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A Make-Do Captain
By Tabrez Janjua for Stani Army in Pakistan Cricket
119 ViewsSo the captaincy saga has reared its ugly head again but there doesn’t seem to be any new contenders stepping up since the last time we had this problem. It did seem a foregone conclusion until Afridi decided to take matters into his own hands…and mouth.
Since our last look at the captaincy issue, Misbah, a potential contender, has been out of favour in the team so therefore cannot be considered this time around. This leaves Shahid Afridi, Mohammad Yousuf, Shoaib Malik and Younis Khan; the words spoilt for choice don’t exactly spring to mind. Any left-field suggestions are welcome. It would be interesting to see who would win a captaincy vote amongst the players. Maybe that would be the way to go in order to mend the different factions and cliques that have emerged within the team.
Since Inzamam retired, no one has managed to hold the role for any significant period of time for one reason or the other. I think whoever is chosen now, as long as he is chosen carefully, they need to stick with him for a reasonable period of time so that even if he does start off badly, he has the chance to improve.
Shoaib Malik: if he is to be believed, has "no interest" in captaining Pakistan, & Inzamam retires: difficult shoes to fill
I’m certain the next captain will also be working with a new coach as it is looking increasingly likely that Intikhab’s time is up. This aspect should be taken into consideration also and the new captain should be given a fair chance to work with the new coach in implementing ideas.
The decision of keeping one captain for all forms will also have to be made. If that is the case, which one of the contenders would get into the side in every format? So, do we excuse Afridi, give Yousuf a longer go, forgive Younis or has Malik’s time now come?
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February 14th, 2010 at 5:56 pm
I don’t think you need the same captain for all forms of the game. Afridi despite the ball munching episode is the best choice. His aggressive nature brought back memories of the 90s when fight till the end was the motto…..
February 14th, 2010 at 7:44 pm
Kamran
, fight till the end.
I was fighting Afridi’s corner too until that episode. In isolation, it’s just one stupid incident but if you consider his past and the fact that he had said himself that he is now maturing, it kind of throws a spanner in the works. Maybe he is still the best choice and I agree, he does bite till…sorry
So what would you do in regards to each format? Bring Afridi back for Tests in the first place I presume? I think he should be playing Tests as our all-rounder anyway. His bowling is vital in all forms. You did say we don’t need one captain for all forms but if Afridi is brought back into the Test fold, he would be able to do it.
February 15th, 2010 at 12:30 am
Hi Stani, you will love to hear that I am referring to you again, and to make it extra nice the comment form has been set back to embedded
Joking
Best Pakistani captain ever!
February 15th, 2010 at 4:04 pm
I think we need to break each of the contenders TJ refers to according to their attributes.
My main consideration is that the captain must be able to partcipate in all formats.
1. Younis – On his day a great batsmen in test cricket. Great fielder but average ODI/T20 career, prone to a sulk and cannot stop slapping buttocks.
2. MoYo – Technically class all round. Wrong side of 35, still cannot field.
3. Malik – A quality player on his day. Great fielder, can bat unbelievably well when he puts his mind to it. Bowling has gone down the pan. Maybe needs a good consistent run for a change.
4. Afridi – Can we afford to leave him out of all formats? If he don’t score runs, likely to get wickets, or pull off a great catch. Prone to the odd pirouette and nibble. Scares opposition.
Malik or Afridi? Both in the team but Afridi to bring the ‘bite’ back into Pakistan.
February 15th, 2010 at 7:45 pm
Wes
Yes, can’t help referring to me can you! People will start thinking things you know.
Pak Star
So you would go with one man for the job then? I didn’t have a problem with different captains for different formats but the way in which the Pakistan team is behaving, I think it will only add to the divisiveness. So one captain will be much clearer and better for everyone.
Don’t forget Younis’ exaggerated laugh! (especially on no-balls and misfields) I also heard that the Pakistan players have started wearing butttock padding because of Younis.
I see you didn’t criticise Yousuf for his captaincy. Did you think it was as bad as people made it out to be?
I think Malik is the most frustrating of them all. He is clever enough and potentially talented enough to perform individually well and captain but he keeps failing to deliver.
I don’t think Afridi should be left out of any format….provided he’s not banned of course. Talking of banning, that ‘bite’ pun was terrible
February 16th, 2010 at 2:00 am
I think that the Odi and T20 captaincy should go to Afridi.
He has already said that he is mentally and physically not ready for test matches so it would be foolish to force the issue when the man himself doesn’t want it.
February 16th, 2010 at 8:58 am
Wasim
So who would you go for in Tests? Is your silence touting our old friend Younis?
So you would not pick Afridi to just play in Tests either? I think his reluctance to play the longer form needs to be looked into. What kind of commitment is this? He needs to be put in his place.
February 16th, 2010 at 1:10 pm
Stani
I would like to prefer Younis Khan but he won’t take over the captaincy and besides he does not deserve to be in the team with the kind of form he is in.
To be very honest I do not have a candidate for the test team.
February 16th, 2010 at 3:41 pm
Wasim
Interesting. I would love to see the chaos should we implement a multi-captain approach in Tests kind of like the one John Buchanan suggested for his IPL franchise.
England have gone with Cook for the Bangladesh tour whilst Strauss has a rest. From the outside, Cook is not an immediately obvious candidate for captaincy and it was quite a surprise. Maybe we should start afresh an choose someone young and back them. Who is the question.
February 16th, 2010 at 4:45 pm
Afridi is who I want as ODI and T20 captain at least. He may be crazy and indiscipline but his liveliness, leadership qualities and creativity is what Pakistan cricket needs. That is the way forward. Malik could captain in the longer format. Btw thanks for the advice on facing Akhtar Stani. I did read it and will take into consideration.
February 16th, 2010 at 4:47 pm
I believe Sky Sports are showing the T20s. Am I right ?
February 16th, 2010 at 6:49 pm
Maz
Send me an email and let me know about your club and how you got involved etc.
You’re welcome Maz….and he’s never bowled me out so it’s bound to work!
Malik’s place could be under question as it does look as if he was the one Yousuf was referring to as the ‘trouble maker’ in Australia.
Yes I think Sky are showing it. I remember seeing the ad a couple of days ago.
February 16th, 2010 at 7:21 pm
Ejaz Butt is going to remain as PCB chief until 2011 WC.
We can only wish but in reality the corrupt mafia is not going anywhere the same players will continue till WC 2011.
Afridi will be the ODI and T20 captain, and Yousuf will continue as the test captain.
February 16th, 2010 at 7:21 pm
You guys are nicely summarising my thoughts. There is a gap. It is sad… if you look at Oz, they have three guys capable of leading, Punter, Clarke, Katich, each of them suitable to do the job, I bet even Hauritz could. And Pakistan doesn’t have a single good candidate :/ Malik would have been worth a try but it turned out he is a backstabber, I won’t talk a single word with him. Is there no one in domestic cricket who is able to lead the side? Or maybe from the A-side, it seems worth plundering. But then again, if he isn’t even a member of the first string team, how will they accept him. So… Yousuf stays, and while he is staying, operation Paksiecaptain must get launched and pursued with might and main; i.e. Ghumman. Make him the next G-Smith, send him through the bone mill of learning by doing. It can’t get any worse, and the earlier he learns it, the better. He is the future.
-Wes
~ Play For Country Not For Self ~
February 16th, 2010 at 7:35 pm
Wasim
Looks like we’re going to have to do a military coup and take over! On a serious note, I think if Butt’s job was under threat, he would make changes. The problem is will his job come under threat because it seems he is not accountable to anyone about anything.
Wes
You got Hussey too, in fact, most of their team would probably do a good job captaining. The domestic cricket theory…. I was thinking that too. Bring in a complete new-comer with leadership credentials. But with the malcontent that is already going on in the squad, how would they take to someone new? Something drastic is required I’m afraid.
And stop making us summarise your thoughts and come and tell us yourself instead
February 16th, 2010 at 7:43 pm
@Wasim, so you are suggesting like we don’t have a test captain and even we don’t have a player mentally fit to play test cricket so why don’t stop playing it?
@Captains, Ijaz Butt and Corrupt Mafia , I just wrote a little piece about it as it was getting very large which was initially intended as a comment here.
Drop Scene of 0-9, PCB Inquiry committee and new Captain?
February 16th, 2010 at 7:48 pm
@Wes, that is a very important point raised as we despite having lot of talent coming are not able to grow them up into roles for future. We have openers in domestic doing great but they failed at big stage also we must have leading materials but they are wither not grown or not given chances they need to rise up and lead the side.
February 16th, 2010 at 8:28 pm
Wes
You have to be in the same class of Smith to become Smith unfortunately Ghumman is nowhere near that class.
Stani
Look at the behavior pattern.
After Lankan series, when the captain complained that some players are playing selfishly and not giving their 100% he was targeted with match fixing allegations he asked for action against those players but Mr Butt remained unmoved and as a result the captain resigned. Mr Butt protected the corrupt lot. WHY????
After the Australian series again the same underperforming players are under fire, Butt forms a friendly inquiry committee, puts a media gag on the players, Yousaf blames everything on Malik and the manager Raqeeb gives a clean chit to Malik the hearing is post poned and Mr Butt goes to Zardari with a gift and gets an extention until 2011. The president upon getting is happy with the players and Mr Butt and everybody is going to stay it’s simple as that. Afridi won’t get any punishment, Malik if anything will get a promotion and very soon Yousaf and Malik will be lubby dubby again.Malik will say he is my elder brother and Yousaf being a “religious person” will not be able to hold the grudge for long.
The management will do everything in their capacity not to give a chance to any talented youngster who can threaten the seniors.
It has been established that these players will continue to pull each other leg to become the captain of the team and to get the lion’s share from the spoils.
So there is only one solution left kick out Malik and Yousaf from all formats, put Afridi, Akmal, Gul and Butt on probation
and either make Younis the captain or bring back Shoaib Akhtar and give him a licence to hit any disobedient player with a bat:))
February 17th, 2010 at 1:28 pm
http://www.cricinfo.com/pakveng2010/engine/current/match/443094.html
HAHAHAHAHAHA
February 17th, 2010 at 1:29 pm
I think Talha was playing for the wrong team
!!!
February 17th, 2010 at 1:36 pm
Bitter, sad, and proves my point. You guys really need to stop thinking that conventionally. Plunder the A side and anything else on offer, shave everything off that can’t buck up and refuses to play for country.
It cannot get any worse. But it needs someone to understand it.
February 17th, 2010 at 2:22 pm
This result is extremely embarrassing for the national selectors.
February 17th, 2010 at 2:32 pm
Reverse
The board needs to appoint someone genuine as captain and back him. Any descenting players who try to plan against the captain should be immediately axed. We do not have someone who is of both noble character and is captaincy material so we need to go with the most sincere person of them and hope he can learn on the job until someone with captaincy attributes comes along. Will our board do this though?
Wasim
The indiscipline is rife and these unappreciative imbeciles need to be taught a lesson. I’m getting to the point that I don’t care if the lot of them are axed and a whole new team is brought in. I don’t even care if we end up the bottom ranked team for the next 5 years. No other team in world cricket acts like these little bickering children.
Maz
Haha! Maybe there is the answer (minus Talha!)
Wes
Change for the sake of change is not necessarily good, but I think change is required here and as you said it cannot get worse.
No plundering here
February 17th, 2010 at 3:08 pm
Stani I am happy to see you are moving into my direction with full steam. Especially what you just said to Wasim. If they do not understand what it means to play as a team they have to go, and if they do not even feel willing to actually act as a unit they must make space for new players. Test means playing for your country with pride. Not re-enacting “The great slaughter on the mad chicken yard” with the captain being the rooster on the dung pile. How can adult men not wrap their heads around it.
The first goal must always be to win. Any other interests have to be subordinated under this. What is so hard to understand about that? How can someone who is not primarily interested in winning be a part of the national team? He has to go. If it means that the entire team has to be exchanged then be it.
Pick players that are hot on playing and giving their best. I’d rather pick a 19 year old with fire in the butt than a 30 year old whose only aim it is to undermine the authority of the captain. Maybe you will not win a lot of matches at first but the world will look on you with different eyes and you will receive the support of your country. Why be worried about five years of drought. What’s to come if you keep the team? Look at Bangladesh. Utterly young team that fights their arse off. They will go their way I am absolutely convinced. If Pakistan needs a setback like that, please, bring it on.
February 17th, 2010 at 3:34 pm
Wes
…
Your cheque in the post did help
…seriously, I’m really getting fed up. We will never progress like this and this constant media attention is just embarrassing. I really am glad at the A-team result Maz put up there. It is almost saying to the PCB “If them lot don’t want to play for their country, we will”.
Their first goal IS to win….but to win the captaincy, or win popularity, or win a big contract….our players love this kind of winning. Absolutely agree, I think the time has come for those steps backwards in order to try and go forwards.
Love the analogies and metaphors
February 17th, 2010 at 3:45 pm
@ Stani/wes
This is what I have been saying since last 2 years, kick out the underperforming seniors, we do not necessarily have to make an U19 captain we have plenty of players experienced and smart enough to lead the side in domestic cricket, and trust me we will win more matches.
But those who are supposed to make these changes are corrupt and have their own vested intersts and we as nation are divided and lack patience.
We want to win every match and after every series we call for a change this is not how we can rebuild.
February 17th, 2010 at 4:49 pm
I think Wes misunderstood my stance when I said that Ghumman can’t become Smith. It doesn’t mean that I am averse to the Idea of kicking out underperforming seniors and injecting the team with fresh blood. The environment in SA is totally different from that of in Pakistan. First we need an adminisrtration willing to make the changes, then we need to get rid of the main culprits in the team, the issue of who would be the next captain comes at last.
We can’t just keeping on changing the captain without making the environment right for him.
February 17th, 2010 at 5:39 pm
Wasim
Yes, you have been.
I don’t think Ghumman is comparable to Smith yet either. And you are right in regards to the right environment. The chance and support Smith was given, would never happen in Pakistan.
February 17th, 2010 at 5:57 pm
I think the biggest mistake PCB made was bringing back all of the ICL players, these players were kicked out of a reason and with their comeback all those reasons have comeback to haunt us. Pakistan team was doing reasonably well under Malik when we tried the South African experiment, but we wanted to win all the matches and as a result we allowed player’s power to return and become strong once again and despite having a good record Malik was deposed and now he has a vengeance.
Malik, Younis, Yousaf, Afridi and now Akmal bros they are all involved in power struggle now. I think it’s time for Yousaf to retire he has strong links with Inzi mafia and the ICl returnees unless and until he is kicked out the rest of the player’s won’t get disciplined.
And did anybody noticed he is not playing the domestic ODi tournament instead he has opted for the Karachi T20 tournament. Guess Why?
Because the tournament has a big prize and secondly it will give him an opportunity to push his case for T20 selection.
February 17th, 2010 at 6:53 pm
Ghumman is the future of Pakistan in test cricket
February 17th, 2010 at 6:58 pm
He has excellent temperament,attitude and technique.
A future well structured middle order batsmen in the making.
February 17th, 2010 at 6:59 pm
Inbox check Stani.
February 17th, 2010 at 10:24 pm
Wasim
I’m not sure how much of a problem the ICL players have caused on their return. Most of them are in fact still out of the team. I think initially, our board should have been more pro-active in guiding our players rather than allowing them to make their own choices and be influenced. If those layers were treated properly by the PCB, I think they would have thought twice about leaving for the ICL.
Malik needs to stop playing silly little off-field games and Yousuf needs to stop listening to Inzamam. Inzamam should have the decency to stay quiet also. The problem is that each one of these lot thinks he is better and wiser than the other and claim the moral high ground as theirs.
Maz
I have not seen too much of him but let’s hope he progresses and doesn’t vanish off the scene and end up selling tea and popcorn somewhere.
February 18th, 2010 at 12:34 am
Stani
The only player who had a positive impact on his return was Razzaq name me one other player who did something of note. Sami also did well and should be in the test team. Rana, Farhat, Nazir and Yousaf had no impact, the team looks heavy with their names but performance wise they could have easily been substituted but if you look at the size of their group and the clout they enjoy in the team with Farhats FIL being one of the selectors and close to Butt they can do what ever they want.
February 18th, 2010 at 1:02 pm
Stani, that is very insulting. I know the guy personally and he is highly educated. If you listen to his full English interview you will see he can speak very good English. He is completely fluent, better than any of the national team. He also reads a lot. He is a regular reader of Pakistani cricket blogs and forums, although only comments occasionally. I have received emails etc from him and his English is of pretty high quality. He is from a strong wealthy academic background. He is doing English speaking courses currently, has done o-levels in the past and is preparing for ACCA in the future. He is also, coming to England for the 2010 club/league season which should be a good learning curve for his game. He has been here several times before as in only 19. You were stereo- typing there Stani. He is not the usual Pakistani cricketer who is uneducated. He is a Misbah type, someone who has qualifications behind him and good sophisticated general knowledge but hopefully better with the bat
February 18th, 2010 at 1:04 pm
Have a look at this Stani
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eq_fTgPtcoY
February 18th, 2010 at 1:05 pm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eq_fTgPtcoY
February 18th, 2010 at 1:05 pm
Watch the above link please Stani.
February 18th, 2010 at 1:12 pm
Hey Maza, nice to see that someone else has Ghumman on the radar, I was impressed by his English as well. Yeah he will take his time but I really hope to see more of him.
February 18th, 2010 at 1:24 pm
Great video thanks for posting it.
February 18th, 2010 at 1:58 pm
Wes, Azeem Ghumman scored 133 today
February 18th, 2010 at 2:00 pm
[B]Some Interesting Quotes[/B]
1) ” I don’t think anywhere in the world has much talent as Pakistan at under 19 level”.
“I love facing pace”.
2) “We dominated the final for 6 hours but lost the match in the final hour when the wind was blowing heavily”.
3)”My father was a film star”.
4)”My role model is Sachin Tendulkar”
5)”My favourite shot is the cut”.
6) “I like surfing the net”
7) ” I listen to songs and like watching films. My favourite actresses are Katrina Kaif and Kareena Kapoor” !
9) ” I am not scared by any opponent”.
Azeem was always passionate and determined about his cricket from a young age. I like his attitude and philosophy. He will go far inshallah.
February 18th, 2010 at 2:05 pm
He is comparable to many top players. He is the next big upcoming thing in pakistan cricket.
February 18th, 2010 at 2:18 pm
@Maza, you look like running a campaign for Ghumman? Yes he is a good player good captain and all that but take it easy, give him time to grow and find his worth. Wait and see how he takes himself. It is too early to push him for Pakistan team selection and captaincy is far away. Let him lead some more teams in domestic circuit. Play some cricket around the world with clubs, counties and Pakistan A team to mature.
His inning in U-19 final was a good one but I feel he lacks some run scoring shots which were needed there, he need to work hard on his batting.
February 18th, 2010 at 2:29 pm
You guys better choose your captain fast. Shoaib Akhtar might become the captain if no one else is around: http://cricketnext.in.com/news/akhtar-wants-to-be-captain-of-pakistan/47012-13.html?from=tn
Being an admirer of Pakistan cricket, I really wish the players sort out their differences soon and support the captain whoever it may be.
February 18th, 2010 at 3:30 pm
Coming back to your response.
Yes I would definitely go for man for the job.
History tells us that we will always have factions in the camp, it is just the way we are.
The reason why Imran and Wasim, to a certain extent succeeded, was because they had respect eventhough there were personality clashes. It also helped, that they were the best in their respective fields.
Afridi was probably better off sticking the ball in Younis’ gob when he laughed.
MoYo is not a bad captain, he just is not captain material. It is not his fault, the other twats made a mess of things, and he was just thinking about what was best for his country.
I see Malik is gobbing off again which reaffirms my point about politics, they will always exist with us, we just need to decide which man will get everyones respect.
With all this in mind, Afridi is the prime candidate, he galvanised us for those few games and has tiger spirit Imran had. Just needs to stop biting like one.
February 18th, 2010 at 6:37 pm
Wasim
To be honest, Nazir and Rana have not been given a fair chance in my opinion….especially Nazir. Yousuf has done ok. Farhat should be nowhere near there. His inclusion for this long cannot be justified using cricketing reasons.
Maz
Hold your horses, I think you have completely got the wrong end of the stick. I was talking about the tens of exciting young talents that go missing from the cricketing scene in Pakistan every year. It was criticism of the system and I certainly didn’t mention English. You may know him and like to defend him but you should understand what people are saying first, compose yourself and then comment. You can’t defend someone who has not been criticised. I am not an insulting person.
By the way, you can use the ‘strong’ html tag instead of the ‘b’ one for bolding text. Just replace ‘b’ with ‘strong’. ‘b’ is outdated and not accepted by many sites.
Rayden
Now that would be interesting! We would probably see fights on the pitch!
Yes, the team need to support the captain. We should get rid of anyone who has a problem with the captain who is chosen, regardless of how talented they are. I think Wes mentioned it above, it’s all about the team. I do agree that the captain, as Pak Star mentioned, will still have to be a strong personality, inwardly or outwardly.
Pak Star
I agree with your sentiments on Yousuf and those that overly criticise him should understand this. Maybe installing Afridi is our best option BUT he needs to be taught a few harsh lessons and disciplined first or he may think that he is untouchable by being awarded the captaincy after doing something so harmfully wrong. As Wasim mentioned previously, every Pakistan bowler who now swings a ball, will be looked at with suspicion.
February 18th, 2010 at 8:37 pm
Stani, firstly sincere apologies. I didn’t mean it in that way either. Just the way you said coffee maker or popcorn maker or whatever made me a touch sensitive as I know the guy personally and it’s a low profiled occupation. Thats it. You were kind of stereo typing there which is the only thing I didn’t like.
Anyhow, 2-1 defeat for us on Wednesday night. There is always a second leg though ! Two T20s over the next days. And the RBS domestic T20 tournament in Pakistan starts on 27th February, would you know if anyone in UK is covering it ? It shall be thoroughly entertaining and I am looking forward to seeing some well hyped players in action ! Lets find out what there really made of ! Should be valuable preparation for the T20WC2010.
February 18th, 2010 at 8:40 pm
I am now beginning to accept that Rana Naved is not good enough for international cricket. The guy is an entertainer and good all-rounder but struggles to play under pressure. He has never done well with the bat at the highest level although has done exceedingly well at FC level.
February 18th, 2010 at 8:41 pm
Razzaq is a better option……………..
February 18th, 2010 at 11:10 pm
Maz
That’s cool. Like I said, I was talking about the young talent our system lets slip and doesn’t develop and not him. Don’t worry about it though.
You’re a brave man to mention the gunners especially after the comedy involving Campbell and Fabianski! People are blaming the keeper but I reckon it was more Campbell’s fault. Reminded me of the Pires/Henry penalty!
Yes, the twenty20s against Eng should be interesting. I’m not sure I’ve ever seen domestic Pakistan cricket covered here.
I think Rana should be given a bit longer because I like his wholeheartedness. Plus, he doesn’t get involved in the silly stuff. In terms of doing well with the bat at the highest level, we must remember that he has hardly had that many games after he rediscovered his batting in the ICL.
I would keep him AND Razzaq in the same side. Do you remember when we used to do it with Azhar Mahmood and Razzaq? Rana/Razzaq would be a very similar scenario and equally as affective I think. Rana is the kind of cricketer that makes you want to watch.
February 19th, 2010 at 10:19 am
You guys post too much. What I like most about Ghumman is his confidence and clear mind. Let’s hope he keeps these. And his boys were following him and not chickening about.
Maza this is one interesting blog you have there.
“I would keep him AND Razzaq in the same side”.
Yes this was my feeling, too.
~ Play For Country Not For Self ~
February 19th, 2010 at 2:26 pm
Stani
Rana has gotten more than enough chances, he hasn’t impressed with his batting and have been inconsistent with the ball, his slower ball has been worked out. I agree with you on Imran Nazir he hasn’t been given a longer stint.
But you missed my point, I was talking from the perspective of the clout these players have as a group in the team.
Maz/Wes
Good English can make a good commentator or a media spokes person for the team. As far as on field performance is concerned he was over shadowed by Hammad, Rameez and Shahzad ,we lost in the finals because of his poor decision making.
February 19th, 2010 at 8:27 pm
Wasim, in what ways was that ? He did what he felt was best at the time. Good education can make a cricket more of an inspirable character for younger generations. It helps when interacting with media, post match presentation, expressing views etc. I have always believed that a captain should be educated. The only cricketer Pakistan has had who was educated was Imran Khan. The rest have become educated if ever after their cricketing careers.
Mushy the happy English man
. He said he was supporting England in his interview with Bumble today. The cameraman kept focussing on him. It was jokes. HAHA 
Eoin Morgan play a super knock under pressure. What a player he is, champion stuff ! We clearly missed Shahid Afridi for his bowling today.
February 19th, 2010 at 9:30 pm
Maz
The chinese are always in the top three nations in olympics how fluent their sportsmen are in english.
Education is important but for a sportsmen the skill which is most important is related to their sport everything else is secondary, education is just icing on the cake.
And mind you being fluent in english doesn’t qualify you as educated.
Ghumman needs to improve his batting a lot only then he will deserve the hype.
February 19th, 2010 at 10:49 pm
I agree Wasim but education is a fundamental basis of being successful in any field. Cricketers are our leading ambassadors, it will be nicer to see them educated as then it will be more admirable for us too and youngsters to look up towards them. Education is second to the most important thing in life after religion. As the illustrious JFK once said “A child uneducated is a child lost”. Education is the backbone of a successful life.
I know that speaking and written English does not necessarily make you educated but it’s a worthy reference in our modern society.
February 19th, 2010 at 10:50 pm
Azeem Ghumman has had scores of 66,36,13,53,133 in RBS CUP.
February 19th, 2010 at 11:03 pm
In Pakistan, there is a huge mechanism. I am talking from a general perspective here and not against individuals. This is: People who play cricket or do it well i.e. high standard are uneducated. It’s a poor man’s sport.
All the people from wealthy academic backgrounds don’t join in and participate like the others or when and if they do they are referred upon negatively like you don’t study etc. I don’t know why this is the case but it is visible. There needs to be the balance of education and sport like we have in UK.
February 19th, 2010 at 11:06 pm
Maz
Let’s not stray from the topic. I am not denying the importance of education,we were talking about Ghumman and all I am saying is that his education will become irrelevant if his cricketing skills do not improve,the fans judge a player by his performance and not by his post match speech.
We give too much importance to the broken english of our players because of our colonial past.
February 20th, 2010 at 6:48 pm
Wes
You just like him don’t you. I admit, I haven’t watched Ghumman as closely as Maz and Wasim….and definitely not as close as you
Wasim
I would still keep Rana. He has at least two types of slower ball and he didn’t do too bad with it in Australia. Nazir just flopped in two innings but we should still stick with him because he no doubt must of played under pressure knowing that twenty20 is the only format they’re considering him for. I think he should be given a chance at 50 over ODIs too.
February 20th, 2010 at 7:06 pm
Stani
Add one more game where he flopped it’s the same old story with him where he wants to slog every ball,his game is one dimensional unless he adds proper defence and cricketing shots to his game he is useless and too risky. On top of that his closeness to Lahore Badshah group will continue to cause trouble.
Hats off to Fawad and Razzaq this victory only belongs to these two players.
Razzaq has shown Afridi and Nazir what clean hitting is all about, you can’t just slog every ball aimlessly in any direction, you have to pick the right ball and have to hit in a safe area.
February 20th, 2010 at 7:06 pm
Brilliance from Razzaq !! Excellent clean hitting. Finally, the mammoth 10 match losing streak is over ! Is this the start of something bigger and better to come one wonders ?
February 20th, 2010 at 7:07 pm
Two good entertaining matches at Dubai. Both ended with a mighty 6 ! Swanny and KP played really well in both back to back games. I was impressed by Shahzad as well though, on his debut. What an overwhelming maiden over he had in which he dismissed both Imran openers !!
This win was a much neeeded sigh of relief for every Pakistani. I think the 1-1 scoreline was most satisfying for Uncle Mushy !
February 20th, 2010 at 7:30 pm
Fawad Alam and Yasir Arafat had a good game as well. 3-32 for Yasir and he was there at the end ! Fawad hit Stuart Broad for 2,2,2,2,4 in one over consecutively!
It feels really strange winning
February 20th, 2010 at 7:34 pm
Maz
Shahzad didn’t bowled any maiden.
February 20th, 2010 at 8:49 pm
Wasim, I mean maiden as in first
February 20th, 2010 at 10:04 pm
Stani how wonderfully you worded this sweet little innuendo
To be honest I have lost a bit track of all your comments, just this one: as written above, what I like about Ghumman is his attitude. I am not saying he has leadership potential because he speaks English. I said he has a clear mind, great confidence and his team followed him. This is something one cannot say of the current Pakistani captains. You cannot expect of a 19-year old (or how young he may be), to always make the right decisions. Not even a 35 year old is capable of doing that, obviously (I am not saying any names here in order not to discredit any persons that are regarded as mentors by some people). So, making some wrong decision in the final of the Cup is imho not a valid argument. The batting argument has much more weight, I agree, although his figures aren’t exactly shocking to me.
But what I mean is: if you compare his personality to Afridi’s or Yousuf’s, do you see the difference?
Pakistan break the chains!
February 21st, 2010 at 8:53 am
Some great discussion going on here. I view the Pak team as a very mercurial bunch, and it has been through a lot of tough times together. Selecting the captain out of a bunch which has been so much in transition is a little tricky, especially when one needs to pick out of 4-5 candidates who’ve all had their shot with varying degrees.
I see a lot of changes coming up , with a host of new faces occupying key roles. In such a situation, if I was asked to make a decision, I’d do the following:
1. Select 1 senior player to lead the side for the next 2 years. I believe that would be a choice between Malik and Younis. It’s a tough one, but they have to take up the senior leadership and lead the way
2. Select 1 up-coming player as the VC. No questions asked. He would be groomed to take over the role of the captain when the time comes. This one needs to be a strong personality, and someone who gets identified by the board – a la Smith of SA, or Imran itself.
Or wait. Fuck all that . I’ve got a tribute for a player, and an answer:
http://morethanjustagame.wordpress.com/2010/02/21/the-incredible-mr-razzaq/
February 21st, 2010 at 3:01 pm
This is one hell of a conversation … and Wes, don’t forget Hussey and North who are both capable captains in the test side and White in the T20s and ODIs.
I think for the Stanis, Afridi is probably the man for the shorter formats, but tests? And does Afridi want the job? Tests … mmmmmm … I don’t know. Did MoYo really do such a bad job? Well, maybe … tough one Stani. Can’t help you.
February 21st, 2010 at 4:35 pm
Wasim
The thing is, if we pick someone who is a safer option than Nazir, who has the defence and technique, he will end up scoring around the same overall but using more balls. From what we have at the moment, I think we should go with him. Some of his innings in the ICL were unbelievable. This is no exaggeration, the way he was playing then would have put Afrdi and Razzaq in the shade. I agree he needs to concentrate on him and get away from the Moins and Inzis. I do think the lack of pace in this pitch made him look bad.
Maz
Shahzad will be a very good bowler. He has got all the assets along with the most important one of desperately wanting to succeed. Let’s hope he is given a fair chance and not dropped for the likes of Plunkett etc.
As for Mushy, what a legend. Everywhere he goes they love him. I used to love watching him at Sussex when he had those record breaking seasons. They used to call him Baba Jee. “Well bowled Baba Jee!” Prior used to shout from behind the stumps.
Wes
. Englisn minglish. I didn’t mention anything about English!
Are you writing in riddles again? What sweet little innuendo
Vick
Interesting captain suggestion. Point 2 I would agree with but for that to work, point 1 has to come off without a hitch. The problem is, there would have to be a lot of changes in attitude and behaviour by the board, players and the two potential captains you mentioned for point 1 to be successful. We can’t have this back-biting and factionism going on.
And stop turning the blog blue!…green is our colour
Sid
Thanks for adding to our problems
February 21st, 2010 at 5:31 pm
Wes
“I said he has a clear mind, great confidence and his team followed him. This is something one cannot say of the current Pakistani captains.”
This is only because he was leading a bunch of kids who desperately wanted to win, he would have been eaten alive if he was leading the national side.
Domestic stats are very misleading, I saw him bat in the U19 WC, bottom line is that he has to improve a lot before he is even considered for the national team.
February 21st, 2010 at 5:40 pm
Stani
Hafeez and Shahzaib Hassan do score aggressively and are more consistent then Nazir. I saw most of the matches of ICL the bowling in ICL was of club standard.
His performance in the RBS cup should be closely monitored if he doesn’t show a better shot selection then he should get dropped.
February 21st, 2010 at 8:38 pm
Wasim
in ODIs. Butt has too limited a stroke selection for my liking.
I do agree about Shahzaib. Where and why he disappeared after playing a few games I do not know. Maybe Hafeez could partner Nazir
February 21st, 2010 at 8:58 pm
Stani
You are forgetting Akmal, he hasn’t been dumped permanently Sarfraz didn”t impressed me with his keeping or batting.
And if nobody is getting fired then we might as well keep Akmal too.
Shahzaib has done well against England A. I think it should be Akmal and Hafeez with Nazi as back up.
February 21st, 2010 at 9:22 pm
Wasim
I did remember him but I was keeping him lower down the order. Him and his brother can positively influence each other should they be in together.