Monthly Archives: March 2009

A Joint Indo-Pak Team?

Posted on 5 March 2009 by | 13 Comments

Here is a radical solution to a radical problem. Why don’t the BCCI and PCB form a joint Indo-Pak team that takes on other teams including the rest of the world. I agree with Younis Khan that it will be indeed sad if the cricket in Pakistan is killed at the expense of increased terrorism. Wouldn’t it be great if the cricketing world expressed solidarity with the Pakistani team by a venture such as a combined India-Pak team. I completely understand that the Sri Lankans were victims of the recent tragedy. I am sure, however, that they would endorse such a move that keeps cricket alive in the Indian subcontinent. It will also demonstrate that cricket will not give in to threats and violence. The Indo-Pak team could play in India and Sri Lanka against different nations. Who would want to stop watching the likes of Younis Khan, Misbah Ul Haq or Salman Butt? In the spirit of a possible Indo-Pak team, here is my take at a possible Indo-Pak XI:

Virendar Sehwag

Salman Butt

Rahul Dravid

Sachin Tendulkar

Younis Khan

Misbah Ul Haq

VVS Laxman

MS Dhoni (Capt)

Harbajan Singh

Zaheer Khan

Danish Kaneria

Ishant Sharma

Umar Gul – 12th man

 

- Srikanth

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Sad day for Pakistan, cricket and cricket fans

Posted on 3 March 2009 by | 1 Comment

Pakistan cricket was already in tatters. Controversy seemed to follow it like a shadow -  Drug scandals. Match fixing scandals. Dressing room spats. Ball tampering claims. The Oval fiasco. Bob Woolmer’s death. Financial problems and Political issues. The list goes on. Sure, other teams have had their share of controversies, but nothing like the sort Pakistan have had.

And now this – The visiting Sri Lankan cricket team being the target of terrorist attacks in Pakistani soil. Like India, the sport is said to be revered in Pakistan. With these attacks, that claim comes into question. Imran Khan once said that cricketers would never be under any threat from terrorists -

…cricketers would never be under any threat from terrorists. Reason is that the terrorists rely on support from the masses because that’s where they get their recruits and cricket is a game which is so loved and there’s such passion in Pakistan, that the terrorists know that if a cricket match is bombed, they’ve had it. I mean the public will just turn against them.

He will have to eat his words now. Before the start of the tour,  Javed Mianded, the former Director General of PCB, said -

…we want to prove to the world that Pakistan is safe and secure for cricket

The exact opposite has happened and the message has gone out that Pakistan is no longer safe for cricket.

Many countries have already been refusing to tour Pakistan. The ICC Champions Trophy was also called off. And now with this incident, Pakistan being a co-host to the 2011 WC will come under serious scrutiny. In fact, it will take a few years before another team even decides to tour Pakistan and local papers have already started writing obituaries for International Cricket in Pakistan.

Before we start talking about the future, let us spare a thought for the people with were killed and injured in the incident. My heartfelt condolences to all those who were affected.

This is really a sad day for Pakistan, cricket and cricket fans around the world…

-Mahesh-

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Pakistan – No longer a cricket friendly nation

Posted on 3 March 2009 by | 1 Comment

As news starts coming in regarding the brutal attack on the Sri Lankan cricketers, the safety, security and the well being of the Sri Lankans is of serious concern. One can only hope and pray that the injuries sustained are minor and the cricketers come out that failed state as soon as they can. As until today, the senseless attacks did not targets cricketers, but today things have changed. Cricket isn’t the same any more. Not too long ago, the Pakistanis were trying to convince the Indian government that it was safe to travel to their country to play cricket. The future of Pakistani cricket is now under serious threat, even if the country itself isn’t.

Our prayers are with the injured Sri Lankan cricketers at this time of crisis.

- Srikanth

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