IPL | Anas Imtiaz

Pakistan Cricket Suffers Another Blow By BCCI

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

As expected, the BCCI has refused to send its team to Pakistan citing the current so-called Pakistan-sponsored attacks in Mumbai as the reason, and not safety of its players. On one hand, the Indian government seemingly agrees that the government of Pakistan (GOP) was not involved but the terrorists came from Pakistan. If they really mean it, then not sending the team means doing what the terrorists wanted: strain Indo-Pak relationship. Ironically, when English team left amidst the deadly attacks, Indians touted that the cancellation of series will mean the terrorists’ victory. Double standards?

In an excellent piece of article Ramiz Raja explained why PCB is so desperate for Indians to visit: PCB is crippling financially and depends on India for support.

To stand with the BCCI in order to support their in-house rivalry of leagues, PCB banned players going the ICL thus denting Pakistani cricket badly. Then India launched IPL. Both leagues resulted in huge revenues for India but who suffered? PAKISTAN!

This recent tour cancellation is a deliberate move to accrue to the financial sufferings of Pakistan cricket. The reason is absurd. On the same reasoning Pakistan should never tour India citing their involvement in 1971 war and support for rebels. In 1999, Pakistan toured India despite threats by the extremists. For what? Do they love India?

Now that the BCCI is politicking with cricket, the PCB should take a stand. The ban on all ICL players should be immediately lifted. I wonder why people don’t even discuss these matters on TV shows or write on them. IPL and ICL have produces brilliant cricketers for India, but Pakistani cricket has suffered badly. Pakistan should not tour India next year to reciprocate this notorious act. Similarly those guys playing in ICL, IPL and any other crappy Indian league should just stop playing with them if they have some shame left.

I request all bloggers to write something to get attention on this issue, especially on getting all ICL players back to Pakistan’s national front. If you guys write in newspapers, or know someone in media do try to highlight this issue. In my view, this is a national cause. Lets try to get some pride back!

NOTE: The first post was mysteriously lost from my admin panel hence the re-post.

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.

Wonders of IPL

// May 15th, 2008 // 1 Comment » // Sports

IPL has been unbelievable. It has brought together some players in one team that one can only dream of. Whether they performed or not is a separate issue, but these are some of the best moments of IPL for me:

Glenn McGrath and Mohammad Asif sharing the new ball for Delhi Daredevils.
Sanath Jayasuria and Sachin Tendulkar opening the batting together.
Mohammad Asif bowling to Shahid Afridi.
Adam Gilchrist facing Glenn McGrath.
Shahid Afridi and Adam Gilchrist opening the innings for Deccan Chargers.
Shoaib Akhtar bowling to Virender Sehwag, with full backing of Kolkata crowd.
Gibbs and Afridi batting together and punishing Asif, McGrath and Maharoof.

I’m sure there are many other golden moments in the tournament that I’ve missed and/or are yet to come. But one thing is for sure, these are rare spectacles of champions coming together that we may or may not see again.

Flying High in Style!

// May 14th, 2008 // No Comments » // Sports

Shoaib Akhtar Lights Up Kolkata

// May 14th, 2008 // 1 Comment » // Sports

Cricket lovers around the world, today, witnessed a rare spectacle when the capacity-packed crowd at Eden Gardens supported Shoaib Akhtar for getting rid of Virender Sehwag for a duck. The Indian (Kolkatan, to be precise) crowd erupted with joy at the second legitimate delivery of Shoaib Akhtar. And then there was no turning back. He remained the crowd favorite throughout. Not only the crowd, but his team owner Shahrukh Khan was all praise for him with words and actions. How often will we see the Indian crowd supporting a Pakistan bowler? That’s IPL for you. Wonderful really. Cricket has no boundaries. It was probably one of the best crowds I’ve witnessed in one of the best matches played at IPL.

It was Shoaib’s debut at IPL after a controversial ban and lay-off period back home. Today, he was out to prove what he is worth of. With so much happening around him, he managed to grab 4 top wickets in three overs that won the match for his team which at halfway seemed almost impossible. For his fans, it must have been extremely refreshing to see him bowling around the 150 kph mark consistently, pick up regular wickets and celebrate in his famous style, arms wide open.

To all those who consider him a liability, it must have been painful to see the star treatment that he deservingly received before, during and after the match. To those who think he is finished, this was an eye-opener. A display of magic which only Shoaib Akhtar is capable of.

Shoaib Akhtar All-Clear for IPL

// May 5th, 2008 // No Comments » // Sports

My worst fears have materialized. Some sort of understanding (DEAL!) have been reached between PCB and someone which has resulted in a very unusual decision. A decision by which a banned player has been un-banned for a month and will again be banned after a month. Is it a joke?!! No folks, its Pakistan Cricket!

Obviously the IPL organizers wouldn’t force the PCB to allow this relief for Shoaib mainly because their already successful event doesn’t need a new controversial figure in an unusual way. The KKR team requesting PCB is another unlikely case because they do have Umar Gul in their side. And in any case they can only play 4 international players. With Umar Gul, David Hussey, Hafeez/Butt and Brad Hodge in their line up, it is going to be tough for Shoaib to find a place. Their fast bowling department is good with Ishant Sharma and Umar Gul so it’s interesting to see who’ll miss out.

The PCB earlier requested BCCI to allow Shoaib to participate in IPL (according to media reports). This leads us to believe that the PCB, on one hand is determined to finish off Shoaib, while on the other hand they are keen to avoid a financial loss for him. Contradictory display of behavior, nothing unusual!

So it’s probably the pressure on PCB to release Shoaib Akhtar for IPL. The pressure of public or some political interference for sure, and the uncertainty in handling the case has lead to this decision.

What remains to be seen is how Shoaib Akhtar reacts to the imminent ban. Will he be content to play IPL and serve the ban? Or, will he continue to fight his case with the same vigor? I hope it’s the latter.

Shoaib’s Verdict and More

// May 1st, 2008 // No Comments » // Sports

The appellate tribunal has decided, or rather clarified, that the 5-year ban on Shoaib Akhtar will stay. Interestingly, they pointed out that the ban is for his cricket in Pakistan. In other words, he cannot play for/in Pakistan for the next 5 years. The need for this explicit statement may have strong implications.

Playing abroad at this moment certainly means the lucrative Indian Premier League (IPL). As a huge fan of the conspiracy theory, I’m tempted to believe that something happened during the hearings that led to this clarification. Some sort of settlements that Shoaib may be given a chance to play in the IPL while keeping him away from the local scene (forever). But if Shoaib accepts this decision, goes to participate in the IPL and doesn’t appeal in the higher courts then all his claims of playing for nation and not for money will be immediately refuted. Whether IPL organizers allow him to participate or not, is a different issue.

The local media however reported conflicting news about Shoaib’s participation at IPL. Some said that IPL organizers have refused while others claimed that the PCB has requested BCCI to allow Akhtar to participate. This point alone will decide what the tribunal’s hearing and decisions were based on and what Shoaib Akhtar really fought for.

Shoaib Akhtar has once again mishandled his case. He was probably inspired by the lawyers’ movement in the country. Getting support of people (with mostly politicians) didn’t help his case either. The chairman of the sports commitee in the Senate, Mr. Anwar Baig and Dr. Nasim Ashram (PCB chairman) have had a sour past and their recent meetings weren’t any better. So trying to get that political support against Dr. Nasim Ashraf wasn’t a good move by any means. Additionally, spilling dirt in public was a foolish act in itself.

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Anas Imtiaz

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