2010 for Green Shirts
December 31, 2010 2 Comments
|
Just another WordPress.com site
December 31, 2010 2 Comments
|
December 27, 2010 Leave a comment
|
December 25, 2010 Leave a comment
|
December 16, 2010 Leave a comment
Already when Pakistan tour to New Zealand going to start in matter of some days on the boxing day with a series of 2 T20 series, one of the major news off the ground was that Kiwi Cricket Board’s heads are not very optimistic with this current tour of Pakistan haunting a spot fixing scam with them. They’ve the right to say that they’re not very much pleased with what going on with Pakistan as the Justin Vaughan feels that the New Zealand public may not be excited about Pakistan’s upcoming tour of the country due to the spot-fixing controversy, “I can understand the public may not be quite as excited about Pakistan as they otherwise might have been,” Vaughan said. Pakistan’s tour of New Zealand, which is part of the ICC’s Future Tours Programme, will be the only international series of the summer in the country and Vaughan said, “We’re kidding ourselves to think that there won’t be some residual impact out of all this, which is sad.”, and if we go back to Gaddafi Stadium Lahore where a Butt shaped mammal is chairing, where till now while I’m typing this, PCB is requesting the ICC for giving permission for them to select the suspended players for national team selection. This again shows lack of good governance and management. Look at the other teams for God’s sake, India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, they’re giving rest to their seniors and juniors are hired in their places, just see, the current concluded ODI against the Kiwis, India rested their majority gun power like Sehwag, Tendulkar, MSD etc and still they were able to finish the tournament on high. On the other hand, our cricket board is having a policy of rehiring the seniors who’re already found in playing politics in the national cricket team. Let me be starting from the first name who I should call the drama queen of the Pakistani cricket team (I am using the term queen with complete consciousness) Mr. Shoaib Malik aka Shoaib Mirza who when included in the team or was given privilege to travel with the team although he wasn’t playing, he was found creating distances between the players and so he’s responsible for what happened with Pakistan cricket i.e. making it a laughing stock, we blame others for exploiting us but why only blame them when we already have black sheeps in our national cricket teams. The second numbers comes to my mind is Kamran Akmal, who’s a Gilchrist sorta player in Pakistani team, but he was also found to be lost in the glitters of fame, and made him think that he is immortal and even if he can, his brothers should fill his shoes. Although earlier when he was included he made sure he would reply everyone whoever were in against of his inclusion into the cricket team, but since his brilliant innings against the English and later against the Indians at NSK where earlier IK Pathan had scored a hat-trick, who can forgot his match saving ton and his innings in the 2nd T20 event played in England. But later when he alongwith other senior players dropped the match from their grasp last year same time, since than the bad time on Akmal Senior started. He was so complexed with other keepers in the run that he did not made any keeper to stay alongwith him, thanks to that he has axed him and the Pakistani team as well. Earlier he also played with Zulqarnain Haider’s career the same way that later on when Haider got a chance, he took the cheapest way to get fame, and under the clouds of such controversies, this series is going to be played and Mr. Vaughan has the right to say that the excitement level of the cricketers and the crowd may not be to that standard. Anyways going back to the game of cricket, it is my personal opinion that we should now look life after these players and to give them so much strict punishment that the youngsters who’re in the pipelines should get some lesson from it. Atleast some sort of integrity should be regained and another message should be conveyed to them that look mate, this is Pakistan’s national cricket team and not you father’s owned cricket team so be in your limits else get lost we’ve other players too in the pipelines. But that’s not the case and I think that pipeline is somewhere chocked, that’s why again and again the same players are coming again and again. If I flashback to the Pakistan South Africa series played in UAE, MoYo was not fit enough and while practicing he was not able to bend himself so how, why and what in the world he was doing there, who was preferred on someone else’s place who like Azhar Ali when got a chance might have scored somewhat, unlike Moyo who’s more like a liability since he’s relaxed now and since he like some of the other senior players in the camp did didn’t allowed some of the players to cement their place, because of it Pakistan is paying the price and that’s why news in the circuit is that Pakistan might recall Mohammad Yousuf again. Is this a way a national team is made? Like Rameez Raja in one of his latest interviews clearly mentioned that if Pakistan able to be out of news for atleast 6 months, than it’d be said that Pakistani Cricket is somewhat out of the torrent. So under such circumstances, I don’t know why and how Kiwis should be excited about this series, which is the only home series they’re going to be playing this year? They’ve the full right to show their reservations. Plus I just want to make a point clear that blame others but before blaming them, first clean your own collars, as if you point fingers on someone, three fingers also point you, so just remember that before making any point, as when they are filing charges against the bookie, when their pictures were released with him, at Hobart – Australia, when Pakistan was playing the dead rubber test against the Aussies, Mazhar Majeed was found sitting with several of the players like Akmal, Malik, Salman Butt, Sarfaraz Ahmed etc in the hotel lobby, and those pictures were in a stance that they were in a group for a group photo sorta gathering, so how can’t they figure out the background of the bookie sitting with them? Secondly the responsibility must also fall on the shoulders of those who’re heading our cricket board as these players are in the payroll of the cricket board, and as I’ve a little bit training experience at several banks, I’ve seen that the permanent employees bear the most of responsibilities on their shoulders, and because they’re on the payroll of their employees, they’ve to give some result, else they’ve got someone else to fill in their shoes, which in management language is said to be a result oriented management which is followed globally, but can’t say whether the PCB follows the same or not? Peace! |
December 12, 2010 Leave a comment
Today I am going to write into some of the neglected aspects in Pakistan, Pakistan Cricket and Pakistan Cricket Board. Its on the importance of television production and cricket commentary. Many countries have promoted the game of cricket in their countries by means of the same. But here in Pakistan its a completely neglected aspect and this thing was seen even when the TV contracts were granted to the companies (usually PTV those times) for covering Pakistani games, and for each home series, the contracts were granted on the series-to-series basis instead of a tenure based contract or agreement.
Today, the reality is that in the telecast rights domain a huge question mark hangs over any tourney that features any high profile cricket team. And if truth be told, it makes no difference whether a series involves a traditional cricket power like Australia on the opposing side or one from Timbaktoo. As long as the Pakistani team is playing, the tag of “event of national import” can be applied. To understand what’s at stake a recap is in order. If I am not wrong, Ten Sports were the first company, formerly run by CBFS chief Abdul Rahman Bakhatir and now under an Indian Television company, who had the privilege of having a tenure based contract, unlike the previous series’ against Australia in Arabian deserts and against Kiwis at home by Transworld International aka TWI which had series-to-series contract. I am not against any company or being biased as if a company being run by Indian Financers don’t have the right to broadcast Pakistani games blah blah blah, but the fact is that a television production quality for a cricket game is judged by the number of cameras used, the quality and the age of equipment used, the expertise of cameramen, the number and quality of addons and last but not the least is commentators.
If I talk of addons, in this competitive era of technology, having a speed gun, an lbw matt application, a slo mo and an ultra slo mo cameras, a snickometer and so on so forth is requirement of todays cricket games as the viewer wants each and every bit of details about their players and their play and now comes my favourite addon, the HotSpot, which uses some additional cameras and which gives clear details about nicks off the bat and around the pads. In the Ashes 2010-11, four of such cameras are used for the accuracy else on the usual basis 2 of them are used for the same purpose, but the only drawback this technology is being used by limited countries, is the cost of this technology and will take time to get it implemented globally. Therefore majority stake-holders of such companies want to keep their profit maximized with respect to the cheap production expenses. This can specially be the case where the television revenues are on the lower sides for the teams like Zimbabwe and Kenya as opposed to the teams like India and England when compete against each other. It thus requires the cricket boards to ensure that it spares no effort to ensure highest production level available. Other important factors of the production sides are the director and its commentators. The fees commanded by them are commensurate with their ability and global know-how. The best directors in this business are well known and the bigger companies try to have such people in their team. |
December 5, 2010 2 Comments
Someone should take strong
action from Pakistani end. |
---|
Transliteration (not good but still need your feedback on it) Karachi (staff reporter): ICC CEO Haroon Lorgat on the eve of the case on spot fixing allegations on the Pakistani trio, showed biased nature on suspended Pakistani trio by giving sensational statements which might hurt the open hearing tribunal status. He was found saying that if Asif, Amir and Salman get away from their cases, so he’ll be disappointed. He further mentioned that ICC is not going to adopt lenient attitude with the trio. It must be noted that from 6th to 11th January 2011, there would be open hearing on the trios future. Mr. Lorgat further mentioned while talking to an international radio service that the ICC wants to convey a strict message internationally with this case hearing. During the August 2010 The Lord’s Test, the trio were alleged of doing spot fixing, which is benched by 3 tribunal members lead by Michael Bellof apart from South African Alby Sachez and Kenyan Sharad Rao. Mr. Lorgat was further found saying that the ICC has worked hard collecting the evidences against the trio and that’s why if these players got away, it’ll be a huge disappointment for them. ICC can’t and shouldn’t dare to bear corruption in the game, if these players are found guilty, than they should be punished as the game’s standard is on stake. He further acknowledges the work done by the PCB for reduction of corruption in the game. Lorgat further said that he’s satisfied with the 3 judges of the tribunal and hopefully they’re going to prove it as well. |
December 2, 2010 Leave a comment
Pakistan’s cricket chiefs are unwilling to disclose the exact reason why they continue blocking the reentry of senior players like former captain Shoaib Malik and wicket-keeper batsman Kamran Akmal in the national team.
Malik and Kamran were overlooked for the tour of New Zealand when the national selectors announced the Twenty20 and Test squads on Tuesday. Also ignored was experienced leggie Danish Kaneria, Pakistan’s most successful Test spinner.
When contacted, chief selector Mohsin Khan said that the trio failed to receive clearance from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB). A PCB spokesman declined to comment on the issue.
PCB’s silence on the issue is only adding fuel to fire.
There have been reports suggesting that the PCB has blacklisted the three players because of suspicions that they could be involved in match-fixing.
Other reports have claimed that the International Cricket Council (ICC) has directed the PCB against selecting these players. Both the ICC and the PCB deny it.
Sources, however, told ‘The News’ that reports suggesting that the three players are match-fixing suspects are not off the mark.
According to the well-placed sources, PCB has its suspicions but doesn’t have any proof against the players.
“The thing is that the PCB has suffered big headaches because of controversies related to spot-fixing that it has decided to be extra careful,”said an insider. “After what happened in England last summer, the Board is unwilling to take any chances and wants to keep any player with a question mark over his integrity out of the national team,”he added.
Pakistan were hit hard during their tour of England last summer when three of their key players — Salman Butt, Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Amir — were suspended by the ICC following allegations of corruption.
Asif and Amir were accused bowling deliberate no-balls on the instructions of match-fixers.
The episode forced the ICC to issue an ultimatum to the PCB last October to get its house in order or face sanctions.
“Since that ultimatum, the PCB has become really cautious and wants to avoid any more scandals,”said a source.
[Courtesy The News International]
Pakistan opener Imran Farhat has decided to serve a legal notice on Mazhar Majeed, the London-based bookmaker, who has alleged that four more players are involved in spot-fixing.
Farhat one of the four named by Majeed in a video shown on Geo News channel on Tuesday said he was appalled by the bookmaker’s claims.
“Majeed is neither my agent nor I am involved in any wrongdoing,” Farhat said.
The left-handed opener was named alongwith Umar Akmal, Wahab Riaz and Kamran Akmal by Majeed as the players who work for him.
The three others, Salman Butt, Mohammad Amir and Mohammad Asif has been already suspended by the International Cricket Council after Majeed in an earlier video in August claimed they had taken bribes to do spot fixing in the fourth Test against England at Lords.
“His claims have really upset me because I have always played clean cricket.
“I am suing him for an apology and damages and also to clear my reputation,” Farhat said.
Farhat said he had a reputation in international cricket being a Pakistan player and Majeed with his unsubstantiated claims had basically indulged in character assassination.
“I will not stand for this I don’t know about the others but I have decided to sue him and I am consulting my lawyers,” Farhat said.
The Pakistan Cricket Board on Wednesday refused to comment on the new video footage of Mazhar Majeed while legal advisor, Tafazzul Rizvi also declined to make any comment.
The national selectors on Tuesday dropped Farhat for the tour to New Zealand and the opener said that he was disappointed but would continue to perform in domestic cricket and try to win back his place in the side.
Pakistan wicketkeeper Kamran Akmal also slammed Majeed for his claims.
“He was just our agent and I don’t know why he is making these claims. If he is involved in bookmaking I don’t know anything about that,” Akmal said.
The footage is likely to increase pressure on Pakistani cricket, which has been plunged into a series of crises.
In October, the ICC told the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to take strict measures to curb corruption and threatened sanctions if it failed to do so.
As a result, the PCB introduced a new code of conduct for players, with stricter
punishments for any wrongdoing.
The PCB has not cleared Kamran, Shoaib Malik and leg-spinner Danish Kaneria — all reportedly under suspicion of corruption — for team selection.
[Courtesy The News International]
Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is unhappy with the International Cricket Council’s Future Tours Programme (FTP) as the Pakistan team hasn’t been given enough matches against top sides like India, Australia and England.
According to reports, PCB has expressed its concerns after knowing that the team will mostly be playing against lower-ranked sides in the next FTP.
The board believes that Pakistan is among the major Test-playing nations and should get a fair share of matches against the top teams.
Meanwhile, the ICC Chief Executives’ Committee (CEC) met in Dubai and made significant progress towards finalising the FTP Test and ODI league schedules. They have also begin the process of drawing up rules, regulations and a points system for the leagues.
According to an ICC media release on Wednesday, the CEC agreed to reconstitute its working group comprising David Collier (England and Wales Cricket Board), Nishantha Ranatunga (Sri Lanka Cricket), N Srinivasan (Board of Control for Cricket in India), James Sutherland (Cricket Australia) and David Richardson (ICC General Manager-Cricket) to consider the rules, regulations and points system for the new leagues.
They will report back in January 2011. “With the ODI league commencing immediately after the ICC World Cup 2011, the committee will confirm the rules at its February 2011 meeting. There was excitement during the meeting when we realized the interest which, these leagues will create,” ICC Chief Executive Haroon Lorgat said.
[Courtesy The News International]
For me it’d take some time to digest them.
December 1, 2010 Leave a comment
Although I must say we always lacked in creating lobbying in favour of us, and that’s why we’re always deprived of cricketing friends internationally. Look at New Zealand, they are creating their relations with the USACA, SLC with Cricket Canada, India with South East Asian Countries, namely Malaysia to be name some, but what other grounds are we endorsing, other than the cricket grounds in UAE, although we’re still paying them for OUR home games at a place where cricket is not being played and what else. In my opinion Emirates authorities should pay to us because games involving Pakistan or any South Asian Country is a crowd attractor, but thanks to them we missed that opportunity as well.
And now if I am not wrong, in the Future Tour Programs, Pakistan got less share of their matches as majority of teams are reluctant to play against them, that’s what the reason is given, and rightly so they’re objecting rightly as we’re not able to portray our own case successfully and clearly internationally. The majority of responsibility goes to the people, unfortunately sitting on our heads, who’re always found on doing politics on their own motives instead of for Pakistan Cricket, for which they’re being known to.
By the time I am writing this thing, Senior Akmal, Shoaib Malik (the drama king), Imran Farhat (Samad Bond), Danish Kaneria, Salman Butt, M. Amir and M. Asif are confirmed not joining the squad on the basis of not cleared from the board’s integrity committee, but the Pakistan Cricket Board did not give any further details as to why that decision was taken and MoYo not joining because of fitness problems as a break is the requirement of his age. More importantly, Yousuf was ruled out of the Tests against South Africa on the morning of the first Test due to a recurrence of a groin injury but that wasn’t the reason for his exclusion. “The injury is not an issue,” Mohsin said. “Yousuf is a great player we all know that, but we are concerned over his fitness levels and so have not picked him.”
When it comes to Kaneria, no reason was given for Kaneria missing out the South Africa series, though it was speculated that his involvement in a spot-fixing case earlier in the summer for Essex – from which he was cleared – played a role. This time, however, it is believed he has been dropped because the selectors are simply keen to push Ajmal or Rehman.
Umar Gul, Tanvir Ahmed, Sohail Tanvir and Wahab Riaz – subject to fitness after suffering a muscle strain against South Africa – will take on the bulk of the pace bowling. Additionally Shoaib Akhtar will be there for the three Twenty20s.
Being a curious person by nature, I feel already Wahab Riaz is recovering from an injury due to which he was left out of the Test Squad and remaining of ODI squad against the Proteas which was recently played at Dubai and Abu Dhabi, so how it could be confirmed that Riaz might be the right choice as it is. They must have taken him is the second probable as the conditions in Kiwiland would be totally different than Dubai and Abu Dhabi where in the first test we were able to manage without Riaz in the middle of the match, that won’t be the case in NZ. They need a good manager IN OFFICE, not with the team as their own matters aren’t managed properly…
May Allah Bless Us All.