Tag: PCB

Advice to Simon Katich

We are so used to atrocities committed by PCB’s selection committee are so regular that it doesn’t even make it to news. It seems like selection bug has bitten Australia, which we all thought has immunization against it. Australia has dropped one of their best batsmen of last couple of years, Simon Katich. He might not be easy on some eyes, but in last two year he has scored with an average of 48.09 and has been consistently performing well for test cricket.

In a press conference Simon Katich lashed out at the Australian selection committee, in very sub-continental fashion. Katich, who is 35 years old (+175 days to date), pointed out age as the key reason for his axing. I do not believe it for a second, because 36½ years old Ricky Ponting, who, in my opinion, the worst Australian captain ever, is still included in the squad. 36 years old Michael Hussey, who was close to the boot last summer has been included in the central contract.

So my advice for Mr Katich is to suck it up or come out with all gun blazing, we want to see some action, ageism just does not do it. How about your scuffle with the new captain? add some bungle (Lara) in it to make some hot cricket news.

Justice Qayyume Commision – Match Fixing

I have writing about match fixing issue in cricket for quite some time now, seems like James Sutherland has read one of my post. Cricket Australia Chief executive, James Sutherland, commented that the last year issue of match fixing could have been avoided if PCB had acted upon Justice Qayyume commission’s recommendations. But Sutherland forgot to mention another more significant incident, where CA (Cricket Australia) could have taken more important stance on Match Fixing. Big cricketing names from Australian has been involved in Match Fixing issues, likes of Shane Warne and Mark Waugh. I have mentioned it in my previous post.

As usual PCB has taken offense to this comment and asked for further investigation of Sutherland’s comments. Sutherland has not said anything new, infect he had only said, what I have been saying for years that the PCB has not done anything to eradicate match fixing issue. I will go even further by saying that, PCB officials are involved in Match Fixing. But blaming that isn’t enough, some gigantic cricket boards have the full backing of match fixing in cricket. Recent memoir by CA former chief Malcolm Speed, Sticky Wicket has caused more ripples in BCCI camp.

Another recent development in Match Fixing saga of Zulqarnain Haider is the capturing of eight suspects. Pakistan media has branded Zulqarnain for leaving his team like a coward. The reason of his abrupt disappearance has not been properly investigated so far and we don’t know what is happening to his case. Zulqarnain Haider was promised a secure return to Pakistan from England by our Interior Minister, Rehman Malik. Zulqarnain’s whistle blowing stance could have been turning point for PCB’s inept administration but media portrayed him as the villain of this whole episode. Some journalists even stated that, Zulqarnain has done all this just to get residency status in England.

Blind Justice

Match fixing and Pakistan is in the news once again, Scotland yard charged the three Pakistan players. This case is getting curious with the time. It is definitely not the first time match fixing in cricket has been brought up under the spot light. Many famous names are associated with matching fixing in cricket such as Hansie Cronje, Shane Warne, Mark Waugh, Saleem Malik, Azharuddin, Ajay Jadeja, Wasim Akram and many many more. I wonder; were all of ex match fixers were any less of the culprits than these three under scrutiny?

As I am typing this ICC is about to give final verdict on the careers of these three players. Muhammad Asif, Salman Butt and Muhammad Amir are suffering from a serious weakness, that weakness is PCB. PCB is infested with fat leeches, led by clown – Mr Butt. Stockland Yard has charged the three players on the suspicion of match fixing. This is an indication, that they have some strong evidence against the players. By any chance I am not in favour of leniency with corrupt players but I would like to have an honest and neutral judgment. If ICC really wants to eradicate this issue they have to dig up the graveyard and some of the high profile previous players have to be stripped-of their records. I really do not think ICC really wants to solve the problem. They are just looking for an easy way out of this mess that has been created. ICC is acting like a failed corporation, which is only trying to save its image by demonstrating it’s supremacy over weak members of the board such.

Another not so well published incident is of a very talented Indian batsman, Suresh Raina. Sri Lanka Police had provided some evidences of Suresh Raina being in contact with bookmakers. The similarity of these two events is astonishing. But the differences are not that small either, Sri Lankan Police is no Scotland yard and this case is not being handled by a feeble cricket board like PCB. Has ICC has closed its eyes on other issues? Maybe they are not strong enough to even argue with the with the money earning son; BCCI, which has grown larger than the two elder brothers.

Looking at the financial issues of ICC and its member boards, I wonder how some of these boards manage to run their lavish affairs. A couple of ‘No Balls’, can earn hundred and thousands of dollars to a player then perhaps they are not the only one’s involved in. One would ask the blunt question about cricket board’s involvment in this lucrative market? The bookmaker, Mazhar Majeed himself mentioned that he had earned $1.5m from one test (Sydney 2010: Aus Vs Pak). A blunt thought would be: what if the players are just the tools, just another way for cricket boards to generate extra revenue? You are only bad if you get caught.



ICC should Ban PCB (Pakistan Cricket Board)

Pakistan Cricket Board is a laughing stock for cricketing world, for a very many years now. Current political situation seems like a scene from ‘Black-Adder’. Prince Zardari, a.k.a Black Bladder (BB) has a keen interest in making money from anywhere and everywhere. BB was granted reins of this country in condolence of his wife’s death, the ‘Queen far-far away’.  Coming back to the topic, Black Bladder has gifted the money minting department of Pakistan Cricket Board to one of his favorite clowns, iButt.

A couple of days ago ICC has issued Pakistan a very stern warning of cleaning up their act otherwise they will pay the price.  Black Bladder had a big laugh on this statement by ICC, rubbishing the cricketing authority.  Black Bladder, instead, have offered his congratulations to iButt for his whole hearted efforts of ruining whatever left of Pakistan Cricket.

This blatant disregard of laws and principles are political and cultural norms of this country. These two idiots have been toying with the rules, time and times again. Nothing will change for Pakistan Cricket until ICC will not take strictest action against PCB.

There is no other solution to clean the mess PCB has created. This is not easy for me to say but, I demand a Complete Ban of PCB for at least two years.  Please ICC BAN PCB…

PCB’s Big Butt

Another hilarious episode of PCB’s comedy series is about to go on air. It seems like ever funny Mr Butt, who has been leading the comedy circus for quite a while will continue his entertainment career. Legacy created by Ijaz Butt is hard to follow but PCB has a long history of producing exceptional comedians.

I wondered, after Pakistan’s England tour, can PCB beat that landmark. How ignorant of me, to even doubt PCB’s ability of producing legendary comedy. Lets we move on to the upcoming season. Just like previous season, this season seems to be bringing more surprises. In last season PCB appointed a new test captain, who did not play a Test match for years. But, that ball eating, pitch swirling captain made the series more interesting by announcing, yet again, his retirement from test cricket after first game against Australia.

After his unsuccessful efforts of ball eating we were expecting something sensational and yet Afridi did what he can do best, unpredictability is long been mentioned as ‘beauty of Pakistan cricket’.

I am a bit disappointed by to hear that Mr Butt has appointed another captain, who has not played Test cricket for a while. That script is becoming predictable, I am sure Butt could come up with something better. May be they should appoint Intikhab Alam as a captain. I am sure Mr Alam would have accepted that offer in order to serve his beloved country.

After what Butt has done for PCB, even the thought of ‘But-less’ PCB makes me sad.

Summer of Cricket 2009-10

Final Day of Boxing day test (2009)

Australia won by 170 runs on the final day of boxing day test. There were few forward-looking prospects for Pakistan in this test match. Young Amir showed some brilliance by becoming younger bowler to take five wickets in an innigs. Taking five wickets in innings is an achievement itself, let alone removing five best test batsmen of the world. Amir became the youngest bowler .

Pakistan started day 5 on relatively good position. Match was lost on first over when Johnson took Umar Akmal and Misbah’s wickets on consecutive balls. Young gun Umar Akmal lost his wicket on a very unnecessary shot, once again. Umar seems to have a great potential and special abilities but we he has to improve his shot selection. It is good to see batsmen with positive approach but there is a fine line between being positive and playing unnecessary shots.

I do not expect anything from Misbah ul Haq and both of the openers. In my view Imran Farhat is not even a club grade opener. Farhat is an ok T20 player but he does not have technique and patience for test matches. His father-in-law Muhammad Ilyas is still in the selection committe, enough said.

Abdul Rauf was another strange selection. One of the commentators put it nicely for Abdur Rauf, “he can’t bat, can’t bowl and can’t catch, if he will be in the next game I am out of here”.

Nathan Hauritz took five wickets, that is a christmas gift for him by Pakistan. Hauritz does not have impressive record for seconed innings, being unsucceful against West Indies, England and South Africa in seconed innigs. Nathan took his first ever five wicket hall, before this he had never taken five wickets at state level cricket.

Ajmal was un impressive through out the game for Pakistan. Pakistan missed Danish Kaneria in bowling department. Shahid Afridi is in Australia as well, playing ‘twenty 20 big bash’ for SA. Afridi got out on a golden duck but he performed well with the bowl, taking 4 for 19.

I think that’s enough for this test match.

Pakistan Vs Australia – Boxing Day

Aussie have dominated in test and one day cricket for around two decades. Pakistan have not won a single test in Australia since 1996. Australia has lost that aura with the years and their batting and bowling have been exposed in a number of occasions recently. This is an ideal chance for Pakistan to score a test win in Australia. I hope for Pakistan to win this series but realistically I don’t see that miracle happening, not at least this season.

I like the spirit of Australians and their never say die attitude which once was the moto of great Imran Khan’s . I am lucky enough to watch the game in glorious and experience the amazing atomosphere at Melbourne Cricket Ground. Australians rate Pakistanis as the worst fielding side in the world and timid team of Yousef did not disappoint them. Pakistan’s fielding efforts were worse than school grade cricket teams.

Over all bowling effort was not bad at all but fielders let them down in every department, drop catches, fumbles and run out chances. Asif’s clumsy effort of stoping was very comical for Australians and extremely embarrassing for supporters in green shirts. New bowler Abdur Rauf was not impressive throughout the day.

Pakistani team did not looked liked Pakistani at all……