Posts Tagged ‘pcb’

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.

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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.

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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!

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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.

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Shame on you, Dr. Naseem Ashraf!

// January 25th, 2008 // No Comments » // Sports

Perhaps not a surprise, but definitely a disappointing and disturbing decision by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) made it to the News Alerts and Breaking News of all TV channels today when the PCB chairman Dr. Nasim Ashraf announced that Shoaib Akhtar (along with some others) will not be offered the central contracts. He tried to pacify some feelings by adding that “the players not given central contracts have been given special retainers and if they show commitment and form they can come back into the team after a year.” This probably marks the end of Shoaib Akhtar’s shadowy career who is struggling with fitness issues at the age of 32. And the end for him isn’t different from the treatment that most of the other superstars of Pakistan have received (recently, and in the past) from a board packed with a bunch of non-cricketing toons handed over the job for their managerial skills.

The decision wasn’t a surprise because Dr. Ashraf has never kept his dislike for Akhtar in secrecy. He has always come out openly in public and press against Akhtar’s disciplinary and personal issues, and barring all other players of the team even to talk to the media without prior permission. He has always been critical of Shoaib Akhtar’s fitness issues, commitment and performances.

It is perhaps a shame, that a person of such high esteem in the field of medicine criticizes Akhtar for congenital fitness issues that have haunted him throughout his turbulent career, despite being well-versed in medical sciences.

(more…)

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