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cricket Flashback
1992 World Cup: Imran has the last laugh cricket All eyes set on
the Pakistan tennis
is now suffering a major slump
cricket Thank you Australia... for enhancing our interest in the World Cup Sadly, the crisis-stricken
and inconsistent Pakistan cricket team are placed at the bottom among the top
eight sides and thus they or their supporters cannot voice any victory claims
in the high profile event The cricket fans around the globe would, hopefully, see a new champion on April 28 when the final of the 9th Cricket World Cup would be played in Barbados. As many as 16 teams including a large number of minnows (eight) have reached the Caribbean, the new 'battlefield' for the world's prestigious title. The grand event would get
under way on March 13 in an ideal and true It's just three weeks time which changed the entire scene and turned the world beaters Australians into a struggling side just prior to the Cricket World Cup showpiece competition. Back-to-back retirements of key players, sudden injuries and a surprising slump in bowling form combined to make the strong-nerved Australia vulnerable at this crucial time. The Australian Cricket Board could have averted such an unwanted situation by convincing the retired players especially in-form Damien Martyn to delay their retirements. Remember, Martyn was the main performer in Australia's maiden ICC Champions Trophy triumph in November last in India. Though Australia, who are regarded as most professional outfit of the world, would enter the mega event with several uncertainties regarding their bowling form and questionable fitness levels of skipper Ricky Ponting and all-rounder Andrew Symonds, even then they have enough potential to complete a hat-trick of world titles. The Australians are popular for their strong nerves across the cricketing world. The cricket lovers must remember that only 17 months ago, the Aussies after being beaten in the Ashes, bounced back in such a great style and thrashed every opponent including strong South Africans in home and away rubbers. Australia, despite having been engulfed by serious difficulties, got a plenty of match-winners in Ricky Ponting, Adam Gilchrist, Michael Hussey, Andrew Symonds and retiring fast bowler Glenn McGrath. These seasoned cricketers do have the ability to win a third successive World Cup for their country. So in the upcoming World Cup, a strong comeback from Australians can't be ruled out. However, Australia's recent string of ODI debacles is no less than a blessing for the organisers of the World Cup. Now there would be more charm and competitiveness in the event and great enthusiasm among the crowd as well. After trouncing Australia in recent ODIs, both England and New Zealand would enter the mega World Cup tournament with a sky high confidence. The Kiwis are popular for their fighting spirit particularly in the previous editions of World Cup. Among others, South Africa, Sri Lanka, India and hosts West Indies are the teams which would also launch World Cup campaign as top contenders. But sadly, the crisis-stricken and inconsistent Pakistan cricket team is placed at the bottom among the top eight sides and thus they or their supporters cannot voice any victory claims in the high profile event. The recent defeats in Test and ODI series against tough South Africans put Pakistan on top of the list of struggling sides of the cricket world and that too just before the grand World Cup event. The South African tour was an ample proof of Pakistan's poor planning, selection, inconsistent approach and questionable form and fitness. However, on their day, Pakistan can outplay any opponent even with limited resources and all problems, like they did at Durban against the strong South Africans. As far as the fitness levels of the leading competing teams are concerned, South Africa, Sri Lanka and India looked most fit sides while hosts West Indies, New Zealand and England are at joint number two. Unfortunately Pakistan and holders Australia are the teams with the most shaky fitness in the World Cup. Apart from fitness worries, the declining standard of bowling would likely to be the main problem for Aussies in the World Cup tournament. As we saw that Australia had no problem with their batting and their batsmen posted huge totals even without skipper Ricky Ponting and Adam Gilchrist in the last two ODIs in Chappell-Hadlee Trophy series against New Zealand. And it was Australia's unimpressive bowling which let the Kiwis overhaul such gigantic scores twice. Here Kiwis also deserved full marks for their extraordinary fighting spirit. It is interesting to note that it was the first occasion in ODI history when two 330 plus scores were chased in successive matches. Among the Asian teams, former champions Sri Lanka look an ideal and balanced side for the World Cup ahead of India and Pakistan as far as preparations and prospects are concerned. Their performance in the last two years showed that the islanders have gained enough maturity under the prolific batsman Mahela Jayawardene to pose a serious challenge to Cup contenders. Jayawardene has enjoyed an excellent run since taking over the captaincy, as he squared a Test series 1-1 in England after being 1-0 down before prevailing 5-0 in the one-dayers and then thrashed South Africa 2-0 at home in the Tests last year. In both series, Jayawardene played a key role with his elegant batting. Under Jayawardene, the Sri Lankan cricket team regained their popular crushing touch of the mid-90s. With his charismatic leadership qualities, Jayawardene truly converted Sri Lanka into a winning unit from a struggling team. Though India, another Asian cricketing giant and former champions, won their last two ODI rubbers against visiting West Indies and Sri Lanka, their ability to play a standard game abroad is open to every one. Remember, prior to two home ODI series, they were severely battered by South Africa in Test and ODI series. Here is another interesting rather surprising move from some leading cricketers just before the World Cup event. There is no need to tell that the World Cup, in any sport, has always been a great attraction for players, officials and crowd as well. And every player wants to feature in a World Cup event but in the recent weeks, as many as seven leading cricketers Nathan Astle (New Zealand), Damien Martyn, Justin Langer, Shane Warne and Glenn McGrath (all from Australia and in the same series), Anil Kumble from India and Nicky Boje (South Africa) announced their different kinds of retirements. Though Shane Warne and Justin Langer were not in the ODI planning but Damien Martyn, Nicky Boje and Nathan Astle all had regular places in their respective ODI teams. Veteran bowlers -- Glenn McGrath and Anil Kumble -- would leave the arena but only after featuring in the World Cup. Remember McGrath has announced to quit all forms of cricket after the World Cup while Kumble intends to continue his Test career after the grand event. It is pertinent to mention here that Astle was just one scalp shy of his century of ODI wickets when he stunned the cricket world with his retirement 'bombshell'. Remember, Astle is the only player of ODI history to retire with a tally of 99 wickets. Next nearest is the Aussie off-spinner Peter Taylor, who ended his career with 97 wickets in ODIs while South African Nicky Boje and Zimbabwean leg-spinner Paul Strang finished with 96 wickets each.
The writer is a staffer at 'The News' in Lahore ghalibmbajwa@yahoo.com Flashback 1992 World Cup: Imran has the last laugh Pakistan were, Imran said, to take on the stance and response of a cornered tiger. He dedicated the victory to the cause of a cancer hospital in Lahore for which he was fund-raising in memory of his mother By M Shoaib Ahmed In the manner of the Olympics Games, cricket's World Cup grows larger and more spectacular. The event, staged in Australia (25 matches) and New Zealand (14 matches) in 1992, featured, for the first time, all eight Test-playing teams, with minnows Zimbabwe taking the numbers of competing sides to an unprecedented nine. The final was the 39th match. The first two tournaments, in 1975 and 1979 in England, featured only 15 matches, while in 1983 (England) and 1987 (Pakistan and India) there were 27. The fifth World Cup was the
first to be played in coloured clothing, with a white ball and some games
under floodlights. Although it was again 50 overs a side rather Recognising the imperfect system of straight run-rate calculation when a second innings has to be shortened after rain, and unable to schedule spare days within the time-frame of the tournament, the World Cup committee adopted a scheme whereby the reduction in the target would be commensurate with the lowest-scoring overs of the sides which batted first. Against South Africa in Melbourne, England lost nine overs but their target of 237 was reduced only 11 runs. When the team next met, in the Sydney semifinal, another rain pause, this time at the climatic moment, led to an uproar which echoed for weeks afterwards. Pakistan won the World Cup for the first time, beating England (twice previous finalist, never winners) by 22 runs on a memorably dramatic autumn night in Melbourne, before an Australian limited overs record crowd of 87,182 who paid $A2 million (£880,000). Almost half of them sat in the newly completed Great Southern Stand, which cost $A 140 million and is the largest construction ever conceived for Australian sport. It was further claimed that the global television audience exceeded one billion in 29 counties. In Pakistan where it was still early evening, jubilation verging on the hysterical splashed over into the streets, and upon their return the payers were placed on the highest pedestals of heroism. Imran Khan, the captain, in his 40th year and nursing a troublesome right shoulder unsurprisingly declared this as finest hour, a claim clearly supported by the pictures of him holding the £7,500 Waterford Crystal trophy, eyes wide with exhilaration, after ICC Chairman Sir Colin Cowdrey had presented it to him on the MCG dais. This accomplished all-rounder, top scorer in the final with a measured 72, had urged his young team on through times when it seemed that qualification for the semifinals was out of the question. They were, he said, to take on the stance and response of a cornered tiger. He dedicated the victory to the cause of a cancer hospital in Lahore for which he was fund-raising in memory of his mother. The World Cup organisers seemed content to overlook Imran's earlier remark that it was the worst-organised of all the World Cups. Excitement was high from the opening day, when New Zealand caused the first upset by beating Australia, the holders and favourites, by a comfortable margin at Auckland. Led by Martin Crowe, who made a century, New Zealand were initiating a remarkable run of victories on their slow pitches, Patel bowling off-spin at the star of the innings, followed by a bevy of harmless-looking medium-pacers challenging batsmen to come at them, Crowe's brilliant batsmanship and imaginative command in the field, augmented by the shameless six-hitting of opener Mark Greatbatch, who earned a place only when John Wright was injured, took New Zealand almost to the ultimate glory. The co-hosts won their first seven matches, and were not harmed by defeat (by Pakistan) in the eighth, for it assured them of a home semifinal. The sub-plots were multiple, for Pakistan, through this victory at Christchurch, managed to reach the semifinals... so long as Australia (who had just lost their last chance) beat West Indies at Melbourne, a few hours later. Boon's century, his second of the series, and Whitney's four wickets ensured this, putting West Indies out of the competition too. Australia had started as favourite, but their approach was too inflexible and their for too fickle. New strategies had not so much passed them by as they struck no receptive chords in Captain Allan Border or Coach Bob Simpson. There had been a reluctance to drop the faithful Marsh, who was taking for too much time over his runs, and Simon O'Donnell, voted top player the previous season, was not even chosen in the squad. The nation was mortified as the defeats piled up, the only victory in Australia's first four matches coming by a solitary run in the most thrilling of all the finishes; at Brisbane, when the last ball seemed successively to be a winning boundary for India, then a catch, then again a spillage into the boundary gutter, with Steve Waugh's long recovery throw perhaps too wide, but gathered by substitute wicket-keeper David Boon, who made ground to beat the batsman by a few inches. Towards the end of the competition, Australians had been compelled to adopt other allegiances, with no small amount of sympathy being extended South Africa's way. Readmitted to the international brotherhood after 21 years of political isolation. South Africa, led by Bloemfontein-born former Australian Test batsman Kepler Wessels, were an unpredictable commodity. They had won one of their three introductory limited-overs matches in India in some style three months previously. Now, overseen by Coach Mike Proctor, one of the world's greatest cricketers at the time of South Africa's expulsion, and spearheaded by the speedy Allan Donald, they stepped coolly on to the stage and beat Australia by nine wickets before a clamorous crowd of almost 40,000 at Sydney, proportionate noise issuing from the throats of hundreds of South Africa supporters some of them now resident in Australia. Wessels's partner at the other end was Peter Kirsten, who was left out of the original squad but was to average 68.33 in the preliminary matches. Setbacks against New Zealand and Sri Lanka were put behind them as South Africa won their historic encounter with West Indies in a cordially-conducted match at Brisbane, where Jonty Rhodes, already having attracted notice by his electrifying fielding immortalised himself with an airbone demolition of the stumps to run out Inzamam-ul-Haq. Their place in the semifinals was secured with victory over India in a shortened match at Adelaide, only for their campaign to be ended cruelly by the sudden heavy shower which fell on the SCG just before 10 pm, transforming a requirement of 22 off 21 balls to a mocking 21 off one. The crowd's frustration and hostility focused upon the England players in lieu of the rule-makes, while the South Africans absorbed their acute disappointment with a dignified and somehow joyous lap of honour. Beyond the bounds of cricket, it was believed that their success in the tournament had an influence on the crucial referendum which decided whether President de Klerk's reforms were to be continued. Support for his progressive dismantling of apartheid was shown in a substantial majority of the white population's votes, some of it unquestionably swayed by live pictures from the far side of the Indian ocean which showed the national team competing popularity and successfully after having been excommunicated for so long. The odds after two weeks of competition ever affected by the vacillating from most particularly of India and West Indies, both past winners. Reshaped after the jettisoning of several senior players, and led by an out-of-touch Richie Richardson, West Indies won their first match convincingly by making 221 without losing a wicket. This was not against the lesser Zimbabwe or Sri Lanka. It was against Pakistan, the eventual champions. Thereafter they seemed out of sorts, though Brain Lara, the flowery left-hander, finished with four half-centuries. India lost a tight opening match against England, beat Pakistan, who fell apart under the Sydney lights, but were themselves soon to fall by the wayside through poor fielding and indecisiveness in all departments. Sri Lanka managed two victories, scoring 313 at New Plymouth to deny Zimbabwe what had seemed a certain triumph given the weight of their own innings, centurion Andy Flower having had his effort capitalized by Andy Waller's 32-ball half century. Sri Lanka's other success was against South Africa at Wellington, when Ranatunga steered them home by three wickets with only a ball t spare. The most unexpected result comes on the last day of the qualifying matches, when Zimbabwe, having made only 134 on a sporting pitch at Albury, overthrew England by nine runs, Eddo Brandes taking the bowling honours. England could afford to lose, as was the case in their previous match, against New Zealand, although the long run of success which began when they landed in New Zealand for their Test-match tour as eh year opened was now broken and in urgent need of repair, particularly as several key players were carrying injuries. Pakistan started slowly in the final, but scrapped 249 for six. England batted disappointingly and were all out in the last over for 27, with Wasim Akram, who not only took three wickets, but scored a vital 33 runs in 18 balls at the end of the Pakistan innings, becoming Man of the Match. The Pakistan skipper Imran Khan accepted the biggest prize, however, and couldn't help beaming at the way fortune had smiled for his team at half-way -- after winning only one of their first five matches, they won all five thereafter. cricket Inzamam will need blokes like Imran Nazir and Shahid Afridi to play 'winners' all the time -- given their techniques, it seems a far cry. Pakistan's outcome in the World Cup may well be the replica of the 2003 edition. It's a sorry state By Dr Nauman Niaz The energy of Inzamam-ul-Haq never flags -- people around him have been flagging. He is also one of the oldest swingers of a bat in the country. In Pakistan, our misguided assumption that he would be retiring after the World Cup 2007 may well lead to raised eyebrows as he is eager to continue in one of the most challenging jobs in cricket, contemplating that he'll be around until 2009 –- that's what he thinks. Allan Border transformed the
Australian side of the mid-1980s, stripped away the graffiti of the Packer
era and created with startling unity of purpose. He taught them how to win,
and it is a habit they have not yet lost. However, Inzamam Inzamam hasn't been what Border and Steve Waugh were to Australia in the 1980s and 1990s. Now, with injury list swollen fully, Inzamam's chances of taking his cornered blokes to the West Indies and gelling them into a winning unit seems a far cry -- will he continue to be in office is a question that needs and effective answer. What on earth was going on? The interesting thing is that while a few committed Inzamam -- cynics undoubtedly thought Pakistan were mad, the more general reaction was to question the motives of Woolmer and Inzamam. And Inzamam, why would he want to waste valuable leisure years battling the frustrations of international cricket? However, it's there, is the simple answer. He has never been able to resist any challenge involving bat, ball and unfulfilled team. The longer response, one that skirts adroitly, is that captaincy is one of the few arenas in which Inzamam has failed. He does not like failure, indeed resents any association with it. He must have enjoyed attempting to change the shape and attitude of a young Pakistan team but there was plenty in opposition to his attitudes and methods... comfort seems to be what so many Pakistan professionals are all about these days. Too many players accept the good life of international cricket without really stretching themselves. Inzamam has always had a keen idea of his own worth and it may be taken as read that he has negotiated a great career owing to his outstanding batting ability. A man for rare occasions, he must be set to hit his best form in the West Indies, leading Pakistan at least to respectability if not the title. Those who dislike him -- and his abrasive style have courted some famous fallouts -- will say that his zeal is more mercenary than missionary. The alternative view, of course, is that the man responsible for reviving the Javed Miandad like batting folklore helping Pakistan to unprecedented victories in times of duress, as one of the most influential figures in country's cricket, should be entitled to name his own price. And he finds plenty of takers. It's a time for change, which seems pretty shallow to Inzamam's stature and worth as a batsman. He wants to continue because he thinks it is a particularly bad time to change direction. He has been a fighter to the core. The truth is that several men in authority consider that Inzamam has become too powerful, that he virtually runs the national team and selection. Inzamam is Pakistan's captain. His press conferences are noted for their dullness. Every question is met with a dead bat and a lifeless tone of voice, the sound of an intelligent man who doesn't suffer hacks gladly. But since becoming country's captain, he has begun to play a few shots. The latest rang around the cricket world: "Our players are not mentally tough". "Middle order batsmen with technical breaches can survive but openers should have correct techniques." How could they be? The selectors, the power-players and those who run the PCB are working with shovel and axes in their hands. There is no semblance of balance. Since the end of a strong 'department' run first-class cricket, it has stopped to serve any purpose whatsoever. Very few people turn up to watch, it doesn't prepare people for a higher level of cricket and it doesn't attract television deals or sponsorship. It is living on borrowed time. These remarks may well annoy quite a few at the PCB and may be termed as 'commercially naïve' and 'completely inappropriate' at this time of the year when the Pakistan team prepares to participate in the world cup. However, one must most appropriately rate Pakistan's preparations 'a disgrace'. These opinions are unremarkable. Nevertheless, quite a few would agree at this point on my main thrust, though the timing may well be tactless, with the world cup about to start. Pakistan's chances to go unscathed through the 'Super-Eight' stage are remote. There have been embarrassing gaps and anyone terming them 'dark horse' to annex the title may well be overstating the case about our injury-ridden players. One has to be, either a romantic, or an ostrich or an administrator not to acknowledge it. Great deal of time has been lost and it’s about too late being a hero. One has to reiterate the first class attendance are tiny, television interest nil, and the domestic game has become a hopeless preparation for international cricket (unless the young player concerned happens to be mentally strong and ambitious, hard-wired to compete and able to treat our placid wickets as a finishing school). Inzamam may have had an indifferent season himself, but that has been partly because of his back problem and partly because the bowlers on the other side knew that his was one of only three big wickets that they had to take. This, in turn, was because two to three members of Pakistan's top seven had just stepped up from the first class treadmill, in various degrees of unreadiness. It should be a matter of great concern for the PCB top officers. Quality or quantity: the choice is theirs. And don't let anyone get away with trotting out the old line about turkeys being asked to vote for Christmas. The narrow self-interest of certain officials and powerful players threatens the whole future of the Pakistan game. The parallel is not with Christmas, but with endangered species. If they allow standards to remain low, the turkey will be voting, in effect, for extinction. The Pakistan team for the World Cup 2007 includes three and a half unfit players. Asif, Gul and Shoaib's selection has been subject to fitness, coercing the selectors to replace even the standbys. Azhar Mahmood, Mohammad Sami and Salman Butt may well be needed as replacements. Inzamam's back has also been impeding his stroke play. Pakistan's chances without Shoaib, Asif and Umar and with Imran Nazir’s technique one too brittle to last in high-fired competitions plus a two match suspension of Shahid Afridi hardly gives one the hope. With a sequence of unprecedented injuries if Pakistan cricket intends to regain its standing around the world it must respect the craftsmanship of the game and put its money and resources to proper use. One should not abide cricketers with lazy minds, an infection regarded as fatal. One also needs to emphasize the importance of the leading shoulder and him teaching his charges to drop the bat down and through the ball, taking the challenges chin-up. Nothing much needs to be changed. The Pakistan cricketers need to realise that cricket is an examination of mind, body and technique. At present Pakistan cricket relies upon natural talent and whatever resource available. And those who run it, they must know that cricket is not merely a competitive sport; it is an expression of the pride of the country. One still has faint hope. If Pakistan manages to get the fully fit Shoaib, Asif and Gul spot on time, preferably before March 8th, then Inzamam may well have a team to lead, otherwise it would indeed be arduous to watch him transforming people like Rao Iftikhar Anjum, Rana Naved-ul-Hasan, Abdul Razzaq and even Azhar Mahmood into wicket taking bowlers. One must also admit that batsmen make the game, bowlers win it. Without major strike bowlers one must not fancy Pakistan's big three Inzamam, Yousuf and Younis scoring hundreds each time they go out to bat. Individual 30s and 40s from people like Shoaib Malik and the terribly out of form Kamran Akmal may well steady the innings but Inzamam will need blokes like Imran Nazir and Shahid Afridi to play 'winners' all the time -- given their techniques, it seems a far cry. Pakistan's outcome in the World Cup may well be the replica of the 2003 edition. It's a sorry state.
All eyes set on the Pakistan-West Indies opener When we won the 1992 World Cup, batting-wise the team was as experienced as the current one, but bowling and fielding-wise it was stronger. Most significantly the then team had a flair for winning and was captained by Imran Khan By Gul Nasreen All eyes are set on the 2007 World Cup which gets underway in the Caribbean islands from March 11 with the opening ceremony and the first match between West Indies and Pakistan taking place on March 13 at Sabina Park, Kingston, in Jamaica. It will be the toughest test of nerves for the fitness-plagued Pakistan because the West Indies will have the advantage of home ground and home crowd. The absence of a number of reputed players in the Pakistan side due to fitness woes will also provide an opportunity to the Windies to make the most of it. Pakistan, however, enjoy a psychological edge over the hosts by having beaten them during their home series in Pakistan few months back both in Test and One-day Internationals series. Though none of the two teams is tournament favorite, yet in view of the overall situation prevailing ahead of the quadrennial event, which in the opinion of many an independent observer is 'wide open', a good start can augur well for Pakistan. In the wake of the 'open for all' situation both the teams are evenly poised to win the inaugural competition It could be a thriller, with the winner difficult to predict because both the team have what it takes to win a World Cup match. Pakistan's other plus point prior to the tournament opener is their middle-order batting line-up, which is one of the best in the world. However, their weaknesses are also many, foremost being fitness woes of paces, opening pair problem and the fielding lapses. And last but not the least, their 'ever say die' attitude as they are prone to mini-collapses and collapses. The other day Pakistan's former ace spinner Abdul Qadir, while commenting on the team's form ahead of the World Cup said, "When we were playing, our team had the ability to play under pressure. For example in case of early exit of the opening pair, or a collapse of middle order, the players coming down the number had the ability to make for the loss occurred by their teammates and used to stay at the wickets for long to halt the mini-collapses. But now once a wicket or two falls in quick succession, the entire innings is collapsed. Fall of two quick wickets prove a prologue to collapse of entire innings. And it's very dangerous, something you cannot expect of world class outfit." It is also pertinent to note here that the pitches in the World Cup are expected to be slow, and may assist the spinners. Pakistan having world class spinners in its ranks can turn tables on the opponents. Danish Kaneria is in an upbeat form and is a force to reckon with. His performance against South Africa was magnificent, but the irony is that he was denied ODIs practices ahead of quadrennial event as he was not part of the recently-concluded away ODI series against South African on the latter's soil. He holds the key to Pakistan's spin bowling at the World Cup. Pakistan's former ace pacer Wasim Akram, who holds records of having highest wickets in ODIs with 502 victims, has rightly welcomed the inclusion of Danish Kaneria in the squad by saying the leg spinner could be the 'trump card' as Caribbean wickets are spinner friendly. Together with Afridi, he can catch the opponents in the web of spin. It may be mentioned here that in the context of Pakistan World Cup squad a lot is being said, but looking at the available crop of talent, one would want to applaud the selectors for doing what one thinks is a very good job in assembling a good crop of players who one believes was the best among the available players. Some circles have lashed out at team management, captain, coach and selectors and hold them responsible for not finding a suitable opening pair yet. But the reality is that we have tried almost every opening player available at various events and have given them ample time to settle, yet none of them clicked. So no one is to be blamed for the same. As far as West Indies is concerned, one would like to quote from the statement of Courtney Walsh, who believes that West Indies selectors have picked a very good team to challenge for the World Cup. However, he says that there is one thing he would have done differently. Walsh, who was the first bowler to take 500 Test wickets, would have found room for a 'shock bowler, a guy with pace who could hustle the opposition'. The legendary fast bowler is quoted to have said that genuine pace had the ability to unsettle even the best of batsmen. "I would have included a shock bowler, someone with maximum effect. When I look around I would have gone for someone like Fidel Edwards, who could push people back in those early overs," he explained. "We have a top batting side, bowlers who are steady and can handle the pressure situation. I don't just believe they will do well, I believe they have what it takes to win the World Cup," he added. It is also worth-mentioning here that West Indies might be a 'balanced team' a head of World Cup yet, it is also pertinent to note that hosts have never won the World Cup title. Coming back to Pakistan, when we won the 1992 World Cup, batting-wise the team was as experienced as the current one, but bowling and fielding-wise it was stronger. Most significantly the then team had a flair for winning and was captained by Imran Khan, who though was at the receiving end as far as his personal game was concerned, he possessed the ability to lead the team from the front and keeping them upbeat under pressure and pulling them to success. After Imran Khan, the 'Never Say Die' attitude of the team transformed into 'Ever Say Die' and since then we have found them prone to sudden collapse. There is no denying the fact that Inzamam is a great batsman and has the honour of having played as many as 32 World Cup matches during his career, having scored 643 at an average of 23.81, but he surely lacks what it takes to inspire a squad 'down with poor performance' into a winning combination. But then his deputy Younis Khan also lacks the leadership qualities. That's why he is going to captain the side which surely lacks mental toughness despite having a cricketing talent par excellence. It is heartening to note that medium pacer Umar Gul is now fit for the showcase event. This great news has helped lift the 'doom and gloom' surrounding the Pakistan team due to injury woes to certain extent. The injury worries to its key bowlers like Shoaib Akhtar and Mohammad Asif and due to the omission of Abdul Razzaq on fitness ground, Pakistan will definitely be in trouble in the prestigious event. However, individual brilliance from Inzamam-ul-Haq, Mohammed Yousuf, Younis Khan and also in the bowling and fielding and keeping departments as also from all rounders can make a difference. So keep your fingers crossed as to how Pakistan open their World Cup account. Both Pakistan and West Indies are equally poised for the opening encounter and anything can happen on the given day as cricket is by chance. We are not in a position to have a bet and as such are not backing any of the two sides. We, however, surely pray for the capable yet 'unpredictable' Pakistan side, to start the event on a positive note.
Pakistan tennis is now suffering a major slump The PTF is currently working on setting up a tennis complex in Islamabad but it will have to help establish such facilities in all major cities of the country to broaden the player base in the country By Bilal Hussain After enjoying a memorable few months in 2005, Pakistan tennis is now suffering a major slump. Two years back, things were looking rosy for national tennis players and officials with the Davis Cup team winning a series of important matches and later the talented duo of Aisam-ul-Haq and Aqeel Khan making a near clean sweep of tennis titles in the Islamic Games in Saudi Arabia. It was perhaps the best year
for Pakistan tennis. The Davis Cup team recorded victories against top
regional teams like Thailand, Chinese Taipei and New Zealand to climb up to
the World Group Playoffs for the first time. They were drawn in the But even making it to the World Group Playoffs was a big achievement for a team that has just two players with the experience of winning matches outside Pakistan. The spate of victories that year fuelled hopes that tennis would make rapid progress in Pakistan. However, things began to fall apart in 2006. Given a tough opening round match against Chinese Taipei, Pakistan failed to improve their poor away record and lost that important tie. The defeat was followed by another away assignment, this time against their more accomplished neighbours -- India. The Pakistanis fought gallantly in hot and humid Mumbai against a side that had the world class pair of Leander Paes and Mahesh Bhupati. Pakistan lost 2-3 and got another away match against China. It resulted in another loss and Pakistan were relegated to Group-II. In 2007, Pakistan were expected to win the Group-II contest and regain a place in Group-I but there were more disappointments in store for them. Just weeks before this month's opening round tie against the Philippines in Manila, their top player Asiam-ul-Haq decided to pull out of the assignment, preferring to train in Europe. It was rumoured that Aisam opted against playing in the match because he was afraid of losing in sultry conditions in Manila against a home team that has shown tremendous improvement in recent years. Whatever the reasons, Aisam's absebce proved costly for Pakistan as they lost the 1-4 in a tie that they were seeded to win. Aqeel, the reigning Pakistan number one, later revealed that score-line could have been reversed in his team’s favour had Aisam played in the match. "I am sure that Aisam would have won both his singles matches in Manila and we would also have won the doubles tie," said Aqeel who gave Pakistan a winning start in Manila but failed to get enough support from the other players on Pakistan's four-man squad. Pakistan now face Davis Cup minnows Pacific Oceania in the relegation playoff from April 6-8. They have to defeat their new rivals to avoid the humiliation of bring relegated to Group-III next year. Pacific Oceania consists of players from International Tennis Federation's (ITF) associate member islands in Oceania excluding Australia and New Zealand. They are not a very strong team and Pakistan should win the tie without much fuss. Unless some concrete measures are taken by the Pakistan Tennis Federation (PTF) to lift the standard of the sport in the country, Pakistan will continue to have a similar fate in the Davis Cup in the years to come. They would do well while playing matches at home or against lowly teams but would struggle in away ties. Apart from Aisam and Aqeel, Pakistan do not have any player with solid credentials and a look at the new breed of national tennis players would make it clear that currently there is no youngster who can replace them on the Davis Cup squad. "The tennis scene in Pakistan is quite stagnant at the moment," believes Aqeel. "There are some good players but they need to improve to be able to do well at the Davis Cup level where the competition is tough," adds the Karachi-based player in an interview with 'The News on Sunday'. In spite of efforts by the PTF in recent years, in Pakistan tennis remains a sport that is either played by the rich or by a handful of children who fathers work on the tennis courts as coaches. This will have to change if tennis to make progress in Pakistan. The PTF is currently working on setting up a tennis complex in Islamabad but it will have to help establish such facilities in all major cities of the country to broaden the player base in the country. Without such a step, tennis would remain a minor sport in Pakistan. |
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atmosphere of competition and now
any of the leading sides can win the fabulous trophy. Interestingly, only a
month ago, the scenario was quite different when the ruthless Aussies were at
their best.
than the
original 60, it was generally considered to have been the fairest; each side
played all others once before the top four in the qualifying table played off
in the semifinals. Lasting 33 days from first-ball to last, it could be
faulted seriously only in the matter of rules governing rain-interrupted
matches.
despite forging a
perfect relationship with Bob Woolmer, the team's coach he had to
intriguingly smirk told the long list of wannabes to replace the present
coach.
Group
with South American powerhouse Chile and as expected lost to a side that was
led by the highly-rated Fernando Gonzalez -- the 2007 Australian Open
runner-up.