Urdu Commentary and its standard in current edition of PSL

Current lot of the Urdu Commentary team are unable to sustain the audience
interests into listening to HBL PSL coverage in their own spoken language

It is a shame that we being the largest Urdu Speaking country globally, we're showing inability and venerability in speaking Urdu Language while representing Pakistani culture internationally. This is really something shameful which I am unable to elaborate in simple language.

Non-Urdu Entities in Pakistan

This is another aspect, where US embassy in Pakistan tweets in native Urdu Language for showing solidarity with the Pakistani culture, furthermore even Official ICC twitter handler tweets under much better Urdu than what we have been tortured in current edition of #HBLPSL.

Had we tested Urdu Commentary before HBL PSL?

Because while listening or should I rephrase, torturing my ears while watching our English Commentators speaking Urdu-lish (Urdu-English) just like in slang language, burger-Urdu on international arena is something shameful for someone who's a proud Urdu speaker, instead of utilizing Pakistani English commentators for Urdu commentary, we could have had used services of renowned Urdu speaking commentators who're known for their commentary in non-visual medium i.e. the FM Radio medium, guys like Aqeel Samar and Tariq Saeed are gem in Urdu commentary, so we could have had two commentary panel like Star Sports usually do in their coverage i.e. separate Hindi and English commentary panel, the same if implemented sincerely, people would have appreciated if HBL PSL would have had allowed separate Urdu Commentary, instead of just a limited span of 5 to 10 overs period, which is totally unacceptable. 

What to do about the Burger-Urdu?

It is a great disappointment to see the level of Urdu commentary and the non-seriousness in generating the interest of the masses into listening to the Urdu commentary on National TV.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VSbzpflwgdw Supersports Afrikaans commentary preview

this clearly shows how seriously they take their own language commentary and here we are planning to evaporate the interest of the masses in Urdu commentary.

What furthermore I would had wanted?

I would had wanted Urdu script and Urdu commentary in current PSL presentation, because every other country has two editions of their international coverage, one under their own language and another in English for International coverage, the PSL would have had taken opportunity in introducing the same in Pakistan at first, but PCB lost the opportunity.

Islamabad United v Karachi Kings - A clash between current and former franchise

For Mr. Deano, this is going to be a clash between his current and former franchise which is supposed to be a clash to watch for, because Professor Deano would surely want to win, and he has an incentive, because the last five games head to head, Islamabad is 4-1 up against Karachi, therefore he would definitely want to improve that record.

Last five encounters between the two teams

 

Karachi batting woes and expose

This is another aspect of Karachi batting, because the one game KK won against the Peshawar Zalmi, Babar Azam was the prime scorer of that innings, therefore during the game against Multan Sultans, when BA was out cheaply, just like Peshawar Zalmi after Kamran Akmal, had shown vulnerability, therefore this is something the think-tank of the Karachi Kings would definitely have to think about, as on paper, KK looks fine but on implementation menu, it is not.

Coming to the next point, implementation

Implementation is the next point KK lacks, because just when pitch had support for a quality spinner, they opt for part timers, part timers are generally being used for changing the ends of a quality bowler, furthermore one odd wicket, this is why we use part timers, but instead here part timers were used to complete their full quota of overs and the specialist spinner who was the prime find of yester-edition of PSL, was never allowed to bowl this PSL, although conditions are now supportive for such bowlers.

Islamabad United v Peshawar Zalmi at Rawalpindi

Weather conditions for the subjected game isn't looking bright

Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium looks a lot wet due to overnight rains because of which weather has become better but the cricket-weather has become gloomy for the teams, but I just wish the best team wins, because both teams are contenders and deserving contenders for winning today's game, but the momentum is with Peshawar Zalmi but I don't underrate IU as they have the power to win today's game but the rain situation at Rawalpindi doesn't look there's a chance of play today. The game is called off for today and points are shared between two teams.

Multan Sultans v Quetta Gladiators at Multan

After a nail-biting game played by Quetta Gladiators at Rawalpindi which Quetta won confortably by five wickets margin, QG are moving to the next pit-stop which is at Multan, where they have to face another host of the #HBLPSL i.e. Multan Sultans.

Multan Sultans v Quetta Gladiators - neck on neck 

Just another day at Multan

This is really heartening to see the amount of crowd in Multan came to support the home team i.e. Multan Sultans, which really played like a Sultan and slowly they have touched the top of the table of the HBL PSL league as of February 28th, 2020.

Group Standings after #MSvKK game conclusion

But the talk of the town in the amount of crowd came to support not Multan but the arrival of cricket in Pakistan, which is really something we missed a lot from our stadiums, apart from that, a decade of exile from staging home games at home taught us a lesson, that home games matter and because of that, now we are treating tests played in our own cities important enough so that Rawalpindi games are almost full stadiums, because if a stadium of 25000 capacity is filled in between 10000 to 15000, than according to the Pakistan Standard with respect to the test matches is deemed to be filled.

As expected, thirsty stadiums of Multan and Rawalpindi proved they can stage more games within their territory i.e. their stadiums

T20 games

T20 games aren't exceptions as these games do require crowds to have interests in the game, and that is what we've seen at Multan and Rawalpindi, therefore for the time being, the PCB should stage their home T20I games shuffling in between Karachi, Lahore, Multan, and Rawalpindi, and furthermore develop some more venues like currently they are with Peshawar and in the mean time Rafi Cricket Stadium at Karachi which is expected to seat 50000 capacity and is supposed to be largest cricket stadium with respect to seating capacity in Pakistan, would also be completed and therefore like Mumbai, Colombo and Dhaka, Karachi will also be another city where there would be two international cricketing venues available.

Lahore Qalandars v Peshawar Zalmi at Rawalpindi

On statistics point of view, it is an one sided affair where Zalmi's have won last five encounters against the Qalandars, therefore Peshawar would definitely want to improve on their record whereas Qalandars would want to change the record they have against the mighty Zalmi's. 

Things to look for at Rawalpindi

Apart from the twin city to the Nation Capital, this city is also known for its heritage like the Rawat Fort which is my personal favourite place in the vicinity, furthermore Nila Sand is another place to look for experiencing Rawalpindi to the fullest. Therefore apart from the cricketing actions, foreign players should also look into these places at Rawalpindi as well.

Multan Sultans v Karachi Kings at Multan Cricket Stadium in Multan

Today's game is also supposed to be a home-game for the Sultans from Multan, which I personally feel would have the same effect like a Karachi v Lahore game.

Neck-on-Neck

If I calculate the stats of these two teams in last five instances, this is the fifth time these two teams are meeting and therefore previous four games are taken under consideration, Karachi Kings have an upper hand, where one game was washed out, otherwise later three games were won by boys-in-blue, but that was the past, now the game is being played at home soil therefore this is a different ball game for both the teams, and both teams have nothing to lose and it is a win-win situation for both the teams. For Multan, a win is a win at home turf, whereas for Karachi it is a new surface and on a newer surface, winning a game is itself an achievement, therefore both teams' stakes should supposed to be on the high.

Both the teams have nothing to lose and therefore both teams would want to have an improvement into their ratings going to the eliminators.

Islamabad United v Quetta Gladiators at Rawalpindi

As per my previous posts, I always advocate staging more games at smaller and secluded venues like Rawalpindi, Peshawar, Multan, Faisalabad etc. to have those venues develop more and

Last five games between these two teams, where it seems Quetta have an edge including the final of last year i.e. 2019 PSL and the opener of this year PSL game

more and furthermore since more games would have been staged there, logistics problems would reduce as making arrangements for having them there would increase which is good for developing cricket and likewise the cricketer in the country, because we definitely require games being staged at smaller venues.

Keeping this story for some other time, going back to the game!

Islamabad United v Quetta Gladiators at Rawalpindi Stadium

This is another first where Rawalpindi got to have first PSL Game on its turf, which is a home turf for Islamabad United which is another first for them, Karachi Kings and Lahore Qalandars had their firsts and now two times champions Islamabad United are also going to have their first, which is very soothing for a cricket enthusiast like me, watching games staged at smaller venues.

Multan Sultans v Peshawar Zalmi at Multan

This is something I always prefer instead of staging most of the games at limited circle of centers like Karachi and Lahore only, after two days break amid #LQvIU game, games are shifted from Lahore and Karachi for the time being and now are being staged at Rawalpindi and Multan, where people are going to take more interest in staging games in their own backyard after such a long time and seeing Pakistani and International Players in front of their eyes is something they have been eyeing on since decades.

Multan Sultans v Peshawar Zalmi at Multan

Neck-on-neck

Multan Sultans have been the new entrant into the HBL PSL therefore instead of 5, there have been four instances where these two teams meet with each other and they have been Even-Stevens in that regards

Jammed pack crowd expected at Multan & Rawalpindi

Rawalpindi cricket stadium

As expected and as per the response from the two test matches played at Rawalpindi,it is safe to assume that the PSL Debut of Rawalpindi and Multan Cricket Stadiums are going to be no different.

Why I always have been advocating staging games on smaller venues?

I have been one of the biggest advocate of staging Pakistan's home games on secluded and alternative venues so that crowd excitement may evolved, means if Pakistan's home test series was played in Rawalpindi and Karachi, than Bangladesh's tour of Pakistan could have had staged alternatively in Multan and Faisalabad which are still available for staging International Test games in Pakistan, and similarly as the time goes by we can develop other secluded test centers and give them an itinerary that first test of the year is supposed to played at this venue, and afterwards this venue etc. This sorting of the venues for staging home games is very important if PCB is sincere for reviving test cricket in Pakistan.

Getting back to the HBL PSL

Multan cricket stadium

Multan and Rawalpindi Cricket stadiums are two new entrant into HBL PSL apart from Karachi and Lahore, and alternatively if we confirm from PCB, next year Peshawar is ascertain to have its debut as another venue where HBL PSL is supposed to be played.

ABOUT RAWALPINDI CRICKET STADIUM

History of Rawalpindi

Rawalpindi is located on the Pothohar Plateau, known for its ancient Buddhist heritage, especially in the neighbouring town of Taxila – a UNESCO World Heritage Site.The city was destroyed during the invasion of Mahmud of Ghazni before being taken over by Gakhars in 1493. In 1765, the ruling Gakhars were defeated as the city came under Sikh rule, and eventually became a major city within the Sikh Empire based in Lahore. The city was conquered by the British Raj in 1849, and in 1851 became the largest garrison town for the British Indian Army. Following the partition of British India in 1947, the city became home to the headquarters of Pakistan Army hence retaining its status as a major military city.

Being the twin city to the purposely built new Capital to replace Karachi

Construction of Pakistan's new purpose-built national capital city of Islamabad in 1961 led to greater investment in the city, as well as a brief stint as the country's capital immediately before completion of Islamabad.Modern Rawalpindi is socially and economically intertwined with Islamabad, and the greater metropolitan area. The city is also home to numerous suburban housing developments that serve as bedroom-communities for workers in Islamabad. As home to GHQ of Pakistan Army & Benazir Bhutto International Airport, and with connections to the M-1 and M-2 motorways, Rawalpindi is a major logistics and transportation centre for northern Pakistan. The city is also home to historic havelis and temples, and serves as a hub for tourists visiting Rohtas Fort, Azad Kashmir, Taxila and Gilgit-Baltistan.

Rawalpindi and cricket

Before the construction of Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi Club Cricket Ground had been used as a venue for international matches, including one Test match against New Zealand that was held in March 1965.

Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium was a prime spot in the 1995–96 Cricket World Cup. With an eye on the World Cup of 1996, unveiled another new Test venue for the second Test against Zimbabwe in Rawalpindi. Karachi staged Pakistan's first Test match and Rawalpindi Cricket stadium became the country's 14th Test ground. The flood lights were added in late 2001 when the Australians were set to tour the Region. The stadium is just 20 minutes from the capital Islamabad and is the only proper international stadium in the territory.

Perched on the edge of the city of almost four million people and only three miles away from the capital Islamabad. Rawalpindi was used last January for the fifth and final One Day International against Sri Lanka, which Pakistan won by 117 runs to win the one-day series by a margin of 4–1.

ABOUT MULTAN CRICKET STADIUM

History of Multan

Multan (مُلتان ; [mʊltaːn] (listen)) is a city in Punjab, Pakistan. Located on the banks of the Chenab River, Multan is Pakistan's 7th largest city, and is the major cultural and economic centre of southern Punjab.

Multan's history stretches deep into antiquity. The ancient city was site of the renowned Multan Sun Temple, and was besieged by Alexander the Great during the Mallian Campaign. Multan was one of the most important trading centres of medieval Islamic India,and attracted a multitude of Sufi mystics in the 11th and 12th centuries, earning the city the nickname City of Saints. The city, along with the nearby city of Uch, is renowned for its large number of Sufi shrines dating from that era.

Multan's urban typology is similar to other ancient cities in South Asia, such as Peshawar, Lahore, and Delhi - all of which were founded near a major river, and included an old walled city, as well as a royal citadel. Unlike those cities, Multan has lost its royal citadel, as it was largely destroyed by the British in 1848, which negatively impacted the urban fabric of the city.

Multan's old neighbourhood homes exemplify Muslim concerns regarding privacy, and defense against the city's harsh climate. The urban morphology is characterized by small and private cul-de-sacs branching off of bazaars and larger arteries.

A distinct Multani style of architecture began taking root in the 14th century with the establishment of funerary monuments, and is characterized by large brick walls reinforced by wooden anchors, with inward sloping roofs. Funerary architecture is also reflected in the city's residential quarters, which borrow architectural and decorative elements from Multan's mausolea.

Multan Cricket Stadium

Multan Cricket Stadium is a multi-purpose stadium in Multan, Punjab, Pakistan, owned by the Pakistan Cricket Board. The stadium is located off Vehari Road, in the suburbs of Multan. It is primarily used for cricket matches. The stadium is the second largest in Pakistan with a capacity of 30,000. It hosted its first test match in 2001, Pakistan against Bangladesh for the Asian Test Championship. The stadium hosts both forms of international cricket, Test cricket and One Day International.

The ground was inaugurated in 2001 as a replacement for the Ibn-e-Qasim Bagh Stadium located in the heart of Multan. Floodlights were recently installed to make day/night cricket matches possible. The first day/night game played at this ground was between arch-rivalsIndia and Pakistan.

In April 2018, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced that the venue, along with several others in the country, would get a makeover to get them ready for future international matches and fixtures in the Pakistan Super League.

Series of 'unofficial' accusations during the starting period of HBL PSL 5

An allegation without solid proof is ethically unacceptable thing which
Mr. Roy has done

My question is why Gora's always accuse Pakistanis off a 'baseless' accusation of tempering the ball, as always? I admit there have been instances where the Ancestral Pakistani bowlers did so and there is no denying that but when there is no proof of the same, accusing someone off such insulting the whole nation, no doubt it was done in the past but the current Pakistani breed of bowlers unable to do so because of the current rules and regulations and the two balls from each end defies bowlers to do so, and the exception is atmospheric support, air resistance, and dusty ambiance which could support such swinging, where Karachi is no exception, because those who have been to Karachi or live in this city would definitely admit that we experience four seasons in a day, especially during the transition period where the weather at Karachi city is under transition in between Winters, Spring and somewhat Autumn therefore we have been experiencing both Winters, Springs and Autumns in span of 24 hours. We wake up in cold so that we need to switch off our fans, by 10 am in the morning, it is slightly warm like in springs, and by the mid-noon, it is touching 30s and by evening it is moist because later on we have the dew factor, therefore there are natural instances by which a cricket ball can swing and that too with the fact that mostly Karachi and its sister city i.e. Hyderabad Sindh are known for the evening winds which are both soothing and calming.

As far as I am concern

How to Swing a Cricket Ball LEGALLY

How to Swing a Ball

In that regards, if Mr. Roy thinks that pointing fingers only at Pakistanis would do them some harm, he has been living under the stones I guess, because this is the same thing Freddy Flintoff did and was awarded with loads of trophies and monuments citing he is a magician etc. I don't have any grudge with that but the fact is if we are accepting his achievement as achievement that better accept others achievement as achievement too. There is a give-and-take-rule for everything, same rules applies here.

What should the PSL Management be doing?

They should refrain players be involved in such conversations, because such things occur in nick of angry minds' therefore this is the high responsibility of the on-field invigilators i.e. the umpires for avoiding such unpleasant and sour taste experiences on the field. The fault lies with them instead of the players because it was the incapable gesture of these invigilators because of which this thing occurred. SO the PCB and PSL management should look into this on a serious note.

PCB happy with current edition of HBL PSL responses

This has been the talk of the hour when PSL takes interval from shores of Karachi to the land of Saints i.e.Multan and to the twin city to the Capital of Pakistan i.e. Rawalpindi where jammed pack action is supposedly expected, because I personally feel the response is definitely going to be overwhelming than Karachi and Lahore as this is the first time Multan and Rawalpindi are taking part in HBL, whereas Lahore was the first city where a HBL PSL game was actually taken place in 2017 when Quetta played Peshawar and Peshawar was crowned the champions. Whereas Karachi was lucky enough to have more games of HBL PSL staged than any other stadium in Pakistan, therefore It is high time to make way for other stadiums to stage HBL PSL games so that the foreign players can play, and inhale the hospitality we have to offer for them so that they can bring further good word of mouth for our mother-land. 

After the conclusion of IUvLQ

Islamabad topping the charts after winning a cliffhanger against Lahore

After Karachi v Quetta Game

The situation at the points table after the conclusion of KKvQG game, it is very interesting because maybe Karachi looks down on the table but if you go through the NRR a.k.a. net run rate, KK have been on the equilibrium and much more that KK only have to maintain a proper strike rate and would have to play their games on calculations, because in the later-part of the tournament, these small variances in the points table is going to make-and-break of hearts for some teams.

Every team at current season has a lost game under their pocket as of #LQvIU game is going on right now

No Offence but...

This is my other than PSL and Cricket related post but I was just strolling along my twitter feed where I stumbled along a post where it flabbergast me that actually the opening ceremony was choreographed by Indians, I do not have Indian-hatred-gestures but all I have to say that when it is a Pakistani product, therefore it should have had been produced entirely by Pakistanis, this is my point of view, maybe whoever reading this do not agree with me on these points, but taking inspiration and doing by your own self is one thing,  and inspired to follow 'em is another. Again No Offense to the Indian Fraternity but it would have been better if we take command of our own Cricket League presentation and package instead of relying on them to do our work their way. This is literally shameful aspect that instead of relying on our own home-grown talent, we have been in inferiority complex of a foreigner.

This is really shameful on how current PSL management is still under influence of a
foreign body for managing one of the biggest event cum carnival in Pakistan???

Karachi Kings vs Quetta Gladiators

This is the current position before the game of KK-v-QG, where it is a knock out game for both the teams because QG have dipped so lower on the points table, ultimately KK would also want to have another win under their belt to have confidence within the boys-in-blue.

Head-to-head (last five encounters)

Apparently, advantage on Karachi Kings but the flow of yesterday's games predict that today is not a lucky Sunday for the Karachi Team, and instead I predict a win for Quetta.

Last five matches played between these two teams.

While I was searching for statistics for these two teams, I had a mind that it'd be advantage Quetta but when I filtered the results to last five games starting from 2017 season, it has been Karachi who has an advantage over Quetta, but today if Karachi wins it would be surprise for me otherwise if Quetta wins, it would be what I thought about today's game.

IUvMS - Mid-innings situation

After the conclusion of 10th over, Multan Sultans were happily placed on comfortable situation but Amad Butt's last over, where he took two scalps in space of 3 balls in between changed the momentum and ambiance of the game and now Multan Sultans have to take into consideration the dew factor as well, because according to the current highlights, ball is skitting on the outfield which is a definite and clear sign that the atmosphere of Lahore is now filled with dew and therefore when there is dew factor, batting second usually becomes better therefore Multan Sultans should look into scoring something around 170-180 because the wicket seems to be dusty unlike Karachi which is hard and shiny, therefore scoreboard pressure is the only thing which might save MS, because currently as per the first ten overs are taken into the consideration, they are supposed to be scoring something around 149, which could be something I personally would feel 10 runs even shorter than the par score at Lahore.

Multan Sultans require to accelerate for achieving something from par score.

After the Quetta v Peshawar game

Pretty much PSL is now open and it could be anyone's game from here, it is just about which team gets the momentum first

This is true, because T20 cricket is all about keeping the momentum intact, because one bad game and Quetta from numero-uno all the way to number four in 6 leagued tournament, therefore this is definitely a cruel tournament but this is the charm because modern cricket is now played the same way, therefore we require to equip our structure within the standards set in the PSL.

The Game coming up

Islamabad v Multan

Islamabad might be the favourites coming to this game but Multan can bring the tongue in between the tooth therefore better be cautious of the boys from Multan.

What's up for the ISLU guys?

Stakes are really high for the boys-in-orange as they're yet to open up their account furthermore I might predict ISLU might win today's game considering the outcome of the previous game where the team lost yesterday's game won today, but as again may the best team wins.

Interest of Lahori's

While watching yesterday's game, I personally noticed empty enclosure's at Lahore, which was astonishing because just a week ago between the game against the guys from the MCC, Lahori's came in numbers at GSL, but when Pakistan's own PSL going to stage in their own backyard, they've been acting lazy instead of being acting patriotic.

The Pitch at Lahore as compared with Karachi

Compared with Karachi, Lahore's pitch have been on the lower side, because a T20 game is supposed to be enriched with more-and-more runs instead of tough pitches for batting. Karachi's outfield and wicket/pitch is much better than that of from Lahore, so this is something where the guys at GSL or the PCB has to work really hard.

The Urdu commentary... Sorry a BAD joke

The guys who have been given responsibility for Urdu Commentary, are not worthy at all, I admit there are logistic issues, but they could have incorporated guys from 106.2 Hum FM where we only listen to their voices and they had so much enthusiasm in their tones and pronunciation that it created more interest in listening to them while we were returning home from our offices, especially if I recall I used to return from SITE Area enroute Sohrab Goth and I used to listen to their commentary all the way, therefore we require such quality speakers like India had Navjot Singh Sidhu and now Akash Chopra and several others at Star Sports, PCB requires to invest in them heavily like BCCI invested in Hindi Commentary and Hindi Coverage.

Points Table position after 21-02-2020

Yesterday was a double header game in the PSL where the afternoon game was staged at Karachi whereas evening at Lahore,

Unlike previous years, Karachi played in continuum and never lose
the rotation of strike strategy where apart from some overs,
they scored well above 6 runs per over in every over

Karachi Kings v Peshawar Zalmi

I personally feared more about PZ beating KK but it occurred otherwise as Karachi easily beat favourites Peshawar in their opener, especially in front of their home crowd, which bought joy to the Karachiites, as like me many of the Karachiites do remember the hammering we got from the Mighty Peshawar team.

Lahore Qalandars v Multan Sultans 

Multan Sultans

Multan played splendedly, Ali Tareen the owner of MS, was also optimistic of THIS team because this time round, his input was involved in the team as last time if I quote his own words, he got this team in جہیز and therefore he knew nothing about it therefore no strategy implementation was involved, but this time round they are well equipped and therefore they are good contenders for creating ripples in the points table in coming games.

Lahore Qalandars

Qalandars started splendidly but lost the plot because what I gathered from their scoring, they were at least eying somewhere around 170 and 185, but the credit must be given to the MS bowlers to contain them below the par score at GSL.

As you can easily see, before the 7th over, Lahore was in command but afterwards MS took initiative and therefore Lahore Qalandars lost the head-start advantage by losing the momentum and slowing down the run rate at which they were and were supposed to be scoring, but again the credit must be given to the deservee i.e. Multan Sultans for putting up a great show. Keeping long story short, the PSL is still open for each and every team as till now each and every team has played one game each.

PSL Points table after the first game

PSL 2020 points table after conclusion of first game