anas December 20, 2008 15 comments full post »

Pakistan Cricket Suffers Another Blow By BCCI

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.

anas July 15, 2008 2 comments full post »

Asif Should Be Banned For Life, NOW!

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.

anas May 15, 2008 1 comment full post »

Wonders of IPL

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.

anas May 14, 2008 0 comments full post »

Flying High in Style!

anas May 14, 2008 1 comment full post »

Shoaib Akhtar Lights Up Kolkata

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.