Sachin Tendulkar may be cricket's top scorer but...
His 33 ducks in ODIs and Test matches are more than those of Ricky Ponting, Rahul Dravid and Matthew Hayden
By Waris Ali
Fountains of praises, accolades and admiration had exploded and were showered on the Indian batting legend Sachin Tendulkar for standing topmost among the batsmen of the cricket world, when he beat West Indian great Brian Lara's 11,953 and crossed the figure of 12,000 in the second Test match against tourists Australia in Mohali during the recent series. The sole 12,000 runs-scorer in the cricket universe claims four records to his credit. Tendulkar was already the top scorer in One-day Internationals (16,361 runs) and enjoyed the top place among century makers, with 39 in Tests and 42 in the ODIs.

Ban on ICL players needs to be seriously reviewed
Sometime back, media reports had quoted Ijaz Butt as saying that the PCB cannot lift the ban on ICL players, unless the ICC recognises the breakaway league. But many an expert does not agree with his viewpoint
By Gul Nasreen
There are various factors that have contributed to the downfall of Pakistan cricket in recent years. The losing of some of the key players to the rebel Indian Cricket League (ICL) is also one such factor. So when we talk about setting things right in Pakistan cricket and suggest remedies for bringing it back on track, the ICL-ban needs to be given special attention as it really does not make a sense to ban a cricketer from 'playing cricket'.

On October 15 last year, the national hockey community greeted the news of Qasim Zia's ascent to the top position of the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) with the sort of optimism that has become quite rare in Pakistan sports. After all, Qasim Zia is a former Olympian and a hero of Pakistan's last Olympic triumph -- the 1984 Games in Los Angeles.

Qasim, 47, was an able defender and represented Pakistan in 87 internationals, scoring 15 goals. Soon after quitting international hockey, he joined politics and over the years has risen in the party ranks and is now an influential leader of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) in the Punjab. He is such a key player in the politics of the country's most populous province that if the PPP does stage a successful coup against the Shahbaz Sharif-led Punjab government of PML (N), Qasim could be the chief candidate for the coveted post of Punjab Chief Minister.

Apart from Qasim's credentials as former hockey star, it was also his political muscle that prompted a number of ex-Olympians and other hockey-related personalities to launch a nation-wide campaign in which they urged Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani -- PHF's chief patron -- to appoint Qasim as the PHF president.

They believed that Qasim would combine his credentials as an ex-Olympian and an influential politician to guide Pakistan hockey back to its glory days. Their campaign was also a protest against Qasim's predecessor Zafarullah Khan Jamali -- a former premier. Under Jamali, Pakistan hockey sank to abysmal depths as he was unable to take concrete steps to revive the national game.

But less than three months after revolting against the former PHF boss by raising slogans of "Go Jamali Go", several former stalwarts are not sure whether they can expect a better showing from one of their own -- Qasim Zia.

This correspondent talked to several former Olympians about PHF's performance under Qasim and most of them didn't seem very satisfied. The ex-Olympians say that they are not openly criticising the PHF mainly because they are still pinning hopes in Qasim. However, they are unhappy with the team that Qasim has gathered around him and believe that the "paid PHF officials" are not doing their jobs.

One former player told 'The News on Sunday' (TNS) that the group will break its silence if things remained unchanged in the coming weeks. The former Olympians are also uneasy over the roles of PHF secretary Asif Bajwa and his right hand man Rana Mujahid. The former Olympians are unhappy with the way these officials have been spending precious funds on their own foreign tours.

Then the players group is also disgusted with the alleged lack of planning over two major international assignments coming up later this year for the national senior and junior teams. Pakistan are to feature in the Asia Cup to be played in Dubai in May. The title winners will earn a direct spot in the 2010 World Cup to be played in India while the other leading teams will have to feature in the World Cup qualifiers in November.

Though the event is less than five months away, the PHF is yet to chalk out a training programme for it. Even the team management is not in place as Ayaz Mahmood, a former Olympian who was appointed as Pakistan's coach, hasn't joined national duty as he is still working on a PIA assignment in Moscow.

Things aren't much better for the national junior team either. It is scheduled to feature in the Junior World Cup to be co-hosted by Malaysia and Singapore this summer. But the PHF is yet to begin training the colts, who face an uphill task in the event.

The current PHF officials have taken pride in the fact they have installed hockey academies but even that aspect is now under the magnifying glass. A former Olympian, who is scanning the academies project, said that the PHF failed to create the necessary hype before launching the academies, something that resulted in the lack of interest shown by youngsters all over the country.

TNS decided to interview Qasim Zia to discuss the national hockey situation with the PHF chief. Here are the excerpts of the interview.

TNS: What are your goals as PHF chief?

QZ: My target is quite clear. I want to help Pakistan hockey revive its golden days. It's tough but not impossible to achieve that. Our first target is the 2010 World Cup and then the 2012 Olympic Games. But more importantly, we want to spread hockey at the grassroots level. We want to spot talented players from all over the country and groom them. For that purpose we have already launched a few academies. What I want to say is that, we have started doing our job and need time to achieve our targets.

TNS: The Asia Cup which will also serve as the qualifying round for the 2010 World Cup is less than five months away. Have you chalked out any preparatory plan?

QZ: We are well aware of the importance of the Asia Cup. We had made plans but unfortunately a few problems cropped up. We appointed Ayaz Mahmood as the national team coach but he is posted on PIA duty in Moscow. We have requested for his release but PIA is yet to find a replacement. I've talked to some (PIA) officials and hopefully Ayaz will be released in a few days. Secondly, our preparation plans were disturbed as we had to pull out from a four-nation tournament in India on the instructions of the higher authorities. That event would have served us as a good opportunity to prepare for the Asia Cup. Later, we invited Malaysia but that too didn't materialise. But we will soon sit down together and prepare the best possible training plan for the Asia Cup.

TNS: There has also been criticism over PHF's failure to begin preparations for the Junior World Cup to be played next summer. What are you planning to do about the event?

QZ: We are working on a schedule for the junior team. We will certainly make every possible effort to raise a strong team for the Junior World Cup. We will send our boys on training tours and international assignments before the tournament and will carry out training camps at home.

TNS: A whispering campaign is on in national hockey circles and fingers are being pointed at some of the PHF officials like its secretary Asif Bajwa and his right-hand man Rana Mujahid, with accusations that they working on self-interest. Are you aware of it?

QZ: We have a problem in Pakistan sports that people are always ready to criticise for one reason or the other. Some former players become unhappy because they are not given important assignments like the posts of Pakistan team coach or manager. Others do it just out of habit. I mean, we have just started working and are trying to achieve our targets. As I've said it's not an easy job to revive hockey. It will take a lot of time, energy and fund to do that. I don't mind criticism but it should be constructive. When I took over (as PHF president) I announced that we are open to all type of suggestions and we still are. If anybody thinks that we are not going in the right direction, he can always tell us that.

TNS: So are you happy with your team?

QZ: Yes I'm happy with my team. I'm sure that there is no one-man show in PHF. We are all working as a team. As president I'm helping them in raising funds and giving them guidelines and other PHF officials are there to work on them.

TNS: Are you satisfied with what you have achieved in the first three months as PHF president?

QZ: Yes I am. We have devised a plan to revive hockey and have also initiated it. We have brought in precious funds to back our future projects. We are in the process of coming out with a marketing package to attract sponsors. We have spotted several dozen youngsters and will be training them in future. We have observed that there is overflowing hockey talent in our country which is a very heartening thing.

TNS: You have refrained from appointing a foreign coach but opted to hire a consultant from the Netherlands. What are his assignments?

QZ: Our Dutch consultant (Wouter Tazelaar) has been given some very important assignments. He is there to help us in installing efficient hockey academies. He will help us train our coaches. In addition, the consultant will also interact with our senior and junior team coaches on a regular basis.

TNS: For a brief time, PHF organised a professional league and showed interest in making it an annual event. Are you planning to go in thesame direction?

QZ: Before hosting any high-profile hockey league, I want our other domestic events in place. Our main focus is on age-group events because that's the area that will help us find out players for the future.

TNS: In the recent past, PHF officials had shown a keen interest in reviving hockey ties with India. Are you willing to adopt a similarpolicy?

QZ: Why not. Both Pakistan and India share a lot of similarities when it comes to hockey and there is a general belief on both sides that together we can lift the sport in the region. In the past we have discussed the idea of playing bilateral series besides arranging matches on neutral soil. We want to revive Pakistan hockey and would not mind if the matches are arranged on neutral soil against top hockey teams, including India.

The World Cricket League (WCL) Division Three qualifying tournament is set to begin at the Argentinean capital Buenos Aires from January 24. Apart from hosts Argentina, five other teams -- Afghanistan, Papua New Guinea, Hong Kong, Uganda and Cayman Islands are participating in the event.

According to the opening round schedule, the hosts will take on Hong Kong at Hurlingham, Uganda are to play Afghanistan at Corimayo and Cayman Islands and Papua New Guinea meet at the Belgrano Athletic Club on January 24.

On the second day, Afghanistan will play Hong Kong in the key clash of the event while the final will be played on January 31 at Belgrano Athletic Club.

The top two teams from the tournament will be eligible to feature in the 12-team World Cup qualifying round to be held in South Africa in April this year. And from there, the top four teams will progress to the 2011 Cricket World Cup to be hosted jointly by Pakistan, India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.

At the Buenos Aires event, Afghanistan, who already have won the ICC World Cricket League four and five tournaments in New Jersey and Tanzania last year, have a bright chance for qualification to the next and much tougher stage.

Before proceeding to Buenos Aires, the 16-member Afghan cricket team made a preparatory tour to Pakistan where they won two matches and lost as many during their two-week stay. The Afghan boys surprised Lahore in a practice game and lost to Faisalabad in a 50 overs a side match. They also lost their last match against Holyfield Industries by eight wickets at Railways Stadium Lahore.

Former Pakistan Test stars including ex-skipper wicket-keeper Rashid Latif, Aaqib Javed, Ijaz Ahmed, Manager NCA Coaches Programme Shahid Aslam and Ali Zia also provided useful coaching to the guest team at the NCA.

"Our cricket team has sufficient potential to win the six-nation event in Buenos Aires," this determination was expressed by the Afghan cricket team captain Nauroz Mangal and Manager Mohammad Tayyab while talking to 'The News on Sunday' (TNS) prior to their return to Afghanistan.

Afghan skipper Mangal expressed his complete satisfaction over the preparations of his young team. "Though we lost two games out of four, our cricketers learnt invaluable lessons in Pakistan by playing against some strong sides and true professional cricketers," he added.

When asked about the chances in the Argentina event, Mangal said that most probably the Hong Kong side will give us a tough time but fortunately we got good preparation in Pakistan and now we are in a good position to face any kind of challenge properly. We already have beaten them in Division Four competition in Tanzania.

"We have quality players like Muhammad Nabi, off-break bowler Asghar, Raees, Kareem and speedster Hameed Hasan in our line up and that's why we are quite confident about tackling any sort of challenge at Buenos Aires," he resolved. "The invaluable tips from known Pakistani players were a great boost for us ahead of the important assignment in Argentina," Mangal said.

While throwing light on their brief cricketing history, the Afghan skipper, who struck a century against Oman in the Asia Cup qualifying round in Malaysia, said during their brief cricketing past, they have produced excellent results and that's why they are quite confident about promotion to the next stage.

"We have qualified for Division Three after progressing from Division Four and Five within a short span of time," he explained.

"Recently, we defeated Oman in Kuwait in a Twenty20 event. In our Division Four competition in Tanzania, we defeated Italy, Fiji, Hong Kong (twice including the final) and hosts Tanzania," Mangal informed.

When asked about Afghanistan's cricketing inspiration, Mangal said, "It was in 1992 when we became aware of cricket's name actually. We saw Pakistani people celebrating their cricket World Cup victory overwhelmingly and that was the key moment for us as far as the interest of cricket in our youth was concerned," he maintained.

Replying a query pertaining to the growth of cricket in Afghanistan, Mangal said though they are newcomers in world cricket the growth of cricket in their country is quite satisfying. "One can gauge our progress in the game from our recent results in international events," he claimed.

"Fortunately we have great cricketing powers like Pakistan, Sri Lanka and India in our region and this factor plays a great role in boosting the morale of our youth. The game of cricket is receiving rapid acceptance among Afghan youth and that's why we can predict that the future of game in our country is bright."

Mangal also expressed his complete satisfaction on the coaching of Kabir Khan, who played Test and ODI cricket for Pakistan in the 1990s. "Kabir is a young man with vast knowledge of modern day cricket. He trained our boys exactly as per modern day requirements of the game," Mangal said.

Afghan manager Muhammad Tayyab admired the tasty Pakistani food and the hospitality of the Lahorites. To a question regarding their association with ICC, Tayyab said, although cricket has been played in the country since 1992 they have been ICC's Affiliate Members since 2001. "We have also attachment with the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) since 2004," he further informed.

While responding to a question regarding cricketing venues in Afghanistan, Tayyab said right now they don't have a perfect cricket ground but a stadium is being raised in Kabul and hopefully it will be completed later this year.

To a question regarding the formation of the Afghanistan Cricket Federation (ACF), Tayyab informed that ACF was founded in June 1995 and awarded Affiliate Membership of the ICC in 2001. Furthermore, the federation is looking after 29 registered clubs of the country. There are now more than 2,500 players spread across 16 of the country's 21 provinces. Since its formation, the ACF has organised numerous development programmes for the promotion of cricket.

Regarding the security situation in Pakistan, the Afghan manager expressed his complete satisfaction saying "Pakistan authorities made foolproof security arrangements for our team and we did not face any untoward incident during our stay in Pakistan."

With his 8625 Test runs, Hayden finished his career as the second highest scorer as an opener after former Indian opener Sunil Gavaskar's 9607 runs

By Khurram Mahmood

Australia's most successful opening batsman Matthew Hayden has finally decided to hang up his boots following a rather unpleasant Indian tour and home Test series against South Africa to end his chances for the forthcoming Ashes series.

After a poor performance this summer and being dropped from the Twenty20 and ODI squads against South Africa, he ultimately took the decision to say goodbye to international cricket.

"I had absolutely zero fear of my position within the cricket team," Hayden denied that he was under pressure to quit.

"Today I'm announcing my retirement from representative cricket, effective immediately," the relaxed looking Hayden said in a press conference last week. "I know that now is the time to move on and I feel proud of having been part of a great era of Australian cricket," he said.

Thus Australia have lost another experienced and dependable player from the squad. Though Phil Jaques, Phillip Hughes, Chris Rogers and Shaun Marsh are the probables to replace him people think like Glenn McGrath and Shane Warne Australia could take a long time to find Hayden's replacement.

The 37-year-old Hayden redefined the role of an opener in Test cricket with his aggressive batting. On his day bowlers has no answer for his powerful cuts, pulls and drives.

With his 8625 Test runs, Hayden finished his career as the second highest scorer as an opener after former Indian opener Sunil Gavaskar's 9607 runs. He is one of the six openers who scored over 5000 Test runs with an average of more than 50.

Hayden with his former Test partner Justin Langer scored 5655 runs in 113 matches with the average stand being of 51.88. They shared 14 century and 24 fifty partnerships. Only fomer West Indian openers Gordon Greenidge and Desmond Haynes scored more runs (6482) but in 148 Tests at an average of 47.31.

Hayden finished his career after 103 Tests, with 30 centuries and 8625 runs at an average of 50.73. He is the fourth-highest run-getter in Australian history, following three captains Allan Border, Steve Waugh and Ricky Ponting.

He is also the third Australian after Ricky Ponting and Steve Waugh and sixth all time who scored 30 centures in Test cricket.

Hayden made his Test debut against South Africa at Johannesburg in March 1994. He started his career unimpressively, scored only 15 and 5 and Australia lost the Test by 197 runs.

Hayden's career's beginning and end has been quite similar as in his first 13 Tests and last nine Tests he scored with the average of just over 24. In his last five Tests he managed only 149 runs at the average of 16.55.

His last appearance came against South Africa and once again failed to impress the selectors, as he scored only 31 and 39 but Australia won the Test by 103 runs.

He scored more than 1000 Test runs in five consecutive calendar years 1391 (2001), 1312 (2003), 1123 (2004) and 1380 (2005).

In 2003, Hayden surpassed Brian Lara's highest individual Test score (375) when he score 380 against Zimbabwe at the WACA Ground. But unfortunately he held the record for only six months as Brian Lara reclaimed it by scoring the first quadruple-century (400 not out) in Test history, against England at St John's in April 2004.

The turning point of Hayden's career came in India in 2001 series when he scored 549 runs in a three-Test series at an outstanding average of 109.80. But after his all efforts the world champions still lost the Test series against the hosts.

The India series boosted Hayden's confidence and after that his Test average never dropped below 43 till 2007.

Hayden's One-day International career is equally inspiring. In 161 ODIs he scored 6133 runs at an average of 43.80 with the help of 10 hundreds and 36 fifties.

In the opening partnership with Adam Gilchrist, he scored the most (4503) runs in 87 One-day Internationals with the average stand being of 53.60. Their nearest competitors were sGreenidge-Haynes with (4343) in 71 ODI and Ganguly-Tendulkar (4281) in 65 matches.

Hayden won the Allan Border Medal in 2002 following 1509 Test runs at 71.85. He was also Test player of the year in 2002, and in 2007 was named Australia's and the ICC's One-day International player of the year. He was also named Wisden Cricketer of the Year in 2001.

The writer works in the art department at 'The News' in Karachi

khurrams87@yahoo.com

Judging by the frequency of mishaps with which those involved in the country's cricket mention the board game, it has become a popular trivial pursuit. And the PCB's unique adaptation of the hobby turns it into a bonding exercise that is safe from physical or verbal confrontation.

Those of us who denounce the PCB sometimes confuse trepidation and antipathy. I don't dislike this PCB regime: Little ambiguous and slightly filled with skepticism we were watching passages of commitments and opinions of Javed Miandad, not gripping, not fascinating.

The latest from Lahore shows that Miandad has been requested to refrain from talking publicly and wildly and also stopped from making disclosures. Ijaz Butt, the Chairman PCB who initially looked to be laid-back and apathetic, has suddenly jumped to life and, seemingly, he has started to use his authority, putting his foot down. Mr Butt has it in him.

Here it is not a question of criticising Miandad since, I believe, his presence in the management team could really help cricket grow provided he is guided in between his bursts in the media. He is a darling as he was representing Pakistan. A highly sensitive man, Miandad often stretches himself into domains untold; otherwise he is shrewd, has the nous and knowhow about bringing cricket back on its feet. What he should know, unlike Aamer Sohail he doesn't have the persona and instincts showing himself eccentrically muscled and impressive during public appearances.

Miandad, recently though sporadically went overboard and it was like watching an inter-species massacre: 'Attack Penguin Crushes Puny Humans'. Interspersed with perplexity, no, doomsayers like me don't dislike him: I was just scared that his public comments could make our cricketing passions obsolete. As we fret the future of the Pakistani game we ask questions: Will it survive? How will we nurture future teams if it doesn't? It might help if we begin recognising that we aren't alone.

Historically, what is happening to Pakistan cricket today has happened to other entertainments -- music and film industry or in sports to hockey and squash, for example -- in the past. It's not time for half-baked tips, now we need solid decisions.

It is crunch time and Miandad as a batsman was never alien to such situations. He has the ability to deliver and the best part is that he is well acquainted to all tiers of management. From streets to roads, first class and international cricket etcetera... he has seen it all. At least three times, he has been Pakistan's national coach and dishearteningly he had to give way to his successors amidst mid-team rifts. I have had the experience of working with him and he is most definitely a committed man, a professional to the core. Now, it should be his time to bring changes, slowly and steadily, not unkempt and hurriedly.

Pakistan cricket needs a soft revolution. The PCB now needs to start developing classical, codified and cultivated policies distinct from the popular and primitive forms in the past. Classical also in the sense of being authoritative and definitive; Dr Nasim Ashraf virtually became player-broker for the BCCI. It was more than an individual error: it represented the collapse of classical ideals in cricket management. The classical ideals that were once necessary for worldly success are no longer.

Cricket's establishments in Pakistan, in the past, failed to shape-up policies and it increasingly became a kind of lip service, a matter of polite habit, because to them long-term improvements weren't hegemonic anymore. Mr Ijaz Butt's predecessors, at least the last two tried becoming Jose Carreras, Luciano Pavarotti and Placido Domingo of cricket. It is now his time to leave their legacies in shreds and repacking cricket as a new product, easily marketable and of high quality. If he steadies his governance, perhaps Pakistan cricket will survive the rumoured death rattle. I know. It isn't likely to happen. But with Mr Butt in power, there's no harm hoping

Mr Butt is required to adapt to the peak of behavioural friction and crises not allowing his team of ex-Test stars the freedom to speak about their off-field passion. He may well have to stand up to his directors perhaps using some of the words that wouldn't be acceptable in genteel company, but they are said and that has to happen to get the machinery going. He has to introduce a new working culture, shunning the age old PCB environment where people worked in calming and delaying techniques, plinking, splating and squoping of stress-free methods.

Previously, and disingenuously people looked for new tools for self-service and monopolies of every kind guarded their domain jealously, so their behaviour couldn't come as a surprise. PCB sanctioned ostracism had the force of their own self-synthesised laws. However, this is somewhat resolved with the arrival of Ijaz Butt and his team, what should worry us is that at the very moment unlike the BCCI, Pakistan cricket isn't embraced with entrepreneurial capitalism so the salad in the bowl may well need to be redressed to make it attractive. Regrettably, people like Dr Nasim Ashraf dusted off a Stalinist bag of tricks to hunt down the right revisionists and left adventurists and running dogs and, indeed, anyone who didn't fall into line.

Mr Butt hasn't got the time to spend leisurely as the country's cricket is completely disfigured, further mutilated by lack of opportunity. Sport has become big business. And unlike his predecessor, Mr Butt needs to take a global look at the business of cricket focusing upon the structure of sports industry, commercialisation, marketing, franchising, television and other rights, and the rise of the global super players and teams.

He has to position his mindset in a global political and economic context and in the framework of global uncertainties and scenarios. He needs to build teams to discuss major challenges confronting various segments of Pakistan cricket, understand the historical, psychological, sociological, and philosophical foundations of our national game; grasp management and organisational concepts and their application in cricket enterprises; apply information about cricket management to diverse populations in an unbiased and an unabated fashion; demonstrate critical professional skills; and become member of an organisation which has a positive impact on cricket is managed in the future.

With Ijaz Butt are people like Aamer Sohail and Saleem Altaf. They need to take a comprehensive, nuanced look at the critical aspects of human resource management within cricket. They need to focus on the key groups that comprise human resource and present conceptual guidelines for matching managerial processes with individual differences between these groups. They need to deliver concepts and tailor human resource practices to fit each segment of cricket and PCB's particular goals, products, markets and technologies etcetera.

Mr Butt besides redefining priorities and trying to get as much playing options for the national team also needs to cater for ensuring that cricket receives the most it can for its facility-related expenditures. He also needs to identify monitoring techniques to review all aspects of maintenance and upkeep so that cricket could operate at highest capacity. He needs to evolve character of cricket management. Of course, many other factors have impacted on the challenges of cricket management in recent years.

For example, the newfound corporate cost-consciousness that emerged in the early 2000s has generated an emphasis on operational efficiency. In addition, philosophical changes such as increased reliance on teamwork, cross-functional teams, and telecommuting have created new spacing and infrastructure demands. Finally, the responsibilities of cricket managers have continued to broaden into all areas of game's upkeep, including insuring that it adheres to international requirements in such areas.

It's time for people like Aamer Sohail and Saleem Altaf to deliver suggesting that evolving cricket realities in the realms of process improvement, cost containment, speed-to-market accelerations, quality control and workplace arrangements and concepts will all have a big impact on future notions of cricket management.

They need to produce human resource (both players and administrators) and then integrating knowledge workers into a dynamic cricket environment of global competition, technological developments, and changing values. Mr Butt and his competent directors need to understand the evolving nature of knowledge-based cricket management -- the new workforce and the content of its work is migrating from a bureaucratic control of resources and the movement of materials through a process toward a highly flexible and networked organisation whose added value is exploiting specialised knowledge and information to solve complex problems.

Nonetheless, to daydream is to stir the pot of hope. What we most want is up upon a stage, eliciting a self-vicarious pleasure. Nor should we deprecate such homespun treasure, the source of much delight at any age. Years pass, yet dreams with dreamers still elope. Fear not to dream, for dreams are not mere leisure; imagination gives one room to cope, vivid in its scenes of love and rage, even as it makes one's world to measure.

Fountains of praises, accolades and admiration had exploded and were showered on the Indian batting legend Sachin Tendulkar for standing topmost among the batsmen of the cricket world, when he beat West Indian great Brian Lara's 11,953 and crossed the figure of 12,000 in the second Test match against tourists Australia in Mohali during the recent series. The sole 12,000 runs-scorer in the cricket universe claims four records to his credit. Tendulkar was already the top scorer in One-day Internationals (16,361 runs) and enjoyed the top place among century makers, with 39 in Tests and 42 in the ODIs.

But that is not the whole story. Tendulkar is the top scorer but not the 'best' scorer. He plays best but does not win best. Unfortunately, Tendulkar lags behind the West Indian when it comes to playing marathon innings; the Indian legend must still be looking at Lara with envy because of a couple of 'batathons' played by the left-hander.

Lara was peerless when it came to playing long innings, still holding world records for the highest innings in first-class cricket (501 for Warwickshire versus Durham in 1994) and in Tests (400 not out versus England in 2004). In spite of being more consistent and technically sound than Lara, the Indian batting legend has failed to convert any of his four double-centuries into a triple-hundred in 152 Tests. His best remains an unbeaten 248 in Bangladesh in 2004.

The West Indian made 375 against England in 1994, a record that could be beaten by Australian Matthew Hayden only (380 versus Zimbabwe in 2003), before being reclaimed by Lara himself.

Lara's international career fell when the West Indies team was on the decline and it was a tribute to his genius that he never allowed his side's repeated failures to affect his batting. He plundered 688 runs in three Tests in Sri Lanka in 2001, only to see his team lose the series 3-0. His last Test series narrated a similar story; he scored 448 in three matches in his team's 2-0 defeat in Pakistan in 2006.

Lara, considered one of the best finishers in the game, was renowned for solely winning matches from hopeless situations. In 1999, Bridgetown saw Lara (153 not out) steer his team to a one-wicket victory against Australia when the Caribbean side were on the verge of defeat due to a 60 runs deficit, with two tailenders left behind. Four years later at the same venue against the same opposition, Lara's fast 60 runs set up his side's record 418-run chase.

Former England batsman Geoff Boycott believes Tendulkar will keep the record for some time, while Bradman will never be surpassed. He insisted that Australian legend Don Bradman was the greatest run-maker of all time. "It was inevitable that people, like Lara and Tendulkar, would break records of some distinction almost every other year or two. I broke Garry Sobers's record... but it didn't make me a better player than Sobers and it won't make Tendulkar a better player than Bradman, a genius -- the best batsmen of the lot."

A keen analysis of the batting career of the greatest batsman Tendulkar and his comparisons with other batting greats such as his compatriot Rahul Dravid, Australian skipper Ricky Ponting, West Indian great Brian Lara and prolific Australian opener Matthew Hayden can easily prove that Sachin was the top scorer but not best scorer.

The dismissal of a batsman for a duck, or even on a single-figure score, is a matter of shame for him and also a show of his poor batting performance, no doubt. Though it is not unusual for even the greatest batsmen, it may be considered a barometer of greatness of a batsman.

As of October 2008, Tendulkar showed a poor performance in 60 Test innings, with 14 ducks and 46 single-figure innings, which make up 24 percent of his Test batting career. His 19 ducks and 90 single-figure innings in 407 ODI innings also make up 27 percent of his ODI batting career. Tendulkar scored seven ODI centuries and five Test centuries against the minnows, Zimbabwe, Kenya and Namibia.

Sachin scored 12,037 in 248 innings of 152 Test matches, at the average of 54 runs per innings, while his 16,361 runs took 407 innings of 417 ODIs he played, claiming an average of 44 runs during his 19 years career.

In comparison, his compatriot Rahul Darvid's only six ducks and 41 single-figure innings make up only 21 percent of his Test batting career. His 13 ducks and 53 single-figure innings make up only 21 percent of his ODI batting career comprising 308 innings. Dravid claims an average little less than 54 runs in 219 innings of 127 Test matches and about 40 runs in 333 ODIs he played during his career since 1996.

Ponting's only seven ducks and 32 single-figure innings make up just 19 percent of his Test batting career, while his 17 ducks and 46 single-figure innings make up just 22 percent of his ODI batting career. The 58 runs per innings average of Australian skipper Ricky Ponting is outstanding, during his 13 years career with 203 innings of 121 Test matches. His 43 runs average in 301 ODIs may easily surpass 44 runs average of Tendulkar.

His 30 Test centuries in 94 matches are just nine behind Tendulkar's 39 in 146 Test matches.

West Indian Brian Lara suffered 17 ducks and 45 single-figure innings, which make up 27 percent of his 232 Test innings batting career, while his 16 ducks and 58 single-figure innings in 289 ODI innings are 26 percent of his ODI batting career. He scored only one century against the minnows, Bangladesh.

The 53 runs average of Lara in 232 Test innings and 40 runs average in 289 ODI innings, during his 17 years career, are not much behind the Indian superstar.

In 173 innings of 96 Test matches, Australia's Matthew Hayden has scored 8284 at an average of 52 runs, while in 155 innings of 161 ODIs, he kept up his average of about 44 runs. His 13 ducks and 19 single-figure innings in 173 Test innings make up only 18 percent of his batting career, while nine ducks and 17 single-figure innings make up only 17 percent of his ODI batting career.

There are various factors that have contributed to the downfall of Pakistan cricket in recent years. The losing of some of the key players to the rebel Indian Cricket League (ICL) is also one such factor. So when we talk about setting things right in Pakistan cricket and suggest remedies for bringing it back on track, the ICL-ban needs to be given special attention as it really does not make a sense to ban a cricketer from 'playing cricket'.

The Pakistan Cricket Board last week announced a 15-member squad for the much-awaited Sri Lanka ODIs from the available bunch of players but it was quite saddening to note that the squad is not one to be called a winning combination. While closely analysing the characteristics and capabilities of the national team, the grimmest aspect of the squad is the presence of quite a good number of players who did not earn an automatic place in the team and have made to the national side in the absence of front line players, who we have lost to the ICL.

These 'second line' players have seemingly made to the team on a series or match-wise performance, which has been made a touch-stone for their selection to the team and hence they will definitely not be able to fill the void.

It may be mentioned here that the issue of allowing the ICL players to play in domestic cricket and represent the national side had gained momentum after the departure of Dr Nasim Ashraf and his cronies from the scene and it was hoped that the new PCB Chairman Ijaz Butt would part ways with the policies of his predecessors in this connection.However, it was sad to note that the Big Brother too has been constantly stating that the "Board is following the ICC policy of not allowing ICL players to play domestic cricket."

Sometime back, media reports had quoted Butt as saying that the PCB cannot lift the ban on ICL players, unless the ICC recognises the breakaway league. But many an expert does not agree with his viewpoint.

That's why many former players have demanded to lift the ban and many of the departments with whom the cricketers are attached have also not terminated their employment in spite of the Board's ban on all such players. Just imagine, some players are even actively connected in different roles with certain teams in the ongoing Quaid-e-Azam Trophy tournament in the country. The irony is that instead of calling a spade a spade, the current set up like their predecessors are toeing the line of the Indian Board on the matter.

One would agree with the prolific batsman Mohammad Yousuf, who has urged the PCB in a television interview last week to take its own independent decisions. We are not getting anything in return so why to give preference to the BCCI stance over the interest of our own players. As simple as that.

Though the PCB bosses are quoting the ICC ruling as the reason for its inability to revoke the said ban on its players for joining the ICL, yet to many an independent observer, the BCCI's pressure is the only reason behind the PCB's insistence on banning the ICL players.

The independent observers are of the view that there is no such ruling from the ICC on ICL players. They see nothing wrong with the ICL and as such see no justification for the PCB ban on its players for featuring in the ICL encounters. "The ICL is promoting cricket and providing livelihood to many players and also giving chances to young Indian cricketers," they argue.

It may be mentioned that the legendary Javed Miandad, who is currently the Director General of PCB, had also voiced his concern over the ban on ICL players in the past and had said that he would like to see the ICL players freed of the ban by the PCB. Now that he is in the ranks of the PCB, he should keep his word and help players like Yousuf to be able to play for the national side once again.

It may also be mentioned here that many cricketers have been calling for lifting of the ban. Pakistan all-rounder Shahid Afridi wants former captain and current PCB DG Javed Miandad to fulfill his promise of lifting the domestic cricket ban on the players signed up with the ICL.

Former Pakistan all-rounder Abdul Razzaq has also taken a swipe at the PCB, saying "it is a puppet in the hands of a powerful Indian cricket board".

"We have been trying to get the ban revoked but the PCB can't do it because it cannot displease the powerful Indian board," Razzaq was quoted to have said.

The fans too were expecting a positive change on the issue, but things are going to be rather complex and perplexing. However, since nothing is being done, the situation is turning further grim as the current bosses have expressed their inability to nullify the ban.

The irony is that there seems to be double standard on the issue. For example, the PCB has ignored the presence of former Test captain Moin Khan as coach of the PIA team and of Hasan Raza's attachment with the HBL team. Moin Khan is currently the coach of the Lahore Badshahs team that won the ICL this season. It may be mentioned here that the Indian Cricket League champions Lahore Badshahs' skipper Inzamam-ul-Haq had recently claimed that the PCB was all set to lift the ban on players aligned with the 'rebel' Twenty20 league.

The fans too were sensing positive vibes from the PCB about granting recognition to the ICL and they were hopeful the bans on the ICL players would be lifted soon. It was also reported that legal advisors and officials of the PCB were working on finalising a way to lift the ban on players aligned with the ICL, but then the issue died away and nothing happened on this front, with the banned players waiting in disgust a recall from the PCB.

The matter of the fact is that PCB is an independent organisation aimed at safeguarding the Pakistan players' rights and guaranteeing them a due place in the comity of cricketers and not let them down in the hour of distress. As such, safeguarding the players' interest should be the top priority of the PCB and matters like the 'BCCI's pleasure' should be given secondary importance by the game's governing body.

One would also urge the ICC to play its role and take affirmative steps to safeguard the rights of cricketers who have signed for the ICL.

To conclude, one really feels sorry for the banned players, who are battling to regain the right of playing for the national team and in domestic competitions. Though so far they have failed in their efforts, one hopes they do succeed in their fight for securing their rights. Cricket lovers do stand by them and support them in their endeavour to get justice.