The match-fixing scam had been taken up by British media very seriously and all major news papers have indicted Pakistani players even before full truth has come out. Almost all of them have called for life ban on Pakistani players from international cricket and suspending Pakistan, as they feel that this incident has damaged the very status of the game and ICC to take a serious note of this.
The media is in no way wanting to be lenient on untruthfulness exhibited by some of the players howsoever trivial the offence might appear to be like bowling ‘ No Ball’ on order. The suspension would mean cancellation of the oncoming one-day series.
Quoting the fact that Pakistan has a bad reputation of being involved in corrupt practices in the past; it does not deserve any sympathy this time around.
The Daily Mail has demanded that the ICC should have the guilty players banned for life. Even if it hurts some, it is okay but the honor of cricket which is at stake must be protected.
The need of the hour The Daily Mirror says is that a prompt action now will certainly desist young players from resorting to dubious ways to earn that extra buck. The very character of the game has been threatened by money in one way or the other. It is for those administering the sports to ensure that players do not fall prey to threats or blackmail.
The Guardian has termed this scandal as cheating and asked ICC to sort things out once for all. It adds that the game in recent has been accused to have others forms of wrongs like ball-tampering, match-fixing, gambling etc. and its time ICC takes serious note of this.
The media has also pointed out cases of bad administration in Pakistani cricket, that too when a person as senior as its President heads the Board.
Archive for the ‘Cricket’ Category
British Media Calls for Suspension of Pakistan from Cricket
Fixing Scandal Stuns Pak Cricket
The spot-fixing scam unearthed through a sting operation on Saturday, has shocked one and all of cricket lovers in Pakistan. The London Metropolitan police arrested and released a man named Mazhar Majeed for his alleged involvement in bribing some players to fix some deliveries during the just concluded Test match between Pakistan and England. No player has been charged yet but the revelations have already dented Pakistan’s name enough to invoke sharp reactions across the country.
Amir Sohail the erstwhile Pakistan skipper has advocated calling back those players whose names have figured in the scandal. Pressure has also been put on Chief Patron of the Board, President Asif Zardari to take action against the players and administrators.
Sohail was in favor of taking action against as well as the officials who were equally to be blamed. Iqbal Qasim former Test player also expressed dismay at the level the game has fallen. He couldn’t believe what he saw on the TV early in the morning as he prepared for the day’s Ramadan fast. He seemed more disturbed to see a youngster like Aamir 18 was in this so early in his career and held seniors responsible for this.
Pacer of the golden era of Pakistan cricket, Sarfaraz Nawaz , said that he suspected such goings on a long time back. He attributed the indiscipline in the team to the callous and soft approach PCB had with the players. Haroon Akhtar and Tariq Azeem the senate members in Pakistan assembly and also Standing Sports Committee, held PCB responsible for all that has happened and demanded stern action against Ijaj Butt, chairman of PCB.
Police Find Cash in Pak Players’ Hotel Rooms
Scotland Yard conducted a raid in the Pakistani players’ hotel rooms. These players were implicated during the “spot fixing” scandal. The amount of cash that was found during the raid turned out to be much more than what the cricketers’ get as their daily allowance, media sources have said.
‘The Independent’ reported that a phone was made to Mr Saeed Yawar at 7.30 in the evening at the hotel in Swiss Cottage, north London, where the players were staying in London. The phone call said that 2 police officers wanted to meet him. 2 hours were spent by the police searching the rooms of most of the players. At the end they confiscated the cell phones of Asif, Aamer and the captain too. Rooms of several players were searched including Mr. Butt.
The police officers found bank notes in large numbers in the rooms of Pakistani players but their names have not been revealed as yet. The amount evidently far exceeded the daily payment that the players are supposed to get from their respective employers. Whether these bank notes are anywhere related to the match fixing allegations is still not clear as the investigation is still in progress.
The dressing room of Pakistan players was visited by the detectives from Scotland Yard only yesterday just after the 3rd days’ match of the 4th test against the Team England ended. The raid exposed another instance of match fixing and the alleged connection between the bookies and the Pak players.
Rehashing 50-Over Cricket
Cricket started as weekend leisure for the elites of England in the eighteenth century. With the spread of British Empire it traveled to other continents and took shape of Test match cricket. Initially, England and Australia were the only Test playing countries later joined by others.
Since the longer version was time consuming and even after five days of playing results were not guaranteed, the new version of one day cricket became a popular hit. From 60 overs in the beginning it got settled for 50 overs with terms and conditions modified to the present ones.
The 50 over games are working well though Twenty20 format is also growing in popularity with hilarity and glamour adding spice to it. To surprise of all, Cricket Australia has come up with yet another concoction of 45 overs for the local Ford Ranger Cup from earlier 50 overs, on a trial basis for the season commencing October.
As per the new format each team will bat 45 overs in two parts of 20 and 25 overs in the same innings. After 20 overs the team batting will bat out the next 25 overs from where they had stopped after 20 overs. Each team can field 12 players as against 11 at present but only 11 will be allowed to bat or bowl. The bowlers will get to bowl 12 overs in all instead of 10 in the 50 over game.
Then there is a point system in which a team leading in the first 20 overs will earn one point and four more points if they win the game as against the present system of winner getting all the points. So even if you land up losing a match you still can earn points.
This fundamental change seems to have come at a time when Twenty20 has become a better crowd puller as compared to 50 over matches. After the drab Test match cricket, 50 over games had become more exciting because of guaranteed results and there is hardly any requirement to further make drastic changes in its rules. Yes, use of technology for doubtful decisions is necessary to ensure justice to all but beyond that it will kill the spirit of the game which, as it is, is losing its popularity due to sheer frequency of the tours and tournaments these days.
Pakistani Cricket Teams Manager May Quit
Yawar Sayeed the manager of Pakistani cricket team has decided to call it a day after the team’s English tour. Having spent 26 long years, he is intending to try something different and also devote more time for his family.
The Board chief Ijaj Butt is not in favor of Sayeed leaving and is confident of encouraging him to carry on for the sake of Pakistani team and Sayeed too has said in the affirmative.
Yawar Sayeed was involved in the controversy in which senior players like Sayeed Afridi, Yuonus Khan were held responsible for division among the team players while on Australian tour early this year. He declines these allegations and saying that he has nothing top do with selection of the team and held Younus in high esteem.
It was the Board he feels, which wanted, to instill a sense of discipline among the players and he as a manager did his duty assigned to him. The condition of Pakistan cricket as it stands today is what had made him continue as the manager.
Yawar was given a short braek when Abdul Raqib was made manager in his place when Pakistan toured Australia and new Zealand in November 2009. he was brought back after being cleared by a high level investigating team.
“Conditions Don’t Matter For T20 Cricket” Says Robin
Robin Singh the Mumbai Indians coach is confident of his team’s chances in the Champions League beginning September 10th. This comes after they brushed away all the opponents in IPL-3 only to lose to Chennai Super Kings in the finals. They meet some of the best teams in the cricketing world in the second edition of Champions League.
Robin Singh is sure of his wards adjusting to South African conditions and the bouncy pitches will be no hindrance as most of the players had played in that country during IPL-2. Also, unlike one day games, even the fastest of bowlers get only four overs to bowl. With local talent in form of Duminy and Mclaren in the team, he expects youngsters to come good in company of the great Tendulkar.
The former Indian all-rounder was speaking to Indian Express prior to leaving for South Africa. He was okay with the concept of Champions League which includes the top teams who have excelled in the local tournaments. It gives chance for young talent to grow in the company of some of the best and experienced players.
In addition to Indian players the team owners have their eyes on the performance of their international players also. Injury to Kiron Pollard their key player was a matter to worry about but he is sure to recover soon. McLaren has been inspiring playing for South Africa and that augurs well for Mumbai Indians chances.
Broad Makes His Maiden Ton
The day two for England in the fourth Test was of mixed fortunes. Commencing at overnight 39 for 2, they were 139 for 7 when Stuart Broad joined Jonathan Trott. While Trottt made his third test century, he more than supported Stuart Broad in scoring his first test ton against Pakistan at Lord’s.
England was 346 for 7 at close of play on second day. Broad in company with Trott managed to guide England to a comfortable total to ensure that England win the series whether this Test ends in a victory or a draw. Broad’s 125 happen to be the highest score by an English batsman coming at number 9.
Broad complemented Trott for his constant support, hints to be positive and batting tips. His hundred came before that of Trott despite him being in the team as a bowler. He only concentrated in reading the type of delivery and hitting hard the right ones.
Praising Trott, Broad was impressed by the patience he displayed during Trott’s 427 minutes at the crease. Both the not-out batsmen go to play on Saturday with a century each under their belts. Trott now has scored more than 1000 runs averaging 50 plus and that is a good sign for England.
The usually present former England opener Chris Broad was not at the ground to see his son score his maiden test century. But his grand parents had the privilege to witness their grand son’s achievement. Broad felt more for his stepmother who he feels would have been very happy on such an occasion.
BCCI May File A Case Against Modi
Lalit Modi, the Indian Premier League (IPL) chairman, now under suspension, is at logger heads with The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), who has decided to file a legal case against him. This was disclosed by BCCI sources on Friday.
After suspending Modi on accusations of fiscal wrongs post IPL-3 the last Twenty20 league, the BCCI suspended him pending investigations. Modi has not presented himself before the disciplinary committee constituted by the BCCI to go into the charges mentioning safety concerns from unlawful elements.
The allegations relate to violations of the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA) and the case will be registered in Chennai, the location of BCCI registered office.
A board representative who did not want to be named has disclosed that the board has proof to indict Modi for FEMA infringements to the tune of Rs 125 Crores as “felicitation fees” which IPL is said to have paid to World Sport Group (Mauritius) by Multi Screen Media.
Modi’s legal advisor Mahmood Abdi is unaware of any such development and cautioned BCCI not to resort to this kind of action. Abdi also added that the board officials are themselves in a fix and are trying to divert public attention.
BCCI, in April, had noted five areas in which Modi seems to have defaulted, and manipulating of the auction process, was one of them.
Primarily the accusations relate to bids by Rajasthan Royals and Kings XI Punjab. Another accusation is concerning the deal for broadcasting rights. Remaining cases are connected with manipulating bidding processes regarding two franchises added to the IPL and irregularities with Internet contracts.
Chappell Ready For The Role Of ‘Fulltime Selector’ With Cricket Australia
Greg Chappell has taken over as first full-time selector after being selected for the post by Cricket Australia on Monday. The former Test captain is all set to make big calls as he assumes the responsibility as national talent manager to be based in Melbourne. He however will give his present post as coach at Centre of Excellence.
Maintaining that the players will have to earn the privilege to represent Australia and the selection committee will keep this at the back of their mind while going about their task. The idea in no way is to force anyone to leave but to make sure each one in the team performs in peak form. Stressing that any sport especially cricket as “work in progress”’ the process of pumping in new blood will be continued by the board.
Chappell was categorical in mentioning the need of experience in the team and wanted senior players in to have a balanced side while the new comers groomed simultaneously. Satisfied with the current lot, he could foresee the future of the national team to be good. Chappell has kept in touch with the cricket after stopping to play in 1984, through media, as a selector and coaching assignments both home and abroad.
He was the coach of Indian team on a two-year contract in 2005 but a chain of debatable happenings, differences with skipper Saurav Ganguly and India’s poor show in the 2007 World Cup forced him to quit the assignment.
For a short while in 1988 he gave up the selector’s role to attend to family matters and was not quite in touch with the game
Yousuf Backed By The Pak Chief Selector For ODI
Mohammad Yousuf, Pakistan’s middle order batsman, has been accepted back in the Test side. This has further prompted Mohsin Khan, the chief selector, to include him in the one day team too. Khan feels quite assured that Yousuf’s inclusion will give the much needed push to the current batsmen included in the team.
“Yousuf proved in the Test cricket played at Oval what kind of a batsman he is. “I have been saying he still has two to three years of cricket left in him. I also see a role for him in the one-day squad, especially with the 2011 World Cup in mind,” Khan said.
He also added that Yousuf is capable of playing a significant role in the ODI team and his game can further motivate the other players too. Recently many countries have relied on the more experienced players for their one-day teams. Yousuf can prove to be a very important player as his average for the ODI has been 42.
Khan was also of the view that the ODI with 50 overs did not just imply having the first 6 batsmen lined up to hit shots, but a one day match also needs a player who can give a sense of stability to the team. He added that Yousuf definitely fits the bill. Earlier, even Salman Butt had mentioned about Yousuf’s presence in the match against England as one that ultimately decided their victory.
Yousuf was banned after the Pakistan’s tour to Australia, by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and was also asked to pay up an exorbitant amount as fine.
