DO SOMETHING FOR PAKISTAN, ICC!
Spare a thought for Wasim Akram, a legend who the late Sir Donald Bradman described as the best in the modern era. Spare a thought for Waqar Younis, the fearsome fast bowler who with his toe-crushing yorkers put the fear of God in the English batsmen. And spare a thought for Inzamam Ul Haq, who would have surpassed 1,500 runs in year 2001 had his team got enough opportunities to play more Test match cricket!
The dastardly act of terrorism has hit the most unlikely victims – the Pakistani cricketers. Following the September 11 attacks in the US, two Test playing nations – New Zealand and Sri Lanka – cancelled their scheduled visit to Pakistan, and now comes the West Indies’s pull-out.
Isn’t it sad that the cricket-loving public, who have got nothing to do with the fanatics, are deprived of watching some of the most exciting cricketers like Wasim, Waqar and Inzamam? And isn’t it unfair to Wasim and Waqar, who are at the end of their illustrious careers and would fancy a go at the world’s top batsmen for the last time? If West Indies doesn’t travel to Pakistan, the latter could be without international cricket till September 2002, and that, according to me, is pathetic.
Pakistan last had a taste of international cricket when it played in Sharjah, and thanks to Wasim’s brilliance, won that tourney convincingly. My question is, why isn’t the International Cricket Council doing something about it? And yes, I do feel all Test playing nations should come together in support of Pakistan with India leading the way.
Yes, I am fully aware of the age-old disputes between the two nations, India and Pakistan, and I’m also aware of the fact that today, we are very close to a full-fledged military action between the two countries. But let us not forget the moments on the cricket field that cricketers of these two countries have provided to us.
Imran Khan
Wasn’t it a 40,000 strong crowd at Chennai that gave a standing ovation to the Pakistan team after it beat India by 17 runs in 1999? Wasn’t it Imran Khan who openly came out in defence of Sachin Tendulkar when Mike Denness punished the Indian mega star for ball tampering in South Africa? And wasn’t it Sunil Gavaskar who had a lump in his throat when Pakistan won the World Cup in 1992?
I’m not saying India should go ahead and tour Pakistan. No, I know in current political scenario it’s not possible. All I’m saying is all Test playing nations should come together and ensure that a fellow cricketer doesn’t suffer because of some terrorist’s fanatic acts. It’s time for action, ICC.
WHEN THE SHOE STARTS PINCHING…
I couldn’t suppress a laugh when I read about the angry reaction of Steve Waugh after he was fined by the match referee for showing dissent on the field. Wasn’t this the same man, the self-appointed elder statesman of world cricket, who, while reacting on Indian cricketers’ protest at Mike Denness’ ruling said, “I personally, and my team, would like to set an example in accepting the umpire’s verdict without question”?
Well, Mr. Waugh, you have not started on a right note. Hopefully, you would have realized by now that Saurav Ganguly’s lads can have genuine grievances.
A THOUSAND SALUTES, MESSRS LANGER & HAYDEN
What Gordon Greenidge and Desmond Haynes, the greatest opening pair in my book, achieved over a period of ten years, the two Aussie Southpaws Justin Langer and Matthew Hayden have accomplished in less than ten months. Four double century stands in Test match in just ten months’ time… PHEW! What next!!
The two are as different as chalk and cheese. Langer, of medium built, works the ball away to keep the scoreboard ticking while Hayden, the huge bloke blessed with incredible strength, relishes the mighty pulls and the drives down the ground. They are indeed the odd couple of world cricket, but they are effective and how! Just ask the opposing bowlers. If they continue their Bradman-like run making, Steve Waugh doesn’t have much to worry about.
CARRY ON, SUNNY!
If anyone’s got a right to voice an opinion on the happenings in world cricket, it’s Sunil Gavaskar, the original Little Master. And pray, who are these patriotic, biased English writers to criticize Gavaskar for calling the England cricket team boring! The England chairman of selectors David Graveney and the entire English press cannot hold a candle to Sunny. Carry on Sunny, cricket needs men of substance like you and don’t let the men from Old Blighty dampen your spirits.
MURALI MANIA CONTINUES
At the time of writing, Magician Muralitharan had the Zims clueless with nine wickets in the first innings against his name. There’s one bloke still to get out and if Murali gets him, he follows in the footsteps of Jim Laker and our Anil Kumble. Congratulations in advance, Murali, we are quite sure you will achieve this feat and even if you don’t, your place in cricket’s Hall Of Fame is guaranteed.
ZIMS, DOWN & OUT
Talking about Zimbabweans, their cricket is going one way, and that is downhill. Isn’t it sad that a team that possesses players of the caliber of Flower Brothers and Heath Streak should be made to look so ordinary? It’s time the authorities in Zimbabwe take stock of things or cricket as a sport will be lost forever in that country.
KLUSENER’S DILEMMA
My heart goes out to Lance Klusener. I still think he’s a fantastic cricketer, a real match-winner, and I think he took the right decision to withdraw himself from further agony in Australia. He was not doing himself or his team any good and it was a courageous thing to do. It will require one helluva effort on his part to re-establish himself as a match winner after such a confidence-shattering series but Klusener’s a tough bloke. Hope he fights his way back to form.
ALL THE BEST, JUNIORS
And finally, my best wishes to the Indian under-19 cricketers who would be defending the Junior World Cup in New Zealand. With Dilip Vengsarkar as consultant and Balwinder Singh Sandhu as coach, the team certainly has the right people guiding it. With a bit of luck, I’m confident our boys will be able to do justice to their talents.
AK
[This message has been edited by Asif_k (edited January 07, 2002).]