Ousmane Dembélé: A Ballon d’Or Forged in Fire

Paris, a Night of Apotheosis

On a glittering night in Paris, Ousmane Dembélé stood at the pinnacle of footballing glory. The Théâtre du Châtelet, breathless with anticipation, erupted in ovation as he claimed the men’s Ballon d’Or. Outside, Paris Saint-Germain supporters lit the banks of the Seine with pyrotechnic fervor, celebrating not just an individual triumph but the culmination of a campaign that delivered the club’s long-sought Champions League crown.

For Dembélé, this was more than an accolade. It was vindication: the coronation of a player once written off, now transformed into Europe’s most devastating forward.

From Exile to Explosion

The symbolism of his victory is sharp. Barely twelve months earlier, Dembélé had been exiled from PSG’s squad after a public clash with his manager during a match at Rennes. What followed was not despair, but reinvention.

Luis Enrique, ever the alchemist, repositioned him centrally. From that tactical shift emerged a whirlwind: 25 goals in 20 matches between December and March, a run of form his coach jokingly attributed to “something he ate over Christmas.” The crescendo came in May’s Champions League final demolition of Inter, where Dembélé’s pressing began with the stance of a sprinter and ended in continental annihilation.

The Weight of History and Expectation

Dembélé’s story has long been one of prophecy delayed. Since his £135.5 million transfer to Barcelona in 2017, he was branded as a mercurial talent undone by injury, inconsistency, and whispers of indiscipline. At the Camp Nou, his explosive dribbles were overshadowed by fines for tardiness, 14 muscle injuries, and an uneasy relationship with expectation.

Yet, beneath those frustrations lay a player of rare humility and charm, quietly enduring the glare of scepticism. On this Parisian night, the narrative shifted decisively: he had finally fulfilled the grand prediction of his youth.

The Turning Point: Growth Beyond the Pitch

To ascribe his rebirth solely to Kylian Mbappé’s departure from PSG would be reductive. That move was indeed the final catalyst—Luis Enrique demanding that Dembélé replace not just a superstar but a goalscorer. Yet the foundations of transformation were laid earlier.

Those close to him point to December 2021, when marriage and fatherhood reshaped his perspective. From late-night gaming to dedicated physiotherapy, from careless eating to meticulous nutrition, Dembélé matured. He worked with private specialists, invested in prevention rather than recovery, and embraced discipline as the bedrock of longevity.

This was not merely a new role; it was a new man.

A Season of Transcendence

The statistics of his 2024–25 campaign are staggering: 35 goals, 14 assists, a treble of Ligue 1, Coupe de France, and Champions League titles, and a Club World Cup final appearance. By the year’s turn, no forward in Europe matched his form.

He outshone Mohamed Salah, whose productivity eclipsed all others; Kylian Mbappé, who remained a machine of goals in Madrid; and Barcelona’s young prodigies, Lamine Yamal and Raphinha. Dembélé did not just compete with them—he eclipsed them.

And yet, the manner matters as much as the numbers. Freed from the periphery of the right wing, he flourished as a false nine, orchestrating attacks while finally granting himself permission to be selfish, to finish the chances he once deferred.

The Man and the Moment

At the podium, Dembélé faltered beneath the weight of memory. Tears blurred his vision as he thanked his family, his agent, and above all, his mother—whom he beckoned to the stage to share the moment of glory.

This was not the triumph of a flawless prodigy, but of a flawed, resilient human being who had endured ridicule, setbacks, and exile. It was a story of redemption—of prophecy finally realized not through arrogance, but through humility, growth, and persistence.

The Ballon d’Or, once a distant dream, now gleamed in his hands. Paris had its hero, and football had its reminder: greatness often takes the long way round.

Thank You 

Faisal Caesar 

Pakistan’s Mastery in the Sahara Cup: A Tactical Triumph

When the moment of reckoning arrived, Pakistan emerged as the undisputed master of the occasion, stamping its authority with an emphatic performance in the final match of the Sahara Cup. The climactic encounter, however, was met with an anticlimactic reception—Toronto Cricket Club was not graced by a full house. The original match, scheduled for September 22, fell victim to relentless rain, leaving throngs of spectators, many having travelled from distant cities such as New York and Ottawa, disappointed. The following day, with the match rescheduled for a working Monday, only the most ardent supporters remained to witness Pakistan’s clinical execution.

Pakistan’s Resilience and Tactical Supremacy

What made Pakistan’s triumph remarkable was its resilience—twice in arrears, the team found the fortitude to reverse its fortunes. The final encounter bore witness to a transformation in Pakistan’s approach: an elevation in fielding standards, calculated stroke play, and, most notably, an unwavering mental resolve. Aamir Sohail, who had hitherto played a subdued role in the series, chose the opportune moment to unveil his best, steering Pakistan toward a position of control.

Building the Foundation: Pakistan’s Innings

Pakistan’s innings was built upon a solid foundation provided by Sohail and Saeed Anwar, who ensured stability with a 44-run opening stand. The pitch, designed to favour spinners, was yet to exert its influence when Anwar, attempting an aggressive leg-side stroke off Aashish Kapoor, was undone by a sharp catch at silly point by Rahul Dravid. Ijaz Ahmed’s ensuing partnership with Sohail, worth 51 runs, was characterized by steady accumulation rather than flamboyance—every run added to the scoreboard further tightened India’s predicament. However, the promising stand was disrupted when Ijaz, deceived in flight by Anil Kumble, offered an easy return catch. Young Shadab Kabir, struggling with form, failed to make an impact yet again, dismissed for a third consecutive duck.

Among Pakistan’s ranks, few embodied reliability as consistently as Salim Malik. Playing his 234th ODI, surpassing Javed Miandad’s record for most appearances by a Pakistani cricketer, Malik’s presence was a stabilizing force. His innings of 43 from 47 balls was punctuated by moments of fortune, particularly when an edge off Javagal Srinath evaded Nayan Mongia’s gloves and raced to the boundary. Sohail’s innings, though slow-paced at 44 from 96 balls, was instrumental in anchoring the innings. Wasim Akram’s late-order fireworks, including two sixes, provided the final flourish, though a flurry of run-outs—including Moin Khan, Akram, and Saqlain Mushtaq—prevented Pakistan from accelerating further. Their eventual total of 213, while seemingly modest, proved more than sufficient given the conditions.

India’s Struggles: A Dominant Bowling Display

India’s response was immediately shackled by Pakistan’s incisive bowling. Waqar Younis and Wasim Akram generated blistering pace, forcing Indian openers Sachin Tendulkar and Ajay Jadeja into an uncharacteristically cautious approach. With an aggressive field set, including a stationed silly point to exploit any misjudgment, Pakistan’s bowlers dictated terms. It was Malik, ever the opportunist, who provided the first breakthrough—a sharp pick-up and throw catching Tendulkar short of his crease.

Jadeja’s dismissal, bowled by Mushtaq Ahmed’s deceptive turn, further tilted the balance in Pakistan’s favor. As the required run rate climbed, India’s batting order faltered under pressure. Sunil Joshi, promoted up the order in an attempt to counter Pakistan’s spin attack, fell prey to the meticulous planning of Mushtaq, whose spell was nothing short of masterful. His three wickets in a devastating 16-ball stretch dismantled India’s middle order, including the prized scalp of Mohammad Azharuddin, who, uncertain in his footwork, succumbed to a brilliant catch by Inzamam-ul-Haq at silly point.

Between the 16th and 31st overs, India failed to find a single boundary—an indicator of Pakistan’s stranglehold on the match. Saurav Ganguly, returning to the side at the expense of Vinod Kambli, was trapped lbw by Sohail, highlighting Pakistan’s tactical acumen. The procession of dismissals continued: Rahul Dravid, who had been India’s most consistent performer in the series, swept Mushtaq only to be caught by substitute fielder Shahid Nazir. Kapoor, after a brief display of resistance with a six, perished attempting another ambitious shot. Srinath and Mongia followed soon after, their dismissals hastening India’s inevitable collapse.

Mushtaq Ahmed’s Masterclass and the Final Push

Despite desperate late hitting from Venkatesh Prasad and Kumble, the target remained insurmountable. Mushtaq Ahmed, registering his first five-wicket haul in ODIs, was the undoubted architect of Pakistan’s victory. His spell of controlled leg-spin bowling decimated India’s batting lineup and reinforced Pakistan’s dominance in crunch situations. The collective effort of the team, particularly in fielding, was lauded by Akram, a testament to their preparation and hunger for victory.

Post-Match Reflections: Triumph and Lessons

For India, the lone consolation was the performance of Anil Kumble. With 13 wickets in five matches, he was deservedly named the Player of the Series, earning a $5000 reward. Yet, the narrative of the final belonged to Pakistan. With a decisive display of discipline and adaptability, Pakistan not only secured the Sahara Cup but also reinforced its reputation as a team capable of rising to the occasion when it mattered most. Their triumph, accompanied by a $20,000 prize, was not merely a statistical victory but a resounding statement of intent.

Pakistan’s ability to elevate its game when faced with adversity was the defining feature of this victory. The meticulous planning, execution, and strategic deployment of resources proved instrumental. Whether in the form of calculated batting partnerships, aggressive field placements, or astute bowling changes, Pakistan demonstrated a complete mastery of the game. This Sahara Cup final was not merely another win; it was a testament to their cricketing ethos—resilient, strategic, and unrelenting in the face of challenge.

Thank You 

Faisal Caesar 

From Imran’s Legacy to Institutional Collapse

Pakistan Cricket is poor - very poor! What we see today is not merely pathetic performance, it is a tragic spectacle: a side inflated with undeserved hype, weighed down by lethargy, and shackled by outdated ideas. 

The body language tells its own story—of hesitation rather than hunger, of resignation rather than resolve. One flashes of brilliance, followed by long spells of mediocrity, has become the cruel rhythm of Pakistan cricket.

The decline, many would agree, began with the departure of Imran Khan. His retirement marked not just the end of an era, but the loss of a philosophy that once bound talent to discipline and ambition. 

In the 1990s, Pakistan overflowed with cricketing riches: formidable openers, elegant middle-order maestros, two world-class wicketkeepers, and perhaps the most lethal bowling unit of its time, fast bowlers who could shatter stumps and spinners who could mesmerize batsmen. The nation had enough depth to field multiple competitive sides at once.

And yet, the promise remained unfulfilled. 

The reasons are familiar, almost painfully so: petty politics, whimsical decision-making, corruption, and the absence of any long-term vision. Instead of building institutions to harness and multiply talent, Pakistan relied on the raw brilliance of individuals. But natural flair, unguided and unsupported, can only carry a team so far. Over time, the cracks widened, and the same politics that once nipped potential in the bud eventually corroded the entire structure.

What remains today is a shadow of that greatness, an echo of glory stifled by mismanagement. Pakistan cricket has not been undone by a lack of talent, but by its tragic squandering.

Thank You

Faisal Caesar 

A Test for the Ages: The Second Tied Match in Cricket History

In the long and storied history of Test cricket, certain matches transcend mere statistics, etching themselves into legend. The 1052nd Test match played between India and Australia in September 1986 at the M. A. Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai (then Madras), was one such contest. It was only the second tied Test in history, standing alongside the iconic Brisbane encounter of 1960-61. Like its predecessor, this match reached a dramatic climax with a single ball remaining, underscoring the razor-thin margins that separate triumph from heartbreak in the purest format of the game.

Australia’s Early Dominance and Jones’ Marathon Knock

As the match began, Australia asserted their dominance unequivocally. The first day ended with the visitors well placed at 211 for 2, vice-captain David Boon setting the stage with a sublime century—his third in four Tests against India. But it was the second day that witnessed an innings of rare brilliance and remarkable resilience.

Dean Jones recalled to the Australian side after nearly three years, played an unforgettable knock of 210 runs, a record for an Australian in India at the time. The innings was not just a testament to his batting skill but also his physical endurance, as he battled extreme heat and dehydration. His first century came in 335 minutes, and his second in just 164, with 27 fours and two sixes punctuating a masterclass in concentration and strokeplay. The conditions took such a toll that Jones suffered severe cramps and nausea, eventually requiring hospitalization and a saline drip to recover.

Captain Allan Border further solidified Australia’s position with a well-crafted 106, his 19th Test century. Benefiting from three dropped catches—twice by Kapil Dev and once by substitute Laxman Sivaramakrishnan—Border made the most of his opportunities. His 178-run partnership with Jones set a new fourth-wicket record against India, surpassing Neil Harvey and Sam Loxton’s previous best of 159.

With contributions from Ray Bright (30) and Greg Ritchie (41), Australia piled up a daunting 574 before declaring on the third morning. At that stage, an Australian victory seemed the only conceivable outcome.

Kapil Dev’s Counterattack and India’s Gritty Resistance

India, missing their seasoned batsman Dilip Vengsarkar due to a back injury, faced an uphill battle. Their response began with characteristic aggression from Kris Srikkanth, who raced to 50 in just 55 minutes. But Australia struck back quickly, removing both Srikkanth and Mohinder Amarnath in successive deliveries. The middle order, led by Mohammad Azharuddin, attempted to steady the ship, but none could convert their starts into a match-defining innings.

The standout performer was India’s captain, Kapil Dev. His counterattacking century (119) kept Indian hopes flickering amidst adversity. He played with controlled aggression, smashing 21 boundaries, 11 of them in his second fifty. Supported ably by Chetan Sharma (31) and Madan Lal (32), Kapil Dev orchestrated a recovery that saw India post 397, averting the follow-on and keeping them in the contest.

By the end of the fourth day, Australia had reached 170 for 5, setting the stage for a potential declaration.

The Dramatic Chase: Hope, Collapse, and the Final Ball Thriller

Cricket is a game of uncertainties, and Border’s decision to declare at the overnight score left India needing 348 runs to win on the final day. It was a challenging but not impossible target, and India began their chase with measured confidence.

Sunil Gavaskar, playing his 100th consecutive Test, brought all his experience to bear, anchoring the innings with a composed 90. He found an able partner in Amarnath, and by tea, India stood at 193 for 2, requiring 155 more runs from 30 overs—a tantalizingly achievable target.

However, the game’s script took an unexpected turn. Gavaskar’s dismissal at 251 proved pivotal, and within two runs, India lost Kapil Dev as well. Yet, India’s hopes remained alive, thanks to responsible knocks from Azharuddin (42) and wicketkeeper Kiran More (39). Ravi Shastri, playing a mature innings, hit two crucial sixes off Greg Matthews to keep the chase on course.

With just 17 runs needed and four wickets in hand, an Indian victory seemed inevitable. But the drama was far from over. Bright and Matthews spun a web, triggering a collapse. Chetan Sharma perished attempting a boundary, More fell for a duck, and Yadav was bowled playing an uncertain stroke. India were now nine down with four runs needed.

Enter Maninder Singh, a tailender with minimal batting credentials. The equation stood at four runs required with the final over to be bowled. Shastri, maintaining his composure, took a two, followed by a single to level the scores. Victory—or an unprecedented second tie—rested on Maninder’s shoulders.

With three balls left, the tension was unbearable. The first delivery was safely negotiated. But on the second, Maninder played back to a sharply turning delivery from Matthews and was struck on the pads—lbw! The Australians erupted in jubilation, knowing they had secured only the second-tied Test in history. Unlike Brisbane, where confusion reigned, here there was no ambiguity—both teams knew what had just transpired.

A Test of Tempers and Controversies

Despite its historic significance, the match was not without controversy. The tension of the final day saw frequent flare-ups, with Border engaging in a heated argument with umpire Dotiwala. Bright, Matthews, and wicketkeeper Tim Zoehrer also disputed decisions. On India’s side, emotions ran high as well—Srikkanth reacted angrily to close fielder Bright, while Maninder Singh charged 40 yards to confront Jones after dismissing him in the second innings.

The high-stakes nature of the contest inevitably led to frayed tempers, but it also underscored the fiercely competitive spirit in which the match was played.

Legacy: A Match for the Ages

In the decades since this tied Test has remained one of the most memorable encounters in cricket history. It showcased Test cricket at its best—attritional battles, brilliant individual performances, tactical intrigue, and a finish that left spectators breathless.

More than just a statistical anomaly, this match exemplified the essence of Test cricket: a format where patience, resilience, and skill are tested over five gruelling days, often leading to climaxes more thrilling than any scripted drama.

For India, the tie was a bittersweet moment—a historic achievement, but also a missed opportunity. For Australia, it was a testament to their tenacity and the brilliance of their spinners, who took all 10 wickets in the final innings.

In Chennai, in 1986, cricket witnessed one of its most extraordinary spectacles—one that, decades later, still evokes awe and admiration. The second-tied Test was not just a moment in history; it was a celebration of the sport’s unpredictability, where no result is final until the last ball is bowled.

Thank You

Faisal Caesar 

A Triumph in the Face of Adversity: Pakistan's Resurgence in the Sahara Cup

In a do-or-die encounter, Pakistan not only survived but thrived, dismantling India with clinical precision. Under the watchful eyes of the largest crowd of the tournament, India faltered when it mattered most, producing its most uninspired performance of the series. Pakistan, with an emphatic 97-run victory, levelled the Sahara Cup series, a testament to their resilience and ability to rise under pressure.

The Foundation of Pakistan’s Success

From the outset, Pakistan set the tone with Saeed Anwar’s audacious strokeplay. His 35 off 26 balls was an exhibition of controlled aggression, marked by a pulled six off Javagal Srinath that signalled his intent. Partnering with Aamir Sohail, Anwar laid the foundation with a brisk 42-run opening stand. However, Venkatesh Prasad’s deceptive change of pace outfoxed him, while Srinath’s precision sent Salim Elahi back leg-before. Sohail, momentarily flourishing with a six off Sunil Joshi, fell to an impetuous shot, a moment of recklessness that handed Srinath another scalp. A disastrous mix-up between Ijaz Ahmed and Salim Malik compounded Pakistan’s woes, leaving them precariously placed at 91 for four.

At that juncture, the momentum seemed to shift towards India. “Yes, we were in a very good stage,” Tendulkar later recalled. Even Wasim Akram, Pakistan’s stalwart leader, admitted, “I was really worried.” The Pakistani supporters in the stands shared his anxiety, sensing that their team was teetering on the edge.

But adversity has a way of forging champions. Ijaz Ahmed and Inzamam-ul-Haq, seasoned campaigners with an uncanny ability to weather crises, steered Pakistan to safer waters. Their 86-run stand for the fifth wicket was a masterclass in measured aggression, neutralizing India’s spin attack and capitalizing on loose deliveries. Inzamam’s 40 was cut short by a direct hit from Ajay Jadeja, yet his contribution was invaluable. Ijaz, playing one of his most defining innings, carved out a composed 90 off 110 balls, punctuated with a six and seven exquisite boundaries. Moin Khan, ever the reliable finisher, provided a late flourish with a quickfire 33 off 21 balls, ensuring Pakistan posted a challenging total. India, left with an asking rate of 5.17, faced a daunting chase.

A Collapse Unraveled

If Pakistan’s innings was a display of tempered resurgence, India’s chase was a study in fragility. The decision to field first may have seemed strategic, but as Tendulkar later defended, “The pitch had nothing to do with the outcome. Pakistan played better than we did.”

Nayan Mongia, India’s makeshift aggressor at the top, fell early, his misadventure ending in a tame dismissal. Wasim Akram, leading from the front, then delivered the hammer blow—inducing Tendulkar into an expansive drive outside off-stump, where Salim Malik’s sharp reflexes at short point completed a sensational catch. It was the second time in the series that Tendulkar perished in such a manner, an ominous pattern that boded ill for India.

Rahul Dravid provided a brief glimpse of defiance, his elegant strokeplay offering a fleeting illusion of stability. His four boundaries off Waqar Younis—an elegant flick to square leg, a crisp drive through covers, and a textbook straight drive—were evidence of his growing stature in one-day cricket. Yet, his resistance was ephemeral. Saqlain Mushtaq, a master of deception, ended Dravid’s innings with a contentious caught-behind decision. With Azharuddin following soon after, India’s backbone was shattered.

At 63 for five, the writing was on the wall. Unlike Pakistan, India lacked battle-hardened middle-order stalwarts. Saqlain continued his demolition act, snaring Sunil Joshi with a sharp-turning delivery, brilliantly pouched by Moin Khan on the second attempt. Mushtaq Ahmed’s introduction merely hastened India’s demise. Jadeja and Aashish Kapoor’s 54-run stand provided a semblance of resistance, but Kapoor succumbed to Waqar’s guile. Jadeja, the lone warrior, managed a fighting 47 before falling as the last wicket. India’s surrender was meek, their inadequacies glaring.

Tactical Missteps and Strategic Mastery

Beyond individual performances, this match underscored the tactical acumen of Pakistan’s leadership. Wasim Akram marshalled his resources astutely, rotating his bowlers effectively and maintaining relentless pressure on the Indian batsmen. In stark contrast, India’s bowling lacked incisiveness, and their field placements often betrayed a lack of strategic clarity. The reliance on seven bowlers, including Tendulkar himself, signalled a desperate search for breakthroughs that never materialized.

For Pakistan, this victory was a testament to its experience of triumphing over inconsistency. When the chips were down, Ijaz Ahmed and Inzamam-ul-Haq’s presence in the middle tilted the scales. Their calm demeanour contrasted starkly with India’s middle-order fragility, where the absence of seasoned crisis managers proved costly.

Srinath and Prasad, erratic and ineffective, struggled to maintain a disciplined line, compounding India’s misery. Tendulkar, burdened with both captaincy and run-scoring responsibilities, once again found himself the fulcrum of India’s fortunes. His failure with the bat often equated to India’s downfall, and this match was no exception.

A Lesson in Composure and Resilience

For the packed stadium, filled with hopeful fans from across North America, the result was an anticlimax. Many had travelled from New York and Ottawa, only to witness their team capitulate. Cricket, a game of fluctuating fortunes, had delivered a harsh lesson to India. As Tendulkar solemnly reflected, “Good and bad performances are mixed. One has to take them in the right spirit.”

Yet, the reality was stark—when faced with the weight of expectations, India crumbled, while Pakistan, driven by experience and tenacity, soared to a commanding triumph. This was more than just a win for Pakistan—it was a statement, a reaffirmation of their ability to rise when it matters most, to transform adversity into triumph. As they walked off the field, victorious and vindicated, they carried with them not just a trophy but the knowledge that resilience and composure are often the greatest weapons in the game of cricket.

Thank You 

Faisal Caesar