Windies syndrome on Kiwis

This is something off the grid, but the fact is I am good team like New Zealand is also going on the path of Windies players, where they are having trouble in retaining players for central contract, as Coach Gary Stead expects New Zealand's playing resources to be put under further pressure by the expanding franchise T20 scene, as the selectors get set to address the immediate future of Trent Boult now that he does not hold a central contract after stepping away from it in early August.

Kiwi players' not giving patronage to National Duty

Boult has deals in the BBL and ILT20 during December and January when New Zealand will be touring Pakistan. Boult's decision to opt out of a central contract was followed by Colin de Grandhomme announcing his international retirement after taking a BBL contract just weeks later. Then, come September, even Jimmy Neesham declined an NZC contract to instead honour overseas league commitments

At Least We should give due respect to our cricketers

This is a reality as we have an attitude of گھر کی مرغی دال برابر our cricketers and the management have been dedicated, while allowing them for foreign leagues but also trying to avoid خلیفہ گیری but sorry to say, with response to the impulsive nature of our people. we are not seeing matters in the same context because our focus has been out of focus,

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First T20I at Karachi between two mercurial sides ends in Pakistan winning

This is like an onus for Pakistan that it performed in absence of veterans in Muhammad Hafeez and Shoaib Malik, where Pakistan took chance in depending on their bench strength like Haider Ali, Iftikhar Ahmed, and Muhammad Wasim Jr. etc. and in the first T20I, especially what I saw, it was Haider Ali (HA) and Muhammad Wasim (MW) were pick-of-the-bowler.

T20I in Karachi

I might look biased being a Karachiite, supporting cricket in Karachi, but the ambiance Karachiites showed was awesome, because whole of the Pakistan have been deprived of International Cricket, especially after declination of tour by NZ and later-on by England, it was thought that Pakistan might lose hosting rights in playing in home conditions, which again solidifies my point that all we require is raising soft image of Pakistan instead of showing as if what Pakistan is doing is no doubt extraordinary, but there are more aspects of Pakistan which should be marketed instead of just emphasizing on security, no doubt security matters but by showing such images of cricketers being patrolled heavily indirectly responsible for creating the POINT-OF-VIEW. Instead I say cricket should be promoted and the way Pakistani people welcome cricket in either of the city, this should have been promoted and marketed.

Backing on the bench-strength

As Mr. dependable for Pakistan in recent times i.e. Babar Azam got out cheaply but the recovery mode

which Rizwan and Haider Ali took on their shoulders was something sans from the green shirts. However, he had to hold his end of the bargain against spin, especially off Hosein, who finished his four overs with 1 for 19 by the 11th over. At that stage, Haider was on 12 off 14, looking for the big hits without being able to hit them clean. Then, like a flick of a switch, it all turned around. Off the 12th over, he climbed into Odean Smith's medium pace, hitting him for three fours and six to get his innings going. It proved to be the trigger for a run-surge from there. Under his bus were debutant Dominic Drakes, who also struggled for consistency, as Haider raised his half-century with an 83-metre six. It had come off just 28 balls, with Pakistan at 140 for 2 at the 15-over mark. Off the first ball of the 16th, Rizwan was out as Odean's running catch around the ropes at deep midwicket sent him back for 78. A 105-run third-wicket stand had been broken.

Finishing touches by Muhammad Nawaz

Rizwan's exit gave six-hitter Asif Ali the platform to launch into an inexperienced attack, but he managed just 1. With Iftikhar Ahmed too failing, Pakistan needed someone to side with Haider. As it turned out, Mohammad Nawaz did more. His three fours and two sixes blindsided the visitors, who until then were hoping to restrict Pakistan to 180. That was to change, however, as the 19th over by Romario Shepherd went for 21, thereby allowing for a massive finish.

With the target already looking beyond reach and the asking rate spiralling by the minute, Nawaz and Shadab Khan spun a web around the batters, using the crease and variations in length superbly to tie the batters down. Hope was out lbw sweeping, Shamarh Brooks bowled trying to heave into the leg side and Rovman Powell caught brilliantly by a diving Nawaz at long-on. At 88 for 7, West Indies were in danger of being bowled out well inside 20 overs. However, Odean (24 off 16) and Shepherd (21 off 16) got together to swing their bats for some powerful blows. although they merely served to reduce the margin of defeat.

Wasim's rip-roaring spell

First ball: a glorious cover drive on the up. Third ball: a short-arm jab for six. Enough to demoralise a rookie 20-year old wanting to impress the team management? Not Mohammad Wasim. He responded with pin-point yorker to flatten Nicholas Pooran's off-stump as he was late on the shot. Perhaps he underestimated Wasim's pace. Then, off the second legitimate delivery off his next over, the sixth of the innings, he struck comeback man Devon Thomas flush on his boot. Gone, he didn't even bother reviewing. West Indies were 46 for 3 inside the Powerplay.

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West Indies tour to Pakistan amid COVID-19 scare continues

Form guide

(last five completed matches, most recent first)

Pakistan         W.W.W.L.W.

West Indies     L.L.W.L.L.

West Indies will come into this T20I series hurting from how their title defence went at the T20 World Cup a month ago. They'll have more than just hurt to deal with, given the positive Covid-19 tests for Sheldon Cottrell, Roston Chase and Kyle Mayers, which have ruled the trio out of all three T20Is.

Main thing - Cricket coming to Pakistan

In all this, the larger picture is that there is international cricket happening in Pakistan for the first time since New Zealand pulled out, and then England followed suit, just about two months back. West Indies have already arrived, and the first T20I looks set to go ahead despite the positive Covid-19 tests. If any team had half a mind to pull out, surely a slew of positive tests provides a readymade reason, but that West Indies are still in Karachi and preparing to play, means cricket will happen, barring the exceptionally unforeseen.

Players to look out

Akeal Hosein has only grown since then. He's the complete package for T20s, able to bowl restrictively through different innings phases, handy with the bat lower down the order, and an athletic live-wire in the field. Hosein is likely to be a sure starter in the XI, and with greater responsibility in a depleted squad. If he can step up to it, West Indies could have themselves another great T20 prospect.

This is what I hate the most

No question on credibility of our Honorable and respected security personnel doing their job for the mother country, but they exclusive pictures we are seeing when it comes to searches related to Pakistan, and we are seeing these sort of pictures, again I am not degrading my country's security men, but those who're responsible of promoting such pictures and videos, otherwise foreign cricket boards' so incorporate such exercises but they never PROMOTE such exercises, my disagreement is on promotion, otherwise there are loads of countries in the world who have worst security situations but are staging their cricket on their home soil just because their cricket board media cell doesn't promote such things, otherwise country's having more brittle situation are staging home series' at home and here we are have to confirm we have a firm security situation at home.

West Indies news amid COVID-19 positive cases

West Indies have got plenty of exciting new talent to call on, despite missing Kieron Pollard, Andre Russell, Jason Holder, Shimron Hetmyer and Fabian Allen. There's the trio of Romario Shepherd, Odean Smith and Dominic Drakes - all fast-bowling allrounders. Each can hit the speed gun as well as the white ball to considerable distances, and all three could be in action in the first T20I.

When it comes to Pakistan news

Pakistan rotated their players in the Bangladesh T20Is, rightly figuring that some needed a bit of a rest after the T20 World Cup and with a Test series against Bangladesh to follow. They're back at full strength now, apart from leaving out Shoaib Malik, Imad Wasim and Hasan Ali.

Pitch and conditions

The pitch at the National Stadium is expected to be full of runs, with the weather forecast to be pleasant and clear. The match is starting at 6.00pm local time, which reduces any effect dew might have.

About T20Is in Karachi

Pakistan have won all four T20Is they've played at this venue, although the first game was back in 2008 and the other three came in 2018 - and were against West Indies.

 

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Broadcasting for Pakistan v West Indies Series

Pakistan Cricket now goes global and according
region wise, when it comes to North America,
the UK, Caribbean Islands, New Zealand, and
Sub-Saharan African Region.

Why Broadcasting Matters for a cricket board?

Broadcasting in today's era is very important as unlike in the 1990s, where the whole family and/or group of friends used to swivel around the TV and a carnival sort of environment was used to be experienced, but today in pandemic times, everyone is now glued to their handhelds and laptops and zooming their sessions on the internet to enjoy the same, because amid following the pandemic threats, our lives have been disturbed following the pandemic, since 2019, hence this was the high time, we were required to adopt to the newer living style, while making sure placing Pfizer Boosters as remedies, hence the same goes for cricket broadcasting.

What happened during outbreak of pandemic?

In the first game after the Covid-19 hiatus,
roving robot cameras were used for
the toss and to conduct player interviews

In the first game after the Covid-19 hiatus, roving robot cameras were used for the toss and to conduct player interviews, hence this cause for major change in broadcasting contracts, as just like in Pakistan's case, Pakistan opted for revamp in its contract with Sony Television India, where they have not been totally scrapped but now limited to broadcaster in India, whereas the presentation I guess is still grasped by Transmedia Group Pakistan Limited, which is a good thing as Transmedia provides opportunity to Pakistan based companies to sponsor international events globally . include UAE, Sri Lanka etc., while having 30 years of Sports Advertising Experience, and Marketed Exclusively PSL and international cricket events in Pakistan, and last but not the least, they are held responsible for making Ground 3D Logos (Digital Printed Mats & Painted.

3D Logos?

These are a reality as before advent of current pandemic, during CWC 2019 which was being played in England, Virtual Logos were used in cricket, means on ground these logos were not shown but for a TV viewer, these were shown as reality, which honestly speaking I didn't note at that time, but actually noted AFTER pandemic, when Pakistan toured England during empty stadiums period, where there was less of the distractions, only than I noted that how Lifebouy logo was being shown upright when camera tilted backwards and every time, ends were changed, logo was being shown as upright, at that time I thought during the overs interval, grounds men come on the ground and change the carpet (I actually thought this), because whenever the ends were changed, the Lifebouy logo on either of the sides were shown upright, which I thought at that time, groundsmen are utilizing their energies to the maximum, but now I know that this is advance version of carpeted advertisement which was advanced version of painted logos on the cricketing grounds.

Video for eye opening

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West Indies reached Karachi, but...

West Indies squad have reached Karachi, which is a good thing for both Pakistan and for Cricket, as two mercurial teams are going to compete against each other in two of the formats well suited to both of them, whereas Pakistan hosting a complete T20 and ODI series on Karachi soil.

But

As I have been advocate of staging more games on to other centers like Faisalabad, Rawalpindi, Peshawar (when ready and available), Multan etc.;

Why I am saying this

I have been saying this because of my psychological aspects;

Think Internationally

We are bad at marketing and are worst of marketers, because read my words whilst having open and broad mindset, as whenever International Cricket is arranged in a particular country, they DO MAKE such arrangements just like Pakistan currently doing, but I am acting like thinking differently, because today's era is of broadcast, and the broadcaster buys country's cricket series' with respect to its demand and demand depends on perception, and perception is created upon what YOU'RE showing to them; and now think about when we're showing them that foreign players when landing into Pakistan, are being escorted bordering security personnel, although this is a norm even in countries like Australia and England but they don't show their security personnel, although their (security personnel contribution) should be appreciated, but not in that manner, the way PCB Social Media have been bragging, 

We Require to Show Pakistan a Safe country but not like that

Because just like I mentioned above, this is all about psychological and perception creation and modification, because again, every country makes sufficient arrangements, when an International Team visits them, but if their national board starts showing foreign players being escorted in tight security, again I must confess, not saying our security personnel are doing average job, but whatever we show them (international viewers) creates a perception, and perception is responsible for creating a FALSE REALITY, and my query is with all of them (the foreigners who have visited Pakistan), whatever perception foreigners have about Pakistan, reality in Pakistan is totally different.

Not Talking about Politics and Geo-Political issues hampering Pakistan's perception

The recent events conducted at Sialkot does hampered reputation of Pakistan and its economy, hence this is the high time, Pakistan should emphasize perception creation first, even if they want some reels for Instagram Stories, they should show enthusiasm of our crowd who love cricket and cricketer and chanting banners for appreciation of foreign players instead of showing, airing and broadcasting videos of foreign players being escorted in tight security, again a subtle disclaimer, that not saying reduce security, but don't create a false perception of Pakistan in the minds of those foreigners who have not visited Pakistan and instead installing a pre-installed fear installed into their sub-conscious mind.

We should look into Bangladesh's approach

The way they (the Bangladeshi Cricket Board) promoted this image, because it literally gave subtle invitation to those people to visit Bangladesh, who have not, because this is the way modern promotion of (cricketing) economies are done.

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Rainy Dhaka test

Today when I am writing this blog article, India won Mumbai test against their WTC 21 finalists i.e. New Zealand, cementing their record on home soil.

Current W/L percentages after conclusion of Mumbai Test

Whereas Bangladesh v Pakistan 2nd test match is supposed to be ending in draw, because stumps on Day 3 and still Pakistan has not completed furthermore first innings yet to be completed when day four will be initiated tomorrow.

What is next for Pakistan

A Power-packed West Indian team is supposed to be touring Pakistan for participating in ODI and T20, and this time round, I am favoring West Indies, as this time round, they are more power packed as compared to their (the West Indies team) tour to Karachi previously (April 2018) before this pandemic began and it must be remembered that time NSK was without shades, so this is supposed to be the first full fledged ODI and T20 series after pandemic.

COVID threats

This ain't a problem, but still the problem is our 'pathetic news media', getting rise to the speculations and creating them as fact, otherwise things aren't as bad in Pakistan, as propagated internationally. I know cases have been on the increase, but the fact is, the way we figured out the way to tackle previous variants, we are hopeful, same is gonna be the case, just because it is being planned not to restrict businesses.

Just Because of heavy investments for propaganda machines

Because of one of our neighbor believes in creating anarchy in neighboring countries and even utilizing money to create unrest in these regional countries.

and therefore this series is going to be played under these scenarios

And this is going to be a test for PCB and Pakistani authorities to make sure such bad taste in mouth incidents shouldn't be happening on eve and during the series, because now wars are being fought on screens instead of on battlefields, because modern battlefields are TV/Phone/Laptop/Streaming Devices'.

 

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