Hear, Hear Afridi

While we are always quick to criticize, some praise is in order for Shahid Afridi. On a quick sojourn to London, he helped raise about $200,000 US for Gaza. Well done Shahid. Thank you.

Shoaib Akhtar: Man of Drama!

So, this is the story that is coming out of Lahore, now that Shoaib Akhtar has returned to Pakistan in disgrace, yet again. Shoaib Akhtar and Shahid Afridi were going at it, joking it appears, when things went one "Yo Mama" joke too far, Shoaib Akhtar started swinging a bat, and somehow Asif ended up getting whacked a couple of times. That's Shoaib Akhtar's story anyhow.

Shahid Afridi followed up with a prompt denial, even going so far as calling Shoaib Akhtar "a liar" outright! Who knows what part of the story is true or not, and who is telling the real story, but this has to mean the end of the road here for Shoaib Akhtar. I mean, he is beyond poison in the dressing room, and despite all the positives he brings on the field, and all his currently apparent sincerity, how can he step into a dressing room now, after he has accused one colleague of insulting his family, and taken potshots at the other with a cricket bat? This must be the end of the road for Shoaib Akhtar, and it is here that Geoff Lawson must cement his mark on this squad, and call for an outright exclusion of Shoaib Akhtar from all further contention for selection.

Pakistan's first Twenty20 foray in Kenya

Oops! I made a mistake. Pakistan's first Twenty20 match was against South Africa in February, which they lost by ten wickets. My apologies.

Intriguing times in the world of Twenty20 cricket for Pakistan. After never having played international Twenty20 cricket, Pakistan entered a "Quadrangular" in Kenya, where they were able to lose their Twenty20 virginity, and for the first time assess Shoaib Malik as captain of Pakistan.

Pakistan's performance was pretty good, even though the opposition was Kenya, Bangladesh and Uganda. As expected, Bangladesh was the only team that gave them strenuous opposition, yet they were able to pull through with a fairly definitive victory in that match.

I have not been able to find any video coverage of the match on the net so far, but I will keep looking. From the Cricinfo bulletins, along with the statistics available, it looks like Salman Butt, Shahid Afridi and Younis Khan acquitted themselves fairly well with the bat, while the spinners did fairly well with the ball. As expected, the pacers came in for a reasonable amount of stick, with Akhtar and Asif being walloped around somewhat. What is even more interesting, is that Younis Khan took 3 wickets against Uganda when he bowled. A budding Sachin?

My favourite prospect Fawad Alam, however, didn't really get a lot of chances, and only seemed to acquit himself with the ball, giving away 15 runs in his four overs in the match against Kenya. I wish he was given more opportunities, but it looks like they want to try Yasir Arafat in the all-rounder position, with Shahid Afridi already in the squad. Lets hope Fawad Alam gets a shot in the upcoming cup.

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The Soap Opera that is Pakistan Cricket

It never ceases to amaze me that Pakistani cricket is truly an amazing soap opera. One had thought that with the appointment of Shoaib Malik, and the selection of Geoff Lawson as the coach of the squad, things for at least some time would have atleast a veneer of stability. Yet, all it took was a training camp, a new league, and it seems everything has fallen apart.

First, whether or not its true, Cricinfo and a few Indian papers have been talking over the last few days about a possible rebellion in the squad, lead by no other than Shoaib Malik. It appears that there was some altercation between Shoaib Malik and the management of the team over whether Shoaib Akhtar talked to someone before he left the camp early, leading to his suspension. While Shahid Afridi and Shoaib Malik have both denied any altercation, the rumours refuse to die down. The reports even point to a potential boycott of the upcoming Twenty20 cup by atleast 6 to 7 players.

While all this drama continues, the ICL has been active through Rashid Latif in trying to recruit Pakistani players. Imran Farhat has signed, Asim Kamal is close to signing, and rumours refuse to die that Inzamam, Yousuf and Razzaq are days away from signing. Asif was also offered an amount reaching USD 600,000 per year to play for two months / year for the ICL. The PCB and Nasim Ashraf in all their wisdom, are choosing to take an ostrich approach to the whole thing, and are threatening to suspend anyone who "dares" to sign with the ICL. Well, I have news for them. Pretty soon, it won't just be Imran Farhat calling their bluff. Imran Farhat they can do without, but Yousuf? Asif? I don't think so.

A few people raise the issue that if the players are patriotic enough, they will not choose the ICL, but play for the PCB regardless of the financial cost. Well, that may be all fine and dandy, but you cannot expect players to simply walk away from the types of figures the ICL is throwing around. If the PCB wants their players to remain under contract to the PCB, and not sign on with the ICL, they are going to have to pony up some serious sums of money to match ICL dollars. Further, what is going on at the PCB? Along with the ICL issue, the issue with the team's potential boycott, even if false, opens up a can of worms which after the World Cup debacle is the last thing the PCB needs.

While there appears to be a serious lack of foresight and leadership in the PCB, what I am starting to wonder about, as is Intikhab Alam, is where is Geoff Lawson? Its been over three weeks since his appointment, and I really haven't heard much from him to date. When is he coming to Pakistan? Who will be on his staff? Will it be an all foreign group, or will there atleast be some Pakistani representation? Serious questions remain.

Shahid, Shahid, Shahid Afridi!

So, first Ramiz Raja said that Pakistan didn't need a coach. And now, there's Shahid Afridi. Interestingly, the Patakh Pathan didn't say that Pakistan didn't need any coaches. At least he was willing to accept that a fielding coach is needed for the squad! Seriously, Shahid, I think with this attitude I don't see any kind of future in cricket administration or team management for you. For my thoughts on coaching, check out this article, and this one.

Afridi comes through again

If you love Pakistan cricket, it was a good day. If you're a fan of Boom Boom Afridi, it was a great few days! After a typically Afridi boom boom innings in the first ODI, he showed his value to the squad, by taking three key wickets to lead Pakistan to another win. While this is not a full strength squad for Sri Lanka, this has to be good for the team's and Shoaib Malik's confidence to see such strong and inspired performances from the squad. Good Luck boys.

Afridi jumpstarts Pakistan!

Holy Sixes Batman!! In Pakistan's first match after the World Cup, in Shoaib Malik's first match as captain, in Mohammad Asif's return after the doping issues, Pakistan beat Sri Lanka by 5 wickets. Sri Lanka did well to score 235 off 50 overs, after Pakistan had restricted them through miserly spells from Asif, and expensive but wicket taking spells from Umar Gul. Impressive fielding displays, with responsive captaining were the order of the day.

When Pakistan were at 137 for 5, off 32 overs, with 100 runs to come off 18, the game was in the balance. And then, Shahid Afridi took over. A strike rate of 214 goes to show that he wasn't kidding around. 4 sixes, 8 fours, including one over where he hit all of his sixes and 2 fours for a 32 run over, and suddenly there was no doubt to the match. Good win, and a welcome start for Shoaib Malik.

Shoaib Malik: Captain

At 25, he becomes the 25th Captain in Pakistan test cricket history.

Hearteningly, Shahid Afridi and Umar Gul have spoken in favour of Shoaib Malik's appointment, which bodes well for the future. Shoaib could do worse than having Shahid Afridi on his side. More disappointingly though, a number of ex-cricketers who love to see themselves in the spotlight, have done nothing but malign Shoaib's appointment. More bizzarely, Sarfraz Nawaz says he wants Mishbah-ul-Haq (who?!) and Salman Butt (can he first get a place in the squad!) as test and ODI captains respectively. I was happy to see that Imran Khan has spoken in favour of Shoaib Malik's appointment.

Best of luck to the man. For what its worth, I support him!

Biography: CricInfo

Shoaib Malik: Captain

Since the World Cup, things have been increasingly interesting and yet, more and more discouraging by the day. While the name of Shoaib Malik is being put forward with greater confidence by those in the know, the players' attitude over the past few days has been as discouraging as the goings on at the PCB.

Except for PJ Mir's welcome disappearance and a non-selecting selection committee's resignations, the powers that be at the PCB still remain. Musharraf as patron, Nasim Ashraf as President PCB (btw he's a nephrologist, not a urologist. Minor difference for most, but for those of us in the medical profession a big one ;) ) and Saleem Altaf in some strange capacity or the other. Somehow I just doubt tihs group's ability to make the profound and far-reaching changes needed ot be made to Pakistani cricket.

What has been disappointing from the players standpoint is the increasing number of people who kept putting their names forward. The workings of Pakistani cricket made it quiet apparent from the start, that the choice for captain was going to be Younis Khan or one of the younger players in Shoaib Malik or Salman Butt. Yet, after Younis said no, almost everyone and their mom decided to put their name forward for the captaincy. Abdul Razzaq. Shahid Afridi. And in the last few days, even Mohammad Yousuf. And over the last few days, except for Yousuf, none of the players have come forward in support of Shoaib's appointment as captain. Not even players like Abdul Razzaq, Yasir Arafat or Kamran Akmal with whom Shoaib played in the 1998-99 in the U-19 circuit. Let us just hope that the politics which have played eternally in Pakistani cricket don't sink another young man's very promising career.

Good old Shahid!

Apart from Kamran Abbasi, it appears that even Shahid Afridi thinks that he would make an excellent captain for team Pakistan. I must say, I am more excited by the prospect of the Patakh Pathan Afridi than the emotional roller-coaster that appears to be Younis Khan.

Shahid Afridi: We're going home on Saturday

Despite all indications to the contrary, it appears that Shahid Afridi remains convinced that the team will be flying home on Saturday. Even the optimist in me finds that hard to believe, specially when the Jamaicans have taken fingerprints, DNA samples and they have just called a forensics expert from the US to examine the evidence.

The Pakistani establishment has totally bungled this situation up, by not having their counselors and representatives assisting the players from the very start. The Pakistani players are a critical piece of the puzzle at this stage, and the Jamaican police are not going to let the players head back so simply, before they have sorted things out or directly excluded all the Pakistani players from suspicion. Shahid's comments aside, I don't think there is anyway the players leave for Pakistan anytime soon.

Afridi and Shoaib express their regrets

While many have come forward to express their sympathies and reflections on the life and death of Bob Woolmer, I think some of the most interesting and heartfelt comments over the past few, harrowing days have come from people who at times have been the most harsh with Bob Woolmer. Perhaps that in death all differences fall aside, but I must say I have greater respect for both Shoaib Akhtar (Pakistan Tribune) and Shahid Afridi (The News) as individuals due to the comments they have made, and through that buried any ill will that they or their fans may have borne for Bob Woolmer. Kudos to you two for this. There are more coments from Dawn, from Younis Khan as well. It really does touch one's heart.

Shoaib Akhtar: "I cannot believe the news. We shared great moments together"

Shahid Afridi: "I’m in a shock even as I speak, this loss is just too big. In all my life I have never seen a better coach than Woolmer, he was like a father for us."

Younis Khan: "He was a friend of all the players. I used to call his wife, Gill, mom so he used to tease her that I am their third son. I know how it feels when you lose your close ones. Bob used to help each and every player and he has left a big void in Pakistan cricket"

Should we feel sorry for Woolmer?

Its probably good for Woolmer that in 3 months he won't have to deal with all the headaches of being a Pakistani coach. In one interview, two newspapers put a fairly different spin on the same comments, putting Woolmer in a bit of a bind when it comes to Imran Nazir. First, The News essentially tried to say that Woolmer was washing his hands off the whole Imran Nazir selection.

Direct Quote: "Imran Nazir was picked by the chairman of selectors and you should ask him why he is here," Woolmer told Pakistani reporters when asked to comment on Imran Nazir failure to find form in recent matches.


Further, The News from an unnamed correspondent goes on to say that Woolmer is unhappy with Nazir, but feels stuck with no other options at the #1/#2 position. Interesting, in another report on the same interview,
Dawn is reporting, that Woolmer stressed to the reporters to try and give Nazir a chance, as Pakistan really has no other options right now with Afridi being suspended. Woolmer even went as far as challenging the reporters and saying that why should they drop Imran after one game.

While I can understand Woolmer's desire to be given some time to settle things down, Imran Nazir hasn't shown himself to be the guy who could do with some more time. I think the time has come for Woolmer to cut his losses, play Kamran Akmal at the #2 position for one game, and then plug Afridi in, as Hafeez's partner. That is the only solution which I think could even conceivably work.

Technorati Tags: pakistan, cricket, world cup, bob woolmer, imran nazir, shahid afridi, kamran akmal

Dr. Nasim Ashraf: A Major Pain and the King of Bakwaas

So, first today there was Kamran Abbasi's post on his Cricinfo blog, and then this report in Dawn.

Two quotes:

Dawn: "Amid all this chaos, the last thing Pakistan can afford is to lose to minnows Ireland in this World Cup but with Dr Ashraf shooting from his mouth, just anything can happen."

Kamran Abbasi: "Dr Nasim Ashraf has caused more problems with his utterances in English than his players ever have"

Dr. Ashraf: Get back to Karachi, and have halwa puri with Musharraf and leave the team alone.


Technorati Tags: pakistan, cricket, pakistan cricket board, world cup

Shahid Afridi the Opener?

I just ran Shahid Afridi through Statsguru on Cricinfo, and came up with an interesting statistic. Afridi in a recent interview on Cricinfo said he wanted to open, and then today Woolmer said the same thing about Afridi potentially opening.

If you look at Afridi's statistics, not really overwhelming. 237 matches at 23.17 an innings. 4 100s, 27 50s, with a strike rate of 87. What is really interesting though, is if you look at Afridi's stats as an opener, thats where things get interesting.

141 matches as an opener, about 60% of his matches. Yet, it is as an opener that Afridi has scored fully 70% of his almost 5000 runs. Some might say, well that is just lead-time bias, because as an opener Afridi has more overs at his disposal. Well, I can concede that but what about the fact that 3 of Afridi's 4 ODI centuries have come from the opening position? Or 22 of his 27 half-centuries have come from the opening positions? If that wasn't interesting enough, in matches that Pakistan have won, with Afridi opening, Afridi has scored at almost 32 an innings, while in the matches that Pakistan have won, with Afridi not opening, he has only scored at around 23 an innings.

I think maybe Afridi and Woolmer may know what they are talking about. Makes me wonder.

Akmal to open against Ireland?

Interesting thoughts from Woolmer. He appears willing to experiment for the upcoming matches against Ireland and Zimbabwe, in both the opening formats and also the lineup. I think a telling remark is the desire to have eight batsmen and six bowlers in the squad. The squad that played WI on the 13th had 7 batsmen, and 6 bowlers so not as versatile a squad as Woolmer now wants to have.

I must say, these comments sound pretty wishy-washy, "Maybe Imran Nazir will continue to open, maybe Kamran Akmal could open and Hafeez will drop down," Woolmer told reporters. "When Afridi comes back maybe he will open. At this stage one would hope that the batting lineup, which was supposed to be a strength of the side would be on firmer ground, yet that is obviously not the case.

As I have stated in earlier posts, the issue revolves around what happens with Azhar Mahmood/Yasir Arafat and Danish Kaneria and their role in the squad. The batting lineup is thin enough that Imran Nazir and Mohammad Hafeez cannot be dropped willy-nilly at this point in the game. Getting Kamran Akmal to open is a thought, as he has gotten all of his ODI 100s and 50s from the opening spot. I like OH's suggestion to maybe whack Imran Nazir and send him back to Pakistan as injured, and bring back Yasir Hameed to maybe give Pakistan some more options from the batting side.

Kamran Akmal & Mohammad Hafeez to start, with Yousuf, Inzamam and Younis, in that order, gives Pakistan a lot more authority and versatility in the top order, further I just think Hafeez is a lot more reliable than Nazir. After the top 5, Shoaib Malik and Shahid Afridi should be at 6 & 7 in whatever order, with Azhar Mahmood or Yasir Arafat at 8. The bowling can be rounded out with Gul, Rao and Naved or Sami. Keep Sami as far away as possible from this squad, and I really don't see any room for Danish in this squad.

This is not going to be easy for Woolmer.

Technorati Tags: pakistan, cricket, bob woolmer, world cup, kamran akmal, yasir hameed, imran nazir

This is why I love Afridi!

Aah... the wonderful Sahibzada himself. This interview with the folks at CricInfo has everything in it that makes me love Shahid Afridi and what he signifies in modern day cricket.

Some awesome quotes from this forthright, honest and above all complicated man:

Sometimes it does back-fire as the mind doesn't think too much when in a hurry. I am not perfect and I do have my limitations.

Whenever things are clicking it becomes fun and I don't take any pressure against any opposition or bowler.

The respect I need to get I don't get.

I wish him all the best of luck in this tournament. This tournament is truly his moment to make his mark on cricket, and establish himself as one of the premiere players in cricket today. I think he can, I hope he can and what makes him so enticing, is that he just as likely may not.

Technorati Tags: pakistan, cricket, shahid afridi

End of the Warmups

Well, the two warm-ups are over, and if this was intended to be an audition, things are about as clear as mud for all concerned. Pakistan won both of the matches, so at least that should be good for overall confidence. While the matches were 13-a-side, the positives are easy to accentuate, with the negatives a little bit harder.

Mohammad Hafeez did well in both matches, as also stated in Dawn. Inzamam spoke highly of Hafeez, and I hope this is a statement of confidence to keep Hafeez in the squad for the duration of the tournament. Pakistan has to choose a pair of openers and stand by them, for better or worse, till the end of the tournament does them part. While there are bits and pieces which will continually need to be addressed, the presence of the top 5 of the batting lineup is not such a piece.

From the bowling stand point, all the bowlers got some good match practice, and its good to see that Umar Gul does not look to raw, after being away for a period of time. It will be difficult for Pakistan to decide on a playing 11 on the 13th against the West Indies, but what will make it easier, is the suspension of Shahid Afridi.

If Pakistan start off with Nazir, Hafeez, Yousuf, Inzamam and Younis, that leaves 6 spots. Kamran Akmal will take the #7 spot, with Shoaib Malik at #6. That leaves four bowling spots, one of which will be going to Umar Gul. After this things get a little hazy. One would expect that Gul will need an opening partner, which will likely be Sami. One of the other two spots has to go to an all-rounder, either Arafat or Mahmood, and the final spot will depend on Pakistan's read of the pitch. If a spinner is warranted, over and above Shoaib and Hafeez' spin, then Kaneria will play. If Pakistan truly value the presence of Naved as a true death bowler, than that spot will go to him. Against the West Indies, my read is that the playing 11 will read like:

Nazir, Hafeez, Yousuf, Inzamam, Younis, Shoaib, Akmal, Mahmood, Naved, Sami, Gul.

Lets see what the next few days bring.

Fire Scare at the Hotel

Well, I was planning on blogging today about the fire incident at the hotel where Pakistan and South Africa were staying, but most fun things about it have already been blogged at omar loves cricket and Sundries, and both OH and ZR do a fine job at it!

My favourite parts:

Inzamam's shirt: Eat, Sleepy, Gym

Afridi's desire to sleep a little longer, and then his only real disappointment: missing the day at the beach!

Technorati Tags: pakistan, cricket, world cup

Shahid Afridi the player to watch?

For me, Shahid Afridi is always the player to watch, no matter where or when. Glad to see that King Cricket also agrees with me! I love this line:

"It might be the fastest ever one-day international hundred; it might be a single ludicrous six and then missing a straight one; it might be dancing on the pitch in his spikes while there's a bomb scare elsewhere in the ground; or it might just be skying his first delivery with an undignified heave."

kingcricket.blogspot.com
pkblogs.com/kingcricket