The Canadian team penalises players who speak Punjabi instead of communicating in English in a team environment. It's just that players with different backgrounds are not limited to exclusive clicks, as there is a broad spectrum of people with different backgrounds. When two Punjabis are in the same room, as Navneet Dhaliwal says, their Punjabi identity comes to the fore. Canada has a large Punjabi population, and it is a diverse and vibrant community. They hail from both the eastern and western regions of Punjab. "It's not easy," says Dhaliwal. "It feels like we're being punished all the time."
Punjabi is an irresistible language. Even Caribbean players on the Canadian team are asked to sing Sidhu Moose Wala and Shubh songs. If you are looking for Punjabi music with a deeper essence, Pakistan is the place to visit.
Pargat Singh's Story
Pargat Singh spent his formative years in Jalandhar before going to Ropar in 1992. He has represented Punjab with pride as an opening batter throughout many age categories, always satisfied by being included. He didn't make his senior team debut until 2015, albeit he's been there since approximately 2009. The complexities of the local political climate, in his opinion, were beyond his comprehension. It seemed like every time Yuvraj Singh or Harbhajan Singh were in the vicinity, someone was trying to inquire about this seasoned player. But when these two Indian players weren't there, he was once again ignored. Twenty of Pargat's 22 appearances for the senior Punjab squad came while Yuvraj, Harbhajan, or both were on the field.
At last, Pargat had crossed a boundary. He joined his brother, who had already established a life in Canada, when he took the courageous decision to migrate there at the tender age of 24 or 25. Being one of three sons of a district-level cricketer, Pargat possesses the ideal blend of talent and perseverance to attain this level. He was one of numerous players in the 2010 Mumbai Indians squad. Reliance, the parent firm of MI, was able to hire him because of his qualifications. There was a chance he may have played alongside the Pathan brothers, Shikhar Dhawan and Virender Sehwag.
Without seeking advice from anyone, Pargat decided to leave serious cricket when the opportunities for Punjab did not present themselves. Despite from his family and assurances from friends, he remained steadfast in his decision, and he had no patience to reconsider it.
"Those years from 2009 to 2014 were tough for me. I was making bold choices while making decisions. I didn't have a cricket coach, and I didn't pay attention to any outsider. Deep down, I had lost all hope. Why am I experiencing this?"said Pargat
Pargat's Introduction to Kaleem Sana
In Canada, Pargat worked as an Uber driver and enjoyed his weekends. It was there that he met Kaleem Sana, who was two years younger than him.
Sana's birthplace is Rawalpindi, located in western Punjab. His region has a complex history marked by borders and a troubled past. Sana, a talented left-arm bowler, started his career in first class at the age of 15, representing Pakistan Customs. One year later, he was selected for the Pakistan Under-19 team for the World Cup held in New Zealand. Babar Azam and Ahmed Shehzad were included in this squad. This year was the final year of Mohammad Amir's under-19 cricket career.
However, before the tournament, Sana suffered a back injury in Zimbabwe. Damage was found in both the L4 and L5 bones. He lost momentum after the World Cup and had to undergo rehabilitation. He needed more confidence in his physical abilities to maintain the impressive 140 km/h speed he was known for.
Sana Went Through a Difficult Time During the Injury Period
"One day, I went from being a celebrity to being handicapped to reach the toilet. I felt that I had become a burden to my family, despite their constant efforts to maintain a positive atmosphere around me and devote a significant amount of time to using the wheelchair. I experienced feelings of anxiety and possible depression. Upon my return, I feared another injury and refrained from excessive exertion."
Sana abandoned his aspirations of being a passionate cricketer after losing that speed. Mohammad Irfan, the magnificent left-arm bowler from Pakistan, called him five years after that injury. Irfan asked Sana whether he could play in a first-class match instead of her because he had to miss a few because of family obligations. Against State Bank of Pakistan, Sana suddenly showed up as a member of the Khan Research Laboratories squad and bowled out Babar and Abid Ali. But the pace of the run never budged from 130.
In 2015, a friend supported Sana's move to Canada. There, he held a variety of jobs to support himself and, in his spare time, enjoyed playing cricket. He also had a full-time position as a cricket coach.
During one of the weekends in 2017, Sana had the opportunity to watch Pargat play. He immediately started encouraging Pargat to dedicate himself to cricket again. Pargat reluctantly agreed to believe in himself again. He was not giving Sana the attention she deserved. Finally, Pargat gave in to his mother's involvement. Fortunately, Pargat didn't abandon his workouts at the gym, ensuring that he remained in good physical shape.
In Surrey, Vancouver, there is a house with a giant TV set that is on the verge of demolition due to the ongoing redevelopment of the neighbourhood. It is the property of Khurram Dilshad, an avid cricket enthusiast, who has rented it out to Sana. Arabjit Singh, who had the privilege of playing alongside Virat Kohli in the under-19 age group and later became a part of the Indian Cricket League, has taken up residence in the house. Imran Farhat stayed at this place during his visit to Canada for a cricket tournament. Pargat remained at this place during his first attempts to get a place in the Canadian team.
Playing for the Canadian National Team Was a Dream Come True
Sana made her debut for the Canadian national team in February 2022, and Pargat joined the squad in November of the same year. Pargat finished as the leading scorer for Canada during their triumphant return to One-Day International status in Namibia.
And though fate may not always favour the Panjabi cricketers who have moved to Canada, they always prevail due to sheer adaptability and determination.