Pakistan: Cricket World Cup

VINDICATED.
VINDICATED.
VINDICATED.
VINDICATED.
VINDICATED.
VINDICATED.
VINDICATED.
VINDICATED.

Karachi, March 16: Internal bickerings and disagreement on several issues in the Pakistan team management have demotivated players taking part in the World Cup, according to sources in their camp.

They said that already there have been a couple of incidents which highlight there is friction in the squad and captain Inzamam-ul-Haq was not handling things well.
``There is no doubt about the ability of this team to go all the way in the World Cup. The talent, experience and skills are there. What is lacking is motivation and a collective agreement on the strategy to be adopted for each match,`` one of the well-informed sources informed from Kingston, Jamaica.

``As far as coach Bob Woolmer is concerned, he is more interested in his columns and diaries for a website and improving his public relations in the cricket fraternity. He apparently has lost communcation channels with the captain and many of the players and is just counting his day before his contract expires in June,`` one source said.

He said that since the Pakistan Cricket Board had not bothered to get Woolmer`s contract vetted when it was prepared in 2004, it had a number of clauses in it which allowed the former England player to not only write in the media but also take up other assignments.

``His influence is now negligent and the truth is that Inzamam does not bother to listen to either manager Talat Ali or media manager Pervez Mir and does what he likes,`` the source said.

The source also disclosed that in a recent incident, Inzamam had behaved harshly with Mir and refused to attend a press conference when he went to fetch him.

``Mir went and complained to the manager and he simply said welcome to the club. Mir than went to Board Chairman Nasim Ashraf and demanded action be taken against Inzamam for refusing to attend the conference and was told it would be better if he took either Woolmer or vice captain Younis Khan instead to the conference,`` the source revealed.

In another incident which reflects there is a collective agreement on all matters missing in the team, many of the players felt that fast bowler Mohammad Sami should play instead of the out of form Rana Naved but after a decision on this at the team meeting, Inzamam decided to stick with Naved on the morning of the match.

The team sources said there was also no unison on what to do after winning the toss with one group insisting on batting first and the other one backing Inzamam and Woolmer`s viewpoint to field first on the relaid pitch.

The source also disclosed that after the defeat to West Indies in the World Cup opener, Inzamam had tried to give a dressing down to the players in an emergency team meeting in the dressing room but it ended up with an hot exchange of words with his deputy Younis Khan.

``Inzamam castigated Imran Nazir for playing a loose shot and getting out recklessly despite being told by the coach not to repeat the same shot. At this time, Younis said he had said that it would be better to select Yasir Hameed instead of Nazir,`` the source said.

``Inzamam rebutted him and reminded him that he (Younis) had also played a bad shot and brought pressure on the other batsmen. Younis reacted to this and said than Inzamam should instead bat at number three and he would go lower down the order,`` the source said.

These sort of happenings in the Pakistan team are not new and have happened in the past. ``Infact, one of the biggest enemies of the Pakistan cricket team has been their ability to shoot themselves in the feet despite the emotional attachment the people of Pakistan have with cricket and the effect it has on the nation`s mood and psyche``, the source added.

241 was still a reasonably doable score. The key things I think, based on as much match as I was able to see, were thowing away opening tickets. Very irresponsible plays by Imran Nazir, Imran Hafiz, and Younis Khan.

All these opening batsmen had to do was to stay on the wicket for 10-15 overs playing safe with singles. There was no need to try to play that stupid shot that younis did...I mean, early overs, new ball, swinging away, outside the off-stumps..OUTSIDE THE OFF-STUMPS, and he`s hooking it towards mid-on???? what the heck??? Same thing with Imran Hafiz. Was there a point to play that shot??

Yousaf and Inzi had to take a big responsibility. There was only one reliable batsman left behind (Shaoi. If they didn`t have as much pressure on Pakistani side as they had, even that would have been enough wickets in hand but the didn`t.

Pakistan Vs West Indies
13/3/207
Poor handling of fast bowlers, making Rao bowl at a trot, Bringing in Gul when not needed, Usua opening collapse, too slow batting by yousaf and Inzi, Too much pressure on the all rounders: Alas! Match lost.
The match unfortunately followed the script.
Cheerios

Inzi believes that Pakistan won the 1992 world cup with luck. He said that we needed the same luck now. However he forgets that after repeated batting slumps in the first 5 matches, Imran chose to come up the order and hold the innings togather. Would he do something similar?

45rf786,
I agree. Captaincy was taken away from Rashid in the most scrupless manner.

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Romair,
You as usual have tried to detrack the arguements. Still I will reply to your points, something that surprises me cause you were on the other side of the line once.
the largest housing society in Pakistan; Defence Housing Society - larger than even Bahria Town. Yes these are lands purchased at commercial rates and sold to service officers. Their immecable managemnt puts them in a high quality of modern townships and appreciate very quickly. Those who raise the rates are not the armed forces but the market forces. Why cant other government departments make similar schemes with the same credibility. T
the largest logsitic company in Pakistan - National Logistic Cell. This was established to offset the transport mafia and in efficient railways. It fetches orders from open market.
the largest fertilizer company; fauji fertilizer and Fauji Jordan, Fauiji foundation is a comapny instituted under the Charity Act, looks after sick, wounded and very old including artificial limbs.
the largest cereal company - Ditto- Fauji Corn Flakes Caters for the Military requirements and competes in the open market.
the largest Construction Company - Frontier Works Organization Made the 8th wonder of the world.
Three Sugar Mills for military farm lands etc.
One of the ten largest banks (Askari Bank)
A software company (Askari Computers)
Biggest Network of Universities (NUST) These are miltary colleges that are brought under NUST.
Askari Potable Water . Yes I have an interest here. They provide the best possible water quality of bottled water, much superior to Nestle and Aquafina.

All this is military`s role in National Development. Plz dont stigmise it.

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reply #42 was for another thread...my apologies for posting it here...

Interesting writings from a Pakistani`s blog:

``Pakistan`s Largest Business Group

Far large than any of pakistan`s business groups is the Pakistan Army, which is the largest coroparate entity in Pakistan. It owns, through its civilian corporate and welfare arms - Fauji Foundation and Army Welfare Trust - :

the largest housing society in Pakistan; Defence Housing Society - larger than even Bahria Town.
the largest logsitic company in Pakistan - National Logistic Cell.
the largest fertilizer company; fauji fertilizer and Fauji Jordan
the largest cereal company - Fauji Corn Flakes
the largest Construction Company - Frontier Works Organization
Three Sugar Mills
One of the ten largest banks (Askari Bank)
A software company (Askari Computers)
Biggest Network of Universities (NUST)
Askari Potable Water

There isn`t enough room here to list the other companies the Army owns. But they are in the areas of Cement, Oil, Gas, Power, Corn, Polypropalene (whatever the hell that is), insurance, pharmeceuticals etc. etc. It has now even bid for the largest and most profitable govt. owned entity in Pakistan - Pakistan State Oil. This could be the biggest or second biggest privitization in Pakistan`s history. It has revenuens of $2.5 billion and owns 85% of Pakistan`s fuel oil market........... So the largest govt. owned entity in the country could be sold by the govt. to its own Army. The Army will obviously need to get a loan to buy this company, which it can conveniently take from its own Askari Bank. The bank can take a risk, because it always remains profitable because it has in its accounts the military budget !!

ijaz_gul# ....i believe the pakistan team is currently ranked third in the world in ODIs and in test cricket..........this is about as high as it has ever been in both categories, other than in the final stages of imran khan`s time.......

.......this is despite the fact that pakistan has carried many injuries........most of all, it is despite the fact that the whole team had to be rebuilt after the last world cup.....look at the problems, australia is already starting to have, when three to four of its star players are gone........the day mcgrath and gilchrist retire, austrailia will have difficulties being no. 1.....similarly, india will have to go through a similar phase when dravid, ganguly, tendulkar and kumble retire simultaneoulsy......

pakistan went through that after the last world cup......more than half the team had to be replaced........however, within two to three years, it was back at no. 3, and almost no. 2 in the world.........not bad.......the current decline started during the recent english series.......all the bowlers were hurt........the moment they got back, pakistan was ready to win the third test (until the hair fiasco)........

.......nobody can win in south africa and australia, due to the bouncy and seaming tracks.......however, pakistan has beaten everyone in pakistan (other than australia).....and pakistan has defeated some teams abroad also......

.....pakistan has always won with its bowling....imran, wasim, waqar, mushtaq, qadir, kaneria, shoaib and now asif.........so if asif, shoaib and kaneria are fit, pakistan will defeat everyone in pakistan (other than australia), and do well against teams abroad (other than south africa and aus).........not bad......

.........as for shoaib, he should not open......he should be no.3......as mentioned below, he was the best no.3 in the world, when he was in that position in ODIs.......yonus and imran should open........if two out of the first three score, everyone else does really well.......

no. 6 should be kamran akmal.........he was averaging 44 in the previous two years in tests.......his last year has been bad, because he has been moved around a lot, and was unprepared to keep on seaming and bouncy tracks.........however, he will consistently get 30 runs at no. 6.........

Re: # 41

Bulleya Sahib

Pakistan was ranked third in 2003 for ODI`s, just ahead of the worldcup, we all know what happened next. Rankings really dont mean much when we look at the top five teams, cause there is very little difference between the teams. SA beat Pak comprehensively, yet they are ranked lower, its all about the most recent two to three year track record. Pakistan has been lucky they have played series at home or in the sub-continent with favorable results.

What makes the difference in the worldcup is preparation, willingness to take risks with responsibility, professional attitude and nerves of steel. Squad of 92 had all these attributes and strong leadership, that is lacking this time.

Pak problems during the SA tour was not just their injuries, biggest problem was the lack of batting form. Except for Mohd Yusuf and Yunis Khan, rest of the batsmen failed miserably, what can the bowlers do when they do not have a decent total to defend. Inzimam, Akmal, Hafeez, Farhat, Malik, Razzak they all failed to deliver on a consistent basis, some failed completly.

As for the injuries, there too Inzimam, Woolmer and team management should be held accountable for their inability to manage affairs that wud have avoided or reduced our problems. Even though Umer Gul was injured, he was dragged to South Africa and forced to play a side match which most probably aggravated his injury. Why on earth wud u risk your main strike bowler knowing he is injured and you have the biggest tournament in the next two months. Answer is very easy. Inzi did not want Shoaib Akhter to be in the side. Personal vendettas supercede nations interest. Then of course you had poor Asif carrying bulk of the attack, now anyone who has played cricket for a good fifteen years wud know that fast bowlers are prone to injury and need to managed. Not in Pakistan. Our power hungry, mentally handicapped captain refused to rest Asif and sent back the only other strike bowler (Kaneria) who cud have taken some pressure off for poor Asif. Now we are facing the prospects of a burntout Asif with an elbow injury.

Finally, your claim that no one can win in SA or Australia is not factually incorrect and its this kind of attitude that sud be strongly discouraged. Back in the seventies when WI used to be the greatest team on earth, this was the common perception that they were indestructible and no one can defeat them. Well Sir, there was this guy from Pakistan who technically nearly beat them in their backyard and those who remember those matches wud tell u that Pakistan sud have won that series had it not been for some shameless one sided umpiring. Imran khan is ranked in the top five all times best captains simply because he refused to accept mediocrity and had the courage to take on the best.

Curtosy hassanmahmood,

``The true character of a team can be judged by its captain and what he stands for. Since the last world cup, Inzimam has changed into a religious figure hell-bent on making everyone a good muslim and forgetting what cricket is about. When your captain is more interested in converting all the Christians and Hindus to Muslims and when he considers his triumph to convert Sacchin to Suleman, then it is time to find someone else to do the job. He can choose to become one of those religious fanatics known as MMA but he no longer deserves to be called a captain. His recent spat with Shoaib Akhtar and his insistence for not changing himself with times is a great example.
I still remember the 2003 world cup like it was yesterday. I remember driving for 3 hours to get to my friend’s house. I remember having a great time talking about how Pakistan has never beaten India in the world cup and how it was their time to do so. After all Pakistan team looked strong and if Akhtar bowled well we will easily win the game. Pakistan gave India a decent target to chase and we were all excited about Pakistan’s chances. And then the unthinkable (or should I say the predictable) happened. Sacchin came to bat and I still remember the short balls and above the head bouncers that Shoaib bowled to scare one of the best batsmen in the world. The result as all my readers probably have guessed by now was a shellacking that a normal Pakistani fan still does not talk about.
After cursing the Pakistan team for the rest of the day, we all thought that the whole team needs to be re-evaluated and wondered if anything will be done about it in the near future. Lo and behold, in the coming months, Pakitsan’s chief selector and one time great wicket keeper (who went into hiding since the India loss) quit (yes people he was NOT fired), and out-of-form players like Inzimam, and Afridi were sacked and asked to show their form in the domestic season to be reconsidered for the team. Lost in this whole mayhem was the fact that the only player who actually did anything in that match (Saeed Anwar) was let go. Like me every Pakistani probably felt that this was the start of something bad for Pakistani Cricket team.
Mr. Bari who already proved to be one of the worst members of Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) was rehired without any explanations. None of the media members had anything to say about it. Like always they did what they do best. Shut their mouth when it came to real injustice. The tragedy did not end there. All of the out-of-form players were recalled and Inzimam (who had left Cricket to pursue more religious matters) was called upon to lead that group of misfits. Now after 4 years of bad cricket and bad decision making we are exactly where we started 4 years ago with only one new face – “Mohammed Asif”. There are many reasons for Pakistan to plummet to such great depths. Why do we have no world class talent in the last 4 years other than Asif is a mystery. Hopefully I can do justice by explaining.

Emotional Pakistanis
The biggest reason is that Pakistanis are an emotional bunch who love their cricket. They refuse to look at the wrongs and therefore refuse to hold PCB idiots responsible for anything. I am sure that people who will read this will disagree with me because they are already in love with the team for the world cup. They refuse to realize the bad decision making of Inzimam and how it has cost us a lot of matches or how many matches probably should have been lost if not for some luck. The biggest match that comes to mind was the one-day between Pakistan and England where England lost 8 wickets early and then went on to add around a 100 runs for the 9th wicket partnership. Every commentator (including Ramiz) could not understand the strategy of not putting pressure on the tail-enders to get them out early. Result was a big partnership but Pakistan was lucky to come back and score to secure a win. No one questioned Inzimam on his stupid decision of allowing the tail-enders to bat because every Pakistani was extremely happy with just the win. Pakistanis, however forget that you can be lucky only so much and after that teams with true talent come out on top. That is exactly what is happening. Among the euphoria of how great our team is, people forget the bad captaincy of out greatest religious figure – Inzimam.

Domestic Cricket Infrastructure (DCI):
Pakistan’s DCI is the worst of any world class cricket nation. In the last four years we have produced 1 (yes just 1) world class player – “Mohammed Asif”. People can argue about Umar Gul , Shabbir Ahmed, and Rana Naved but the fact of the matter is that none of those players are even good enough to play County Cricket in England let alone represent Pakistan in the World Cup.
As Imran Khan has been shouting for the last decade or so, there is no reason for teams like UBL and PIA to play each other. This was somewhat changed in recent years by making city teams like Karachi A and Lahore A play each other but the results were the same. There was no excitement and nothing to root for. The competition was so bad that all these so-called Pakistani openers scared to play Brett Lee or Pollock were making centuries again Gul, Shabbir, and Rana in domestic cricket. The end result was bad players doing well amongst worst players. Like the saying “Andoh mein kaana raja” (a man with one eye is a king among the blind), they never were tested against good competition.
The other problem with DCI is the fact that merit is the last thing considered to make a team. Money and connections are much more important.
True talent without money and connections keep playing third class cricket on cemented pitches until they vanish underneath the realities of life and are forgotten.

Talent Search:
The reason why during Imran’s time we had bowlers like Waqar, Wasim, and Aaqib was because Imran had a knack of finding talent. He did not rightfully believe in DCI and found talent in other ways. He had camps setup where players could come and show their talents without any fear and they were chosen openly by the captain for his team without any PCB idiot’s input. Wasim Akram is the best example.
Pakistan should allow for camps for every city where new talent should come and showcase what he can do. Don’t let the same old faces in domestic cricket try to keep proving themselves.

Pitches:
Besides DCI having no marketing value, Pakistani pitches (like Hadlee once said) are like a morgue for a fast bowler. This gives rise to bad medium paced bowlers who could not get a side out. Also it gives rise to players like Yunis Khan who cannot play fast bowlers on fast pitches. He is described as “Happy feet” who loves to play outside the line without bringing his body behind his bat (Watch him and Sacchin play fast bowlers and you will see the difference). Plus we also get scared openers like Imran Farhat, who act like deer caught in headlights, after facing a legitimate fast bowler on a good and bouncy pitch (If anyone thinks Imran Farhat is a good batsman they should watch his batting again a good fast bowler. They will actually see him shaking)

Religion and Sports:
The worst thing that happened to Pakistan cricket was Inzimam trying to convert everyone to Islam rather than playing cricket. It has gotten so bad that our spin bowler who is a Hindu is now called a different name to portray him as a muslim. How many people know that Kaneria’s first name is NOT DANISH but DANESH. But for some reason it is very important for Inzimam to show that his team is completely Muslim. Indian team never cares about changing the names of its Muslim players to sound like Hindu name but we do so. I truly believe that Inzimam should be told to separate his view of Islam and cricket. He is no longer interested in making centuries. He is more interested in preaching HIS idea of Islam.

I know that my Pakistani brothers and sisters are very emotional and will read this and think that I am wrong and Pakistan team is great. But it is not. It is full of out-of-form players, and others who should not even be in Domestic Cricket. The only 4 players who deserve to be on the current Pakistani team 1. Mohammad Yousuf 2. Mohammed Asif, 3. Shahid Afridi (much consistent bowling than batting), and 4. Shoaib Malik. Everyone else is either unfit or out of form and should be replaced. The current team as it stands will not even be able to make to the third round. The only reason why they will even make it to the second round is because they have no decent competition in the first round. ``

Re: # 40
Gul sahib,

just one minor correction, it was Rashed Latif and not Inzimam who took over the team after worldcup 2003. Inzimam replaced rashed in 2004 when the latter was maneuvered out of the team because of his continued crusade against match fixing.

Romair,
There are five issues here.
1. Leadership
2. Batting Openers
3. Shyness of Yousaf and Inzi to come up the order
4. Slow tempo of the middle order that specially when openers fail, exerting extra pressure on hard (all rounders)
5. Bowling Options.

With Shoaib coming as No.1, who do you intend adding in the late middle order as there are just two recognised batsmen left, one of them very sluggish. It also means that specialist bowlers will only bowl 30 years and 20 will be shared between Razzaq, Afridi and Shoaib. Therefore,
Openers are new, specialist bowlers if anyone fails or injures, have no options left. All four pacers are carrying niggles.
Cheerios

ijaz_gul #37: ``so yet another openeing combination. you make it more unstable with shoaib at 3.``

..yes, because the other opening combinations have all failed......and will continue to fail.....yonis practically opens anyways, as the first batsman usually falls within a few overs.......so why not have him open.......

........shoaib is the best no. 3 pakistan has had in a long time........he is very stable (even at no. 6)......his average at no. 3 has been between 43 and 46.......he was, infact, the top no. 3 batsman in the world, during his stint in that position; ahead of dravid, ponting etc.

http://content-usa.cricinfo.com/columns/content/story/237528.html

Romair,
so yet another openeing combination. you make it more unstable with shoaib at 3.
Cheerios

bulleya,
actually according to the commentators, nobody knows how the pitches will react; but from the last news that they heard they will actually resemble pitches in South Africa. Go figure....Also, you are dreaming if you put Pakistan`s pace attack with that joker Umar Gul as No. 1 conveniently forgetting Ntini, Pollock, and Kallis from SA. Actually according to the Pundits Pakistan has the second best bowling trio behind SA and only if Asif, Shoaib, and Kaneria are considered. For some reason people are so in love with this third grade Umar Gul. This is what we have come down to. Instead of once debating between greats like Imran, Wasim and Waqar now we talk about this second rate cricketer named Umar Gul.
And as far as Semi-finals are concerned, then Australia, South Africa, India, and New Zeland will be the four with SA winning the world cup - NOT Australia.
By the way your opinion about Yunis is fully tainted for some reason. I dont think you have seen Yunis bat on fast pitches. He chases balls outside the line, and away from his body (two things taught to a batsmen when he is in kindergarten.). He also has a tendency to dance on his feet instead of following the ball. If you think Yunis is your savior, then I can only say that you are the reason why PCB makes these idiotic decisions and get away with them.
I am pretty sure you are an intelligent guy but come on. Are you gonna debate cricket with me. I have played upto first calss level and probably know a little bit more about it than you (No disrespect intended).

australia, new zealand, south africa, pakistan in the semis..........as the pitches will suit pakistan and india (and west indies).........aus and south africa in finals.......and australia wins it..........

.......india has the strongest batting line up in the world now, with the return in form of sauruv ganguly, for such pitches........and assuming sehwag also performs again......however, the problem with india is that there whole bowling line-up can be hit for a lot of runs on such pitches.......so india will have to score 300+ regularly to win.....

.......if gul, asif and shoaib are fit, then pakistan will have the strongest bowling attack in the world for those pitches.....however, the batting will collapse, about 1/3rd of the time, even on flat pitches.......which means, they will win one or two unexpected games, but will not be able to win it all..........

.........Pakistan should have the following batting order........whenever the openers get a decent partnership, and see off the new ball, the team does well.......however, it seems like none of the top players are interested in taking up the opening slot.......other than saeed anwar, that has always been the case, i.e. the top players automatically drift to the safe 4 and 5 positions (miandad, zaheer, salim, inzamam, yusuf, etc.)....all at the safe 4 and 5 positions, where they can get a lot of runs.......

.......i think yonis is the only one who will take on the challenge....he should open.....he opens anyways, as the openers generally lose their wicket early......he has the best defence in the team and the most stamina..........shoaib malik is the best no. 3 pakistan has had in a long time, in ODIs.......his average is the highest as no. 3....significantly higher than yonis`s in ODIs.....pakistan was winning when shoaib was in no. 3.........however he was moved to 6 to make room for yonis, who hasn`t done as well as shoaib........statistically speaking, shoaib malik has the highest contribution % wise in the pakistan team (batting/bowling/fielding)........

.........the first five batsmen should bat normally or rather slowly, and save wickets......akmal, razzaq and afridi should be the accelerators.....pakistan should target consistently 150 to 200 for 4 in 40 overs (depending on the pitch)........and then target 75 to 100 runs in the last 10 overs...........

yonis khan
imran nazir
shoaib malik
yosuf
inzamam
kamran malik
razzaq
afridi
shoaib akhtar
umar gul
asif

extras (yasir hameed, rana naveed, danish kaneria)

#28 by ijaz_gul

Ijaz, you do have valid points, but due to the sheer talent they possess, I wouldn`t rule out Pakistan`s chances entirely.

#29 by HisExcellency, #30 by CheGuevara, #31 by hasanmahmood

Folks, all said and done, the Paki Cricket team is an enigma and capable of pulling off surprises just about when everyone has given up hope. The `92 team, was full of teething problems (as the Paki team always is), yet they surprised everyone including themselves by winning the WC. Of course, Imran`s inspirational leadership and Javed`s experience were definitely major factors, but with such a talented bunch of youngsters, anything can happen.

I think you guys are being a bit too harsh on Inzi; the man has served Paki cricket well for the past decade and a half, and of all people, he would surely want to win the WC to leave his mark on Paki cricket history.

Don`t expect (just hope for!) Pakistan to win the WC, but don`t despair either. Pakistan is ranked 3rd (or is it 5th?) in ODIs and there is a reason why it is there.

hasanmahmood #31: ``For Inzi it is more important that people call kaneria - Danish (a muslim name) when his real name is Danesh (he is a hindu - people).``

...his name is danish and not danesh......i read his interview where he stated, his name was given to him by a friend of his father`s, who was a muslim........and he decided to keep it.......

Inzi is more interested in converting Sachin to Suleman than in winning the world cup. I agree with the author on some points but none of the opening batsmen are talented and besides Asif and Shoaib, no fast bowler is even good enough to play English County Cricket. Can anyone tell me why Wasim Bari was chosen again to be the selector when he failed miserable in the last world cup. How come all these so-called pundits and reporters never screamed about him being back. He destroyed Pakistan`s team and now ``Inzimam the Holiest`` is doing the same thing.
For Inzi it is more important that people call kaneria - Danish (a muslim name) when his real name is Danesh (he is a hindu - people).
I am glad women cannot grow beards, otherwise our team would consist of Inzimam, Yusuf, and 9 ladies (they might still be better than ``happy feet`` Yunis look-at-me-I-cannot-play-fast-bowling-outside-the-off-stump Khan and our please-let-me-chase-every-bowl-outside-the-off-stumps-even-if-it-is-wide openers).

I used to think Inzamam was the only reasonable choice for captaincy, but after seeing the way he used Mohammed Aasif during the South Africa series (bowling him for 10 overs straight) and his removal of Waqar as bowling coach (the guy who was instrumental in Umer Guls recent form) I`m not sure he`s the right guy anymore and I doubt we`ll win it this time.

#16 by okhla99

India should easily reach the semifinals because WI pitches will suit their batting. In fact, I expect India to win all their group games and Super Eights matches. Australia and South Africa are also likely to cruise into the semis. They`ll probably end up No.2 or No.3 in the points tally.

There is going to be a 3-way contest for the 4th semifinalist. Pakistan should snag this spot by beating West Indies and England in the group/Super Eight stage. (NZ and SL don`t look good at all).

Likely semifinals: India v Pakistan, Australia v South Africa

harish,
We as simple audience and supporters tend to see everything in Black and White. There are seven basic colours to a rainbow and blending makes scores more. Cricket in Pakistan is no more a gentleman`s game. It all about power, deciet, upmanship, nepotism, greed and most money. Thats the name of the game but its a reality. The squad of 15 as announced will change to a very different combination. I have a feeling that both Shoaib and Asif will become medically unfit and be replaced. If Asif had a very bad elbow, then why did he play the fifth ODI. This will be taken as an excuse for an aggravated injury.
Just wait for the TAMASHA.
I pray I am wrong.

A comedy TV program called 4 man show televised by the channel Aaj floated a news item about Rana Naveed ul Hasan in which the news caster toled the audience that Rana Naveed has been awarded with a star of Honour and that star will be stamped on his head with nails....lols

#23 by ijaz_gul

Did someone see the team performance today, and promotion of Kamran Akmal in the batting.

Indeed, the Paki cricket team is an enigma. Just the other day, Afridi clobbered the life out of the SA bowlers and now this!

Pakistan`s preparations for the World Cup are in shambles due to a variety of reasons.
One reason being this obsession with just preparing for or winning the World Cup. This is akin to asking Tiger Woods or Roger Federer to just win the Master`s or Wimbledon and forget about the rest of the tour! What is needed is a coherent strategy for the team to be consistently world class. I wrote a review on the chronic issues of unprofessionalism in the Pakistan team which is posted online here:

http://pakistaniat.com/2007/02/14/pakistan-cricket-team-world-cup-2007-professionalism-chances-west-indies/#more-571

Did someone see the team performance today, and promotion of Kamran Akmal in the batting.

Re: # 23
Pak team did not want to play new ball, they always want to see it off.
Akmal was promoted to see of new ball for great middle order.
today Pak won the toss and tried to get some confidence in batting otherwise they would bowl first.
Anyways SA is a real competitor so they are up on their soul and WI tracks may behave differently for different teams.

Harish,

My hobby is bird watching (feathered kind). Why do your posts remind me of the famous indian bird ``CUTIA CUTIA`` ?? Google for photo of the bird and check if there is any resemblance.

PS: I saw Afridi`s innings where he scored 77 off 35 balls against South Africa and boy did it warm my cockles!

#16 by okhla99

You can root for India but there is no need to forecast gloom for Pakistan. Our team is quite strong and, on its day, can easily demolish any other team.

Yaar Okhla, why do you Pakis go into the defensive mode almost as a reflex? Haven`t you read my earlier posts on this board? Let me repeat it again: I`ll be as glad if Pakistan wins the WC as I would be if India does.

#13 by goonga

Besides this its not YOU who could make Pak win.

Yaar Goonga, besides your speech, have you even lost the use of your brains? Where did I wish Pakistan ill?

I`m as much a fan of Paki team as I am of India`s. In fact, I wish one of the two to be the champions.

Re: # 18
but still I can laugh :D
Admit it man!

Pakistan didn`t win the 1992 world cup because of just two players. We won because we blended experience (Imran, Javed) with raw talent (Inzy, Wasim, Aqib, Mushy, Ramiz, Sohail). In 2003, Pakistan had too many seniors (Saeed, Inzy, Wasim, Waqar, Rashid) but few foot soldiers. There were 4 captains (or ex-captains) in this team looking over each other`s shoulders. And then there was internal politics and the shadow of match fixing.

In 2007, Pakistan has the right blend of experience and raw talent. Inzy commands respect and handles pressure exceptionally. Yousaf and Younis are excellent lieutenants. Asif, Umar Gul, Razzaq, Shoaib Malik, Kamran Akmal and (a fit) Shoaib Akhtar can provide enormous firepower.

A laid-back captain & a superbly talented team can still win the World Cup. But even an Imran Khan can`t lead a team to victory, when 3 of its star players are injured. The fate of Pakistan`s 2007 campaign hangs on the physical fitness of Shoaib Akhtar, Asif and Umar Gul.

harish_hyd

This is w r t your #12.

Yes, as a cricket fan I would say, may the best team win the World Cup. But, at the same time, I would want MY team to win. Would I not???

You can root for India but there is no need to forecast gloom for Pakistan. Our team is quite strong and, on its day, can easily demolish any other team.

And afterall, the glorious uncertainties of cricket...

Dear Gul,

Irrespective of Inzi`s batting talent, his captiancy or leadership has left much to be desired. You have illustrated most of his mistakes, but one that speaks volumes of his shrewdness and lack of loyalty was the sacking of Rashed Lateef, the same person who literally dragged him out of oblivion. The moment Inzi realized Rashed was a liability, he had no qualms in having him dumped.

And yes, beard does matter for Inzi and his cohorts when making selection decisions. MiniMe (Mushtaq Ahmed) for Waqar Yunus is a most telling example, Shabbira the Jhatka was flown specially from Pakistan to bowl only two overs before he broke down. Why Him? Cause he now sports a flowing beard and has shared tablighee moments with team management ie Inzi.

Similarly, younger players who do not share Inzi`s religiouse reincarnation are systematically sidelined, Hasan Reza, Taufeeq Umer are just a few examples. Shoaib Akhter has on many a occassion suffered abject humiliation simply because he was the rebel, someone who chose to walk on the wild side, ofcourse that was not acceptable to the gang of beards.

In my book, Inzi`s lack of imagination or inability to take risk and responsibility has left Pakistan with limited options. Had we been testing new players in the English, WI or SA series, but Pakistan wud have found more than one player for the upcoming worldcup. Sadly, that was not to be and we (Pakis) are victims of narrow minded bigots who now have spread their tentacles into our cricketing world for that is the best forum to project their brand of Pakistan ie tablighee.

#12
thank u for your kind wishes!
Besides this its not YOU who could make Pak win.

Folks,

Forget about Akhtar and Asif playing the World Cup, they`ve tested postive....again!

Without either of them in the team, Pakistan`s chances of winning the WC appear pretty bleak.

Akhtar, Asif fail Pak`s secret dope test

As team has been announced and till the start of tournament it is:
Openers
Yasir Hameed,Imran Nazir and Imran Farhat : Hafeez, Kamran Akmal
Middle order
Younis Khan, Yousaf, Inzammam and Hafeez
All Rounders
Shoaib Malik, Azhar, and Razzaq : Afridi
Wicket Keeper
Kamran Akmal with Younis as Standby
Bowlers
Asif/Rao/ Rana Naveed , Rana Naveed, Umar Gul, and Sami : Asif, Rao, Shoaib Akhtar
Spinner
Danesh Kaneria

Note: If Shohaib Akhtar is selected, it will be at the cost of Hafeez Yasir, while one of the openers will be a stand by for the middle order.

Re: # 11
BTW how well you have analyzed: 5 ommissions, 5 additions and 1x1 misplaced out of 15 team members?
I know it was ``your team`` and you are NOT forecaster but still you could include possible compbinations to lift the team which SHOULD BE main purpose of this article. I think this is the best team combination provided they could be able to execute plans.

On sports and especially cricket, chowk is just like PCB journal.

Well Yousaf and Younis also emerged when Inzi was there in team so its just Asim and Misbah were not upto mark!
Yousaf is very respectable in team and nation since he established in the team regardless of his conversion. Same is true for Danish so again if beard did a trick then Asim must be regular team member.
In short, the problems concerned in article are not particularly due to current team, in fact theres nothing new about team in this article: these problems are in team for last ten years and mainly board and officials are responsible for not planning and managing. They were real culprits; few are gone and some still enjoying there. No body blames as they now when ever there is any issue only players are to blame.

To me, Inzi got team together in critical times. I would say he might have gone by now but then our team would be like WI in last years. He is not as good as other individual lead talents but he served in difficult times.

It is quite easy to enjoy fame and resign at any time like others did in this team but to do some thing better for team is harder. Inzi could not bring team higher but he managed enough to avoid any crash.

For world cup, we have a couple of consistent performer teams like Aus and SA but talent of SL, NZL, and WI will be spark during the cup. ENG, PAK and IND are very unpredictable so lets see on that day who will rise as it’s the game of just ONE DAY.

Aw c`mon....surely this isn`t the best analysis of Pakistan`s prospects to emerge from across the border...this is something that a 12-year old would come up with for a school homework assignment.

Having said that, articles on cricket are doomed on chowk anyway. So I wonder abut the forum.

Ijaz?? Man what are you smoking?????????????? Must be some great stuff to make you high enough to write this analysis.

HP,
Thanx for your comments.
I began writing this article during Pakistan`s tour of England. It was Pakistan`s lacklustre performance during a loosing string that was alarming. The big guns were not firing and finishing job was left to Razzaq etc. This was followed by the Oval Episode in wgich Pakistan conceded the match. Though many conspiracy theories came up, Zahher Abbas in a recent interview clarified that the bycott was solely Inzi`s decision. Later there were also rumours that Inzi would be dumped. The faultlines were amply revealed during the ICC trophy.

My premise is the same as your obsevation, ``I hope he does not meet the Younis and Wasim fate. Both played one too many world cups``. and this is the teaser of my article.

Plz also cary out another snap study. In pakistan cricket, how many players have retired immediately after a world cup? You will conclude amazing facts including emergence of rising stars just after; youngters who were held back because confidence was reposed in old horses who failed to run the course.

harish,
I am not being unfair. I am just trying to point out a reality and I may be wrong. I agree that we have highly talented youngsters, but in todays competetive environments, talent alone performs in fits and starts. Players are to be groomed and made battle hardy for consistancy. In Pakistan this grooming unfortunately, does not come from the structure but through international exposure. Thats where all the wrongs begin to take place.

Cheerios

# HP doing geo-political analysis ;-)

I don’t follow cricket a whole lot but I do have some theories about the world cup and since Ijaz is down on Inzi, I will add my two cents about inzi.

The reality is that Inzimam should have retired from one day at least a year ago. However, looking at the Pak team that we have now, his not retiring may actually help Pak team out.

In big matches like the world cup any batsman who can give two good innings of 75+, in the whole tournament is probably worth keeping. If Inzimam can give one 75+ performance after the prelim round he would justify his selection. Ijaz can go back and test my theory. Barring couple of Aussies, I don’t think there is any batsman from any other team who has given more than two better performances in any world cup (outlier possible). This goes for the bowlers too. Any bowler who can take 3+ wickets in two matches would more than justify his selection.

Now if Inzi’s performance comes in a winning effort, then that is sonay pay soohaga….
I think he is still better than two Razzaqs in current form and perhaps even 1 ½ Afridi.
I hope he does not meet the Younis and Wasim fate. Both played one too many world cups.

Given the current form and considering the West Indies wickets, where scoring quickly would be difficult, my predictions for the world cup.


Semis
Aussies, England, South Africa fourth place would go to Pakistan/India
Final- England vs. Australia.

63% chance Aussies winning it in the end. Aussies have batsmen who can really give more than two better performances in the tournament and that will win them the final. Though no one knows how their bowlers would perform in WI conditions but they are still better than Pakistan, India and New Zealand bowlers put together.

Having said that, the Paki team is such an enigma..they have the best talented players in the world, probably better than the Aussies have..yet they`re rarely cohesive..

Yaar, please don`t be so unfair to Inzi..he`s been Pakistan`s pillar of strength for the past decade and a half..if he plays half as well as he can when he`s in full flow, the opposition is decimated..above all, he`s been a very humble man..a good ambassador for the sport, where humility is a rare quality.

Inzi`s getting rough treatment in this article.

He is still the second best ODI player in the team. And perhaps the only match-winner - M Yousuf notwithstanding.

Must add that the treatment of Asim Kamal is tragic.

A surprise performance in the WC may however absolve the PCB, Woolmer and the captain from their irresponsible and incompetent team management. On the eve of the world cup, there is no reliable opening pair, and the bowling attack has broken down with injuries and nothing remotely close to replacing Shoaib or Gul.

The only beef that the writer has with inzi is that inzi prays 5 times. If that makes him a bad captain and a cricketer then that can be debated. The christian writer is still pissed off at yosuf who converted to Islam and at inzi for instigating it. I can rip the article (can it be called that?) in fragments from a cricketing pov but then again, this article is not about cricket, its about writers hatred for Islam and a country that treated him like a Chorra (bhangi), which wasn’t correct but its not inzi’s fault either. Get over it.