Re: 2008 Wishes
I was about to vent my frustrations and disappointment in the manner in which masses gather to celebrate the OMG~!~ROFLCOPTER~ new year knowing the country is in downward spiral and the expectations to stoop further low is all but impossible from every angle, political or otherwise.
Since we are on subject, let's shoot for it. ICC has purely and simply looted the bowlers out of the context. The concern about the rules being tilted in favor of the batsmen are all well-suited, fine and dandy, but have robbed the bowlers in broad daylight. How in the world can they organize a meeting to call a rule on giving a free hit coming off of a no-ball. So first the bowling team has to make sure to complete their quota of overs/hour on-time by cutting down on the number of extras, no-balls per se, and meanwhile if it is not achieved, they are slapped with a fine that is payable by the team captain and all members. I think that is real poor. It is already getting to a point of working hard to make ends meet, but this is a no-win policy. You fail one way or the other, the consensus lies on you as the team captain to remedy that quickly. With the cycle of brilliant + half-past mediocre captains we have these days, it is left to no imagination that the party which loses out the deal at the end of the day is the game of cricket. The umpires, regardless of their positions and levels, should have the option of referring the decisions to the third umpire. The teams should be allowed to appeal the umpire's decision. It is ridiculous that the vast technologies are not been put to good use, and instead, are used to gain only the TV viewership. It should go both ways.
I hope our captaincy and opening problem is solved.
Let's put the first part on our wish-list for 2009, since the issue has been pushed down our throats and inked in till the end of next year.
All seriousness, Pakistan's real test under the captaincy of Shoaib Malik is against Australia. That is the absolute end of it. We should make every effort possible in order to push the envelope of mental toughness further by making a strong case. Anything else, heads are going to be rolled, starting from the very top. Series against Australia is a point where nothing should go wrong, not in the area of openers, the captain, the bowlers, the bench strength etc. Let's take this team that we have and produce some results!