In March of this year, while on a tour of Pakistan, the Sri Lankan Cricket team was attacked by terrorists in Lahore, sending a shockwave through the world of cricket.

Pakistan became virtually exiled from the world of cricket. For any keen cricket fan, it was a sad series of events.

For any fan of Pakistan cricket, as I am, it was tragic.

Since then, the Pakistan Government has launched a ferocious assault on the bases of suspected terrorists, who in turn have unleashed terrorist atrocities across Pakistan, leading to a cycle of violence the like of which country has never seen.

Innocents have inevitably been caught in the middle.

According to the UN, 2.4 million people, civilians caught in the crossfire, have been made refugees in their own country.

And then, on Sunday, as the world looked on, at Lords, the home of cricket, it was those same two nations Pakistan and Sri Lanka, as fate would have it, that made it into the showpiece final of the World Twenty20 World Cup.

And in a script written by a true cricket enthusiast, it was always going to be Pakistan that won.

I was there, at Lords on Sunday, and after the match I witnessed the dancing in the streets of London, that went on until the early hours of yesterday morning.

It was special.

As the sea of green and white, flowed out into the city, even passers by laughed and joined in the rippling, good natured revelry, no alcohol required.

Celebrating the victory of winning the Twenty20 World Cup, was joyous enough, but there was something even more conveyed in the excitement of the crowds; it was hope.

Hope for the future.

A nation that had been on the verge, at one stage of being knocked out of the tournament, had comeback against all the odds - defeating the two favourites, the two unbeaten sides of the tournament; South Africa in the semi-final and then Sri Lanka in the final – to conquer the cricketing nations of the world and hold its head high.

Pakistan as a nation too, is struggling for its very survival, against the tyranny of the terrorists.

But, in the comparative small victory at Lords; there is hope.

Hope for a better future.

On Sunday, each time a four was whacked off the bat, Pakistani fans waved cards which read: "Peace 4 Pakistan".

Over the years, I have often read the backs of cricket shirts saying "Proud to be Pakistani".

I'll be honest, living in England; I've never quite understood that sentiment.

But on Sunday, in the midst of the joy and celebration, it actually meant something.

I was proud of being who I am.

I was proud of being where I was.

I was proud of my heritage.

I was proud of the people, enjoying themselves, and inviting others, indeed insisting that others join in.

And you know what?

I was proud of being British too.

This is where I live.

This is what I know, this is what I call home.

It was a moment of collective pride for all of us.

Everything was just right.

If those who use violence and spread hate, could see this.

Perhaps they could be proud too.

Proud to be who we all are.

Proud, just to be.