Imran Nazir, and overcoming one bad dream

It might have been just another gloriously sunny afternoon in South Africa's biggest city, but it was a special one for millions of people in the Asian subcontinent. Everything had come to standstill. The roads were empty and activity in public spaces was almost non-existent. Everyone was glued to their television sets in anticipation of their rival nation being abased in front of the world.

That's how it is when India and Pakistan face off. The 22 men that take the field are crushed under mammoth expectations. An exit from an ICC tournament is acceptable - no matter how early or humiliating. But not a loss against the neighbour. A victory leads to night-long jubilations; defeat to protests, possibly culminating in the burning of effigies. Such is the cricket madness.

It is 2007 and Johannesburg is host to one of the most riveting finals in cricket's relatively short tournament history.