Indifferent Cricketing

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.

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.

After he leaves, Lawson has ideas

In an older post, I had talked about the importance of taking a professional approach to the training of the squad. It appears that now that Geoff Lawson has some ideas, after being let go as coach.

He speaks the importance of having a team psychologist to help the players. It can't hurt. The shenanigans of Shoaib Akhtar (I'm injured, I'll hit team mates with a bat), the travails of Mohammad Asif (steroids or opium, name your poison), and even the hare brained things Mohammad Yousuf (ICL or IPL? Should I see or should I pee) and Younis Khan (Don't make me captain, PLEASE CAN I BE CAPTAIN!) have been upto all scream for some kind of psychological intervention. Whether its egos run rampant, or just confusion after coming face to face with the trappings of success in sports, the happenings of the last two years speak to the importance of some kind of help for the players. Even after the sudden and shocking death of Bob Woolmer, there was no help for the players. I can see for Geoff Lawson is coming from. Trainers, physios, position specific coaches and team counselors are a must in the modern game.

New Central Contracts

While I criticized the great Dr. Nasim Ashraf many times, and often incessantly, I am not so sure about the new setup either. While all the usual shenanigans of Pakistani administration are playing out in the PCB, what is really confusing is the way that the whole central contracts debacle is playing out (what else can you call it!) First, the highest level central contract is offered to Shoaib Akhtar, who hasnt played any real cricket the entire year, has just recently come of having assaulted a team mate, and in no way has been a "model citizen" of the Pakistani cricket community.

So while one can seriously wonder what Shoaib Akhtar has done to receive the highest category in the central contracts, what is even more amazing is what happened with Abdur Rauf! After he complained about not getting a contract, it appears that the next day Abdul Qadir and Ijaz Butt decided to say there there little one, and handed him a central contract!

There are many a quibble that can be made with how players have been categorized within the central contract scheme, but it is this adhocism which was and continues to be a problem. I guess it was too much to ask for the current setup to display some degree of professionalism.

Asif Iqbal: Enough Shoaib Akhtar

Well, I think the calls for not selecting Shoaib Akhtar again are only just beginning. Like myself, and the folks at ATP, Asif Iqbal now, in his column at The News
calls for an end to Shoaib Akhtar's place in the squad.

Money Quote: "This, of course, is not the first time that a Pakistani cricketer has disgraced himself, his team and his country by resorting to physical violence and unless very stern action is taken, it will not be the last either.

Each time it happens, the international image of Pakistan, especially in the west, takes yet another kick up the backside to confirm the widespread assessment of Pakistani society as a violent, brutal and intolerant people."

Powered by ScribeFire.

Sami faking injury?

What is going on in and with Pakistani cricket? With the Shoaib Akhtar/Shahid Afridi/Mohammad Asif fiasco going full speed, the ICL debacle still a threat to all Pakistani endeavours on the international circuit, it now appears that while the PCB was trying to give Sami a chance to redeem himself in a series against Australia A, Sami may have been faking injury. According to this report in The News, Sami thought that he was too good to play for an "A" team and so decided to fake injury and a viral illness.

Now, I must say, that such chickens always come too roost, and so with the Shoaib Akhtar debacle, and the selectors looking for another pacer, well Sami, fake injury or not, is no longer eligible to represent Pakistan at the Twenty20 cup. Some kid named Sohail Tanvir is being packaged off to South Africa to represent Pakistan. Anyone know anything about him?

Powered by ScribeFire.

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.

Akhtar Asif dustup!

Hat tip to Teeth Maestro for this complete and comprehensive story on the new Shoaib/Asif scandal. First got caught doping together, now fighting with bats? What is going on with these guys! And most of all, what the heck is going on with Shoaib! Isn't he supposed to be one of the seniors in this squad?! This is just stupid!

Powered by ScribeFire.

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.

Powered by ScribeFire.

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.

Shoaib Akhtar: Will Never Change

Well, it was bound to happen. Despite pretending to be a model citizen for the last little while, and not only offering support for Shoaib Malik and the new PCB setup, Shoaib Akhtar decided to show some of his rebellious stance, and decided to skip out a little early from the training camp. Well, it appears that the new PCB setup didn't like that, and decided to fine Shoaib USD $5000 (around 3 lac Rs.). Shoaib does claim however that he had a stiff neck, which he had complained about before. Lets see if he chooses to appeal this or not. Whether warranted or not, I think it is a good thing that the PCB is trying to impose some discipline.

Update: It appears that Shoaib Akhtar is none too pleased by his fines, and created quiet the scene at the headquarters. He is definitely upset by the fact that he was fined without being given a hearing.

Powered by ScribeFire.

The Mystery of Shoaib Akhtar

Yes, we will never know if he is fit or not. Thanks Khalid Hussain for trying though!

Shoaib Aktar: No one wants part of a Joke

Well, it was bound to happen. While Shoaib Akhtar may try to get people to play along with the joke he's playing on his career and cricket fans everywhere, its clear that the cricketing establishment wants no part of it. So, in due order, the Afro-Asian Cup's selection squad has gone ahead and dropped Shoaib Akhtar, despite his proclamations that he is fit.

In this story, what I find a little silly, is that the PCB is supposedly "upset" with Shoaib Akhtar for not making himself available for the Abu Dhabi series, while Younis Khan is still in their long-term plans despite not taking on as team captain, and then choosing to play on the County circuit rather than play for Pakistan at Abu Dhabi. If you're upset with Shoaib, be upset with Younis.

Shoaib Akhtar: More Kneeandrolone or Persondralone

Isn't this just funny! First it was the non-healing knee. Then there was no injury. Then came the selection to the Afro-Asia Cup, and oops, I'm not fit. There is Shoaib Akhtar, who I don't think I'll ever figure out. Selected to the Afro-Asia Cup, literally days after he tells Osman Samiuddin @ CricInfo that he is fit and just needs time to rest, he declares himself unfit and unwilling to play, along with some nebulous family commitments, and then after some criticism breaks out, he declares himself willing to play. Shoaib Akhtar is turning himself into a joke!

Yes Shoaib, its the Kneeandralone

Yes, Shoaib. We know that it was the knee injury not the nandrolone coursing through your veins that kept you out of the World Cup. Lets wonder why no one has repeated the test, despite the last six months. Hmm. Didn't our Mr. Nasim Ashraf, president of PCB, say that it was going to happen "within the month"? Well, he being a nephrologist, should know about the excretion patterns and timings of steroids, and that is probably why the testing hasn't been done. Someone want to correct me here?

The Juice Still Spiked?

News comes today that Shoaib and Asif still need some time to "get fit" again. Appears that its probably more time needed to get the nandrolone out of the system! Interesting that it has been about 10 days since Nasim Ashraf said that they would be retested within the month. We're all waiting with bated breath.

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"

Naved and Gul to be dope tested

Alright. PJ Mir might tell us that the ICC is randomly testing Naved and Gul for steroids etc, but you know what that sounds like a crock to me. The ICC obviously thinks that there is something rotten in the state of Pakistani pacers, and that is why these two are being "randomly" tested. Of course, no one will admit it, but why wasn't Kaneria tested for dope, to explain his fielding performance? Or what about Imran Nazir for charas, for his shot selection? This is because of Shoaib and Asif's shenanigans that the entire team continues to wear the taint of steroids. Thanks a lot doofuses.

Technorati Tags: pakistan, cricket, doping scandal, world cup, rana naved, umar gul

Shoaib Akhtar Going "through" hell? GO TO HELL!

What a ridiculous comment! Shoaib Akhtar while talking to AFP, whines about how injury has kept him out of the World Cupand now he is being put through hell, as he misses the biggest cricketing event of the calendar. While he continues to whine about "my knee", "my poor knee", he has the gall to say that he is going to "work" towards the Twenty20 World Cup, and then the home series against South Africa and Australia. I think he should just work on getting the steroids out of his system, before they give him liver failure. Personally, I think the PCB to maintain any credibility whatsoever, has to ban this guy for life. I would even start a petition for this, but I don't want Brett Lee to sign it a million times over.

Technorati Tags: pakistan, cricket, shoaib akhtar, doping scandal, pakistan cricket board

Asif and Shoaib's medical report

Aah... The wonderful efficiency of the PCB. So, while many would have thought that the absence of Shoaib Akhtar and Mohammad Asif on the World Cup squad would have been a crisis, our wonderful Medical Commission that nawww, its not really a crisis. So, they decided to wait until the team was in the West Indies, about to play their first warm up match, before releasing their medical report.
They've done their best to ensure that both players sound as injured as absolutely possible. Still don't buy it.

Technorati Tags: pakistan, cricket, world cup, medical board, shoaib akhtar, mohammad asif, doping scandal