the biggest blame rests with the PCB for sure. though I think Pakistani fans and media are not without blame either.
Pakistani fans exert tremendous pressure on the board, players, etc. why else would players like Afridi never be dropped when they went years without any performance? burning effigies, stoning players’ houses, shooting the TV after losing a game, etc., are all proud achievements of Pakistani fans. and when awaam start coming out and burning stuff, politicians like Dasti announce superficial actions that harm the game more than help it. when people protest on the streets or call into tv stations to express their disgust, players are sacked, captains dismissed, fines announced, bans implemented. so let us not pretend to be innocent little victims. we have played a big role (imo it’s a big role) in the state of the game today.
Pakistani media has taken some great strides of late. but the level of sports journalism is very, very poor. most of the so-called journalists are biased. I swear there was a guy who launched a proper, organized campaign for the inclusion of Khurram Manzoor (I have nothing for or against him - he has a long way to go before he can be judged). he went so far as to say that Manzoor was a victim of politics, etc, and the fact that he didn’t have a paawa behind him, blah blah blah… and that Khurram had an outstanding technique. and he was being victimized because of being from Karachi, etc.
now Manzoor might still succeed due to his determination, etc but no one who has seen him bat would say that he is solid or he has a great technique. obviously, this particular journalist had no idea what he was talking about and was just writing rubbish. I’ve read similar stuff about other players as well. these writers hype up certain players… and if they’re not picked up immediately, they accuse the PCB of nepotism, corruption etc.
so, imo, the PCB should be blamed the most. but there are other facets of Pak society who also deserve blame - including Pakistani fans who imo have next to no patience - with players or administrators. if it were up to Pak fans, Inzi would have been fired 40 times in 3-4 odd years as captain. thank God for Shehryar Khan who was a sensible person and didn’t come under pressure from our tabloid sports press and over-exuberant fans.
very true. couldn’t agree more. glad to see you’re not pinning anything on Ijaz butt. one Ijaz Butt or Tauqeer Zia didn’t cause this debacle. and one Shehryar Khan can’t fix it all. it is the system that needs fixing. individuals mean nothing.
fair enough. I don’t disagree with you.
but my question to you is - that is dayr ayad durust ayad not true? if the PCB is FINALLY trying to discipline players and curb player power, what is the reaction from fans? is the PCB still not being criticized because someone’s favorite player here or there was punished? so, is there any way the PCB can win? when it treats players with kid gloves, PCB is told to be strict. when it disciplines people, it is still blamed. how can it ever win?
COULD NOT AGREE MORE. meray bhai, I’ve been beating the same dhol over and over again too. you won’t find me disagreeing with that. there is no room for ex-cricketers in the PCB except for pure cricket roles like coaching, selection committee. press handling, financial management, international representation should all be left to people with management experience/education.
100% agreed.
again agreed. I would love it if a blanket ban was imposed on every person in Pak cricket for a year. not a peep out of anyone - be it the players, administrators, experts. everyone just stfu. that would be beautiful. absolutely divine. my idea of heaven.