Page 23 - Pakistan Link - April 26, 2019

COMMENTARY APRIL 26, 2019 – PAKISTAN LINK – P23

n By Waleed Khan Peshawar School Terrorist Attack 2014:
UK cricket. Unlike the terrorists, it treats people
the same. There is no black or white on the
t is more than four years since seven terrorists How Cricket Helped Me Live again field, no Muslim or Hindu or Christian. We
attacked my school in Peshawar, in the north- are all the same. Cricket brings us together. I
Iwest of Pakistan. They killed 149 people, know that, because I was welcomed so warmly
mostly students. Many of my best friends died. I and whenever I felt depressed, I would pick it by the people in England – especially after
thought I was going to die too. I was 12 years old. up and practice my strokes. I also watched as they had seen me bowl in the nets at school.
Of all the memories that remain, one much as I could on the telly. But the moments I took a wicket first ball and was immediately
sticks out. I was lying near the school library, cricket helped me most came when I was on made captain of the First XI. My fastest ball
bleeding and exhausted after being shot eight the field. has been measured at 82mph, and I recently
times. I looked up and saw some birds fly Because I am so passionate about the had trials with Warwickshire.
from a tree. I remember thinking how lucky game, I can’t think of anything else when I’m My injuries still cause me trouble. I take
they were. In that moment, I too wanted to be batting or bowling. Cricket is the thing I do painkillers before every game, and I must still
a bird. to forget what happened. Sometimes my dad, undergo some operations. But the discomfort
But I also knew I had to survive. My Gulzar, who travelled with me to the UK, is worth it. During the attack, I had managed
worry was that if I lost consciousness, who- comes along to matches for my school (the to drag myself 50 or 60 meters out of the au-
ever came to rescue the survivors would think University of Birmingham School) or my club ditorium where we had been receiving a lec-
I was dead and ignore me. So, I punched the (Weoley Hill) and brings drink, food and my ture about first aid, and where the terrorists
bullet wound on my leg, again and again. Only medicines. I get so immersed in the match killed my friends. A group of terrified students
the pain would stop me drifting off and being that I tell him I don’t have time to eat or drink, ran past me, and I tried to put my hand on a
placed with the other corpses. but he insists. Asian fathers have a reputation shoulder for support. But I fell down, and got
Things didn’t go to plan. I had taken six for being strict, but my dad has become my trampled: my right wrist was broken. When I
bullets to my face, swallowed my teeth and lost best friend. He comforts me when I’m feeling went for surgery, I was worried I might never
so much blood that no one realized I was still low and supports me in everything I do. He play cricket again. It just made me more de-
breathing. And I was so weak that I was un- also helps me when I miss my mum, Rabina, termined.
able to show I was alive. But I was conscious of and sister, Hafsa, who are back in Peshawar. The truth was, I was just thankful to be
everything around me and determined not to Cricket didn’t just help me forget. It made alive. On the day itself, we heard some loud
die. By taking deep breaths, I created bubbles my recovery easier. The attack happened not noises, but the teachers said they were nothing
of blood around my mouth. Those bubbles long before the 2015 World Cup, and news of to worry about. Then the noises – like thumps
saved my life: a nurse noticed them, and I was my situation reached the Pakistan team. One – got louder. One of the terrorists was trying
taken to hospital, where I stayed in a coma for day in hospital, I was visited by some of the to kick down a door. He succeeded. Without
eight days. On the sixth, the doctors told my players, including Misbah-ul-Haq and Younis saying a word, he started shooting.
family they would turn off the ventilator if I Khan, who brought me a shirt signed by New Waleed Khan in his cricket gear - Photo “I was praying to God. All I wanted was
didn’t wake up in the next 48 hours. Just in Zealand captain Kane Williamson. It was so Venley Burke to see my mum one last time”
time, I woke up. strange. These guys were my heroes, and now I was stunned. Why were these people
Was it a miracle? I didn’t believe in mir- they were telling me I was their hero. I was also visited twice by Shahid Afridi, here? What were they doing? As head boy, I
acles, but I now think they are more likely to I was also visited twice by Shahid Afridi, my favorite player because of his aggressive was standing on the stage, and for a moment
happen if you believe in yourself. And I’ve al- my favorite player because of his aggressive batting – I’ve tried to copy him, which means I I couldn’t move. About 20 yards away, across
ways had self-belief. batting – I’ve tried to copy him, which means I don’t play many defensive shots. I should also the room, I saw another terrorist. He was aim-
My school was affiliated to the army, don’t play many defensive shots. I should also confess that the best cover-drive in the world ing a gun at my face. He pulled the trigger, and
who paid for surgery in the UK. Six months I fell to the ground in agony. As I lay there,
later, after an operation at the Queen Eliza- I could see my friends, helpless, covered in
beth Hospital in Birmingham, I turned up at blood. There was nothing I, or any of us, could
the Forward Drive Cricket Academy, five min- do.
utes from Edgbaston. I was on crutches, and After a while, the auditorium fell silent.
my doctors had told me to take it easy. I could The terrorists were walking around, looking
hardly blame them: my jaw had been rebuilt for survivors. I knew I had to keep quiet, but I
using bone from my left shin, so any physi- was in so much pain that I was crying out. One
cal activity, let alone landing on my left foot walked over and shot me again – five times in
to bowl, was not recommended. To everyone’s the face, once in the hand, once in the leg. I
astonishment, I insisted on having a bowl. I was praying to God. All I wanted was to see
did my best to take a run-up on my crutches my mum one last time. The terrorists finally
and sent down an over. There was no bats- left to look for more victims. Those who had
man, but I didn’t care. I had done something I played dead got up and ran for their lives.
was told I would never do again: I had played Moments before the gunmen burst in, the
cricket. army officer giving the lecture taught us the
In the months that followed, cricket ABC of first aid: airways, breathing, circula-
would help me recover from that terrible day. tion. At the end, he asked us what “A” stood
It had been my passion for as long as I could for. Everyone was in a silly mood, and one of
remember. I used to drive my mum crazy as a my friends put his hand up and said: “Apple”.
small boy, breaking things in the living room We all giggled. It would be the last giggle we
as I practiced my favorite shot, the cover-drive. I was also visited twice by Shahid Afridi, my favorite player because of his aggressive batting s h a r e d . But cricket has helped me smile
Four days before the terrorists came, I h a d – I’ve tried to copy him, which means I don’t play many defensive shots. I should also confess again.
captained our school – the Army Pub- lic that the best cover-drive in the world is played by Virat Kohli. He is an Indian, and I am a (Waleed Khan is a member of the British
School – to victory in a tournament. W e Pakistani – but I can’t let the rivalry between our two countries get in the way of the truth Youth Parliament, and is a motivational speak-
were all dancing and shouting. We were er. He was talking to Lawrence Booth. This
happy. In many ways, cricket was my life. Now confess that the best cover-drive in the world belongs to Virat Kohli. He is Indian, and I am article features in the 2019 Wisden Cricket-
it became my lifeline. Even holding a bat was belongs to Virat Kohli. He is Indian, and I am Pakistani – but I can’t let the rivalry between ers’ Almanack, which is available to buy here.
a form of therapy. I kept one in my bedroom Pakistani – but I can’t let the rivalry between our two countries get in the way of the truth. The most famous sports book in the world has
at my new home in Selly Oak, Birmingham our two countries get in the way of the truth And that is another thing I love about been published every year since 1864)

acebook, in collaboration with the Facebook Launches Innovation Lab in Pakistan who are driving innovation to grow and suc-
government and the National Tech- ceed.
Fnology Fund (Ignite), launched the “We are confident that through our part-
first Facebook Innovation Lab in Pakistan nership with the Ministry of Information
on Wednesday. Technology and Telecom, Ignite, National
“The Innovation Lab will focus on pro- Incubation Centre (NIC) Lahore, and LUMS,
viding infrastructure access to developers, en- Facebook Innovation Lab will not only be a
trepreneurs and community groups, enabling unique training and innovation center, but
them to network, train and grow their exper- will support a vibrant and transformative
tise,” a press release for the event stated. technology community in the country.”
The lab will host future initiatives, includ- According to the statement, the Lab will
ing community events, workshops and train- give startups the infrastructure and the access
ing for startups. It also welcomes startups and they need to refine and scale their business
entrepreneurs based in Pakistan who would models so they can succeed in Pakistan and
like to deep dive into the emerging technology scale internationally.
space. The initiative will also help developers The lab not only provides a showcase
build products and applications using emerg- of the latest technology, but participants will
ing technology like Virtual Reality (VR). be matched with mentors, as well as connect
The lab is located in the National Incuba- with Facebook’s global and exclusive experts,
tion Center (NIC) at the Lahore University of Innovation Lab as a part of our long-term She said that Facebook was committed industry leaders, and specialists in product
Management Sciences (LUMS). Several policy commitment to support innovation and the to building an impactful community in the innovation, business growth, and data protec-
makers and technocrats attended the launch- developer community in Pakistan,” said Jason country and the management of the social tion.
ing ceremony. Lin, head of Startup Programs (APAC), Face- media platform believes it is important to sup- Ignite CEO Yusuf Hussain said,
“We are proud to launch the Facebook book. port businesses, startups and the individuals FACEBOOK, P24
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