9. 20th Anniversary of 1992 World Cup victory.

The 25^th of March 2012 should be marked as a special occasion to rejoice the 20^th anniversary of the Pakistan cricket team’ 1992 World Cup triumph, the first ever any international world cricket title in history. However, it is pity neither in any print or electronic media nor in the PCB the anniversary is being remembered. Yes, on some social media pages it is twitted, that’s a good sign and shows the sincerity of sports fans.

To say something about the triumph and event is useless as already so much written and memorized. But on this special occasion, I try to select the best ever Pakistan cricket eleven for the One day cricket, to mark the celebrations. The list of players definitely needs your comments to offer some food for thought to the PCB.

Here is my team;

1.      Majid Khan,                   perhaps the best opener to play fast bowling

2.      Saeed Anwer,                 no comparison, offer left-right hand pairing

3.      Muhammad Yousuf,      a touch of class & elegance for 1-down slot

4.      Javed Miandad,             best ever Pakistan batsman, automatic choice

5.      Inzamam ul Haq,            a blend of power and style, a batting maestro    

6.      Imran Khan,                   universal choice and need no introduction

7.      Shahid Afridi,                  a crowd puller and game-changer

8.      Moin Khan,                     has edge of batting over Rashid and Bari

9.      Wasim Akram,                the best left-arm fast bowler of world

10.  Waqar Younus,               pace & lethal, suitable for 1st bowling change

11.  Saqlain Mushtaq,           the inventor of “doosra” don’t give 2nd thought

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8. All is (not) well in Pakistan cricket Part 2.

In the Part 1 of this series of blog, I mentioned that “chances for Pakistan to lift the Asia Cup are definitely at risk”. So I had to justify my opinion but thanks to the PCB providing me some valuable points to score by picking an imbalance, unformed and almost impotent outfit for the Asia Cup 2012.

The squad is comprised of six batsmen Misbah ul Haq, Nasir Jamshed, Asad Shafiq, Azhar Ali, Younus Khan and Umar Akmal, three all-rounders Shahid Afridi, Muhammad Hafeez and Hammad Azam, two spinners Saeed Ajmal and Abdul Rehman, three quick bowlers Umar Gul, Aizaz Cheema and Wahab Riaz and Sarfraz Ahmed to take the responsibility of wicket keeping, but I doubt the non-regular Umar Akmal would likely to perform this job again instead of specialist Sarfraz.

The 10-day event is starting from March 12 in Dhaka, Bangladesh. Besides the host Pakistan, Sri Lanka and the defending champion India are the other team to contest for the continental championship. The final will be played on March 22, but earlier there is also another date of Mach 18 to get noted down, when the customary rivals India and Pakistan will face each other.

Come back to the selection of the squad, where focus has been given on strategy of spin attack to the extent, that the department of fast bowling looks incomplete and toothless. Relying solely on spinners to bowl out teams like India and Sri Lanka in fifty overs is senseless. Do not forget this strategy was recently tried out in UAE, but it didn’t pay well even against England’ cricketers, who are supposed to be weaker on spin bowling.

Playing against India and Sri Lanka require a good pair of specialist fast bowlers, who could root out wickets at both ends from the very start of match. At the moment Pakistan just have one reliable specialist Umar Gul while both Wahab and Aizaz are not worthy enough to create difficulties for the batting line-ups of India and Sri Lanka on the batting-friendly wickets of subcontinent. Although he didn’t leave impressions against England, despite Junaid Khan could be a pivotal partner of Gul specially against India but unfortunately an injury has ruled him out. In the similar mold, in-form Muhammad Sami could offer at least more variation in bowling than Cheema but selectors overlooked the experienced campaigner.

 Looking at the squad it feels that Misbah would try out again to open the attack at one end with a part-timer either Muhammad Hafeez or Hammad Azam, if the youngster features in playing-eleven. This plan would hardly works in favour of Pakistan and might cost otherwise by bringing Umar Gul under pressure at the other end. Opening the attack with a specialist spinner like Abdul Rehman would also not workable because both India and Sri Lanka have the quality openers who can open their arms on spinner from the very first ball.

Then on subcontinent pitches it is more useful to play with three seamers and one specialist spinner, but with the selected squad Misbah doesn’t look in mood to include three seamers at a time. Pakistan should have one more seamer in the squad in place of a specialist batsman to balance the attack, but banking upon fast bowlers is not in the agenda of Misbah ul Haq, therefore much emphasis has been given on spin attack of Ajmal, Rehman, Afridi and Hafeez.  It is an old-fashioned ploy and Pakistan would really be just lucky if it does work in the tournament.      

                                                (To be concluded)

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7. All is (not) well in Pakistan cricket

Part 1.

After the epic Test series victory in UAE against England, it was felt that Pakistan team had picked the right track and got the combination as well as winning momentum. The boys were found galvanized under the captaincy of Misbah and didn’t hesitate to give credit of victory to Mohsin Khan. Misbah received acknowledgment for his shrewd captaincy even from his worst enemies, and then suddenly …. …. the table was turned.

What forced him to recall the former captain Shoaib Malik in the limited over squads is anybody’ guess, but in fact our loving federal information minister Firdous Aashiq Awan was also a major string-puller to bring her “Son of Sialkot” back in the national squad. Arrival of Shoaib not only affected the team combination but also derailed the performances of the team.

Then also the skipper Misbah ul Haq was pivotal in installing Mohsin Khan as the national coach of the team for that series and the former chief selector was enjoying a dual responsibility in the team management. Although it was just a make-shift arrangement but the former opener, because of the additional say in selection of team, had strengthened his feet in the squad and developed a group of players in his favour. Therefore when the PCB decided to declare that Dav Whatmore would be the new coach rather than continuing Mohsin, some of the key players including the skipper tried to resist and with the loss of back to back ODIs matches, the message was sent to the PCB chief Zaka Ashraf.

 Whatmore is known for his strict disciplinary commands, therefore players who are at the twilight of their careers were unwilling to work under him and as whispered in the PCB’ corridors they denounced this decision by under-performing in the ODI series.

That compelled Zaka to hold an urgent meeting with the team in UAE (unattended by Mohsin Khan) and had apparently succeeded to convince the players. One of the crunch demands of the group was to retain Misbah as captain for the Asia Cup and the chairman accepted that. The Asia Cup is really an acid test for Misbah & Company, if they fail to impress they will not only lose their authority in team management but some would even lose their place in the squad.

However, still there is another set of players in the team who feel that Misbah doesn’t have place in the limited overs version of the game and they believe that by recalling Shoaib Malik for the UAE’ limited over series, Misbah had tried to shift the balance of the team in his favour. But the gamble didn’t pay off. These players are not happy to continue playing under him because they complain he doesn’t give them enough chances to perform during a match – either by sending to bat at up-order or by giving suitable number of overs to bowl.

The reaction of players over the news of Whatmore’ arrival in the team was just a storm in the tea cup, which Zaka tried his best to overcome but the reinstatement of Misbah as captain has widened the rift between the groups of players. That’s why the squad that has been selected for the Asia Cup doesn’t have the right balance and mirrored almost the same old team.

The chances for Pakistan to lift the Asia Cup are definitely at risk, because all is not well in Pakistan cricket at the moment.     

                                           

                                                             (To be continued)

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5. Two balls in ODIs; too much for Pakistan cricket

The first two ODI encounter between Pakistan and England in the UAE reveal that the latest ongoing rule of two new balls – one from each end – in One day cricket is not in favour of Pakistan cricket. Bowling has been Pakistan’ forte in limited over cricket rather than batting, but the new development deprives them from this edge on technical grounds.

Introducing a set of radical changes to one-day internationals, the ICC stipulates the usage of two new balls, one from each end, from the start of the game. This would preclude the need for the 'compulsory ball change' after 34 overs, but at the same time make it virtually impossible for old-ball specialists to benefit from it.

The most of the pitches in the subcontinent virtually have nothing for bowlers, so usually Pakistani bowlers extract assistance from the cricketing circumstances related to the condition of ball, which is getting-gradually-old and evaporation of moisture from the surface. The way they command these circumstances nobody can does, however, the new rule has nullified their advantage.

Definitely the ICC devised this rule keeping in mind the bowlers’ benefit but technically the advantage goes to the new-ball bowlers only. Because bowlers now have to rely on conventional swing of the ball.  While the pacers, who are creative and strategic, are now unable to get reverse swing throughout the inning as both balls would be only 25 overs old at the end of the match.

Similarly the role of spinners is completely forgotten in this rule. They would also have to content with orthodox spinning of ball. The balls now take a while to start wearing out, putting spinners at a slight disadvantage too. Deliveries like “Doosra” and “Googly” might not get that stinging away-turn, therefore will become obsolete art in ODIs.

Most importantly, bowlers now overall have to bank upon style of restricting runs for their survival in ODIs. And, Pakistani bowlers are not conventional bowlers they are globally famed as wicket-takers not run-restrictors.

It is the ICC Cricket Committee which generally devises the rules and regulations of the game, which are further ratified and approved by ICC’ Chief Executive Committee and the ICC Board. No Pakistani is in the Cricket Committee.  From Pakistan the Chief Operating Officer of the PCB Mr. Subhan Ahmad and Chairman PCB Mr. Zaka Ashraf represent the country in the CEC and Executive Board of the ICC respectively. These are the two members alone in the Council and neither of them have any say in the policy making of the game.

It is irony that Pakistan doesn’t have proper representation in the International Cricket Council. And, those fewer who represent Pakistan in the game’s global body, neither have experience of the game nor have the know-how about the structure and strength of Pakistan cricket.

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4. The Goal Project or a goalless play

The FIFA Goal Project II in Karachi is a long-lost dream. When will it turn into reality nothing can be said. Since a decade, the Karachi project has been facing untoward obstacles and delay to get accomplished.

It was on 9 June 1999 during Los Angles FIFA Congress when the football ruling body announced to build Football Houses in every financially-underprivileged association under the Goal Program. In Pakistan Karachi city was actually picked out at first as the venue of Goal Project (also supposed to become the headquarter of Football Houses in the country) on 4 March 2002 in FIFA Goal Bureau meeting but because of the “unavailability of suitable land” at that time the Project was mischievously given to Lahore.

After staunch criticism the PFF announced to build next Goal Project in Karachi and picked out a land at Trans Lyari Park, Old Golimar, Manghopir Road as their “first choice”. But subsequent encroachment in the area and sub-judice status of the Trans Lyari Park the PFF compelled  to drop the venue and selected a 10-acer land in Hawkesbay’s Scheme 42, Plot No 13 A-1 under the Lyari Development Authority (LDA).

A serious deadlock also emerged in those days between Sindh Football Association and the PFF because of power of attorney, as the later demanded to transfer the land in their name according to FIFA guidelines. It took pain-staking time to fulfill the demand but on January 6, 2009 finally the plot was transferred in the name of the PFF by the LDA.      

In April 2010, the PFF authorities in a press briefing together with AFC vice President Manilal Fernando and FIFA Development Officer Mohsen Gillani, approved Atif Nazar Associates and Nawab Brothers as Consultant and Contractor respectively for the Karachi Project, with the aim “to change the destiny of the emerging talent” of the city. It was also told the project will be completed in ten months, costing US$ 600,000 in which the FIFA would contribute with US$ 400,000 while the rest, PFF had to arrange by itself.
The Goal Project II means to have a football stadium, 96-players accommodation facility, football academy, coach rooms, gymnasium, swimming pool, auditorium and an administration block.  

The irony is, the Goal Project which had to be completed in  ten month, nothing has been done in terms of planning and construction after passing almost one and half year of project’ approval. The land is still a jungle of bushes and not even the demarcation of the area has been done so far neither by consultant nor contractor.

Interestingly, the same contractor was also awarded the Goal Project in Peshawar, which is surprising why the Karachi-based firm was selected instead of a local one’ from (then) NWFP. However, regarding delay in construction of Karachi Goal Project the PFF secretary Col. Ahmed Yaar Lodhi briefs “We found the quality of Nawab Brothers very poor while the firm was constructing Peshawar Project, therefore we did not sign agreement with them and allow working on Karachi Project.” The secretary further tells “We have recently retendered the Karachi Project retaining the same consultant Atif Nazar Associates who have received fresh bids from various contractors and the construction will start next month.”          

It is hard to understand a few months ago the PFF officials were used to claim that the construction of Karachi Goal Project was just in the offing and now after passing the deadline of construction they reveal that they had actually disqualified the contractor and fresh bids are being sought. When were the Nawab Brothers disqualified and new tenders called, the PFF didn’t come up publicly or issue any press release.   

The reality is more distressing. An important FIFA Development officer while visiting the site of Karachi Goal Project in 2009 showed his dissatisfaction over the location and it is widely believed in football circle that the donor body now has some reservations over the location of venue. That’s why the construction hasn’t started yet.  

When Col Lodhi was reminded about this, he replied “That’s not true, the main authority is Manilal Fernando. Second all the paperwork has been done; the Sindh Government has transferred the land in the name of PFF, besides the location is very ideal as it is just 7 km away from Peoples Sports Complex and Lyari”.

When asked about the deadline he told in the next year it is likely to be ready. The secretary further claimed in an exclusive telephonic conversation “Not one, Karachi will have two Goal Projects very soon.” Now why did he needlessly hint about second Goal Project, is an anybody’ guess.


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3. The “migrant workers” of cricket

The 3-0 whitewash of England by Pakistan cricket team in the UAE has already gone down as a glorious chapter of Pakistan sports history. It is not about the margin and manner in which the series victory was attained, but for overcoming the untoward circumstances of spot-fixing saga and fragile law and order situation of the country, which has kept the sporting nation deprived to hold matches on their soil for years.   

Bound to play their home matches at neutral venues because of security concerns, Pakistan’ cricketers never enjoy playing in empty stadiums and without the advantage of home grounds and home conditions. But it is really praiseworthy the way Pakistan cricket has adopted the UAE as a permanent second home. The UAE destinations are taken very much as like an extension of the subcontinent, nonetheless Pakistan enjoys the best ratio of success, support and spectatorship, compared to rest of the teams of the region.

Some beautiful comments by Mike Selvey of The Guardian (UK), I would like to share in this regard. He writes;

“The joy this will bring to the supporters of Pakistan cricket will be untold. Many of those Pakistani migrant workers who attended and enlivened the match after prayers on Friday were back at their jobs, but there was still a passionate hard core, representing countrymen and women for whom circumstance has deprived them of the opportunity to see their team on the cricket grounds at home. Their game has been riven by scandal, the country disrupted by terrorism. The cricketers are, in effect, migrant workers themselves. Perhaps the manner in which Misbah and the coach, Mohsin Khan, have got the players, all of them, to dedicate themselves once more to cricket and cricket alone merely serves to highlight the iniquities that preceded when a reputation as mavericks served as convenient camouflage for wrong doing. In beating England twice, and so emphatically, they deserve every credit.”

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2. Nurturing the football talent

Like everyone the young football talent of Pakistan attracts also the newly appointed foreign coach of the Pakistan national team. The Serbian Zavisa Milosavljevic is not alone in this league of opinions, his predecessors like the Austrian George Kottan, the English Graham Roberts and Bahrain’ Salman Ahmad Sharida  had stated more or less the same when took the reins of the national team.

Compared to senior level the performance of junior teams of Pakistan are rarely disappointing. And, it doesn’t require any rocket-science or certification by any foreign experts.  Pakistan under-16 team’ triumph in the SAFF Championship serves as an eye-opener to our sports policymakers that the country has undoubted talent to blossom into a respectable football nation. Earlier before that Pakistan under- 13 teams had also showed good signs in Iran.

Hats really off to the young lads of Pakistan, where football patronage is missing, infrastructure is miserable, and so-called youth development programs are not less than soccer mockeries. What is more important is to identify the factors that stop growth of footballers after their teen and deprive them to progress further. Here are few but major elements missing in Pakistan football;  

Remunerations: Footballers are highly paid sportsmen of the world. However, in Pakistan as the pay of footballers is meager therefore they believe that getting the national color is enough and the ultimate destination in Pakistan. A number of young footballers do not continue their career in football and those who do so lack motivation and destination. If Pakistan just improves the quality of domestic league by bringing sponsors and enlarging the duration of the event there are chances that a player could make good money in the game and keep him fit and focused throughout the year.  

Opportunities: The top football nations provide their young footballers innumerable opportunities when they end their career at the age of around 36 or 38 years. Besides a coach or manger, footballers can serve as scouts, instructors, trainers, and youth-developers in rich clubs and academies which are also attractive jobs in the field. In Pakistan unfortunately these kind of roles are missing therefore players in their 20s start to shift their goal for better livelihood and football becomes second priority for them. It can easily be do away with if instead of outsiders only footballers are authorized to get employments in central, provincial, district associations and other football-related institutions.

Infrastructure: The term infrastructure doesn’t refer to have number of stadiums and football offices in every region. The main thing is to improve playing conditions, having grassy fields in stadiums, constructing football academies and most importantly players’ accessibility to all medical needs helping them to maintain fitness level. If the PFF just take stand and make it compulsory for all departments or clubs (involved in 1^st Division) to have academies, possibly residential, where the schooling needs are also taken care of besides imparting football coaching, large number of kids can enroll each year.

Player development: That includes provision of training facilities, qualified instructors and proper nutrition of players so they can maximize their time in the game. At district level, fitness programs with strict training regime of each age level should be initiated on regular basis to refine football talent. Similarly a good number of playing occasions or tournaments must be given to them at domestic level to groom mentally before exposing them at international level.  

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1. The significance of sports blogging

Sport writing is a passionate pursuit of life. Although it is still not a professional way for bread and butter in Pakistan, yet it is extremely significant and valuable in the life and lifestyle of writer. It makes him enabled to carry a social responsibility on his shoulders and feel to contribute something for society.

Games are played for fun or for money (or sometimes both). Every sport has both professionals (those who compete for money) and amateurs (those who compete not for money but for fame or for the sake of competition itself).  Many amateurs who are really good at their sport become professionals.

The same is about sports writing. As many amateur writers, through their contributions, are in the pursuit of to become professional writer. Blogging and social networking is the medium where they can achieve their goal. Here, writers have the freedom to write what they want and socially interact with their readers.   

 The impacts are long lasting which leave a sense of positivity, social responsibility and contribution to the society. So in a way sports writer are bound to comment or blog for the sake of none but themselves.

From this week I am starting my own sports blog and wish to carry on this responsibility, but my friends I would always need your feedback via suggestions, comments and mind-sharing too.  

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