2010 for Green Shirts

More grays than greens for Pakistan this year By the time I am writing this only some mere 7 hours remaining before the clocks in Pakistan will struck 12 for announcement of a new year 2011. Although whatever I've seen during the past 12 months which were not good for Pakistan and Pakistan used to be in the news for bad names, and because of that, the integrity of Pakistan, Pakistan Cricket and Pakistan Nation got at shock, I say don't blame others for your own mishap, others will laugh at you at your blunders, try to keep your house clean and that point fingers on others. Similarly was the case in Pakistan, as there wasn't home games for Pakistan at home, so such dirty games were played in GSL that it will require atleast 10 years to heal it. It all started from the very first month of 2010, when Pakistan lost an already won Sydney Test against the Home Team because of their unusual fielding lapses, the main contributor, as already known the chronicles of Senior Akmal and what he did, and like some commentators at that time mentioned, Kamran Akmal didn't dropped the catch but the victory itself, and so we lost the first test of 2010 against Aussies at Sydney, and from that point things started to go wrong for Pakistan, lost the dead rubber Hobart test, than 5-0 losing in ODIs and not even a single victory in bag in their own favourite format T20. After the conclusion of the series, there were many changes expected. Last year for Pakistan was famous for their captaincy changes, this time it was famous for their controversies one into another haunting Pakistan Cricket. The leaked video told the story that there were differences amongst the team players (who're suppose to play with a team work) and that's why their teamwork was at stake. An assistant coach of Pakistan Cricket also told that Mr. Shoaib Malik aka Shoaib Mirza (the drama queen) was doing the job of that matchstick which was already in flames and accidentally someone put some petrol nearby. After that disastrous tour to down-under, they had some gap, utilizing it, the PCB boss' had a single body appellate tribunal on the accused players. The players whom they nominated, 90% of them got away because of sources, but the player who won us ICC World T20 2009, Younus Khan, he was made to sit on the benches on the personal ego of PCB boss, where I differ from them as PCB is the abbreviation for Pakistan's Cricket Board and so they've to keep their hawk-eyes on the cricketing affairs which can affect Pakistan's integrity, plus even in PCB's legal documents, PCB boss is liable to keep his personal ego at side and maintain country's interest first, so when players were penalized and even Rana Naveed is under penalization, why can't PCB boss be? Plus this is a National Team for Cricket and represents a Nation, so no one should be allowed to play with it. When fingers were pointed on several of its players, so can't they have had taken serious steps that time, like talent hunt and finding new prospects and keeping them in stand by behind the players currently playing? This is the only way Pakistan cricket can be started to clean, else when given free space they'll show their true colour. Plus apart from the players' section, management should also be audited and should be given under a strict control. After the conclusion of Pak tour to Aussies, it was two T20 match series against the England Cricket Team at Dubai, where Shoaib Mirza (oh! I'm sorry, Shoaib Malik) skippered the side, as Shahid Afridi was found chewing the ball during the Perth ODI, and because of it Afridi was penalized for 2 T20s, so managed to level the series 1-1, after that it was World T20 2010, where Pakistan had many changes like having a new kit brand, Afridi announced captain for ODIs Tests and T20s, but before the start of this series they were under a mammoth pressure, thanks to the recent controversies and secondly the hype created by the western and Indian media around Pakistan, still they crawled their way to the semi finals of the T20 tournament, where they lost the match against the Aussies after scoring a mammoth 190 odd score in 120 balls, and the complexion of the game changed when Mike Hussey started his famous onslaught and made Aussies the victorious side when needing 18 runs in 6 balls off Saeed Ajmal who bowled the penultimate over of the match. Later on it was England who won the T20 Event and were the first time that England won any ICC tournament since they incepted. After the Event which we weren't able to defend for 9 months, it was the Asia Cup which was played in only one center of Sri Lanka  i.e. Dambulla, where Pakistan apart from the Bangladesh game, weren't able to win a single match although Sri Lanka and India games were both a nail biters, but in the end Pakistan won the third position just like the previous Asia Cup which was held in Lahore and Karachi, but the trophy went to India for playing like champions. Just after the conclusion of the Asia Cup, was the home-series against the Aussies in England, where Pakistan started well and won the series 2-0 comprehensively and ended a vacuum of 13 matches in a row against the Aussies since 2009 Champions Trophy super 8s match at Centurion, South Africa. But since the test series started between both team, the controversies, it seems haunted the way for Pakistan team, it all started from the Lord's test when it started from Ponting elbowing Muhammad Aamer, and later when Marcus North became an unsung hero who shattered the hopes of Pakistanis saving the test match, and so the Lord's went to Australia, plus after the conclusion of Lord's test, it was Shahid Afridi who resigned as captain and returned home, and so the captaincy cap was given to Salman Butt for Leeds Test, and there Pakistan managed to reply well by bowling Australia out inside the three figures mark and in reply Pakistan was able to take handsome lead, but like the legacy with Australians, they never give upped the hope and were fighting till the last ball and their tail-enders specially Steve Smith, who scored 70 odd runs to bring the 2nd inning leads to 170 odd. But as Pakistan expected and sports channels who were airing that broadcast were making us flashback to the Sydney Test, but thanks to mighty Allah, we won the match by 3 wickets. After that, the most controversial series Pakistan ever had in England was to start, the first two test matches England managed to won them comprehensively but at the Oval test, Pakistan managed to won playing aggressive game and had a dream debut for Wahab Riaz who took 5 wickets on debut in swinging conditions. Although Swann used to disturb Pakistani players alot. But after that win it seemed Pakistan forgot how to win a match, as when Lord's test started it was almost an Even Stevens but at the night of 3rd day of the test match, there was a News Tabloid News of the World, which is known for its cheap publicity stunts, exposed that this test match could be a spot fixed as whatever the prove they gave clearly showed that a particular ball of the particular over will be a No-Ball, sounds funny but when on the third day of the test match similar sorta thing happened when Aamer and Asif both bowled No-Balls at a particular point, the same night that tabloid published the findings of the sting operation they had during the Oval test. Resulting in which Pakistan Cricket Board made a fatal mistake that they didn't took the initiative and went first to punish them before the Governing body did, and so in return Salman Butt, Muhammad Aamer and Muhammad Asif were banned with immediate effect. Pakistan lost test series 3-1, T20 series 2-0 and ODI series 3-2, thanks to a cameo from Abdul Razzaq at The Brit Oval, we were able to had some respect in the series. After the conclusion of this series, the name of Pakistan was ruined, and even the spectators outside the ground were found yelling at them, and even some cricket teams showed their grievances playing against the Pakistani team which was polluted during the England Series. Some players of South Africa showed the same and even Justin Vaughan, the NZC head clearly said that this fact can't be ignored that the effect of recent controversy will not have any effect on current Pakistani series to Kiwi-Land, when it comes to crowd interest. Anyways after that series, Pakistan had an unsuccessful home-series against the Proteas at Dubai and Abu Dhabi, where Pakistan lost all the matches of T20 format and was able to gain some respect by losing the series 3-2, thanks to innings from Abdul Razzaq in 2nd ODI scoring 109 and single handedly won Pakistan a match, and than in the 4th ODI, it was Younus Khan who showed why he's among the best middle order batsman in current cricket, who scored 73 and put Pakistan into command even when occasionally Pakistanis aren't good at chasing but still they were able to chase down scores more than 250 against a Quality South African team. During the series, the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 trophy was presented in a peculiar style, by posing it through an aquarium, and two South African players AB de Villiers and Dale Steyn had the honours. This series also had a bad taste by the departing of Zulqarnain Haider just on the morning of 5th ODI for UK, later it was known that he was already seeking for UK citizenship at the time when he was with the team that was touring England. Another Controversy... The test series was again started with the gray clouds as Danish Kaneria wasn't allowed to take off from Karachi for Dubai although he was included in the team amid ICC reaction. Apart from that Adnan Akmal was included in the side to replace Senior Akmal. Although no one was expecting much from Pakistan but still Pakistan was able to fight back and ended the series on a draw. Currently Pakistan is playing in New Zealand, currently lost the T20 series 2-1, Test and ODI series to continue in new years. Again I am not expecting very much from current Pakistan side doing much in 2011 and CWC. TEST RECORD FOR PAKISTAN THIS YEAR  Team Matches Won Lost Tied Draw W/L Avg RPO HS LS Pakistan 10 2 6 0 2 0.33 24.24 2.99 434 72 ODI RECORD FOR PAKISTAN THIS YEAR Team Matches Won Lost Tied Draw W/L Avg RPO HS LS Pakistan 18 5 13 0 0 0.38 25.69 5.14 385 127 T20 RECORD FOR PAKISTAN THIS YEAR Team Matches Won Lost Tied Draw W/L Avg RPO HS LS Pakistan 18 6 12 0 0 0.50 18.74 7.28 191 89

Just before the new years...

Jonathan Trott made the situation easy for England to win their first Ashes in Australia in a long time This boxing day has been quite a busy one for cricket fans. 4 of 6 of top cricket giants are currently engaged with each others, with England taking on Australia to defend their Ashes glory which they got during the last year's triumph at their own backyard, plus they want to prove the world that they aren't only the lions at their home but away too, especially in Australia where their track-record ain't upto that standard, so they've to settle many scores on their 2010-11 Ashes tour to down-under. Already the current Ashes series 2010-11 has been a topsy-turvy series when the pendulum shifted or should I say fluctuated quickly into one's favour. It started at Gabba, Brisbane, with Siddle's hat-trick and still England managed to save the game, and in the Second Test played at Adelaide Oval, Adelaide, England won by an innings and 71 runs, with Cook scoring 148 and Pietersen scoring a mammoth 227 and well supported by Trott, Bell and Collingwood scoring 78, 68 and 42 respectively, and the third test match played at WACA Perth, Australia managed to settle their scores from the previous test match and thanks to the cameocre innings of Mike Hussey and the later middle order, Australia managed to score such total which could be defended by their bowlers, and that's what happened, Australia won that test match by 267 runs, but when the test match came to MCG, Melbourne for the box-in day test match, the balance again shifted to England's half, first a great recovery from English bowlers by restricting Aussies inside the three figure mark, and in reply batsmen also replied by scoring 445-5 at stumps on day two, and so England are on the verge of winning this test match and the series aswell. The Melbourne Ashes test is also famous for Ponting outburst when a decision went against his team, on the field umpire Mr. Aleem Dar, and that too went on when the third umpire seconded Dar's decision of giving Pietersen not out, he sledged both the umpires and Pietersen, which I personally thought was a tactic to displace attention, and that happened for sure when after sometime, Pietersen was adjudged LBW. Boy!!! Too much drama... Tim Southee and the Kiwi bowlers would be on high after a comprehensive victory against Pakistan in Auckland and would like to clinch the series Apart from them, Pakistanis are also playing their away series across the Tasmanian seas (its very important to mention home and away matches when it involves Pakistan, although Pakistan is hosting their home and away both games away from home) and already they lost their opening match of a 3 match T20 series against the hosts, beating comprehensively with balls to spare, but little bit of optimism when it comes to know that 2 more matches to go for Pakistan, but sad to know that Pakistan's recent T20 playing form has been too poor to mention, specially when it comes to last 5 matches, L.L.L.L.L. - when the last 2 L's are against the English team where they lost both of their games and after that they also lost their home T20 games (played away ofcourse) in Abu Dhabi against the Proteas, by a clean sweep again and the same legacy continued when Pakistan came to NZ. I am not optimistic with tomorrow's match result in favour of Pakistan as when the Cricket World Cup is just round the corner in less than 2 months time, still we're not confirm of the team combinations and still playing a musical chair game when it comes to the selection of players, and in such an important series when its the penultimate series before the ICC Cricket World Cup, we're still not sure who to select and who not, as in such an important series we're playing with a makeshift wicket keeper and that too without a proper backup. Lets suppose if anything happens to Umar Akmal, than by whom are we going to depend for keeping the wickets? We ain't think like that when selecting a team, a National Team, all the team members which actually represent the Country and the Nation, we select such a pathetic team without any backup... Why don't they go for talent hunt sorta thing, talent scattered across Pakistan (not me ofcourse, I am more into sitting hours either studying or blogging), why don't they go for search for them, instead of getting blackmailed by these good-for-nothing-so-called-seniors who had done nothing except for deteriorating the stature of Pakistan, Pakistan Cricket and Pakistani Nation, still this nation loves them so much they yell for them, do these people have the right to play with the sentiments of such an emotional nation when it comes to cricket? If I were the head on them, I'd have hanged them till death, so that no one in future tried the same as they had an example already. India managed to restrict the Proteas to 131 and currently it seems India are in complete command Another exciting test match going on in the Land of Rainbow Nation, where India - currently the number one team in ICC Test Cricket rating, taking on the number two test side South Africa, so in short a severe battle for having the number one spot between both teams, one want to grab it and another wants to retain it till Cricket World Cup. Although when Proteas were preparing for India series, they were underestimated because of the recently concluded drawn series against Pakistan in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, but they replied well by beating India comprehensively by innings margin. But India replied well in the Durban test, although not scored upto the mark but with the inclusion of Zaheer Khan, their bowling has been strengthen and now they're looking in a position to ask questions and settle their own scores against the Proteas, who look in a spot of bother in the first innings where they lost majority of their wickets under the deficit, although they've avoided the follow-on but last time when I saw the scores still 90 odd runs required to overcome the deficit, and to impose a total for India to bat on but I don't think they'll be able to impose a total, as they were left with tail-enders. Still I think the third day would be the climax day of the test match where anyone can be able to predict where this test match is going on, on a draw, or anyone team winning the match as whenever England, Australia or South Africa playing, you can't predict who's the winner as they fight until the last ball is bowled, secondly they've test matches a tradition so you can't compare them with Pakistan, as being a Pakistani I am saddened by the fact that Sri Lanka and India have improved their gaming standards well above Pakistan, and I fear if things going on the same way, Bangladesh might also overcome Pakistan in coming future, as already I am sniffing some resistance from the Afghanistan side, who've their moral up against the Pakistanis as they've beaten Pakistan comprehensively in the semis in recently concluded Asian Games Cricket Event in China. Me being an ample cricket follower, this week has been my favourite as from the day start to end there's cricket and each one trying to take excitement to the next level, and those who say that test matches have died, they should watch the innings of SRT, or the Ashes which is filled with perfect excitement for the new years joy.

Box-In day for both teams

A box-in day for both teams, going to be started at 0600 Pakistan Time A box-in day for both teams obviously, as its my personal opinion that both teams aren't in a good nick to go for the Cricket World Cup which is just round the corner, and here there's a team in great controversies Spot Fixing is to name some and because of it several of its players are under suspension, which I personally think is a great setback to Pakistani team. And if we goto the Black Caps camp, they're also having a similar sort of situation as couple of days ago was their chief coach sacked thanks to a winless tour to Bangladesh and India where they had to face a white wash and like Pakistan in their last tour to Australia 2009-10, they had a winless tour to subcontinent. So in my opinion, both teams are Even Stevens, with home team have a clear advantage that Pakistan lost their last 2 T20s i.e. 2 against England and later against South Africa where they were clean sweeped by the opposition, secondly when both teams met in the West Indies for T20 event, Kiwis were the winners in a nail biting match beating Pakistan by 1 run only, thirdly which I forgot to mention that they're facing Pakistan for the first time in their own backyard for a T20 clash, so Kiwis would be in a chance to set their scores even with Pakistan because record basis Pakistan have the clear edge over the host by the margin of 4-1, so winning this series would mean Kiwis could bridge the gap easily, plus I feel that they've a great chance as they're having THIS T20 match against Pakistan in their own backyard where they'll surely have a clear advantage, already Pakistan lost the only tour match before the T20I match on the box-in day, and as I was saying both teams are in a spot-of-bother as here Pakistan is without their pace battery with Sohail Tanvir made to sit out plus already lacking batting firepower with expense of specially Senior Akmal. Already Pakistan's moral would be down and out because they recently had two clean sweeps under their belt. Kiwis also had blows like replacement of coach and coaching staff and secondly they'd be playing with a make-shift captain when their original skipper is on rest, along with him is Nathan McCullum, who is this format's favourite batsman as he's the highest run scorer in this format plus highest sixes scorer as well, so muting Vettori and McCullum is a great blow for them as well as one is format's 4th best bowler and other premier batsman in this format. Ross Taylor would by-now be skippering the side, as its still not confirmed who'll the leading their ODI side after the conclusion of the Test Series. Hope for the best.

Pakistan tour to NZ, not optimistic about it

The Kiwi Cricket Board already showed their stance that Kiwi public may not be excited about Pakistan's upcoming tour of the country amid spot-fixing controversy Already when Pakistan tour to New Zealand going to start in matter of some days on the boxing day with a series of 2 T20 series, one of the major news off the ground was that Kiwi Cricket Board's heads are not very optimistic with this current tour of Pakistan haunting a spot fixing scam with them. They've the right to say that they're not very much pleased with what going on with Pakistan as the Justin Vaughan feels that the New Zealand public may not be excited about Pakistan's upcoming tour of the country due to the spot-fixing controversy, "I can understand the public may not be quite as excited about Pakistan as they otherwise might have been," Vaughan said. Pakistan's tour of New Zealand, which is part of the ICC's Future Tours Programme, will be the only international series of the summer in the country and Vaughan said, "We're kidding ourselves to think that there won't be some residual impact out of all this, which is sad.", and if we go back to Gaddafi Stadium Lahore where a Butt shaped mammal is chairing, where till now while I'm typing this, PCB is requesting the ICC for giving permission for them to select the suspended players for national team selection. This again shows lack of  good governance and management. Look at the other teams for God's sake, India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, they're giving rest to their seniors and juniors are hired in their places, just see, the current concluded ODI against the Kiwis, India rested their majority gun power like Sehwag, Tendulkar, MSD etc and still they were able to finish the tournament on high. On the other hand, our cricket board is having a policy of rehiring the seniors who're already found in playing politics in the national cricket team. Let me be starting from the first name who I should call the drama queen of the Pakistani cricket team (I am using the term queen with complete consciousness) Mr. Shoaib Malik aka Shoaib Mirza who when included in the team or was given privilege to travel with the team although he wasn't playing, he was found creating distances between the players and so he's responsible for what happened with Pakistan cricket i.e. making it a laughing stock, we blame others for exploiting us but why only blame them when we already have black sheeps in our national cricket teams. The second numbers comes to my mind is Kamran Akmal, who's a Gilchrist sorta player in Pakistani team, but he was also found to be lost in the glitters of fame, and made him think that he is immortal and even if he can, his brothers should fill his shoes. Although earlier when he was included he made sure he would reply everyone whoever were in against of his inclusion into the cricket team, but since his brilliant innings against the English and later against the Indians at NSK where earlier IK Pathan had scored a hat-trick, who can forgot his match saving ton and his innings in the 2nd T20 event played in England. But later when he alongwith other senior players dropped the match from their grasp last year same time, since than the bad time on Akmal Senior started. He was so complexed with other keepers in the run that he did not made any keeper to stay alongwith him, thanks to that he has axed him and the Pakistani team as well. Earlier he also played with Zulqarnain Haider's career the same way that later on when Haider got a chance, he took the cheapest way to get fame, and under the clouds of such controversies, this series is going to be played and Mr. Vaughan has the right to say that the excitement level of the cricketers and the crowd may not be to that standard. Anyways going back to the game of cricket, it is my personal opinion that we should now look life after these players and to give them so much strict punishment that the youngsters who're in the pipelines should get some lesson from it. Atleast some sort of integrity should be regained and another message should be conveyed to them that look mate, this is Pakistan's national cricket team and not you father's owned cricket team so be in your limits else get lost we've other players too in the pipelines. But that's not the case and I think that pipeline is somewhere chocked, that's why again and again the same players are coming again and again. If I flashback to the Pakistan South Africa series played in UAE, MoYo was not fit enough and while practicing he was not able to bend himself so how, why and what in the world he was doing there, who was preferred on someone else's place who like Azhar Ali when got a chance might have scored somewhat, unlike Moyo who's more like a liability since he's relaxed now and since he like some of the other senior players in the camp did didn't allowed some of the players to cement their place, because of it Pakistan is paying the price and that's why news in the circuit is that Pakistan might recall Mohammad Yousuf again. Is this a way a national team is made? Like Rameez Raja in one of his latest interviews clearly mentioned that if Pakistan able to be out of news for atleast 6 months, than it'd be said that Pakistani Cricket is somewhat out of the torrent. So under such circumstances, I don't know why and how Kiwis should be excited about this series, which is the only home series they're going to be playing this year? They've the full right to show their  reservations. Plus I just want to make a point clear that blame others but before blaming them, first clean your own collars, as if you point fingers on someone, three fingers also point you, so just remember that before making any point, as when they are filing charges against the bookie, when their pictures were released with him, at Hobart - Australia, when Pakistan was playing the dead rubber test against the Aussies, Mazhar Majeed was found sitting with several of the players like Akmal, Malik, Salman Butt, Sarfaraz Ahmed etc in the hotel lobby, and those pictures were in a stance that they were in a group for a group photo sorta gathering, so how can't they figure out the background of the bookie sitting with them? Secondly the responsibility must also fall on the shoulders of those who're heading our cricket board as these players are in the payroll of the cricket board, and as I've a little bit training experience at several banks, I've seen that the permanent employees bear the most of responsibilities on their shoulders, and because they're on the payroll of their employees, they've to give some result, else they've got someone else to fill in their shoes, which in management language is said to be a result oriented management which is followed globally, but can't say whether the PCB follows the same or not? Peace!

Importance of television production and Pakistan Cricket

Today I am going to write into some of the neglected aspects in Pakistan, Pakistan Cricket and Pakistan Cricket Board. Its on the importance of television production and cricket commentary. Many countries have promoted the game of cricket in their countries by means of the same. But here in Pakistan its a completely neglected aspect and this thing was seen even when the TV contracts were granted to the companies (usually PTV those times) for covering Pakistani games, and for each home series, the contracts were granted on the series-to-series basis instead of a tenure based contract or agreement. They are the current broadcasters of Pakistan Cricket but thanks to the lenient policy of PCB, we're not able to present ourselves properly on the cricketing grounds. Today, the reality is that in the telecast rights domain a huge question mark hangs over any tourney that features any high profile cricket team. And if truth be told, it makes no difference whether a series involves a traditional cricket power like Australia on the opposing side or one from Timbaktoo. As long as the Pakistani team is playing, the tag of "event of national import" can be applied. To understand what's at stake a recap is in order. If I am not wrong, Ten Sports were the first company, formerly run by CBFS chief Abdul Rahman Bakhatir and now under an Indian Television company, who had the privilege of having a tenure based contract, unlike the previous series' against Australia in Arabian deserts and against Kiwis at home by Transworld International aka TWI which had series-to-series contract. I am not against any company or being biased as if a company being run by Indian Financers don't have the right to broadcast Pakistani games blah blah blah, but the fact is that a television production quality for a cricket game is judged by the number of cameras used, the quality and the age of equipment used, the expertise of cameramen, the number and quality of addons and last but not the least is commentators. If I call my information right, minimum of 12 to 14 cameras atleast are required to meet the letter of the law for an acceptable (in my language - a budgetary) production. More higher and top quality production requires atleast 20 and more cameras. Usually large television companies use specialized organizations like Octagon Productions, Sports Brand Productions and WorldTel Productions (which used to produce later matches of Sharjah Cup and some Bangladeshi games before Ten Sports came), for the task. The majority of such companies usually carry the support staff and their main staff alongside the production whereas miniature companies use those freelancers who're hired on assignment basis (I am not narrating the term series-to-series basis, as there are some instances that there are some back to back series' so they can give an assignment of two series' under their belts, just like the current India v Australia and than India against Kiwis, both were back to back with difference of 5 - 7 days between both series'), and if Pakistan able to stage their home games at home, such companies used the local cameramen who gave a world class reputation. Although it's said BCCI is the richest cricket board of the cricketing world, but they're investing in their production standards and than on their cricket grounds, so that their cricket package could be attractive for foreign stakeholders. Can't the guys at PCB learn from them??? If I talk of addons, in this competitive era of technology, having a speed gun, an lbw matt application, a slo mo and an ultra slo mo cameras, a snickometer and so on so forth is requirement of todays cricket games as the viewer wants each and every bit of details about their players and their play and now comes my favourite addon, the HotSpot, which uses some additional cameras and which gives clear details about nicks off the bat and around the pads. In the Ashes 2010-11, four of such cameras are used for the accuracy else on the usual basis 2 of them are used for the same purpose, but the only drawback this technology is being used by limited countries, is the cost of this technology and will take time to get it implemented globally. Therefore majority stake-holders of such companies want to keep their profit maximized with respect to the cheap production expenses. This can specially be the case where the television revenues are on the lower sides for the teams like Zimbabwe and Kenya as opposed to the teams like India and England when compete against each other. It thus requires the cricket boards to ensure that it spares no effort to ensure highest production level available. Other important factors of the production sides are the director and its commentators. The fees commanded by them are commensurate with their ability and global know-how. The best directors in this business are well known and the bigger companies try to have such people in their team. Now come to my main reason writing this, The production level of current Pakistan South Africa series in the Emirates was sadly under valued thanks to its commentators. The South Africans were well prepared and well represented. They even pronounced Pakistani players names with closer to their origins. Names like Wahab Riaz, Tanvir Ahmed they pronounced them rightly. But on the other hand representation of Pakistani commentators and presenters were diminished. Plus whoever was the commentator Pakistan end, pronounced some of the Proteas players name not correctly. Johan Botha is to name one. Plus the company (Ten Sports) used a fine Pakistani player as a commentator which he is not considered as the frontline commentator. If I look around there was Amir Sohail who was a great player of his time and still with Ramiz Raja, he is one of the highest rated Pakistani commentator in todays time. He also have the respect of frontline commentators like Jeff Boycott and Ian Chappel. Pakistan could also use the services of Asif Iqbal and Wasim Akram as commentators for a Pakistani series' provided their primary channel's commitments do not discount them, as Wasim Akram is currently associated with ESPN Star Sports for their cricket commentary team. In any case, economy again is one of the contributory factors when the producers make the selection. Sadly this economy reflects neither on the 'rights holder' nor on the producer but sadly upon the country that's hosting the series; Pakistan. When will be learn not to compromise on those matters which are important and which decides how the cricket in your country is seen globally!!! When PCB fulfill its duties to utmost?

Is ICC unbiased?

Someone should take strong action from Pakistani end.

How espncricinfo.com is covering this story

Transliteration (not good but still need your feedback on it) Karachi (staff reporter): ICC CEO Haroon Lorgat on the eve of the case on spot fixing allegations on the Pakistani trio, showed biased nature on suspended Pakistani trio by giving sensational statements which might hurt the open hearing tribunal status. He was found saying that if Asif, Amir and Salman get away from their cases, so he'll be disappointed. He further mentioned that ICC is not going to adopt lenient attitude with the trio. It must be noted that from 6th to 11th January 2011, there would be open hearing on the trios future. Mr. Lorgat further mentioned while talking to an international radio service that the ICC wants to convey a strict message internationally with this case hearing. During the August 2010 The Lord's Test, the trio were alleged of doing spot fixing, which is benched by 3 tribunal members lead by Michael Bellof apart from South African Alby Sachez and Kenyan Sharad Rao. Mr. Lorgat was further found saying that the ICC has worked hard collecting the evidences against the trio and that's why if these players got away, it'll be a huge disappointment for them. ICC can't and shouldn't dare to bear corruption in the game, if these players are found guilty, than they should be punished as the game's standard is on stake. He further acknowledges the work done by the PCB for reduction of corruption in the game. Lorgat further said that he's satisfied with the 3 judges of the tribunal and hopefully they're going to prove it as well.

Voices from Pakistan in selection of players

Pakistan’s Kamran Akmal and Shoaib Malik on Wednesday expressed disappointment at being dropped from Twenty20 and Test squads against New Zealand, clamouring for answers from the cricket board.
A separate squad will be announced for six One-day Internationals. Chief selector Mohsin Khan said Kamran, Malik and Kaneria — all under suspicion of spot or match-fixing — had not been cleared by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB). Yousuf was left out for lack of fitness, he said.
Kamran claimed he had been cleared of any corruption. “I am disappointed at being left out, because I passed an email from the ICC to the PCB last month which cleared my name for selection, so I should know why my name was excluded,” Kamran, 28, told AFP from the town of Sialkot.
But he has since featured in domestic matches, hitting his highest first-class score of 268 last month.
Malik also told AFP he was disappointed at being excluded. “I am really disappointed,” he said. “I have performed well in the domestic season. Throughout my 11-year career I have never been involved in any wrongdoing and was not even in the team when all those (fixing) allegations were levelled,” said Malik.
[Courtesy The News International]

Pakistan’s cricket chiefs are unwilling to disclose the exact reason why they continue blocking the reentry of senior players like former captain Shoaib Malik and wicket-keeper batsman Kamran Akmal in the national team.
Malik and Kamran were overlooked for the tour of New Zealand when the national selectors announced the Twenty20 and Test squads on Tuesday. Also ignored was experienced leggie Danish Kaneria, Pakistan’s most successful Test spinner.
When contacted, chief selector Mohsin Khan said that the trio failed to receive clearance from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB). A PCB spokesman declined to comment on the issue.
PCB’s silence on the issue is only adding fuel to fire.
There have been reports suggesting that the PCB has blacklisted the three players because of suspicions that they could be involved in match-fixing.
Other reports have claimed that the International Cricket Council (ICC) has directed the PCB against selecting these players. Both the ICC and the PCB deny it.
Sources, however, told ‘The News’ that reports suggesting that the three players are match-fixing suspects are not off the mark.
According to the well-placed sources, PCB has its suspicions but doesn’t have any proof against the players.
“The thing is that the PCB has suffered big headaches because of controversies related to spot-fixing that it has decided to be extra careful,”said an insider. “After what happened in England last summer, the Board is unwilling to take any chances and wants to keep any player with a question mark over his integrity out of the national team,”he added.
Pakistan were hit hard during their tour of England last summer when three of their key players — Salman Butt, Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Amir — were suspended by the ICC following allegations of corruption.
Asif and Amir were accused bowling deliberate no-balls on the instructions of match-fixers.
The episode forced the ICC to issue an ultimatum to the PCB last October to get its house in order or face sanctions.
“Since that ultimatum, the PCB has become really cautious and wants to avoid any more scandals,”said a source.
[Courtesy The News International]

Pakistan opener Imran Farhat has decided to serve a legal notice on Mazhar Majeed, the London-based bookmaker, who has alleged that four more players are involved in spot-fixing.
Farhat one of the four named by Majeed in a video shown on Geo News channel on Tuesday said he was appalled by the bookmaker’s claims.
“Majeed is neither my agent nor I am involved in any wrongdoing,” Farhat said.
The left-handed opener was named alongwith Umar Akmal, Wahab Riaz and Kamran Akmal by Majeed as the players who work for him.
The three others, Salman Butt, Mohammad Amir and Mohammad Asif has been already suspended by the International Cricket Council after Majeed in an earlier video in August claimed they had taken bribes to do spot fixing in the fourth Test against England at Lords.
“His claims have really upset me because I have always played clean cricket.
“I am suing him for an apology and damages and also to clear my reputation,” Farhat said.
Farhat said he had a reputation in international cricket being a Pakistan player and Majeed with his unsubstantiated claims had basically indulged in character assassination.
“I will not stand for this I don’t know about the others but I have decided to sue him and I am consulting my lawyers,” Farhat said.
The Pakistan Cricket Board on Wednesday refused to comment on the new video footage of Mazhar Majeed while legal advisor, Tafazzul Rizvi also declined to make any comment.
The national selectors on Tuesday dropped Farhat for the tour to New Zealand and the opener said that he was disappointed but would continue to perform in domestic cricket and try to win back his place in the side.
Pakistan wicketkeeper Kamran Akmal also slammed Majeed for his claims.
“He was just our agent and I don’t know why he is making these claims. If he is involved in bookmaking I don’t know anything about that,” Akmal said.
The footage is likely to increase pressure on Pakistani cricket, which has been plunged into a series of crises.
In October, the ICC told the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to take strict measures to curb corruption and threatened sanctions if it failed to do so.
As a result, the PCB introduced a new code of conduct for players, with stricter
punishments for any wrongdoing.
The PCB has not cleared Kamran, Shoaib Malik and leg-spinner Danish Kaneria — all reportedly under suspicion of corruption — for team selection.
[Courtesy The News International]

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is unhappy with the International Cricket Council’s Future Tours Programme (FTP) as the Pakistan team hasn’t been given enough matches against top sides like India, Australia and England.
According to reports, PCB has expressed its concerns after knowing that the team will mostly be playing against lower-ranked sides in the next FTP.
The board believes that Pakistan is among the major Test-playing nations and should get a fair share of matches against the top teams.
Meanwhile, the ICC Chief Executives’ Committee (CEC) met in Dubai and made significant progress towards finalising the FTP Test and ODI league schedules. They have also begin the process of drawing up rules, regulations and a points system for the leagues.
According to an ICC media release on Wednesday, the CEC agreed to reconstitute its working group comprising David Collier (England and Wales Cricket Board), Nishantha Ranatunga (Sri Lanka Cricket), N Srinivasan (Board of Control for Cricket in India), James Sutherland (Cricket Australia) and David Richardson (ICC General Manager-Cricket) to consider the rules, regulations and points system for the new leagues.
They will report back in January 2011. “With the ODI league commencing immediately after the ICC World Cup 2011, the committee will confirm the rules at its February 2011 meeting. There was excitement during the meeting when we realized the interest which, these leagues will create,” ICC Chief Executive Haroon Lorgat said.
[Courtesy The News International]

For me it'd take some time to digest them.

Too much influence sorry to say influenced by our own heads

Sorry to say but not only the PCB selection committee but the whole PCB seems to me a dummy organization, which gets influenced from the sports governing body. Although obeying them isn't a bad thing, but the country's interest should come first. If that were the case that 5 of Pakistan players are barred from representing their own country, namely Danish Kaneria, Senior Akmal, M. Amir and Asif and Salman Butt, who are barred from representing their country internationally in a cricketing even, than why so much privilege is given to Suresh Raina, one of my personal favourite middle order batter, when he also have the charges and most importantly similar to that of Amir, Asif and Salman Butt, but still he's playing a representing his country against the Kiwis in their own backyard. I just wanna ask why so much discrimination.

Although I must say we always lacked in creating lobbying in favour of us, and that's why we're always deprived of cricketing friends internationally. Look at New Zealand, they are creating their relations with the USACA, SLC with Cricket Canada, India with South East Asian Countries, namely Malaysia to be name some, but what other grounds are we endorsing, other than the cricket grounds in UAE, although we're still paying them for OUR home games at a place where cricket is not being played and what else. In my opinion Emirates authorities should pay to us because games involving Pakistan or any South Asian Country is a crowd attractor, but thanks to them we missed that opportunity as well.

And now if I am not wrong, in the Future Tour Programs, Pakistan got less share of their matches as majority of teams are reluctant to play against them, that's what the reason is given, and rightly so they're objecting rightly as we're not able to portray our own case successfully and clearly internationally. The majority of responsibility goes to the people, unfortunately sitting on our heads, who're always found on doing politics on their own motives instead of for Pakistan Cricket, for which they're being known to.

By the time I am writing this thing, Senior Akmal, Shoaib Malik (the drama king), Imran Farhat (Samad Bond), Danish Kaneria, Salman Butt, M. Amir and M. Asif are confirmed not joining the squad on the basis of not cleared from the board's integrity committee, but the Pakistan Cricket Board did not give any further details as to why that decision was taken and MoYo not joining because of fitness problems as a break is the requirement of his age. More importantly, Yousuf was ruled out of the Tests against South Africa on the morning of the first Test due to a recurrence of a groin injury but that wasn't the reason for his exclusion. "The injury is not an issue," Mohsin said. "Yousuf is a great player we all know that, but we are concerned over his fitness levels and so have not picked him."

When it comes to Kaneria, no reason was given for Kaneria missing out the South Africa series, though it was speculated that his involvement in a spot-fixing case earlier in the summer for Essex - from which he was cleared - played a role. This time, however, it is believed he has been dropped because the selectors are simply keen to push Ajmal or Rehman.

Umar Gul, Tanvir Ahmed, Sohail Tanvir and Wahab Riaz - subject to fitness after suffering a muscle strain against South Africa - will take on the bulk of the pace bowling. Additionally Shoaib Akhtar will be there for the three Twenty20s.

Being a curious person by nature, I feel already Wahab Riaz is recovering from an injury due to which he was left out of the Test Squad and remaining of ODI squad against the Proteas which was recently played at Dubai and Abu Dhabi, so how it could be confirmed that Riaz might be the right choice as it is. They must have taken him is the second probable as the conditions in Kiwiland would be totally different than Dubai and Abu Dhabi where in the first test we were able to manage without Riaz in the middle of the match, that won't be the case in NZ. They need a good manager IN OFFICE, not with the team as their own matters aren't managed properly...
May Allah Bless Us All.

Something positive from the deserts

A draw against the number 2 test team is meant a lot more

Yesterday was the end of South Africa and Pakistan's tour to the United Arab Emirates which ended in a draw. But Pakistan played literally better in the longest format of the game. Although the pitches belted were taylor made for batters but still Pakistan managed to take wickets on those pitches too, and for the first time in many years, I saw a consistent batting performances from the green shirts, specially from Azhar Ali, who looked solid, although I must say he's limited in shots, but still he has the tendency to stay on the wicket, which is the main criteria in this format.

It must also be noted that after Sharjah, these were the two grounds in the UAE where a test match between two international sides were staged here. Although Sharjah Stadium not being used for now but still there is a chance that the stadium might get a chance to stage an international fixture, specially when Pakistan is a no-go area for international teams. As expected the pitches were similar to that of sub-continent but still slow turn and bounce was also visible there, and like Pakistani grounds, these grounds were haunted during the playing hours, it must be noticed that 3 big guns of South Asia, Pakistan, India and Sri Lanka all engaged in their home games right now, with playing against South Africa, New Zealand and the West Indies respectively and I have to admit that the crowd response was positive in Indian games, they've been engaged in giving incentives to the commercial parties like complementary enclosures and some more incentives on ground, have to give benefit of doubt to Sri Lanka as their grounds currently under construction, but must compliment Indian Board, for their management as they knew that their grounds must be under construction so they worked on the smaller grounds like Guwahati at others so that burden must not be fall on the big grounds like Mumbai specially when the future of Feroz Shah Kotla still undecided.

The reason I am diverting this to grounds because although Pakistan is forced to stage their future home games abroad, so by that time like South Africa when they were literally exiled from the international cricket, they improved their domestic structure, grounds and in 1991 they returned with a bang, but nothing of that sort I can see with PCB improving and upgrading their two big grounds atleast to cope with present time, and when their grounds are not loaded with much fixtures, so they should stage their domestic circuit to smaller grounds so that these grounds can be upgraded and plus smaller grounds can get the same attention like the big grounds of Karachi and Lahore.

Getting back to Pak RSA series, it was a positive for Pakistan, as they found some performances from their youngsters, like Azhar Ali, Asad Shafiq and Tanvir Ahmed they could be a prospect for Pakistan in future. Although Kallis seams to be complaining about the condition of pitches, and was found saying that "The groundsman needs to ensure the game of Test cricket stays healthy and produces a good contest between bat and ball," Kallis said. "It didn't really live up [to expectations] and you can probably play another Test match straight away and not get a result. The pitch was really flat". I say that pitches were real flat but you're going to get similar sorta pitches in Indian Sub-Continent altogether whether its Premadasa, Chennei or Chittagong, you'll be finding the same pitches whatsoever, and plus in the Dubai test, it was a slow bounce and flat pitch but still the magical spell from Umar Gul on the second day of the match which reduced the Proteas under 400 when their overnight score was 311, so they're not allowed to complain on the pitches. Although Paul Harris has been a prospect for them and is a threat to opposing teams, but again thumbs up to Pakistan that they were able to save their test matches from Proteas, the number two ranked team, but being a cricket junkie, I wanted something in result, I must say South Africa looked a bit defensive as they should have showed some courage in giving Pakistan some more time to bat on instead of axing your ownself by playing half an hour on the next morning when their pace bowlers could have utilized the moisture on the pitch in a new morning.

But kudos to Pakistan team for showing a good show, but the next tour of New Zealand is a tough one, and as expected Amir and Asif wont be there.

Is it team or individual?

Younus Khan raises his bat after a match saving innings against the Proteas on the penultimate day of the Dubai Test

Like Express Tribune rightly mentioned, Younus Khan Returns and returns with a bang of course. His brilliant knock made me wonder what Pakistan COULD have achieved on their marathon tour of England earlier this year, had Younus been a part of the tour, which is not worth mentioning, things could have been slight better. Although I am not saying he's a God or something, but the mental toughness he possesses, could help the youngsters raising their game standard upto that mark. Specially when the team is only with one specialist batsman apart from the skipper Misbah ul Haq himself, as MoYo has been ruled out of the tour thanks to the injury, there should be damn pressure on the shoulders to lead from the front.

But the main point according to me is that, again what's life AFTER YOUNUS KHAN AND MOYO? Do we have specialist batsmen on the bench who could replace them as soon as they retire? Do they have a plan B or something who are of the standard of MoYo, YK and Abdul Razzaq, who could single handily wins us the match from the grasp of the defeat couple of nights ago in Abu Dhabi and some months ago at Lord's against the Home Team? Obviously not. Although I don't see a bleak future, but the talent should be shined and had to put under extreme conditions so that their mental toughness could be measured, as what I personally feel, the newer ones are vastly talented but the main problem is their mental toughness. Although some might not agree with me, ugly enough but Azhar Ali could improve and cement his position in the National Test side, as he has the caliber to stay on the wicket, although I must admit, he's limited in shots, but that thing suits him as he knows what are his limitations so he keeps inside his limitations, instead of some other players (don't wanna mention their names), who try to create sensation by hitting aerial shots, one or two times they could succeed but another time they would surely fail, as test cricket requires staying on the wicket, although there are hurdles like opposing team players sledging on you for diverting your attention. Being a student, its just like you're giving your examination with complete concentration, and suddenly your fellow pokes you just to ask for some hint or something, but it also results breaking of your concentration, that's what is mental toughness and you're required to be steadfast on your work instead of diverting your concentration.

Same thing showed by YK on the penultimate day, although Proteas did tried their best to divert his attention but he stood his ground, and that's the lesson should be learnt by the youngsters who want to improve their game. On the other hand, YK did showed to the PCB bosses, that he was the requirement of the Pakistani Middle Order and those who wanted YK to be included into the team were not wrong.

Cheers...

Atlast something to cheer for Pak Cricket

Something to cheer for Pakistan Cricket, else the male version did disappoint apart from Younus Khan's heroics on the penultimate day of Dubai test.

Today is another Eid gift for the Pakistani cricket lovers, as just before the Eid day started, Younus Khan on behalf of Pakistan Male Cricket team gave a Eid gift to the nation on the CHAND DIN (the day just before the EID), and today on the third day of the Eid, the female version of Pakistan cricket team, did play their part in doubling the joy by winning a gold medal for Pakistan in cricket even in the Asian Games 2010, which has been the first time that cricket as a game has been featured in a medal oriented games organized, although this time it was on the Asian level but still if the popularity of the games increases at this level, than it might also be featured on other levels as well.

Anyways! PWC Team do showed the courage to compete and show the world that that they could be minnows in the female version of Cricket, but don't under estimate them, which they showed successfully, although to be honest, I don't know the names of the PWC Team players, but they literally showed their male counterparts, how to have team work in the team.

Plus whatever I watched on the live streaming of the final of the cricket event, they literally showed how to stay on the wicket even in the shortest format of the game, and emphasized on running between the wickets instead of becoming famed by hitting too many fours and sixes and losing wicket on the next. Our male cricketers should learn something from them.

Congratulations once again to the Pak Women Cricket Team...

Can someone go THAT cheap?

Can someone go that deep into a cheapness?

Reports which are coming from London and from PCB clearly showing that the things were not as sever as Haider was portraying. Similarly if I put myself into Haider's shoes, I'd clearly headed to Karachi to be with my family, instead of flying to London and gathering media attention by saying that some people were behind me and they wanted to kill me blah blah blah.

Is he really that much a bigger star cast like Imran Khan, Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis, Saeed Anwar, Aamir Sohail and list goes un-ending? Is HE ON THAT STANDARD? What I personally feel now, this was just for gathering media attention and nothing else, already he has a Facebook presence aswell, and yeah speaking of Facebook, yesterday he wrote on his wall that NotW newspaper wanted to bribe him for giving them his interview but he refused it and gave it voluntarily. What else I can say about this gentleman, wanting the fame either by hook or by crook.

Such players are usually netted by the newspaper groups like NotW. Just to show his importance, Haider has now started to play such a melo-drama. Although I must say that cricket in today's era is clean and played with spirit of the game. But doing such things to gather international media attention is a thing to worry. I shouldn't be saying so but why only Haider got the threats, when 2 nights ago Razzaq played a gem of an inning in Abu Dhabi scoring a ton and winning the match, Razzaq didn't got any so why and how in the world a player who's literally young in international cricket starting to get threats? If he scored those match winning 19 odd runs, so nothing to brag about it, its a duty being a player of the national side to play for the country as much as he can...

And plus he calls Pakistan as his mother (as if we don't rate it), even then was that the right way, or the right way would be to play in the team and show the world how much dedicated person and a cricketer are you who can exert so much of a pressure on his shoulders. I am not defending the managers of the squad as they're too responsible for granting Haider his passport, just because he wanted to buy a mobile subscription sim card. What I've been hearing since couple of days, the thing was that the team management thought to drop Shafiq and Haider to replace with Umar Akmal and MoYo, so in retaliation he took such drastic step, and I am 110% sure that no one can't dare to take such a step with out a proper backing, he was backed up completely that's why he was confident enough to travel all the way from Dubai to London, that too when during those days when Dubai Airport is flooded with connecting flights for Hajj, so apart from the managerial collapse, one must note these aspects as well...

No offense