Its been an exciting ten days in the world of Pakistani cricket. Sometimes I just hope for a quiet ten days, where all that happens is a few matches, where the performance is at par, we make a few comments about individual players' roles in the team, and then we move on!
First, Pakistan teased us with winning the first ODI against Sri Lanka. The bowlers, and the batsmen, and even Shoaib Malik at that, teased us with what they were capable of. Exciting strokeplay, tight, incisive bowling and swift and deliberate captaincy. Yet, all that only lasted for the first match. Everything quickly devolved into the disaster which was the third ODI in Lahore, where we were suddenly all out in the 70s, one of Pakistan's lowest scores of all time. How fitting that the Prime Minister had to be there to share in the sorrow of the team and its fans.
For most cricketing boards, a tough and difficult loss to another strong team would have been enough to make headlines for the next week. Not for us. We canned Shoaib Malik, three weeks after renewing his captaincy indefinitely. We brought on Younus Khan who can't seem to make up his mind about whether he actually wants to be captain, or just likes playing one in matches (refer to the prolonged stretches where he seems to be directing on-field strategy with Inzamam before, and Shoaib Malik now). I agree with Osman Samiuddin (CricInfo), that while it is by default, Younus Khan is the captain Pakistan needs at the moment. Seasoned in cricket, a dogged competitor and one who's credentials no one can question.
Shoaib Akhtar continues to play his peek-a-boo with international cricket. After dismal and indifferent performances over the first two matches, he pulled out the injury card for the third ODI, and then we were all promptly informed that he will miss the Sri Lanka tests, and hence will be out for another few months. This injury merry-go-round would be fine if everyone could somehow agree that Shoaib Akhtar is committed to cricket, and committed to playing it without the continuous drama that surrounds his every move on and off the cricketing field. No one can agree on that, or even say that its possible in the near term, and given Shoaib's medical problems, there really is no long-term to his cricketing future. Let him go.
What else? The Champion's Trophy has been taken away, Javed Miandad has quit over money or prestige, either which way because of his own vanity, and Asif has been banned yet again. What had begun a few months ago, with a hope that there would be a new direction to cricket in Pakistan, is now a vision which is uncertain again. With no hope of meaningful cricket at home in the near future, and a leadership which does not appear to have a clear strategy for the game or for the team itself, it appears that for the next few months we will just seem to jolt from crisis to crisis, from uncertainty to uncertainty. It appears that we are all in danger to becoming indifferent to the future of cricket in Pakistan.
Showing posts with label cricket. Show all posts
Showing posts with label cricket. Show all posts
Sunday, February 01, 2009
Friday, January 23, 2009
The Shoaib Akhtar Drama
Well, I hate to say I told you so, but it was in September of 2007, that I said that Shoaib Akhtar had no future in Pakistani cricket. Not because he doesn't have talent, but because he just likes drama too much. No one knows if he is going to play, and if he plays, will he bowl one or twenty overs. No one knows if he will bowl medium pace, or bowl expressly fast like only he can. No one knows if he will field or just watch balls roll by. No one knows anything when it comes to Shoaib Akhtar.
This is the Shoaib Akhtar that after the two ODIs with Sri Lanka has shown up. Crappy performances in two straight games, where it didn't even look like his heart was in it. Granted I didn't see him field, but if Shoaib Malik is choosing to criticise him, then there must have been an issue. As many articles not, Shoaib Malik is not exactly Mr. Eloquence, and there must be cause for his comments.
Ijaz Butt can say that selectors have the final say and Waqar can wonder if Shoaib can only play ODIs, but it is clear. Cricket is not where Shoaib Akhtar's heart is. His heart is clearly in believing himself to be a prima donna, who is the star of his own opus. There is no place for him in a team sport. He needs to be let go.
This is the Shoaib Akhtar that after the two ODIs with Sri Lanka has shown up. Crappy performances in two straight games, where it didn't even look like his heart was in it. Granted I didn't see him field, but if Shoaib Malik is choosing to criticise him, then there must have been an issue. As many articles not, Shoaib Malik is not exactly Mr. Eloquence, and there must be cause for his comments.
Ijaz Butt can say that selectors have the final say and Waqar can wonder if Shoaib can only play ODIs, but it is clear. Cricket is not where Shoaib Akhtar's heart is. His heart is clearly in believing himself to be a prima donna, who is the star of his own opus. There is no place for him in a team sport. He needs to be let go.
Monday, January 19, 2009
Mohammad Asif and the Delhi Daredevils
Mohammad Asif finds himself in quite a pickle. Since the IPL drugs issue, and the arrest in Dubai, he is really seen the lows of a sporting life. From being one of the most feared bowlers on the world scene, his stock has rapidly fallen.
He finds himself out of a central contract with the PCB, an uncertain cricketing future until the IPL resolves his drugs issue, and no current cricket income. If this article is to be believed, he has lost his home, his car and is currently in dire financial straits.
It appears that the IPL has not paid Asif for his services with the Delhi Daredevils in the first iteration of the IPL. There is much speculation that due to his positive drug test, the Delhi Daredevils will choose not to pay him until the IPL board hears the case and makes a final recommendation.
Asif had a sizable contract with the Delhi team at US$ 650,000 for the season. Having played in eight of fifteen games, and available for all 15, Asif has fulfilled his obligations under the contract. While it is clear in the contract, that Asif can be terminated by the team "if found engaged in acts in any way which damages the image or reputation of BCCI-IPL and/or the League" (Clause 5.9(c)), the termination cannot be linked to his showing up for work. If terminated, they don't have to honour the remaining two years of his contract, but in my humble opinion, are obliged to pay Asif for the year he did play.
US$650,000 is a sizable sum, equal to about 52 million PKR. Regardless of Asif's issues, and how long it takes to sort them out, this sum will provide him with the financial security needed to see him through the tough times. The trouble is, that when it comes to the IPL, the BCCI is judge, jury and executioner. The folks at FICA, should be looking very hard at how the BCCI and the IPL treat Asif, because if they don't pay him, what is there to stop them from doing this to other, less visible and famous players.
Asif is owed his due.
He finds himself out of a central contract with the PCB, an uncertain cricketing future until the IPL resolves his drugs issue, and no current cricket income. If this article is to be believed, he has lost his home, his car and is currently in dire financial straits.
It appears that the IPL has not paid Asif for his services with the Delhi Daredevils in the first iteration of the IPL. There is much speculation that due to his positive drug test, the Delhi Daredevils will choose not to pay him until the IPL board hears the case and makes a final recommendation.
Asif had a sizable contract with the Delhi team at US$ 650,000 for the season. Having played in eight of fifteen games, and available for all 15, Asif has fulfilled his obligations under the contract. While it is clear in the contract, that Asif can be terminated by the team "if found engaged in acts in any way which damages the image or reputation of BCCI-IPL and/or the League" (Clause 5.9(c)), the termination cannot be linked to his showing up for work. If terminated, they don't have to honour the remaining two years of his contract, but in my humble opinion, are obliged to pay Asif for the year he did play.
US$650,000 is a sizable sum, equal to about 52 million PKR. Regardless of Asif's issues, and how long it takes to sort them out, this sum will provide him with the financial security needed to see him through the tough times. The trouble is, that when it comes to the IPL, the BCCI is judge, jury and executioner. The folks at FICA, should be looking very hard at how the BCCI and the IPL treat Asif, because if they don't pay him, what is there to stop them from doing this to other, less visible and famous players.
Asif is owed his due.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
