The failure of Shoaib Akhtar to cope with the fame accorded an international sportsman has been a tragedy for Pakistan cricket, says former captain Imran Khan.
"He has such great potential (as a fast bowler) he could have done wonders but he has let himself down for being in the news for the wrong reasons," Imran told Reuters on Saturday.
"That's a big tragedy for Pakistan cricket. Shoaib has failed to handle all the fame," added Imran, who is in Dubai to raise funds for his cancer hospital.
"The frequent changes of Pakistan captain has further compounded Shoaib's problems," said Imran.
"Shoaib is a clear case of unfulfilled potential...and has to take all the blame for following controversies."
Showing posts with label Views on News. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Views on News. Show all posts
Monday, September 10, 2007
Thursday, September 6, 2007
Yousuf Shortlisted for Cricketer of the year & Test player of the year award
ICC short listed the nominees for various awards to be handed out on Sep 10 in Johannesburg before the start of 20/20 world cup. Yousuf has been able to make it to the shortlists of Cricketer of the Year and Test Player of the Year awards. He is the only Pakistani left in the final race after Mohammad Asif was cut from the long list of Cricketer of the Year.
For ICC's major prize of Cricketer of the Year, Yousuf competes with Kevin Pietersen, Ricky Ponting and Shivnarine Chanderpaul. Mohammad Yousuf is competing with Kevin Pieterson and Muttiah Muralitharan for the Test player award. It will be important to see how ICC decides on this since on paper it looks like Yousuf is the sure winner with a record of 944 runs in 10 innings at 94.4, however Pieterson with 1255 runs at 54.4 and Murli with 43 wickets at 11.6 a piece are strong contenders.
Although Yousuf had a stellar year with the bat but considering ICC's bias against Pakistan and Yousuf's being out of favor with PCB it seems highly unlikely that he will be able to win any of these awards. If that happens it will be another great injustice to one of the most prolific batsmen of recent years who has a history of being tagged as under achiever despite his heroics. Yousuf's biggest problem has been that for most of his career he had to live under the shadow of other great names such as Javed Miandad and Inzamam-ul-Haq. Everytime he performed he was immediately compared to these two greats and he always came up short. Another of his undoing has been that he has never been a flashy player like a Shahid Afridi or Shoaib Akhtar. He had always been the quite accumulator who seemed to always have fun with his batting whenever he was out in the middle, always focused on his task never caring about what the spectators wanted him to do. For an odd reason his speed between the wickets has also been overshadowed by a few run outs, so much so that he was once labeled as second most likely batsman to be run out behind Inzamam. When put as a question, to this he once smilingly replied that he is likely to get run out because of his speed and enthusiasm to sneak runs where they weren't possible, unlike Inzamam. Anyway, it will be important to see if the cricket world continue to do injustice to this great batsman, failing to acknowledge his contribution to the game of cricket.
For ICC's major prize of Cricketer of the Year, Yousuf competes with Kevin Pietersen, Ricky Ponting and Shivnarine Chanderpaul. Mohammad Yousuf is competing with Kevin Pieterson and Muttiah Muralitharan for the Test player award. It will be important to see how ICC decides on this since on paper it looks like Yousuf is the sure winner with a record of 944 runs in 10 innings at 94.4, however Pieterson with 1255 runs at 54.4 and Murli with 43 wickets at 11.6 a piece are strong contenders.
Although Yousuf had a stellar year with the bat but considering ICC's bias against Pakistan and Yousuf's being out of favor with PCB it seems highly unlikely that he will be able to win any of these awards. If that happens it will be another great injustice to one of the most prolific batsmen of recent years who has a history of being tagged as under achiever despite his heroics. Yousuf's biggest problem has been that for most of his career he had to live under the shadow of other great names such as Javed Miandad and Inzamam-ul-Haq. Everytime he performed he was immediately compared to these two greats and he always came up short. Another of his undoing has been that he has never been a flashy player like a Shahid Afridi or Shoaib Akhtar. He had always been the quite accumulator who seemed to always have fun with his batting whenever he was out in the middle, always focused on his task never caring about what the spectators wanted him to do. For an odd reason his speed between the wickets has also been overshadowed by a few run outs, so much so that he was once labeled as second most likely batsman to be run out behind Inzamam. When put as a question, to this he once smilingly replied that he is likely to get run out because of his speed and enthusiasm to sneak runs where they weren't possible, unlike Inzamam. Anyway, it will be important to see if the cricket world continue to do injustice to this great batsman, failing to acknowledge his contribution to the game of cricket.
Thursday, August 23, 2007
Muddy waters run deep
Rare is the issue in Pakistan cloaked in black, white and little else. The deeper you delve, the more complex it gets; contradiction, hypocrisy, incompetence, lies, and sometimes facts, happily swim together in this cesspool, where nothing is really right or wrong. So it is with the decision of four active internationals to sign up with the Indian Cricket League, and maybe sign away what remains of their Pakistan careers.
What you also find is bristling diversity of opinion here. So for every person who says the PCB is incompetent, uncaring, and has driven its players away, another will chip in about the mercenary nature of the modern cricketer. The media, newly loud and proud, captures it best; one article in The News vented fury at the greed of the players, while the cartoonist down at The Post did likewise at the board. Both views are forceful, neither is wrong; but they should not be mutually exclusive either.
Read More @ Cricinfo
What you also find is bristling diversity of opinion here. So for every person who says the PCB is incompetent, uncaring, and has driven its players away, another will chip in about the mercenary nature of the modern cricketer. The media, newly loud and proud, captures it best; one article in The News vented fury at the greed of the players, while the cartoonist down at The Post did likewise at the board. Both views are forceful, neither is wrong; but they should not be mutually exclusive either.
Read More @ Cricinfo
Tuesday, August 7, 2007
Yousuf & Razzaq ommitted from 20-20 squad
So finally the cat's out of the bag, after weeks of speculations, the selection committee confirmed today that Mohammad Yousuf and Abdul Razzaq couldn’t make the final cut for the sixteen member team that will represent the country in the first 20-20 World Cup. What a turn around in fortunes for Yousuf who just last year broke the world record for the highest number of runs scored by any batsman in one year, in test matches. This is a batsman who has been touted by all time greats as one of the most prolific batsmen that came out of Pakistan. Some even rated him higher than Miandad but he himself played it down because of his humble nature. It is extraordinary to see names like Misbah-ul-Haq in the squad, who hasn't played for the country for last few years and who just a few months ago couldn't even make it to the squad ahead of Faisal Iqbal for the World Cup.
What a pity that selectors have come down to this level that in order to get Yousuf out of the team they had to question his fielding which has never let the team down. Yousuf over the years have been a sharp out fielder and an excellent catcher but above and beyond that he is an exceptional batsman who can pace his innings in such a way that he can achieve any run rate. He gathers his runs through orthodox, composed stroke play. He is particularly strong driving through the covers and flicking wristily off his legs and brings with him as decadent and delicious a backlift as any in the game. He is one of those batsmen who can score runs when he wants to score and where he wants to score them. Particularly known for his inside out shots over the covers, in the shorter version of the game, he accumulates 20-30 runs within no time before anyone notices. And that might be his downfall as well, since the selection committee also failed to notice this trait of his. Its mind boggling to see someone of Yousuf's caliber being questioned for his ability to score quick runs after he has scored close to 15000 international runs at averages better than anybody else in the team, in both versions of the game.
What we fail to understand is that how the 20-20 format is so different from the one day format that Yousuf is considered to be one of the best batsmen for one format and a liability for another. While there have been a lot of questions asked by various quarters over the years about Younis Khan's inclusion in the one day side no has even remotely questioned Yousuf's position. Why then Younis Khan appears prominently in the 20-20 squad and Yousuf is not there? This baffling questions would definitely be asked time and again by Pakistani cricket lovers over the next few weeks until the end of 20-20 World Cup.
Razzaq has also been short changed by the selection committee which has totally forgotten his abilities to launch attacks at the death where he has won many a matches for the country by his power hitting. While he might be slightly out of touch at the time but no question he is a quality player who could change the face of a game within a few balls. This is exactly the kind of quality that is required in an all-rounder for a 20-20 format match. While he might look lazy to many when bowling but he has always been bowling at close to mid eighties m/hr and has the canny ability to swing the ball both ways. In 231 one day matches, his bowling avg. of 31 and economy rate of 4.69 is a testament to his abilities as a bowler. Apparently selection committee also failed to take a notice of that.
Its quite obvious that the selection committee didn't take Shoaib Malik's input while deciding about the team. While there were many acquisitions leveled against Inzamam by different quarters while he was a captain, at least he had it in him to ask for the players that he thought could make the difference. Shoaib Malik, although young and still learning will have to acquire this trait as soon as possible if he wants to be a successful captain. He will have to know who is needed in the team and will have to learn to stand up for those team members as well, because when the time comes, that’s what counts the most.
What a pity that selectors have come down to this level that in order to get Yousuf out of the team they had to question his fielding which has never let the team down. Yousuf over the years have been a sharp out fielder and an excellent catcher but above and beyond that he is an exceptional batsman who can pace his innings in such a way that he can achieve any run rate. He gathers his runs through orthodox, composed stroke play. He is particularly strong driving through the covers and flicking wristily off his legs and brings with him as decadent and delicious a backlift as any in the game. He is one of those batsmen who can score runs when he wants to score and where he wants to score them. Particularly known for his inside out shots over the covers, in the shorter version of the game, he accumulates 20-30 runs within no time before anyone notices. And that might be his downfall as well, since the selection committee also failed to notice this trait of his. Its mind boggling to see someone of Yousuf's caliber being questioned for his ability to score quick runs after he has scored close to 15000 international runs at averages better than anybody else in the team, in both versions of the game.
What we fail to understand is that how the 20-20 format is so different from the one day format that Yousuf is considered to be one of the best batsmen for one format and a liability for another. While there have been a lot of questions asked by various quarters over the years about Younis Khan's inclusion in the one day side no has even remotely questioned Yousuf's position. Why then Younis Khan appears prominently in the 20-20 squad and Yousuf is not there? This baffling questions would definitely be asked time and again by Pakistani cricket lovers over the next few weeks until the end of 20-20 World Cup.
Razzaq has also been short changed by the selection committee which has totally forgotten his abilities to launch attacks at the death where he has won many a matches for the country by his power hitting. While he might be slightly out of touch at the time but no question he is a quality player who could change the face of a game within a few balls. This is exactly the kind of quality that is required in an all-rounder for a 20-20 format match. While he might look lazy to many when bowling but he has always been bowling at close to mid eighties m/hr and has the canny ability to swing the ball both ways. In 231 one day matches, his bowling avg. of 31 and economy rate of 4.69 is a testament to his abilities as a bowler. Apparently selection committee also failed to take a notice of that.
Its quite obvious that the selection committee didn't take Shoaib Malik's input while deciding about the team. While there were many acquisitions leveled against Inzamam by different quarters while he was a captain, at least he had it in him to ask for the players that he thought could make the difference. Shoaib Malik, although young and still learning will have to acquire this trait as soon as possible if he wants to be a successful captain. He will have to know who is needed in the team and will have to learn to stand up for those team members as well, because when the time comes, that’s what counts the most.
Thursday, August 2, 2007
Razzaq too????
Highly placed sources in the PCB have confirmed to journalists that Abdul Razzaq is expected to be another major causality of the 20-20 World Cup, along with Muhammad Yousuf. Though Pakistan don't announce their squad until Aug 10, Yousuf and Razzaq are set to be sacrificed on the pretext of testing country's younger talent and bench strength. Razzaq is expected to be dropped citing the reason that he failed to impress during the three training camps held for the world cup preparation. Sources mentioned that Razzaq has not been performing as well as he is expected to be for last two years while his poor fielding skills don't help either.
We can't help but note that these rumors are coming at a time when Pakistan cricket is going through a transition and when a new direction needs to be taken for the future of the team. Apparently in the eyes of PCB this new direction doesn’t involve two of the most prolific cricketers Pakistan has produced in recent years. While there is not even a question about Yousuf's abilities as a middle order supremo in both longer and limited form of the game, Razzaq's place has always been a point of contention among various circles. But he has always been able to shut his critics up by performing tremendously well in difficult conditions. No question that he has been one of the most devastating power hitters the game has ever known, in the shorter version of the game especially in the dying overs when stakes are their highest and going gets tough. Trying to get him out of team to play 20-20 world cup must be one of the worst decision ever made by PCB clergy, and if PCB takes this decision, it could be one of the greatest disaster one could bring upon itself.
We can't help but note that these rumors are coming at a time when Pakistan cricket is going through a transition and when a new direction needs to be taken for the future of the team. Apparently in the eyes of PCB this new direction doesn’t involve two of the most prolific cricketers Pakistan has produced in recent years. While there is not even a question about Yousuf's abilities as a middle order supremo in both longer and limited form of the game, Razzaq's place has always been a point of contention among various circles. But he has always been able to shut his critics up by performing tremendously well in difficult conditions. No question that he has been one of the most devastating power hitters the game has ever known, in the shorter version of the game especially in the dying overs when stakes are their highest and going gets tough. Trying to get him out of team to play 20-20 world cup must be one of the worst decision ever made by PCB clergy, and if PCB takes this decision, it could be one of the greatest disaster one could bring upon itself.
Yousuf : In or out of 20-20 World Cup?
Rumor has it that Mohammad Yousuf is not being selected in the Pakistani team for the upcoming 20 worldcup. These rumors have been circling around for a few weeks now but they were further fuelled by Yousuf's sudden departure from the National training camp currently going on in Karachi. Muhammad Yousuf left national camp on Wednesday without participating in day's training match and he also took his kit along with him effectively meaning that he wasn't coming back to the camp which is scheduled to end on Sunday. It was later revealed that Yousuf left because of his mother's sickness, but inside sources didn't accept this explanation.
Well whatever it is, if these rumors even have remotest chance of being true I believe it will be a total disaster for the Pakistani team. Yousuf certainly does not deserve to be treated this way since he was the leading run scorer in the test arena last year breaking the 31 year old world record of highest number of runs scored in an year. After Inzamam's departure he is the most important member of the team who could be a potential match winner. With his attacking strokeplay and ability to block wicket taking balls he is currently rated among the best batsmen of the world. It is obvious that 20-20 cricket is an entirely different ball game but it is players like Yousuf who have the capability to excel in any form of the game regardless. I think no one in PCB management could be stupid enough to not understand Yousuf's importance to Pakistani team at this critical juncture when the metal is being passed on from Inzamam to the new generation of players. It is important for the selection committee to understand that Yousuf makes the backbone of Pakistani team and every team needs a backbone no matter what form of cricket they are playing.
Well whatever it is, if these rumors even have remotest chance of being true I believe it will be a total disaster for the Pakistani team. Yousuf certainly does not deserve to be treated this way since he was the leading run scorer in the test arena last year breaking the 31 year old world record of highest number of runs scored in an year. After Inzamam's departure he is the most important member of the team who could be a potential match winner. With his attacking strokeplay and ability to block wicket taking balls he is currently rated among the best batsmen of the world. It is obvious that 20-20 cricket is an entirely different ball game but it is players like Yousuf who have the capability to excel in any form of the game regardless. I think no one in PCB management could be stupid enough to not understand Yousuf's importance to Pakistani team at this critical juncture when the metal is being passed on from Inzamam to the new generation of players. It is important for the selection committee to understand that Yousuf makes the backbone of Pakistani team and every team needs a backbone no matter what form of cricket they are playing.
Thursday, July 19, 2007
Afridi - Something is hurting inside!
In an interview with local and international media at a training camp in Qadafi Stadium, Shahid Afridi once again revealed that he was a contender for the top job in Pakistani team and he could not conceal his disappointment at not getting even the job of skipper's deputy. While talking to the journalists he admitted that he became a contender for captain's position after Younis Khan rejected the offer made to him, because he thought it was in the best interest of the team and he was ready to accept any such offer if it was ever made to him. Too bad, the offer never came his way and Shoaib Malik was chosen instead by the PCB.
"It is great honor to be in Pakistani team and being a captain is even greater honor," he said.
It was quite obvious from Afridi tone and words that after he was overlooked for captain's job, he was hoping to become vice captain but once again he was overlooked by PCB and Salman Butt was chosen out of nowhere.
"Board did the right thing to appoint Shoaib Malik as captain. He is a very talented cricketer and the decision of appointing Salman Butt as vice captain is PCB's so what can I say?"
Well, Mr. Afridi, you could say that it was also the right decision or if not at least you could keep your mouth shut so that people wouldn't try to read between the lines and make you look like a fool.
"It is great honor to be in Pakistani team and being a captain is even greater honor," he said.
It was quite obvious from Afridi tone and words that after he was overlooked for captain's job, he was hoping to become vice captain but once again he was overlooked by PCB and Salman Butt was chosen out of nowhere.
"Board did the right thing to appoint Shoaib Malik as captain. He is a very talented cricketer and the decision of appointing Salman Butt as vice captain is PCB's so what can I say?"
Well, Mr. Afridi, you could say that it was also the right decision or if not at least you could keep your mouth shut so that people wouldn't try to read between the lines and make you look like a fool.
Tuesday, July 3, 2007
WADA and out: no winners in the drugs scandal
Shoaib Akhtar and Mohammad Asif can heave a massive sigh of relief. You can be sure that if their case had been heard at the Court for Arbitration for Sport their plea of ignorance would not have been received sympathetically.
Read More @ Cricinfo
Read More @ Cricinfo
Sunday, July 1, 2007
Ifs and Butts
I was lucky enough to watch Salman Butt on debut. The immediate observation was this was a young player with a tremendous amount of time and hence--almost paradoxically--able to play the ball wonderfully late. A bright future as Pakistan's star opener beckoned. Since then Salman has delighted and dumbfounded. Some of his best efforts have come against Australia while last summer he was sent home early from England after a disappointing tour.
Read More @ Cricinfo
Read More @ Cricinfo
Wednesday, June 20, 2007
Central contracts list finalised; Inzamam snubbed
By Khalid Hussain
KARACHI: National selectors have ignored former Pakistan captain Inzamam-ul-Haq while finalising a list of 30 players to be submitted today to the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for issuance of central contracts.
Well-placed sources told ‘The News’ on Tuesday that the members of the national selection committee have reached a consensus on the list of players to be recommended for new central contracts. They have decided against recommending Inzamam for a central contract but have opted to keep in the list all other leading national cricketers who were previously given contracts by the PCB.
Read More @ The News
KARACHI: National selectors have ignored former Pakistan captain Inzamam-ul-Haq while finalising a list of 30 players to be submitted today to the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for issuance of central contracts.
Well-placed sources told ‘The News’ on Tuesday that the members of the national selection committee have reached a consensus on the list of players to be recommended for new central contracts. They have decided against recommending Inzamam for a central contract but have opted to keep in the list all other leading national cricketers who were previously given contracts by the PCB.
Read More @ The News
PCB’s dual stance irks media
ABBOTTABAD, June 19: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has imposed a ban on interviews of the Pakistan cricketers, says manager Talat Ali as some local journalists approached the team’s captain and vice-captain.
It should be noted that the PCB has set a code of conduct for the team management, officials and players some time back which is still implemented but interestingly the team management and star players are giving interviews to their ‘favourite’ newspapers and TV channels.
Read More @ Dawn
It should be noted that the PCB has set a code of conduct for the team management, officials and players some time back which is still implemented but interestingly the team management and star players are giving interviews to their ‘favourite’ newspapers and TV channels.
Read More @ Dawn
Wednesday, June 6, 2007
PCB asks BCCI to help find coach
According to a private news network, PCB has even enlisted BCCI's help to find a new coach. In keeping with PCB's this request, an advertisement for the coach's position has been displayed in Bangalore's Chinnaswamy Stadium.
This interesting revelation will leave most of the cricket lovers scratching their heads since BCCI also finds itself in the same boat as PCB so its quite difficult to understand how it could help PCB when it needs some help itself.
This interesting revelation will leave most of the cricket lovers scratching their heads since BCCI also finds itself in the same boat as PCB so its quite difficult to understand how it could help PCB when it needs some help itself.
Thursday, May 31, 2007
Aamir Sohail on Miandad as next Pakistani coach
Aamir Sohail today in an interview demanded that Javed Miandad to be immediately made coach of Pakistani coach. He said that Miandad is the best person to lead the young Pakistani team as a coach since he has the best cricketing mind. He mentioned that in 2004 Pakistani team was improving in Miandad's coaching but Woolmer was made a coach which was a huge mistake. He also said that the foreign coach experience for the Pakistani team has previously failed as well since Pakistani cricketers couldn’t speak English.
Its strange to see Aamir Sohail talking so highly of Javed Miandad since during his playing days, he didn’t have such a merry relationship with him, infect he was the Pakistan Captain in Miandad's last match in Pakistan colors against India during the world cup 1996 when he demoted Miandad to no. six position while batting effectively ensuring that he doesn’t play any role in Pakistan's recovery during the match. The match was eventually lost by 39 runs because of that mistake while Miandad was the last recognized batsman out trying to salvage some pride.
Its strange to see Aamir Sohail talking so highly of Javed Miandad since during his playing days, he didn’t have such a merry relationship with him, infect he was the Pakistan Captain in Miandad's last match in Pakistan colors against India during the world cup 1996 when he demoted Miandad to no. six position while batting effectively ensuring that he doesn’t play any role in Pakistan's recovery during the match. The match was eventually lost by 39 runs because of that mistake while Miandad was the last recognized batsman out trying to salvage some pride.
New code of conduct for players; what about officials though?
According to some news reports PCB, through its director operations Zakir Khan, has made it clear that in future no player, including the captain, is allowed to talk to media unless authorized by PCB. This news has come at a time when Pakistan is in the middle of a complete revamp of the its team. According to Zakir Khan, PCB is establishing a strict code of conduct that was included in the recent short term contracts given to the players before the start of Abu Dhabi series, under which no player is allowed to speak to media, without any exceptions, unless authorized by the PCB or team manager within three months of the completion of the series. Zakir Khan went on to say that action will be taken against the players who went against this code of conduct after Abu Dhabi series. According to some inside sources PCB is also considering a suggestion that in future no player is allowed to be contracted with a media outlet without prior permission from the PCB.
I think its about time that PCB does something about such issues since in recent months almost every player has been eagerly talking to media about various issues including the issues of coaching and captaincy. Although at certain times, the media is to blame when it comes down to asking every player about their intentions to be captain and then sometimes quoting them out of context, it is also important for the players to understand that when they speak to journalist, they will be reported in the media. Pakistani players can't be naïve enough to not understand the implications of such interviews, especially when they have been playing international cricket for an extended period of time while traveling throughout the world and interacting with people including media personnel around the world.
While PCB is right to devise a code of conduct for players, it might not be a bad idea to make a code of conduct for its own officials so that they are held accountable if they are unable to perform their functions properly. The primary function of every PCB official should be to promote and develop the game of cricket in Pakistan, which should ultimately result in developing an infrastructure that produces not only great players but also great teams. As it is now, most of the Pakistani players are a product of great individual talent and skill that without any benefit from any of the measures PCB has taken over the years. They come into the national team directly from gali and mohalla cricket with very little input from the domestic infrastructure, while earning great accolade for the nation and a lot of money for PCB. Like what happened to Inzamam, after giving their golden years to the nation, their honor is dragged in the streets upon their retirement while the officials always escape unscathed. Looking at such results and considering the remunerations paid to various PCB officials, the time has come for these officials to also sign a code of conduct that should result in disciplinary action, their possible immediate removal as well as some form of financial penalty, if they fail to achieve their goals within a specified period of time.
I think its about time that PCB does something about such issues since in recent months almost every player has been eagerly talking to media about various issues including the issues of coaching and captaincy. Although at certain times, the media is to blame when it comes down to asking every player about their intentions to be captain and then sometimes quoting them out of context, it is also important for the players to understand that when they speak to journalist, they will be reported in the media. Pakistani players can't be naïve enough to not understand the implications of such interviews, especially when they have been playing international cricket for an extended period of time while traveling throughout the world and interacting with people including media personnel around the world.
While PCB is right to devise a code of conduct for players, it might not be a bad idea to make a code of conduct for its own officials so that they are held accountable if they are unable to perform their functions properly. The primary function of every PCB official should be to promote and develop the game of cricket in Pakistan, which should ultimately result in developing an infrastructure that produces not only great players but also great teams. As it is now, most of the Pakistani players are a product of great individual talent and skill that without any benefit from any of the measures PCB has taken over the years. They come into the national team directly from gali and mohalla cricket with very little input from the domestic infrastructure, while earning great accolade for the nation and a lot of money for PCB. Like what happened to Inzamam, after giving their golden years to the nation, their honor is dragged in the streets upon their retirement while the officials always escape unscathed. Looking at such results and considering the remunerations paid to various PCB officials, the time has come for these officials to also sign a code of conduct that should result in disciplinary action, their possible immediate removal as well as some form of financial penalty, if they fail to achieve their goals within a specified period of time.
Monday, May 21, 2007
Welcome back Team Pakistan
It might be the enthusiasm of youth. It might be a flash in the pan. It might be a false dawn. But when Shoaib Malik, Shahid Afridi, and Mohammad Asif gathered to discuss how to bowl and set a field to Mahela Jayawardene it struck me that this was a sight Pakistan cricket has been missing. The team huddle is all well and good but the team think-tank is a far more valuable concept.
Read More @ cricinfo
Read More @ cricinfo
Tuesday, May 8, 2007
Imran Farhat Saga
In a stinging revelation, new chief selector Salahuddin Salu has revealed that Imran Farhat is back to his old habits of threatening the selectors through his father in law ex test cricketer M. Ilyas, after selection committee left him out for the 3 match Abu Dhabi series. This is not exactly something new because prior to today the same two people have also been involved in similar incidents with the previous selection committee. Its interesting to note that it is coming from a butter fingers player who has been a cause of many losses for the country so far while his all too well know father in law himself doesn’t have a great record to boost either.
I think its about time that PCB impose strict restrictions on such players ensuring that these incidents don’t happen again. At the same time an affective way should be devised to address the grievances of the players who genuinely feel aggrieved at being left out of the team.
I think its about time that PCB impose strict restrictions on such players ensuring that these incidents don’t happen again. At the same time an affective way should be devised to address the grievances of the players who genuinely feel aggrieved at being left out of the team.
Monday, May 7, 2007
Team announced for Abu Dhabi series with just two new faces
As widely touted in the media for last few days, Mohammad Asif has been named vice-captain of a Pakistan squad which includes just two new faces primarily as a result of Inzamam's retirement and Younis's unavailability. Fawad Alam, the young Karachi allrounder, who had such an outstanding domestic season, has been selected along with Najaf Shah, the young left-arm fast medium bowler from Rawalpindi, who has also been selected on the back of an impressive domestic season as well as good performance in the warm up matches.
This is the first team announced by the new paid selection committee, which has been constituted after the World Cup debacle and the subsequent resignation of the old selection committee. Salman Butt and Yasir Hameed made a return to the team along with the injured Asif and Razaq. Talat Ali, who has been named as manager for next two years, will also be the acting coach for the series while PCB continue their search for the new coach.
The most interesting selection has been for the post of vice captain which has gone to Asif, who doesn’t even have much captaincy experience even at the domestic level. It is a very interesting decision in a sense that although Asif has the ability to bowl with a good line and length regardless of the surface or the conditions but he doesn’t have any other credentials to prove himself as a future leader. This looks like a very ambitious decision by PCB which could backfire if Asif's bowling suffers because of added pressure due to the additional responsibility.
Team
Shoaib Malik (capt), Salman Butt, Imran Nazir, Mohammad Hafeez, Yasir Hameed, Mohammad Yousuf, Shahid Afridi, Fawad Alam, Kamran Akmal (wk), Abdul Razzaq, Mohammad Asif, Mohammad Sami, Umar Gul, Rao Iftikhar, Najaf Shah.
This is the first team announced by the new paid selection committee, which has been constituted after the World Cup debacle and the subsequent resignation of the old selection committee. Salman Butt and Yasir Hameed made a return to the team along with the injured Asif and Razaq. Talat Ali, who has been named as manager for next two years, will also be the acting coach for the series while PCB continue their search for the new coach.
The most interesting selection has been for the post of vice captain which has gone to Asif, who doesn’t even have much captaincy experience even at the domestic level. It is a very interesting decision in a sense that although Asif has the ability to bowl with a good line and length regardless of the surface or the conditions but he doesn’t have any other credentials to prove himself as a future leader. This looks like a very ambitious decision by PCB which could backfire if Asif's bowling suffers because of added pressure due to the additional responsibility.
Team
Shoaib Malik (capt), Salman Butt, Imran Nazir, Mohammad Hafeez, Yasir Hameed, Mohammad Yousuf, Shahid Afridi, Fawad Alam, Kamran Akmal (wk), Abdul Razzaq, Mohammad Asif, Mohammad Sami, Umar Gul, Rao Iftikhar, Najaf Shah.
Friday, May 4, 2007
What Prompted Younis to decline Captaincy
Although Younis Khan clearly stated the reasons for him not taking up Pakistani Captaincy after the World Cup debacle and Inzamam's eventual retirement from one day cricket, citing "I am still hurt and upset at the sort of hostile reception we have got since returning from the World Cup. I have always given 100 percent for my country. But when your family gets threatening calls and our effigies are burnt and our pictures put on donkeys, then I can't lead the team in such circumstances", a lot of rumors have still been circulating at what really transpired behind closed doors which led to Younis's refusal and eventual mentioning of the fact that he might consider retiring from one day cricket all together. These rumors are especially fuelled by the fact that this is not the first time Younis has hastily refused captaincy under similarly mysterious circumstances but citing different reasons.
The latest rumors are that Younis's current decision actually stems from his earlier refusal before the start of Champions Trophy last year. Some unnamed PCB officials have been privately saying that Younis have been really unhappy with a group of players within current Pakistani team who have not even been at speaking terms with him since before last years champions trophy primarily because the way he handled the team in the absence of Inzamam during his tenure as Pakistan's vice captain. This is the reason why Younis initially asked for full powers from PCB before his last appointment as Captain for ICC Champions Trophy citing that he didn’t want to become a dummy captain. Same officials also confirmed that PCB wanted Younis to take over captaincy this time and ensured him full support but he refused. They further disclosed that PCB even tried using Imran Khan to convince Younis but Imran refused to speak to him saying "he was upset with the way Younis had surrendered". Imran openly criticized Younis's decision in the media mentioning that “It is useless trying to convince Younis to lead the team if he does not want to do it. But what he did was wrong." Amid all the speculations PCB finally appointed Shoaib Malik as the new captain effectively putting an end to their efforts of convincing Younis to reconsider.
There is no doubt that Younis has been one of the most hard working cricketers in the current Pakistan side who never gets satisfied with his performance and always strives to improve. Initially a batsman of limited ability his sheer determination and commitment to the cause has seen him through some tough phases of his career. Whenever he has been dropped, he has always come back stronger. In fact Younis didn’t become a regular player in the Pakistan team until his return to the side during the home series against Sri Lanka in October 2004. He was the top run getter during the disastrous series in Australia and the defining movement of his career came on the tour of India when he was appointed vice captain of the side and he repaid the faith by scoring a century in the second test and a match winning double century in the final test. Since then he has become one of the most consistent batsmen for Pakistan scoring centuries in different conditions and different surfaces. In between this short span of time Younis had to deal with not one but at least three huge family tragedies including the deaths of his father and his two brothers one elder and one younger than him. Looking at how he was dealing with these difficult times all the while scoring hugely for Pakistan tells you a thing or two about his mental toughness. This makes his current decision of declining to Captain the Pakistani side look all more perplexing and mind-boggling.
There is no doubt that Younis's current decision doesn’t stem from Pakistan sudden defeat in the World Cup but it is more because of the loss of Bob Woolmer. Looking at Bob Woolmer's coaching stints with South Africa and Pakistan, it becomes obvious that Woolmer played a huge role in helping lesser players become major contributors and critical component of their sides. Players like Hansie Cronje, Lance Klusener, Shoaib Malik, Shahid Afridi and up to a certain extent Younis Khan have Woolmer's foot prints all over their careers. In fact Woolmer had tremendous respect for Younis Khan, who he used to call "Little Hansie" for his energy and impact on the team. Woolmer had no doubts about the abilities of Younis Khan and that was the reason why he felt at a loss of words to explain his disappointment when Younis initially declined to Captain Pakistan during the ICC champions trophy late last year. Considering Pakistan's dreadful performance since then and Dr. Nasim Ashraf's revelation after Woolmer's death that Woolmer didn’t want to continue with Pakistan after his current contract expired, it becomes increasingly clear that something was not quite right with the Pakistani Cricket. Was it the administrators or some members of the playing squad, its all open to speculations but it is certainly something very serious that Younis didn’t want to indulge with, hence his decision to stay away from the top job.
This is not the first time that some one in the Pakistani team has taken such a bold step. People like Rashid Latif and Basit Ali effectively ruined their careers by letting emotions getting the better of them. This is increasingly looking like the same case. All throughout his playing career Younis has been close to Rashid Latif, who he also regards as one of his best friends. This tells us how he might have caught the Rashid Latif bug of letting emotions take over the mind.
It is a time tested formula that you are not going to become great until you earn greatness through your deeds. Sadly for Pakistani cricket and all those cricket lovers out there, Younis had the opportunity to earn this greatness by taking over the challenge instead he decided to run away from it. He effectively let his mind be taken over by his heart. At a critical juncture for his country Younis has decided not to show up. He could have overcome the adversity, like he always did during his career, by using his skills and sheer determination, Instead, he has backed out without a nerve to fight, a trait everyone expected of him. There is not a shade of doubt in my mind that if he showed the same determination and toughness he has shown all throughout his career, things would have eventually fallen in place and he could have become a great captain along with being a great player.
The latest rumors are that Younis's current decision actually stems from his earlier refusal before the start of Champions Trophy last year. Some unnamed PCB officials have been privately saying that Younis have been really unhappy with a group of players within current Pakistani team who have not even been at speaking terms with him since before last years champions trophy primarily because the way he handled the team in the absence of Inzamam during his tenure as Pakistan's vice captain. This is the reason why Younis initially asked for full powers from PCB before his last appointment as Captain for ICC Champions Trophy citing that he didn’t want to become a dummy captain. Same officials also confirmed that PCB wanted Younis to take over captaincy this time and ensured him full support but he refused. They further disclosed that PCB even tried using Imran Khan to convince Younis but Imran refused to speak to him saying "he was upset with the way Younis had surrendered". Imran openly criticized Younis's decision in the media mentioning that “It is useless trying to convince Younis to lead the team if he does not want to do it. But what he did was wrong." Amid all the speculations PCB finally appointed Shoaib Malik as the new captain effectively putting an end to their efforts of convincing Younis to reconsider.
There is no doubt that Younis has been one of the most hard working cricketers in the current Pakistan side who never gets satisfied with his performance and always strives to improve. Initially a batsman of limited ability his sheer determination and commitment to the cause has seen him through some tough phases of his career. Whenever he has been dropped, he has always come back stronger. In fact Younis didn’t become a regular player in the Pakistan team until his return to the side during the home series against Sri Lanka in October 2004. He was the top run getter during the disastrous series in Australia and the defining movement of his career came on the tour of India when he was appointed vice captain of the side and he repaid the faith by scoring a century in the second test and a match winning double century in the final test. Since then he has become one of the most consistent batsmen for Pakistan scoring centuries in different conditions and different surfaces. In between this short span of time Younis had to deal with not one but at least three huge family tragedies including the deaths of his father and his two brothers one elder and one younger than him. Looking at how he was dealing with these difficult times all the while scoring hugely for Pakistan tells you a thing or two about his mental toughness. This makes his current decision of declining to Captain the Pakistani side look all more perplexing and mind-boggling.
There is no doubt that Younis's current decision doesn’t stem from Pakistan sudden defeat in the World Cup but it is more because of the loss of Bob Woolmer. Looking at Bob Woolmer's coaching stints with South Africa and Pakistan, it becomes obvious that Woolmer played a huge role in helping lesser players become major contributors and critical component of their sides. Players like Hansie Cronje, Lance Klusener, Shoaib Malik, Shahid Afridi and up to a certain extent Younis Khan have Woolmer's foot prints all over their careers. In fact Woolmer had tremendous respect for Younis Khan, who he used to call "Little Hansie" for his energy and impact on the team. Woolmer had no doubts about the abilities of Younis Khan and that was the reason why he felt at a loss of words to explain his disappointment when Younis initially declined to Captain Pakistan during the ICC champions trophy late last year. Considering Pakistan's dreadful performance since then and Dr. Nasim Ashraf's revelation after Woolmer's death that Woolmer didn’t want to continue with Pakistan after his current contract expired, it becomes increasingly clear that something was not quite right with the Pakistani Cricket. Was it the administrators or some members of the playing squad, its all open to speculations but it is certainly something very serious that Younis didn’t want to indulge with, hence his decision to stay away from the top job.
This is not the first time that some one in the Pakistani team has taken such a bold step. People like Rashid Latif and Basit Ali effectively ruined their careers by letting emotions getting the better of them. This is increasingly looking like the same case. All throughout his playing career Younis has been close to Rashid Latif, who he also regards as one of his best friends. This tells us how he might have caught the Rashid Latif bug of letting emotions take over the mind.
It is a time tested formula that you are not going to become great until you earn greatness through your deeds. Sadly for Pakistani cricket and all those cricket lovers out there, Younis had the opportunity to earn this greatness by taking over the challenge instead he decided to run away from it. He effectively let his mind be taken over by his heart. At a critical juncture for his country Younis has decided not to show up. He could have overcome the adversity, like he always did during his career, by using his skills and sheer determination, Instead, he has backed out without a nerve to fight, a trait everyone expected of him. There is not a shade of doubt in my mind that if he showed the same determination and toughness he has shown all throughout his career, things would have eventually fallen in place and he could have become a great captain along with being a great player.
Thursday, May 3, 2007
What are you trying to prove Mr Younis Khan?
by Muhammad Shahbaz Zahid
Team Pakistan needs a soothsayer. Although Pakistan cricket team's future, one can work out, seems to be a predictable one but what we need is a person who can let us know what sort of circumstances our national cricket team is to face in the coming months so that we can prepare ourselves to see the team facing yet another crisis situation.
Read More @ Geo Super
Team Pakistan needs a soothsayer. Although Pakistan cricket team's future, one can work out, seems to be a predictable one but what we need is a person who can let us know what sort of circumstances our national cricket team is to face in the coming months so that we can prepare ourselves to see the team facing yet another crisis situation.
Read More @ Geo Super
Thursday, April 26, 2007
What future holds for Izamam-ul-Haq
There have been rumors circulating in the Pakistani cricket circles that Inzamam might not be selected for the home test series against South Africa due to be played later this year. This has come as no surprise since a lot of ex-cricketers and fans expressed surprise after Inzamam did not elect to retire from all forms of international cricket at the end of Pakistani World Cup campaign. Considering the physical challenges he has faced in recent years a few of them actually went as far as to suggest that he only wanted to continue playing test cricket because he wanted to break Javed Miandad’s record of Pakistan’s highest test scorer. Currently Inzamam is just 19 runs behind Miandad’s record of 8,832 runs.
PCB’s inner sources have recently confirmed to the media that PCB is ready to put a stop to this and the new selection committee is not warm to the idea of keeping Inzamam playing test cricket for the sake of a record while meanwhile denying a young cricketer the chance of cementing his place in the side.
It is interesting to note that Inzamam is already 37 years old and by the time this series comes around he’ll be closer to 38 years which is a relatively old age for a test cricketer in today’s age and time. While it is important to acknowledge Inzamam’s services to Pakistani cricket, if this allegation is true, I regard his decision to keep on playing as utterly selfish and gravely destabilizing for the team. On one hand it will deny a young cricketer a chance to represent Pakistan while on the other it will also harm the team not only because of his continued presence in the dressing room while the new captain is trying to rally the team around himself but also because his declining fitness could leave a much bigger hole in the Pakistani team for the all important tour of India and later on, the home series against Australia.
After what happened to Pakistani cricket in last six months including Pakistan’s diabolical performance in the World Cup, Bob Woolmer’s murder and suggestions by many ex-cricketers including PCB’s ex-chairman Shahryar Khan that Inzamam had full hold on the team and even Bob Woolmer could not make certain changes without his prior approval, it would have been advisable for Inzamam to retire without facing any further humiliation. Sadly it has become a habit of Pakistani cricket stars, with the exception of a few, to end up in a position of being disgracefully kicked out of the squad. In my humble opinion Inzamam destiny is in his own hands. He can spend next few weeks to ponder upon his future and decide to leave with some integrity still intact or face the humiliation of being axed out by PCB.
The News : Inzamam unlikely to retain Test spot
PCB’s inner sources have recently confirmed to the media that PCB is ready to put a stop to this and the new selection committee is not warm to the idea of keeping Inzamam playing test cricket for the sake of a record while meanwhile denying a young cricketer the chance of cementing his place in the side.
It is interesting to note that Inzamam is already 37 years old and by the time this series comes around he’ll be closer to 38 years which is a relatively old age for a test cricketer in today’s age and time. While it is important to acknowledge Inzamam’s services to Pakistani cricket, if this allegation is true, I regard his decision to keep on playing as utterly selfish and gravely destabilizing for the team. On one hand it will deny a young cricketer a chance to represent Pakistan while on the other it will also harm the team not only because of his continued presence in the dressing room while the new captain is trying to rally the team around himself but also because his declining fitness could leave a much bigger hole in the Pakistani team for the all important tour of India and later on, the home series against Australia.
After what happened to Pakistani cricket in last six months including Pakistan’s diabolical performance in the World Cup, Bob Woolmer’s murder and suggestions by many ex-cricketers including PCB’s ex-chairman Shahryar Khan that Inzamam had full hold on the team and even Bob Woolmer could not make certain changes without his prior approval, it would have been advisable for Inzamam to retire without facing any further humiliation. Sadly it has become a habit of Pakistani cricket stars, with the exception of a few, to end up in a position of being disgracefully kicked out of the squad. In my humble opinion Inzamam destiny is in his own hands. He can spend next few weeks to ponder upon his future and decide to leave with some integrity still intact or face the humiliation of being axed out by PCB.
The News : Inzamam unlikely to retain Test spot
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