Anas Imtiaz

Heavy Price Tag of Pak Players in IPL-3

// June 24th, 2009 // 12 Comments » // Sports

Pakistani players were prevented from playing in the IPL this year after the relations between the two neighbours were soured in the aftermath of the Mumbai attacks. Earlier, the Indian cricket team refused to tour Pakistan after their government interfered to cancel the tour. Note that this was not due to security reasons, but because of pure politics. In response, Pakistan refused to allow its players to play in India amid security fears of they being attacked by angry Indians. This move by the government was probably a tit-for-tat, and was perceived in the rest of the world as a personal loss for Pakistan. Some players were unhappy to be denied the opportunity of making quick money, but the decision was made. Soon after, amid security concerns, the IPL was moved to South Africa and the government of Pakistan cleared the players to take the field in SA. But it was too late, Lalit Modi, the magician refused to take in any Pakistani players – there were 11 contracted at that time. Immediately, the franchises cancelled the contracts of 7 of them, while 4 remain suspended. The IPL then went ahead with all fanfare, music, dirty dancing and least of all, cricket.

Now that, out of the blue, Pakistan has produced some astonishing T20 stars, the IPL franchises have already started showing interest in them. The price tag for Pakistani players will be much much highers this time, for the IPL to be commenced in March. Younis Khan’s franchise wanted him back but the captain has already quit the T20s while they are keen to have Akmal and Tanvir back too – suddenly very keen!

Afridi and Gul will be the most expensive, while Razzaq is a hot commodity as well.

All these are of course dependent on the relations between India and Pakistan. The PCB currently isn’t enjoying friendly ties with the BCCI over the World Cup issue but that can change within days.

All said, I do believe that IPL is in fact low quality fun, non-serious cricket. After watching some IPL and the T20 WC immediately, the differences in the quality of cricket were apparent.

Some believe that cricket should take a football-like approach and have more league games. Personally, I’m more inclined towards having games between countries. It is more competitive and the stakes are much higher – if money is to be discounted.

England Stunned By The Dutchmen

// June 6th, 2009 // 7 Comments » // Sports

The ICC T20 World Cup may turn out to be another tournament to forget for the cricketing fans in England as the Dutch stun the Englishmen in a thrilling curtainraiser. This match will be remembered for a long time not only for it being one of the greatest upsets but also for it being a nailbiter and ofcourse England at the receiving end besing the host.

What looked like a very strong start to the tournament with 89 runs scored off the first ten overs without a wicket loss turned out to be a rather weak effort during the closing stages of the first inning. One evidence of England not playing up to the mark is having hit no sixes in their innings (whereas the Dutch hit 4 of ‘em!). Despite the sluggish nature of the batting in second half of their innings, England managed a total of 162 which, to be honest, looked quite good against a minnow such as Netherlands.

It has to be said that the Dutch played extraordinary cricket, keeping the pressure from the word go. They never allowed England to have a dot delivery and kept taking on singles and rotating the strike coupled with some flourishing boundaries. The bowling was not as bad as it may sound but the fielding effort was, to say the least, pathetic. Only the last over saw 4 missed run out chances and a dropped catch!!! The rest is just an extension.

England panicked, quite badly. There was no need to. They could have planned to take it into a Super Over, by not allowing the extra run. There was no plan for that apparently. They threw it away with overthrow. While the Dutch, on the other hand, gave it their all! The way they scampered for runs showed their eagerness and will to play and win. They were hungry for it. They had passion, belief and the skill. They were in absolute control throughout the game, always ahead of D/L par score in any event of heavy rain. The only attack of panic came towards the end, but the English looked much more worried, and why not. A World Cup upset at home in the opener! The home team is surely going to get a bashing in the media tomorrow. The only hope for them is a win against Pakistan, who on the other hand must be very cautious playing the Dutch having the experience of losing against Ireland in the World Cup.

This T20 WC has surely opened up and the stage has been set up for a great tournament ahead!

Cricket’s Craziest Confusion

// February 3rd, 2009 // 6 Comments » // Sports

There have been batsmen through the ages who have earned reputations for being poor runners, although Denis Compton and Inzamam-ul-Haq must rate as two of the worst. However, what happened at The Oval in late June 1922 would have left even those two bemused.

A fortnight before the Varsity match, Oxford University batted first against a weakened Surrey and had reached 221 for 8 when Tom Raikes joined RC Robertson-Glasgow in the middle late in the day. Raikes, 19, was in his first year after leaving Winchester; Robertson-Glasgow, a year older, in the third of his four seasons in the Oxford XI.

The pair had added four when Robertson-Glasgow drove the ball to long-on, fielding in front of the Pavilion, and set off for an easy single. Despite having taken the first one rather slowly, the pair decided to come back for a second. Raikes, running back to the danger end, was less convinced but after hesitating, set off. “Then,” Robertson-Glasgow later recalled, “strange things happened”.

The two of them crossed mid-pitch, at which point Robertson-Glasgow (according to the Times) or Raikes (according to Robertson-Glasgow) had a change of mind and direction and the pair ran side by side towards the Pavilion End. (more…)

Pakistan Cricket Suffers Another Blow By BCCI

// December 20th, 2008 // 15 Comments » // Sports

Shoaib Akhtar Makes Headline Dancing With Esha Deol

// September 10th, 2008 // 15 Comments » // Sports

Shoaib Akhtar was all over the Pakistani news channels featuring in headlines for dancing with Esha Deol at an Indian show. Here are some of the pics:

Can’t we just leave him alone and allow him to do whatever he likes?? So what if he featured on the show?? He didn’t miss a match for that nor did he fake an injury! Important to note is that there is not cricket currently being played in Pakistan, so the cricketers are free. There is no training camp as well. BTW, after the dance, Shoaib flew to play for Surrey where he bowled 8 impressive overs, giving away 23 runs and taking a wicket.

FYI Shoaib Akhtar is a good dancer

So, an appeal to the people and media, leave him alone! He does have a personal life as well!!!

C’mon Federer!!!

// September 8th, 2008 // 6 Comments » // Sports

The US Open final! Federer vs. Murray (oh the kid!!). Roger Federer should win. Thank God that kid defeated Nadal. Not that Federer fears Nadal, or maybe he does. Atleast I feared a loss had Nadal reached the final. Now here is a chance for Federer to get in the groove and for god’s sake win a grand slam!!

C’mon Roger!!

Nadal All Set For Tennis Apex

// August 17th, 2008 // 2 Comments » // Sports

Rafael Nadal is all set to take on the position owned by Roger Federer for years, the number one spot in tennis. The timing couldn’t have been better for the charismatic tennis star. He has won gold in Olympics tennis today and tomorrow he’s all set to displace Federer, a task which seemed almost insuperable.

While Nadal scored gold in men’s singles, Federer went on to win the double’s gold, after dropping out in the quarters of men’s singles league.

The Wimbledon final certainly marked the rise of Nadal, but the question is whetehr Federer has much left in him to hit back in the years to come. I hope and pray, he does.

Asif Should Be Banned For Life, NOW!

// July 15th, 2008 // 2 Comments » // Sports

The third drug case of Asif within 2 years is enough to prove the habits of our talented druggie (no more an accusation). While he has expressed shock over the outcome of IPL tests, the PCB has distanced itself from the scene  this time by saying that Asif will have to defend himself. Why? Because this matter would be handled by ICC/BCCI and they wouldn’t be overturning appeals on public pressure.

Now, in all fairness, Mohammed Asif desrves to be banned for life. There is no space for drugs in sports. The hard-lined PCB, who took action against Shoaib Akhtar for disciplinary breaches should come down harder on Asif (if they’re fair).

We’ve seen in the past that players have escaped punishments at the time they deserved it (Shoaib Akhtar). The PCB usually wakes up late or rather prefers to keep its eyes closed if they need the services of some players even if they have faltered off-ground. This is how Shoaib got out of hands. He wasn’t punished at right times and later the PCB wanted to see him off so they tried to use all his past blunders to ban him out of cricket. Appeals and more appeals, that whole case is a mess now.

Here, the PCB must act NOW. The recent case of Asif in Dubai was also dealt with quietly and nothing happened so far on his return. He was even included in the list of 30 probables for the Champions Trophy!

The PCB will also be under tremendous pressure because they gave the bowler the benefit of innocence in his earlier dope test but there is no excuse left this time. Only time will tell whether PCB has learnt a lesson or not. Apparently, Asif hasn’t.

Federer Dethroned!

// July 7th, 2008 // 5 Comments » // Sports

Finally, after five years, 60-odd wins without a loss on grass and five Wimbledon grand slam titles the great Roger Federer succumbed to Rafael Nadal. No! I’m not at all excited or thrilled about the result of this match. Watching this greatest game of tennis between the two greats in the game was intriguing but seeing Federer lose was not comfortable. I’m a Federer fan since 2002, when he defeated Pete Sampras in a crunch quarter final five-set game, and I still am.

Although Federer did lose, but he went down fighting till the last breath. This is an attribute of a true champion. Federer still maintains his no. 1 slot in tennis and I hope he comes back next year with nothing else but championship in mind. For now, Nadal is the new king of grass.

For those tennis fans who missed it, watch it, download it and keep it. You won’t see something like this for years!

Asif Must Be Punished

// June 3rd, 2008 // No Comments » // Sports

It is now clear that Mohd. Asif has been detained/held (or arrested) in Dubai for carrying illegal drugs, hashish, in his luggage. The pacer was previously involved in a drug scandal as well. I’m eager to see how PCB addresses this issue after spoiling the case for Shoaib Akhtar. I do hope that they don’t release him for being innocent. It is learnt here that the PCB officials are using all their connections with influential people in UAE to avoid a punishment for Asif in Dubai. Once again we’ll regret the fact that a ban on this bowler (or others) was overturned after he was found guilty which made him even stronger to commit a bigger crime.

My verdict: 5 year ban!