Watambwa. Hondo. Matsikinyeri. Mbangwa. Mazakadza. Chigumbura. Taibu.

Don't look so surprised. These are names of people. Strange names from a strager country. Zimbabwe. Erstwhile Rhodesia. The former Biritsh COlony that gained independence in the late 20th Century. Supposedly a beautiful country. Home to Victoria falls. One of the very few cricketing nations.

My love affair with her began way back around '96 & I havent ever been to that place. While playing in the courtyard, we all had to choose an international cricketing team for ourselves. I was a tiny little kid & was given Zimbabwe coz the big boys wanted the more famous teams. I obviously did not want Zim. But I started loving Zim as they began playing better. And the peak of my love for Zim was around the '99 world cup when they played splendid cricket. They shocked India & South Africa. & I went berzerk with adulation.

But what's wrong with Zimbabwe now? Robert Mugabe is obviously a much hated man around the world. Apparently he's a 'messiah' for the poor down trodden tribals of the country. He of course scripted a lot of growth for them & things looked good for some time. Then he became a dictator & the slide of the nation began. Mugabe forcibly nationalized white estates & asked them to leave the country. It was virtual anarchy where being black was as good as getting a licence to kill. Of course, the whites had done it for over 250 years around the world. Still, I don't think law should seek revenge. Henry Olonga, a black cricketer protested with white men against Mugabe & was left with no option but to leave the country.

Also I think Mugabe rushed things too much. He could have made better use of the white dominance & empowered blacks enough before going on a rampage. Now Zim finds itself without wings & the sky is just too big for them to carve a niche.

Sitll, hoping against hope, I'm waiting for that day to dawn when Zim come back strongly & become a force to reckon with in world cricket. After all, progress in sports is only a reflection of a nation's advances all round.