(Part 13)

 Kenzo squinted his gaze serious.

Alan spinning his pen added, "Not just you but Lahore Qalandars as well. They too are sending all their middleschoolers out for the first match." he smirked. 

"Lahore too?" Seraph repeated.

"And, do you know why? Firstly, because it's the start of the tournament. Not a single team will reveal their trump cards or in simpler words their highschoolers who create the entire prevailing aura of their team. Second, to mark their dominance. If a team of middleschoolers were to beat the exact same rival team. Not only will they be known as resilient but will step in the limelight gaining attention and praises from the fans as 'Their middleschoolers are so strong just how strong will their highschoolers be and they are a pride of this city, etc.'" Senri explained.

"Lastly, gaining fans and supporters. The more the merrier and greater the pressure on a the team's rivals. This is all a part of cricket." he ended.

"Never thought even cricket would turn into a social science one day." Azazel thought mixed up.

"He isn't wrong. This mostly happens." Cassiel wrote down. 

Seles agreeing swayed his hand towards the right which caused the view on the LED screen to change. Revealing the match's order and candidates. Up to middleschoolers surprise be it Islamabad or Quetta's match or theirs or Lahore's, the candidates selected were all middleschoolers.

"Now attentive all of you." Rauf took their attention, "The candidates for the first match are: Adam Elamin, Seraph Awan, Ezekiel Vincente, Cassiel La Roux, Kenzo ShahJahan, Helios Zadeh, Poseidon Ageil, Ryan Ty Alexandro, Gabriel Harut, Xavier Ibn Zain and Heber Bin Saad. With Azazel Minhas and Feng Mir Ozer listed as substitutes. The team leader is 'Gabriel Harut' with vice leader 'Cassiel La Roux.' Cassiel will play as the wicket keeper in our balling half, any queries?" he looked up waiting for questions.

"Yes! I'll play!" Ryan clenched his fists pumped up.

"We'll watch over you." Feng encouraged beside Azazel who nodded.

"Hm." Xavier smiled.

Kenzo, Seraph, Gabriel and Helios grinned. "Nope. No queries at all." they responded. 

"The balling and batting order is also handed to Rauf. You'll be informed about it in tomorrow's strategy meeting. That meeting will be attended by all participants taking part in the match including substitutes. Make sure Elias, Evan, Rauf and Haruf are also present along with Coach Nidou, Coach Seles. They at no cost can skip this meeting!" Pedro warned glaring at Nidou who ignored him.

Alan exhaled unfazed.

"As for your uniforms..." Pedro continued clicking his fingers together.

As soon as he did, a group staff carrying middle sized boxes entered the room. Opening one of them. Pairs of elegant blue and red jerseys embroidered by gold and silver work, stroke their eyes. Marked by emblems of lighting and ferocious lions, they gave out a vigorous vibe. The middleschoolers stared awed.

"Are they ours?!" Heber, Feng, Azazel and Adam grasped them in admiration.

"Heh~ so cool." Ren winked.

Helios too smiled at Kenzo.

"Wow! They rock! We'll be kings of kings after wearing them, right Alan?!" Adam jumped joyfully embracing Ryan.

Instantly realizing his words 'Kings of kings' and the fact he called Alan, they all turned to him. On the contrary, to find him giving out a vibrant, affectionate and a wholesome gleam, "Yeah. You'll definitely be Kings of kings!"

Kazuna, over the calm, closed his eyes assured while Haruf clapped his hands.

"Hehe…" Adam nodded, his cheeks flushing red.

Kenzo looking at Alan squinted his gaze serious.

"Hey, show me too." Noah and Orion too stood up taking each.

"The design has upgraded hasn't it?" Orion asked Haris.

"Yup, this year's a groovy 1change, lucky you." he replied.

"I bet even our jerseys knew we'll be participating this time." Aigou kidded.

"Haha." Ren ruffled his hairs.

"Alright, one more significant thing to take note into." Mir called, "Especially the middleschoolers...."

"In the PSL, middleschoolers play a very crucial role. One, because you all are first time experiencers. Entirely new to this tournament which gives you a vast opportunity to learn about cricket and it's world unlike highschoolers who have progressed past this stage. They are fully aware of rules, regulations and play styles." he explained, "So taking this fact in regard the sponsors 2and higher ups3 have stated a requirement that no more than 5 highschoolers shall be allowed to participate in a team. Middleschoolers nevertheless can be 6 or more than 6 and can even take the entire team regardless of that rule."

"Really?" Xavier asked unaware. 

"Indeed. That's the reason why you were constantly pressed to participate on your own. We aren't happy to run away and slam the entire burden on you but we are bound by this regulation. Work hard for this one little ones since world stage doesn't hold these kind of requirements. Over there we'll gladly stand before you." Nagi assured.

"To think they could even say that…" Ryan thought doubtfully.

"I see. So this was the reason they pestered 4us so much." Poseidon thought.

"But…" Kazuna spoke, "If we follow this rule for 5 matches then for once an entire team of highschoolers can stand against an opponent team."

"5 matches?" Gabriel said.

"Hm, so maybe in the semi-finals or finals we can aide you." Zachariah added.

"Thanks goodness." Heber rolled his eyes sarcastic.

"I don't think even this leisure was necessary." Kenzo added blatant.

Alan, amused chuckled while some highschoolers smiled and some exhaled awkwardly.

"Conceited 5brats…" Evan, Yusuf, Pedro and Mir thought simultaneously.

"Haha!" Nidou guffawed, "That's the spirit." he encouraged.

Rauf shook his head speechless.

"Is this a behavior to be tolerated much less encouraged…?" Yusuf asked while Seles only shrugged his shoulders clueless.

"With this our meeting ends here. Make sure to rest early all of you and discuss about your opponents together. After all, tomorrow's a big day. The day where the entire cricket loving nation will gather." Seles smiled.

All of them nodding dispersed. 

_____

After sunset, Elias called everyone in their quarter's lounge, "Come on. Middleschoolers, Middleschooler substitutes and Highschoolers. Every one gather up." he named sitting on the wide empty carpet. His legs crossed and hairs pushed back by a hair band. Surrounded by files and papers he clicked his pen open and close repeatedly.

Kazuna, Senri, Nagi, Orion, Zachariah and Aigou joined him.

"What is it, Senior Elias?" Seraph came over slightly anxious.

"Nothing. No need to look so worried, just sit down." Elias replied grasping his arm and making him sit beside him.

"Do you need everyone, Elias?" Isa asked handing him his coffee.

"Yup! Everyone. Especially those who are participating in the first match. Call them from the grounds and out of the rest rooms. I have to talk to them no matter what." Elias replied.

Xavier, Poseidon and Heber coming next, the middleschoolers who were in the grounds outside too joined in.

"What was it to ask for us so hurriedly…?" Kenzo asked wiping his forehead with a towel, entering inside the room with Ezekiel, Noah, Azazel, Adam, Gabriel and Ryan.

"Who Knows? Elias called for you urgently." Ren replied. 

The boys settled in the lounge, Elias counted them to make sure no one was missing. Heber and Feng glanced at each other awkwardly.

"Seriously?" Adam asked.

"I think everyone is here…" Cassiel said.

"Yes I know. However, it's best to still count." Elias smiled.

Turning to Nagi he affirmed, "Are we ready?"

"Yup, else than the instructors, Rauf and Alan. Everyone is present." Nagi replied.

"Good, no worries about them," Elias said, "Now all of you those who are participating sit in a circle around me." The middleschoolers followed.

As soon as they did Elias passed each of them a paper, "I know all of you have already studied about the rival team you'll be facing in your first match. That's good however, most of you didn't. So I'll give you an overview before our meeting tomorrow."

"Ah…" Xavier realized.

"Each of you now have a paper in your hand that shows Lahore individual player's data. I have compressed the information into simpler words so you'll be able to understand once you take a look. Now starting from Adam, read." Elias rested his head to the right on Kazuna's lap who sat on the sofa behind him.

"Feyz Saleh, a 3rd year middleschooler, is an All-rounder cricketer. A right handed pacer and a right handed spin returner. His specialty, is balling exceptionally powerful and fast Yorkers and bouncers. He is also said to participate in Asian open matches making him quiet famous..." Adam read recalling.

"Ah! The one who attacked Alan." he and Noah uttered together. 

"Yup, the leader of Lahore Qalandars middleschoolers." Isa added.

"And just to remind you their abilities and skills are yet to be discovered since this is their first time debuting 6in the PSL too. We don't have that kind of information." Evan notified.

Kenzo smirked twirling his hairs, "That's not even necessary. We'll deal with all of that on the pitch."

"Hm." the rest agreed confident.

The highschoolers glancing at each other grinned amused. "Next?" Senri asked.

"Nour Mirza…" Ryan read next, "A 3rd year middleschooler, is an ambidextrous batsman countering both spin and fast deliveries. Vice leader of Lahore Qalandars he is said to be tricky and their Ace 7batsman from Lahore's batting line up."

"He resembles Kenzo." Ezekiel whispered in Seraph's ear lightly strumming his guitar strings that created a sedative 8aura round the room. 

"Hm," Seraph agreed.

"Next one is Andre…" Heber continued as the boys conversed for their approaching game till late night. 

______

Alan tossing the ball up and catching it back again stared at the stars glittering over the velvet blue sky. "Galaxy…" he whispered remembering.

"Pinnacle of Transcendence… Galaxy create… Big Bang!"

As soon as those words escaped his lips and ball left his fingers on the pitch. Above the entire stadium a sky full of silver, golden stars shimmered incessantly as if glitter scattered.

The crowd, coaches, teams and the entire stadium flabbergasted. Alan raised his finger up claiming an out. His hairs fluttering wildly he grinned fervent blazing silver. Ashura who stood before him as the current batsman blinked baffled. His wicket bails flicking red.

"Pakistan's Galaxy!" the crowd cheered.

A moment that Alan had experienced only once in his life repeated his mind like a fleeting memory. "I wonder if I can throw that delivery ever again…" he doubted looking at the ground.

"You can." Aaron interrupted standing before him, "You always could and you still can."

"Aaron?!" Alan asked surprised, "You're finally here."

"Yeah…" Aaron replied weary. Exhaustion excluding through his body. "Singing is hard." he complained.

Standing up Alan pulled his arm making him sit.

"So what about your middleschoolers?" Aaron asked.

"All set and ready to roll" Alan replied confident.

Aaron grinned, "Good to hear…!" Suddenly his stomach began to rumble alarmingly 'Guraawwrrr'

Alan startled blinked his eyes while Aaron scratched his hairs embarrassed.

"Pft! Haha! You hungry?" he asked.

"Of course, I kept singing nonstop." Aaron replied.

"Hurry up then. Isa must've cooked something good." Alan pulled him up taking him inside.