Anas Imtiaz

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!!!

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.

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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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.

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