Hefty bonuses by the PCB, but no response

So the PCB decided to address the ICL situation, by throwing around a huge chunk of change at the players, in the form of bonuses for those who accepted central contracts. Well, Yousuf was in Dir on a Tableeghi mission, and while Nasim Ashraf went ahead and tried to call Yousuf, Farhat and Razzaq, Inzamam was completely ignored. Razzaq and Farhat, supposedly have turned down the PCB's offer, almost on principle, but also because Inzamam was not consulted about the affair.

It appears NAsim Ashrafi s doing a good job with making a bad situation worse.

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Opinions on the Pakistani ICL exodus

More news on the Yousuf, Inzamam and Razzaq bombshell today. Rameez Raja, Intikhab Alam and Javed Miandad offer their perspective on issue, and perhaps not surprisingly, they all seem to hold the yoyos at the PCB responsible for this debacle.

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What the heck is going on?!

On the day Geoff Lawson was supposed to arrive in Pakistan to take over the reins of the team, it seems that the entire enterprise of international Pakistani cricket is threatening to fall apart.

For the last few days, there has been a reasonable amount of drama, with Shoaib Akhtar and his fines, and then the supposed threat by Shoaib Malik and a few other players to not participate in the Twenty20 cup. While these have been fairly concerning, not much has made it into the media since the first rumours came out. Yet, todays news turns all of those shenanigans into minor brew hahas.

First came the news that Razzaq had announced his retirement from international cricket, due to his unhappiness over being dropped for the Twenty20 cup, followed very shortly by his signing a County Cricket contract. Then came the ICL announcement of the players signed to date, and within that list were Razzaq and Farhat, which we knew about before. Yet, the list also included Inzamam and Mohammad Yousuf.

While reactions from various cricketing forums is still awaited, these developments were probably not what Geoff Lawson had in mind for his first day. Yousuf has been the lynch pin of the Pakistani batting lineup, and one must wonder if there is something more deep seated here, than just not being selected for the Twenty20 cup. Rumours have been rampant that the PCB has been trying to rid the team of any links with Inzamam and the overt religiosity on display during his tenure as captain. Yousuf was a large part of that, and Razzaq was also fairly close to Inzamam. Has there been more going on behind the scenes? Only time will tell.

The Razzaq decision to retire, to be honest, smacks a lot of Shahid Afridi's surprise announcement a while ago. Ticked off, and perhaps feeling disrespected, Razzaq has taken the sour grapes approach, and said I didn't want to play anymore anyhow. It will probably get reversed sooner or later by Razzaq. Yet, what will the PCB do with Inzy, Yousuf and Razzaq after they have already said they will ban on all players signing with the ICL? What does it say about theses players' commitment to the Pakistani cricket team, if they were willing to risk their place in the team for the ICL?

The next few days should be interesting, in how the PCB chooses to respond to the newest fiasco in Pakistani cricket. One really gets the feeling that Nasim Ashraf and the PCB will have to do more than fiasco creation to try to fix this situation.

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.

ICL pull strongest in Pakistan?

Pakistani cricket continues to be the most enthralling and entertaining. Well, maybe not the cricket, but atleast all the shenanigans of the players and the establishment is enough to keep one tuned in to the world of Pakistani cricket. I think an Entertainment Tonight type show might do very well, specially if it is about Pakistani cricket. Hey, thats an idea. OH, want to do a show like that? Maybe we could quit the day jobs while we're at it!

Anyhow, here is this report in Dawn, which rarely has far-out rumours. According to Mohammad Yaqoob, it appears that Razzaq, Yousuf, Inzamam, Asim Kamal and Imran Farhat are all considering signing up with the ICL. While the paper refers to an anonymous, former Karachi-based international wicketkeeper batsman leading the negotiations, in light of this report, it appears that its probably Rashid Latif.

While it makes sense why someone like Inzamam might consider making the jump with his international career potentially coming to a close, the others might be a little more difficult to sort out. Farhat and Kamal have been on the fringes of the international squad, enjoying short runs here and there, but never really being able to settle themselves into the squad. This might be their opportunity to make some good money, specially when even players like Stephen Fleming are being offered money like 500,000 USD. The story about Razzaq and Yousuf makes a little less sense, but it may very well be hardball on their side to try to push the PCB to bring them back into the squad. Or, it could just be about the money. As one of my mentors used to say, Its never about money, Its ALWAYS about money.

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Inzamam deserves better than this

Osman Samiuddin is really turning into quiet the writer. What a line here:

"Nothing is clear save this: the Pakistani cricketer who retires with grace, dignity and at an opportune time has not yet set foot on this earth. He has lingered, he has not been allowed to linger; he is pushed, nudged, intrigued out. Often he is just forgotten."

It appears that the PCB is trying everything they can to push, nudge or even forget Inzamam, but he is determined not to go gently into that good night. Not only given Pakistan's own cricketing history, but also with Nasim Ashraf's many shenanigans, I don't see why everyone is surprised. Ashraf is dishonourable enough that he will never come right out and say that Inzamam is not welcome, and he doesn't have brains enough to know that he can't do without him. The decision to not even give Inzamam a retainer is as preposterous as anything else Ashraf has done, and it is a tragedy of our cricketing establishment that no one is willing to call Ashraf on this.

Samiuddin's point is very well made that even if Inzamam is pushed out at this stage, it is not like he is some lame duck who's skill with the bat will not be missed. Averaging over 60 over the last two years, that is an average that Tendulkar or Lara would die for. Further, has Inzamam not done enough to resuscitate the pride of Pakistani cricket after the many debacles of previous years to atleast deserve the opportunity to play again?

Is this how we treat a legend?

After a glorious career, is this the depths to which we have let Inzamam sink? Inzamam now has to prove his place in the squad? For shame PCB. For shame Pakistani cricket.

Bring Inzamam back!

The politics of cricket continue. Just like India is leaving Tendulkar and Ganguly, so they can have a "break", Pakistan has decided that Inzamam will not be playing against South Africa. While there are many reasons for letting him go: his poor form in the field, the questionable status of his batting prowess, a fresh start for the team and Shoaib Malik; there is one very good reason to give him one last swansong: he is our Inzy and he deserves a proper send off.

Bring him back for one last series you clowns at the PCB!

The knives have come out

Its only been a week or so, but it appears that the status quo might be changing. Its really funny how quickly people want to get off a sinking ship. For the past two years everyone has almost always praised the Pakistani players for their discipline and team loyalty. Everyone knew and realized that this loyalty and discipline came from an increasing sense of religiosity about the team. While this issue came to the fore front when Yousuf accepted Islam, the team's faith was rarely seen as a negative but almost always by most, including Bob Woolmer, as a positive influence on the side.

Now, after the major disappointment at the World Cup, it appears that even the players can see the shifting sands and are beginning to bail on Inzamam. Dawn today, is reporting without any sources, that a number of unnamed players were getting all uppity about being asked to pray, and somehow the prayers were causing them to be distracted from the task at hand.

Quote: "At times some of us questioned ourselves whether we have come here to play cricket or on a religious mission. We were not really focused. Just before the parade during the opening ceremony, our assistant coach asked us to line-up for prayers while other teams participated in the official turnout," narrated one of younger players in the side.

"Before taking the flight to London the assistant coach once again asked us to congregate at the Kingston Airport lounge for prayers and during the flight to London, despite objections from the cabin staff, a number of us were asked to offer prayer in the aircraft gallery as the rest of the passengers watched in bewilderment."

If our players are so unprofessional, that their focus is swayed by events such as this, they should just quit the game of cricket which is chock-full of constant distractions. While I concur, that perhaps having a big show and tell at the mosque in Kingston where a large donation was made, was probably not the wisest thing to do the day before the Ireland game, the rest of it just sounds like hooey to me.

Technorati Tags: pakistan, cricket, world cup

Sunset of a Great Career

March 21st, 2007. The day that the career of one of Pakistan's greatest batsmen, Inzamam-ul-Haq ended. A truly fitting tribute from the Pakistani players who formed a guard of honour as he walked back to the pavilion after his innings. And also a fitting tribute from Osman Samiuddin in CricInfo.

While I may be a little bit older than OH, I can well relate to his post. For the past 15 years, Inzamam has been the pillar in a Pakistani batting lineup. He has been the source of strength in moments of weakness, the source for inspiration for multiple youngsters who have come forward over the last few year, and perhaps truly one of the best players of fast bowling in the history of cricket. We will all miss him, and the effortless plunder which was his way of scoring runs. Allah Hafiz Inzamam.

Pride in the Green and Gold

Kamran Abbasi writes in Dawn today, about the need for Pakistan to win the match against Zimbabwe, if for nothing else, then for Bob Woolmer's honour and pride.

Quote: Inzamam needs to remind himself and the rest of us what it really means to wear the green and gold of Pakistan. He might want to throw away his "Eat, sleep, gym," T-shirt and put on the one that says: "Proud to be Pakistani."

What fools we have here

I cannot believe this! While one can agree or disagree with Inzamam's decision to announce his retirement mere hours after the death of Bob Woolmer, I find it absolutely retarded, that at such a huge moment, where the coach had died, and the captain was announcing the end to an absolutely phenomenal ODI career, what business does the nincompoop PJ Mir, telling Inzamam to speak only in Urdu! Not only did Inzamam speak only in Urdu, it appears that PJ Mir completely mangled Inzamam's comments and sentiments, all in the name of controlling the words coming out of our players mouths.

While PJ Mir and Ashraf are showing themselves to be completely deluded and fascist in their mannerisms and their practices over the past few months, one could have hoped that Inzamam could have showed more back-bone at this crucial time, and taken control of this sensitive moment. Once again, as has often been a criticism, Inzamam chose to sit back and let circumstances dictate to him, rather than trying to seize the moment and showing leadership. Shame on Mir and Ashraf, and I wish Inzamam could have been more of a leader here.

Inzamam retires from ODIs

Barely hours after the death of Bob Woolmer, another shock, albeit expected has been delivered. Inzamam has retired from ODI cricket, and the match against Zimbabwe will be his last. Too much going on right now, to properly reflect on this retirement, but Inzamam will go down as one of the most talented batsmen in both forms of the game. While it is time for him to go, I will hate to say goodbye to him. Best of luck to the big man.

More fallout.

Well, the match ended up after papers had already been printed in Pakistan, so not a lot of news from Pakistani newspapers as of yet. The BBC and Reuters have fairly similar reports about the response from the Pakistani side after the loss.

Woolmer in his comments, apologized for the way the team played, and further went on to say that the loss was one of the worst days in his life. As the BBC report states, along with this report in the International Herald Tribune, it is fairly certain that after this loss, there is no chance of Woolmer's contract being renewed. Further, it appears that Pakistan will see the end of Inzamam's career, as the chances of him remaining captain after the World Cup, is the same chance butter has near a plate of haleem.

To make things worse, Pakistan and Inzamam were also fined after the match for a slow over rate. As if that was needed on top of everything else. Thanks a lot ICC.

Technorati Tags: pakistan, cricket, world cup, bob woolmer, inzamam

Mir & Inzamam friends?!

Well, after five or six days of endless chatter about Inzamam's non-existent and incordial relationship with PJ Mir, both Inzamam and PJ Mir have come out and said that we're bff and nothing could pull them apart. In fact, more interestingly, both of them in Dawn and The News, have blamed the all evil "elements" who do not want Pakistan to be successful. What a crock. While I don't even believe the air that comes out of PJ Mir's and the PCB's mouth, I thought Inzamam was more forthright than this and if he didn't want to confirm the rumours, he would atleast just not say anything. But oh well, so be it. Inzy and PJ are bff.

Mr. Flexible

I never realized Inzamam could be so flexible!! The big man is deceptively limber here.

Give 'em a Break

How nice of Inzamam!!

Unbreak My Heart Pakistan!

Alas. It was the start of the World Cup, Pakistan had been facing adversity for the last few months, and as they took the field against the West Indies, my hopes were high. My mind was lofted in heights thinking about how the team was going to come through and defy all expectations and show themselves as the team we all know in our hearts for them to be. Yet, to be a fan of Pakistani cricket is to set yourself up to be taken to the pinnacle of faith and hope, and then to be left stranded with no way to get down!

The number of things that one can find fault with are legion. Why was the tail so horribly long, when all-rounders like Azhar Mahmood and Yasir Arafat were taken to address that issue? Why did Yousuf and Inzamam play at 3 and 4 in the warm-ups, and revert to their old positions when the match started? When Pakistan were bowling, why did the fast bowlers bowl almost 30 overs on the trot before the spinners were brought in, leaving the spinners to be annihilated in the last 20 overs?

These aren't just questions for second guessing, but each of these decisions had a direct effect on the outcome of the game. When Shoaib Malik was left at the crease, with Kamran Akmal the only batsmen of any calibre left, wouldn't it have helped to have a bat at #8 or 9? If Yousuf or Inzy had batted higher up the order, wouldn't that have given the innings a stability which Younis, Hafeez and Nazir could not provide it? Would it not have helped if Umar Gul or Rana Naved or Iftikhar had more overs left to bowl at the death, to further restrict the WI score?

Lets be honest. The bowling was supposed to be the weakness. It wasn't. To restrict a batting side to a score of 240 odd is an accomplishment in today's ODIs. An inability to reach such a target speaks to nothing except a certain inability to apply themselves on a wicket that was only getting easier to bat on. Almost every batsman fell to an ill-advised shot, placed in an unsuitable location. Yet, despite all of this negativity, Pakistan, as they always are, were one innings away from pulling this particular rabbit of a hat. If this doesn't speak to this teams ability, then I don't know what does.

It wasn't all negatives though. Yousuf and Inzamam displayed consistency. Shoaib Malik displayed his class again, and one just hopes he learns over time to marshal the tail in a more dominating and effective way. And Iftikhar, wow. I now know why Woolmer has been a fan of his for such a long time. Effective bowling, stellar control. I think his selection for every match in this tournament is a lead pipe cinch.

Lets hope the matches against Ireland and Zimbabwe aren't made as exciting as only Pakistan can make such matches against sub-standard opposition.

Ending Thoughts:

1. Isn't it a great story that the WI won the opening match of the first World Cup in the West Indies, in Jamaica? This will truly give the rest of the World Cup, specially when the WI play some great atmosphere.

2. I think Pakistan's performance in the field made it absolutely clear why Danish Kaneria has not played more ODIs. Would the Kaneria fans like to speak to that please? I can't wait to see Afridi back in the squad.

3. What happened to those awesomely hot uniforms the guys were wearing in practice? Where is the yellow sash across the bottom? What happened!

Inzamam likes the English?!

So just a day after Inzamam seemed quiet happy speaking and conversing in Urdu, The News is reporting that Inzamam was quiet unhappy with the development, and despite his own challenges with the English language, was extremely upset. Add this with ZR's comments at Sundries about the increasingly attention hungry Dr. Nasim Ashraf, and its apparent that this is not about the players. Its about feeding the already substantial egos of the not so good Dr., and Mr. P.J. Mir. Everything that is good about our national sport has to be ripped apart for the personal good of such "highly accomplished" individuals.

Technorati Tags: pakistan, cricket, pakistan cricket board, inzamam

Inzamam enjoying the Urdu

In an earlier post, I had commented about the silliness of not letting any of the players speak in English at press conferences. From reports from the most recent press conference at the World Cup, it does appear that if no one else, Inzamam specifically is enjoying this new policy, as he appears to have an ease about him in Urdu, which he lacks in English. (picture copyright AFP)

ZR at Sundries and cricket.bloggers.pk has made comments about the potential positive aspects of only having the players speak in Urdu to international media, with the ever present, ebullient PJ Mir to do the honours of reinterpreting and translating all their comments. While I would agree with my fellow blogger about the necessity of having this kind of setup for players who don't speak English or aren't comfortable with it, but for the majority of players this ignores some very significant facts. Most of our players have spent a lot of time toiling in the leagues of England and Ireland honing their skills, and a large number of them even play county cricket. On top of that, the players have had an English speaking coach for years now and English speaking physios for even longer. Inzamam is perhaps one of the few players in the side who hasn't played in English leagues or county cricket. Younis Khan has played for Nottinghamshire and will now captain Yorkshire; I don't think his English could be a concern. Azhar Mahmood and Yasir Arafat play more county cricket than Pakistani domestic cricket. Umar Gul, Rana Naved, Mohammad Yousuf, Mohammad Sami, Danish Kaneria, Shoaib Malik and Shahid Afridi have all participated frequently on the county circuit, while Kamran Akmal has played a whole bunch of club cricket all over the UK and Ireland. So, apart from Inzamam who else needs a translator then? Somehow the facts seem to outweigh the perceived intent of this new decision by the powers-that-be.

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