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.

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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PCB Backtracks on Yousuf?

Well, Osman Samiuddin predicted this earlier on Cricinfo, and it appears to be happening. The PCB is trying to find ways to get Yousuf back on track with the squad. Money, conversations with Geoff Lawson are only the beginning of the discussion. What might very well be needed is a conversation with Shoaib Malik, where he categorically and unequivocally states to Yousuf and to the media at large, that at no point did he ask for Yousuf to be dropped from the Twenty20 World Cup squad.

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Shoaib Malik didn't want Yousuf?

This is the last thing Pakistani cricket needs. If this story in Dawn is indeed true, then there is truly something rotten in the state of the PCB, and Pakistani cricket at large. If a new captain with limited overall experience was allowed to dictate to the national squad to the degree that arguably the greatest batsman in current cricket could be left out of the squad, then that is indeed a problem. One can discuss and raise the issue of whether it was ok or not to leave Yousuf out, when Tendulkar, Dravid, Kallis and Ganguly have all been excluded, but no one can argue that a new captain has the right to unilaterally leave out one of the team's superstars, that too on a whim.

Further, Osman Samiuddin writes a thoughtful and insightful summary on the ICL and Pakistan issue. The Cicero-esque critic in chief of Pakistani cricket?

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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.

Younis Khan congratulates Shoaib Malik

Now, if he would only get off his horse, and play for the national side again.

Pakistan in Abu Dhabi: An auspicious start

All in all, not too bad. Pakistan played 3 matches, tried out around 16 players and had an overall positive experience. Shoaib Malik, if not spectacular, showed himself to be capable to the task of being captain. Fielding changes, using the power play and bowling changes were all appropriate and lived up to his promise of being aggressive and looking for the win. He also seemed to be well settled at the number 5 position, and interestingly enough only gave himself a bowl in the second match.

I think this does speak to the overwhelming concern many have had about the large number of all-rounders in the squad. How many will get a bowl, and how will circumstances allow everyone to get overs in. I mean it is kinda silly when the only people who didn't get a bowl in the series were Yousuf, Kamran Akmal, Imran Nazir, Salman Butt and Yasir Hameed. Fawad Alam didn't impress with the bat, but a young all-rounder could have been given a shot if it wasn't for the presence in the squad in the third ODI of no less than SEVEN effective bowlers.

Shahid Afridi can be welcomed back to the squad, and this time not just as an aggressive batsman, but as a truly modern, effective all-rounder. Salman Butt scored the most runs for Pakistan after Shoaib Malik, in a welcome return to form. Akmal also batted well when given an opportunity, while Sami, Umar Gul and Asif, although not spectacular, were effective and showed an ability to make a dead wicket work for them. Abdul Razzaq also suffered from the surplus of bowlers, and only got one match where he bowled at all. Abdur Rehman continued to impress in his one outing, bowling economically and threateningly ala a Pakistani Panesar.

This young squad, if Younis Khan and Shoaib Akhtar are able to make a return, will continue to demonstrate all the talent that every one is sure that they possess. All was not lost in the World Cup loss, and Inzamam and Woolmer's legacy is not all religiosity and indiscipline.

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.

Dost thou protest too much?

I guess we had to expect this, but a week into his reign Shoaib Malik is still saying "She loves me, she really loves me, honest she's mine because I'm so good". In his second press conference, the bulk of the questions and his comments continued to revolve around who supports him in the team and who doesn't. While from his end, perhaps I can continue to understand that if he is asked about this he will have to continue to respond. What is perhaps more inexplicable is why the PCB continues to allow such questions to be asked, and why the media press conferences for a young captain like Shoaib Malik are not being managed more appropriately. It can't possibly be good for his psyche or for his overall stature as the leader of Pakistani cricket if he has to continue saying in every breath, They love me, They really do love me.

Shoaib Malik emulates Wasim Akram

What a difference it is, to see a young, cheerful, smiling face at the helm of Pakistani cricket. In an interview, Shoaib Malik spoke of his desire to emulate Wasim Akram as a cricket captain, and follow his aggressive approach to cricket.

Shoaib could do far worse than follow Wasim, who had a 60% winning percentage in ODIs, and won more test matches than he lost or drew. It probably speaks to Shoaib's appreciation of Wasim's cricketing skills that Mr. Grand Poobah himself, Nasim Ashraf if you didn't know, has asked Wasim Akram to help out the Pakistani fast bowling ranks with a few coaching sessions. Here is to hoping that Wasim gets treated better than Waqar. And for all of those upset with Wasim for helping out the Indian bowlers before he helped out the Pakistani bowlers, well all you had to do was ask.

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.

Captaincy gossip

Article from Dawn today. Rumours keep persisting that Younis Khan does not want to take the captaincy position because "he doesn't see wide support in the cricket community for him to replace Inzamam." While under seniority, Yousuf would be the next person for the job, but it appears, according to this report, that Shoaib Malik is under consideration. Previous reports have also brought forward Shahid Afridi as a potential candidate. While Shoaib Malik would be a brave and unorthodox choice, after Younis, Yousuf and Inzamam, he has truly become a cornerstone of the middle order, and his selection to the team is almost always a given. And while there has been much quesitoning about Younis' place in the ODI squad, Shoaib Malik is a key fixture in both ODI and Test squads for Pakistan. While I am not sold in any way on Shoaib's unproven leadership skills, his choice, if supported by the rest of the team has the ability to be an inspired and long-term choice.

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!

Shoaib to be sent back

Hamstring injury or not, Shoaib Akhtar is going home. After a childish interaction with Woolmer and pulling up lame after a sensational bowling performance, and a batting performance which gave no indication of any injury, it appears that he will be on the next flight out.

Salim Altaf informs The News that Shoaib Akhtar's hamstring is indeed torn, and given how much time it will take to recover, the feeling from the squad is that he should just be sent back. Can't say I disagree. I wish someone could help me figure out what is going on in Shoaib Akhtar's head.

In a more disappointing front, neither Umar Gul nor Shoaib Malik are looking like they are going to recover to participate in the third test. It appears they will be heading back with Shoaib Akhtar. I just hope they don't hang out with Shoaib too much.

P.S. Here is the video of the episode.

Too many allrounders?

Interesting piece from Osman Samiuddin. Too many allrounders in the Pakistani side? Could the same case be made for the English side with their penchant for choosing all-rounders, while Australia don't seem to be too focused on picking all-rounders?

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Shoaib Malik to return

Shoaib Malik should be ready for the ODIs. Can't wait to have him back.

Mind boggling level of injuries

While Pakistani cricket has been faced with a number of challenges in the past, the challenges on this trip appear almost mind boggling. First the entire pace attack is decimated with Shoaib Akhtar, Rana Naved and Mohammad Asif injured in one way or another, and then the loss of a key part of the team, Shoaib Malik. Now we are beginning to hear that even Abdul Razzaq may not be able to play in the second test.

This is not going to be easy going for Pakistan, specially with the rumours that the pitch at Old Trafford may indeed be a pacey one.

Pakistan's opening woes

Cricinfo is always able to get some good quality reporting in, and they have done the same with Pakistan's opening issues here. In an excellent interview with Shoaib Malik, and then with Zaheer Abbas. A great deal of light is shed on the opening issue for the Pakistani squad for the upcoming tour of England. Take a read.