series. Hamid had bowled 2 players out and also took one difficult catch. He was far too anxious to go out to bat and win the title for his team. He also knew his good batting performance in this match will fetch him a sure place in national team.

Tiger openers had gone in the ground to bat. Hamid played at number 4 and was still in dressing room tightening his pads. He was about to go out when his captain walked in and whispered in his ear that we must lose this match. Hamid confusingly looked up at his captain who took out his cell phone and showed him a picture of an infamous bookie shaking hands with Hamid. Captain walked out immediately as some team official came in the dressing room.

Hamid was introduced to this bookie in league matches by the same team captain. Tigers had already been throwing matches which did not affect their position in the league. But this was a huge game. It meant a world to Hamid. He knew national selectors would be watching critically and losing such an easy match will not impress them at all. He had aimed at pulling a 50 runs haul and win this match. But he knew the outcome if he did not comply with his captain’s instructions. His picture of shaking hands with a bookie will be a much juicier story than his triumph in the final.

Both the openers got out cheaply. He was walking towards the pitch with a heavy heart. He knew his captain has accepted a hefty amount for losing the match. His share would be phenomenal too. But his dream of playing for the national team was more important than anything else. In both the cases whether he wins the match or loses it, his place in national team seemed dubious. However he would still have a chance to keep playing cricket if he gets out early and lets his team to lose. His heroism will surely roll him under investigation of betting and his career will definitely end prematurely.

He started batting carefully. Wickets were falling at the other end at regular interval but he kept the score board moving. At the end of over number 17, Hamid had reached the score of 34 and his team was at 85 for the loss of 8 wickets. They required 31 more runs to win in 3 overs with two wickets remaining. In first four deliveries of 18^th over, Hamid hit two fours and took a single on 5^th ball. His partner got out on the last ball making situation further worse for the Tigers. In the 19^th over, Hamid again hit two fours and took a single on last delivery. Tigers now required 14 runs in the last over to win with Hamid facing the ball.

Before the start of last over, the 12^th man came running in with a water bottle. Hamid was delivered the captain’s message in precise words that “you have already made a 50 and that is good enough for your performance. Now get the hell out or else your picture with the bookie will be sent to all the news channels even before the prize distribution ceremony.”

The last over started. Crowd was cheering hard. The whole stadium was shouting his name. He had to win the match and lose his career or lose the match and continue playing cricket. He had a big decision to make. The first ball went past his off stump. The next ball was a short delivery and Hamid could not resist pulling it away for 4. The third ball was a yorker. Hamid managed to dig it out but refused to take a single. The fourth ball was a slow leg cutter. Hamid just swung his bat and the ball went out of the stadium. The crowd roared and nothing was audible for next two minutes. Two balls remained with 4 runs to win. Hamid looked at the pavilion. He saw captain standing with his arms folded at his chest. Hamid was still in the middle of deciding as what to do when the fifth ball just went past his throat. His heart jumped out of his chest.

There was now only one ball remaining and 4 runs were required to win the final. It could not have been more thrilling and entertaining. The crowd was enjoying to their fullest. Hamid closed his eyes, concentrated for a while, raised his chin high and was now ready to face the last ball. He had made a decision.

The whole stadium was cheering hard. The bowler started running from his mark. The stadium suddenly went quiet. Everybody held their breadths. The bowler crossed the umpire and threw a perfect yorker. Hamid knew what to do. He took a step forward and hit it straight with his full force. The ball went in air like a missile. The fielder at long on just watched the ball fly over his head.

The winning six made Tigers seize the first prestigious super league title. It may also bring an end to his staggering career but Hamid knew he made the right decision.

Written By: Nadeem Alam

Other short stories by same author:
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The Missing Bride
Twins
The Devil
Lost Girl 
Shadow
My World