The Very Pakistani

‘History repeats itself’ is a myth!

This one liner is good enough to help my readers understand that I am not trying to create any analogies with 1992 world cup.

This article is my viewpoint of Cricket Pakistan, how I see it and why I don’t think Pakistan is out of the championship race despite such poor start of the tournament.

In cricket, Pakistan has achieved the glory twice; ’92 WC & ’09 T20 WC. We started off miserably in both the tournaments, we were considered the weakest team, nobody could have predicted we would win, on both occasions we were ridiculed, we had selection issues, we had rifts within the dressing room, selectors remained under-fire, we had the poorest fielders, opening problems, praying for other teams to perform well -so it favors Pakistan on net run-rate ground, we were in knock-out position much before the actual knock-out round and the list goes on and on. 

While it doesn’t ensure that we always perform well when such situation occurs, it  is a bit reassuring to know that we are perhaps the only side in the world that can survive, bounce back and win the tournament despite having these many problems.

The performance in the world cup ’15 so far has been ‘Very Pakistani’ for that matter. Certainly, we are not the favorites and our poor form can be analyzed with the single fact that we are expecting a nail-biter even against a team like Ireland. Also, there are possibilities that we might see curtains falling for Pakistan even before round of 8 begins.

On the other hand, you never know that tomorrow’s game might become the turning point for us. We might beat South Africa and we might gain much needed momentum. We might take few good catches and things start working for us. Yasir Shah might get a chance and spins away the Proteas batting line-up.

Those who believe that nothing is right for us and with so many things we cannot put up a good show – they are living in an illusion which I would like to call the ‘illusion of reality’. We are not realists, nor are we idealists, we are freaks. And the reason I say that is we perform the best when the worst is expected from us. Imran Khan in 1992 came up with a title of 'Cornered Tigers' and rightly so.

To win the world cup we don’t need a good chairman of cricket board, we don’t need state of the art first class structure, and we don’t need perfect scripts. If we have to win, we will win despite all the drawbacks.

In 1992 when Pakistan won the world cup we had our issues – probably some of the worst turmoil going within the country. Somehow, the cornered tigers got angry and they started targeting whoever came in their way, the rest is history. 

We were not the number 1 team in 1992 and we never became one even after winning the cup. Because that requires un-tiring efforts, consistency, honesty, good domestic cricket, corruption-free cricket board and so much more.

Winning a world cup is a lot easier than many of us believe. All Pakistan has to do is to somehow get into the quarter-finals and then get lucky in the next three games.

As far as my prediction goes, I don’t see them winning the world cup but they will make it to the final four but with Pakistan you never know! 

What went wrong...

It has been almost a year I have stopped following cricket. Pakistan’s continuous failure has forced me bet no more on the game. It’s a dilemma, win money betting against Pakistan or lose money betting for Pakistan. In either case, we are certain that Pakistan is not going to win!

I have been seeing Pakistan’s unrelenting dismal performance and wondering what is going wrong? Things are slowly turning from bad to worse in cricket, just like how other things are declining in the country. I come to a conclusion that we were never on the right track and the way we were going for past decade or two we were doomed to failure.

Why Indians failed to produce any express fast bowlers? The answer is simple, because they never had any fast bowlers. The kids aspire to become Amarnath, Gavaskar, Tendulkar and Dhoni but not many would dream of becoming the next Srinath, Prasad or Balaji.

However, Pakistan’s case was a bit different. Despite producing legends in the bowling department we do have some heroics in the batting area as well. It would be wrong to say that our kids do not aspire to become the next Miandad, Saeed Anwar or Inzimam. So the question again rises, what went wrong? Why are we failing in both departments?

Regardless of having some exceptional talent in the past Pakistan barely enjoyed the position of being the world number 1 or number 2.

The critical failure factor that I have come across is the dismal attitude of our legends. Most of our legendary cricketers failed on the moral grounds. Cricket Pakistan witnessed its peak in 1992 when the underdogs managed to upset the top cricketing nations and won the world cup. In his book, Imran Khan, the captain of 92 world cup winning squad, mentioned the incident of players he hand-picked and nurtured walked out from a post-world cup fund raiser thinking Imran is taking away all their cash prizes. To this Khan quoted:

“I can’t help feeling that the seeds of greed were sown after the 1992 World Cup. Altogether the winnings were 90,000 pounds each. No Pakistani cricketers had ever made so much money.”

There is barely any reason not to believe Imran, as match fixing became visible soon after his retirement. Imran Khan’s role was succeeded by the young wonderfully talented Wasim Akram – who is undoubtedly among the best fast bowlers of the world.

However, Wasim’s time was probably the most corrupt era of Cricket Pakistan and match fixing probably evolved during that period. The fixing allegations haunted Pakistan in every major series since then. Saleem Malik was life banned. Several others were reported over fixing but all escaped, whistleblowers like Rashid Latif, Basit Ali, Aaquib Javed and likewise were neatly sidelined. This nurtured match fixing in Cricket Pakistan. The disgraceful 2010 spot fixing scandal was the outcome of what was going around in our cricket since 1994.

While some legends had monetary greed, others were seriously challenged by disciplinary issues; the two biggest names of Pakistan in the last decade, Shoaib Akhtar and Shahid Afridi, time and again provided reasons to the world media to disgrace and ridicule the country.

Pakistan is perhaps the only nation who has been targeted by the western media for match fixing, spot fixing, ball tampering, ball biting, pitch tampering, physical assault among players, dope scandal, carrying drugs while travelling, fake injuries, and so much more. The two sad aspects are: a) all these incidents happened within a period of just 15 years b) in most cases, the star players/legends were involved.

The country is going through its worst phase where even the existence of Pakistan is under threat. In these circumstances, cricket has always played a major role in re-uniting and re-building the nation. Unfortunately, the wrong-doings which started in mid 90s has taken its peak and it is difficult to rebound. As much as I am convinced Pakistan will continue to do well in UAE, there is very little hope elsewhere.

The only way to revive cricket in Pakistan would be winning the 2015 World Cup – this would be our best chance provided they are led by someone who have passion and vision to achieve the glory. 

World T-20 may disappoint millions of cricket fans

Much excitement as cricket's most favorite event is right around the corner; The World T-20 Championship. Fans around the world are anxiously waiting for the tournament to start so they can support their teams. Though, not many have realized that the world t-20 may fail to live up to its expectations. The tournament format is designed in a manner that 12 teams are divided into four groups - with top two teams qualifying from each group to contest in Super 8s.

I have my reservations with the format as it gives a very little chance for  teams to make a comeback in the first round and with the weather conditions uncertain and not favorable for the game it might give few unfair upsets and shocks in the very first round of the tournament. Just wondering if Australia/Ireland match washes out on Wednesday and later West Indies manages to beat Australia with higher margin then they beat Ireland - it would mean Australia's run for the championship is over. Similar would be the case with Pakistan, South Africa, India and the rest.

My best guess and biggest fear would be an upset in the Group B or Group D. Both, Ireland and Bangladesh are habitual of making unpredictable wins in the mega events; Bangladesh has been in superb form lately and I don't have any doubts that on their best day they can beat Pakistan or New Zealand. Whereas in group B, I sense Irish would be making an impact but with Sunil Narine, Chris Gayle and other lot of t-20 specialists; its hard to see Irish would do that against W Indies.

Only time will tell what's going to happen and if this edition of World T-20 will be a success or not; but I definitely believe that this is not the ideal most format for the shortest version of the game. Perhaps its about time ICC become more innovative and come up with a format that will not be influenced by uncertain weather or an unwanted shock defeat.  

Thank God for unhealthy Indo-Pak relations #IPLControversies

IPL 5 so far has been a showcase of controversies. Spot-fixing, rave party drug case, molestation case, fighting celebrities & who knows what is coming up?

I just want to thank my Lord for unhealthy relationship between the two countries that restricted access of Pakistani cricketers in the Indian Premier League; it is turning out to be a blessing in disguise for Pakistani players. Luke Pomersbach confesses molesting an American lady Zohal Hamid and beating the crap out of his fiance; the Wanhkede stadium (Mumbai) turned into a fighting arena when Shahrukh Khan collided with a bunch of guards; Wayne Parnell and Rahul Sharma caught in a party at Juhu with a lot of ladies and cocaine; 5 players has been suspended from IPL 5 after being caught in the spot-fixing sting operation.

Pakistani players has always been a part of controversies; it would be hard to predict if these players would have stayed away from the above mentioned controversies. 

IPL is a cancer that has finally started hurting India, however, its result will be evident in the next few years. When upcoming Indian superstars will get influenced by the likes of Luke Pomersbach, Shane Warne, Jesse Ryder, Wayne Parnell and alike; their lust and love for alcohol, girls, sex and drugs will become much bigger than their talent.

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) must need to look at all these controversies before allowing its players to participate in the next edition of IPL. However, it seems unlikely that PCB will take any sensible step in this matter as Chairman Zaka Ashraf (ZA) accepted the invitation to visit India for the final of an event that rejected Pakistani players participation. In the end, I would like to make a request to ZA that even though we know  you are Mr. President's friend - please carry yourself with some dignity!

Asia cup victory won't be good enough to wound up world cup misery!

30th March 2011 ended up being a nightmare for millions of Pakistani cricket fans; not only the chances of winning the world cup ended but Pakistan lost to their arch-rival as India maintained their defeat-less streak against Pakistan in cricket's most prestigious tournament.

The arch-rivals will be facing each other for the first time ever since Mohali semi final in two back to back games. Many people are rating this as Pakistan's one chance to settle the scores and take the revenge of their cup defeat last year.

Personally, I feel even if Pakistan beat India in both games back-to-back it will be nowhere close to the sufferings of Mohali defeat. I remember clearly the way Pakistan lost to India back in 1999, in 2003 and in 2011. And even today it kills me.

Pakistan beating India and lifting Asia Cup will not give me enough satisfaction to forget all that happened in the last year's world cup. Coming so close and losing to arch-rival at the highest level of cricket is something none Indian fan has ever witnessed. I hope and pray that Pakistan trashes out India in both games back to back; but I won't deny that it will be unmatchable to what we have been through.

The only compensation or revenge of the Mohali defeat for me is beating India in an at least 3 test match series, preferably in India, but a victory at home will be equally welcomed.

It will be very shallow of Pakistan team and cricket lovers to just win the Asia Cup and consider job well done. Arguably, there are only two types of victories that is remembered forever; first one is winning the world cup where as second is even bigger, i.e., winning a test series!

Why hate Misbah?!

Hate Misbah Hate, Curse Misbah Curse

Honestly speaking I am sick and fed up of people criticizing Misbah and people are sick and fed up of me defending Misbah.

"I don't have any problem with people criticizing Misbah but my issue is why to single out? Before criticizing Misbah criticize the top order batsmen"

Misbah is not my favorite batsman, he's not even in my best XI team; he is not Inzi, he is not Javed Miandad, he is not a world class act. But I cannot deny the importance of Misbah in current Pakistan ODI and Test side.

I don't think he deserves to be in T-20 squad; so there's no argument over it.

Misbah is in its supreme touch in test cricket; he is on the peak of his test career. And I don't think any sensible person would discard him from test squad.

Now the question arises, Whether he should be in ODI team or not?

Also known as, Mr. Tuk Tuk, is severely criticized ever since Pakistan lost WC semi final against India. People believe that Misbah do nothing but tuk tuk. He doesn't like scoring runs and bla bla bla.

For me Misbah is the automatic selection for ODIs and I seriously disagree to people's perception that he doesn't like scoring runs. I am going to mention some of Misbah's worst and best strike rates and its reasons:

• 2nd ODI in recently concluded series against England; Misbah scored 47 with strike rate of 79.66. Pakistan were 142 for 4 when Misbah came to bat and soon it became 217 for 7; Misbah tried to take the game till the end, unfortunately Pakistan Lost! No contribution by U.Akmal or Afridi.
  
  
• 4th ODI in recently concluded against England; Misbah scored 46 with strike rate of 88;
  Reason: Pakistan were 144 for 4 when Misbah played a similar innings and tried to give Pakistan a decent score. He was the 9th batsman to get out.
  
  
• Pakistan v Bangladesh - 3rd ODI; Misbah scored 47 with strike rate of 52.80.
  Reason: Pakistan were 39 for 3 when Misbah came into bat.
  
  
• Pakistan v Bangladesh - 2nd ODI; Misbah scored 37 with strike rate of 67.27.
  Reason: Pakistan were 93 for 3 when Misbah came to bat.
  
  
• Pakistan v Bangladesh - 1st ODI; Chasing 91 - Pakistan were down 42 for 3 when Misbah scored match winning 16 with strike rate of 34.78
  
  
• Pakistan v Sri Lanka, Nov 2011, Misbah scored 66 runs with strike rate of 66.
  Reason: Misbah came to bat 51 for 2; lil while later Younis departed followed by next ball duck of Shoaib Malik making it 113 for 4.
  
  
• Pakistan v West Indies; April 28th 2011, Misbah scored 62 with an average of just 56.88 when chasing a total of 171;
  Reason - 12 for 3 when Misbah came into bat and lil while later Umar Akmal depart making it 49 for 4. Misbah played a match winning knock and was given mom award.
  
  
• Pakistan v West Indies; April 25th 2011, Misbah played a useful 43 with a strike rate of 100;
  Reason - 132 for 2 when Misbah came to bat.
  
  
• Pakistan v West Indies; April 23rd 2011, another useful knock of Misbah of 73 with strike rate of 81.11;
  Reason - 82 for 2 and no wicket fell after that Misbah and Shafiq guided Pakistan home
  
  
• THE INFAMOUS SEMIFINAL - INDO-PAK
  chasing 260 runs; Pakistan were 106 for 4 when Misbah came to bat, 142 for 5, 150 for 6, 184 for 7.
  
  Misbah's strike rate - 73.68
  Hafeez's strike rate - 72.88
  Shafiq's strike rate - 76.92
  Younis Khan's strike rate - 40.62
  Razzaq's strike rate - 33
  Umar Akmal's strike rate - 120
  Afridi's strike rate - 111
  
  (Misbah scored 56 and combined Afridi n U.Akmal scored 48 runs)
  
  Despite continuous criticism people didn't realize that Misbah's strike rate was the par strike rate in that inning.
  
  Had Misbah scored 0 in that innings and didn't show fighting spirit - Pakistan would have lost by at least 85 runs and all out in 38 overs.
  
  Earlier in the World Cup
  
  
• Misbah scored 83 against Sri Lanka with a strike rate of 91.20;
  Reason: Pakistan were 105 for 3 and then Younis Khan and Misbah scored a partnership of 108 runs.
  
  Before World Cup Pakistan toured NZ
  
  
• In first ODI Misbah scored 50 with Strike Rate of 56;
  Reason: Pakistan were 29 for 3 and 97 for 7; Misbah was the last man to get out.
  
  
• In fourth ODI (same series) Misbah scored 93 with strike rate of 102.19
  Reason: Pakistan were 84 for 3 and next wicket fall for 173 for 4

If you focus, every time Misbah had a strike rate of below 75 it is purely because of disastrous top order failure. One will have to understand the limitations of Misbah; he cannot bat fluently under pressure and maybe not good enough to anchor the innings; but this doesn't mean that he is not a utility in the batting line up.

Thank you Cricket Pakistan

Hum aah bhi kartey hain tou ho jaatey hain badnaam
Woh qatal bhi kartey hain tou charcha nahi hota

Such is the case with Cricket Pakistan. When few Pakistani cricketers are found guilty for spot fixing, when few Pakistani cricketers are found guilty for doping, when few Pakistani cricketers are allegated for tampering with the ball; the world media talks about it and we are stereotyped.

But my question is that, are Pakistanis the only one who are involved in the above mentioned ill activities? What about Hansie Cronje, Mohammad Azharuddin and Mark Waugh's match fixing scandals? What about Shane Warne and Upar Tharanga's doping scandals? What about Sachin Tendulkar and Mike Atherton's bowl tampering scandals?

Kuch sheher de log v zaalim san

Kuch sanu maran da shauk v si

By no means I am defending those bunch of Pakistani players who dis-reputed my country's name. I know there are players who have set wrong examples and put self interest before country's but these few selfish players exist everywhere in the world and criticizing Pakistan is not at all reasonable.

However, the reason why I call it unreasonable is not because such characters exist everywhere but because Pakistan has given a lot to cricket and I believe its about time that world cricket stop criticizing and thank Cricket Pakistan for its sincere (never-ending) services.

Pakistan has made cricket more colorful. Not only produced some finest talent over the years but also introduced several new methods and style in the game which is widely adopted by all the top test playing nations.

Minus Pakistan's contribution there would be:

• No Neutral Umpires

Even though he has hundreds of achievements and reasons to be called as the greatest skipper of all time; his stance on neutral umpires set Imran Khan apart from all the other greats of the game. Imran for the first time introduced two Indian umpires in the home series against West Indies in 1986. Khan Sahab continued his examplary approach 3 years later in a home series against India by inviting two Englishmen to umpire the series.

It took a couple of years for ICC and rest of the nations to adopt it; however, now it has become mandatory in test cricket to have neutral umpires.

• No Reverse Swing

Reverse Swing has been used as a lethal weapon by Pakistani pacers over 3 decades now; it was Sarfaraz Nawaz who invented alongside Sikander Bakht and Imran Khan. Few years later the two Ws became famous for mastering the art of reverse swing; Since then Aaquib Javaid, Shoaib Akhter, Wahab Riaz, Umar Gul, Junaid Khan and almost every new comer fast bowler in the side is enriched with this art.

• Reverse Sweep

Even though we are not very much famous for our batting; yet there is one of the most commonly used unorthodox cricketing shot we call "Reverse Sweep" was invented by the great little master Hanif Mohammad and brother Mushtaq Mohammad. Javed Miandad is also famous for his reverse sweep.

• Pakistan versus Afghanistan - Taking Cricket to Another Level

Who would have agreed to play an international ODI against Afghanistan? It is very much clear that BCCI doesn't give due respect to lowly-ranked cricket boards; their reluctance to play against Zimbabwe and Bangladesh proves it.

Such good gesture by Cricket Pakistan and its impact on the entire nation (Afghanistan) was simply great. For the first time Afghani govt. and Taliban were on agreement; the people of Afghanistan never felt more united.

I know its difficult for people to swallow but the fact is that Pakistan has been great ambassadors of the game. Yes, few selfish players has been involved in ill-activities but I don't think there is any country in the world where such characters do not exist.

There is a lot more contribution to cricket by Pakistanis then what I have mentioned above; another noteworthy input is introducing spinners in the ODIs. Its high time that cricket should resume in our country and world media stop hating us for what we are. Believe it or not Pakistan's contribution is far more to what others have put in.