Southie
February 21, 2015, 2:12pm
61
Re: Afridi: don't let the door hit you on the way out
Not an expert. I thought the Ranji Trophy equivalent in Pakistan is quite competitive.
OYMWA
February 22, 2015, 11:13am
62
Re: Afridi: don’t let the door hit you on the way out
I guess we will have to agree to disagree, so this is my last post on this matter.
If the English messed up the sport by getting organized, trust me, Pakistanis will do much worse.
Secondly, BBCI - a very organised and accountable board with a young energetic cricket team playing under a dynamic and supremely talented captain preceded IPL! India has a comparatively much better domestic structure and rigorous selection committee. That’s the reason despite all their larger than life batting legends pretty much retiring (or slowing down) at the same time, the team does not really go through the what they call a ‘struggling transition phase’ (a phase which has been conveniently clouding over team Pakistan for God knows how many years - it’s a mother of all excuses for repeated pathetic performances).
IPL is part of that domestic cricketing structure. They stole the idea from English county cricket, just poured more money and offered a better market.
Thirdly, likes of Kohli, Raina, Sharma, Gambir etc etc did not come in Indian team through IPL. These players were already part of Indian bench strength way before the emergence of IPL, and performing at international stage at the level that established them as most deserving replacement of their batting greats. Again they were product of Indian first class cricket and accountable selection committee.
Of the Indian team that played today, Ajinnak Rahane, Mohit Sharma and to an extent Jadeja and Shami came out of IPL. Also, they were able to beat SA so easily because they are familiar with these players: Faf, AB, Steyn, etc all play in IPL along side the Indians.
Fourthly, just because IPL gives special preference to their own domestic top scorers. What makes you think such lucrative league will be willing to take in your substandard bits and pieces players and throw money on them? I am sorry, other than Afridi (thanks to his star power and IPL is all about star power), there is not a single player in Pakistan international cricket team who can easily get an IPL contract. Maybe you can say Akmal Jr, but what about the rest of the team?
Kane Williamson, David Wiese, Sean Abbot, Gurinder Sandhu, Marcus Stonis, Andrew Tye ( courtesy: List of players sold and unsold in IPL 2015 auction | Cricket | ESPN Cricinfo ) can make it, am sure many Pakistani players can too.
Re: Afridi: don't let the door hit you on the way out
I love Afridi. Team was performing well before the World Cup.
Re: Afridi: don't let the door hit you on the way out
Duck was the main course during birthday bash