Tag: Pakistani players

ICC and Pakistan

Cricket, India, Pakistan
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ICC suspended Salman Butt, Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Amir on 3/10/2010. Pakistan’s High Commissioner in London Wajid Shamsul Hasan said Indian bookies had framed Pakistani cricketers and blamed Sharad Pawar for suspension. Mohammad Asif’s former girlfriend Veena Malik had blamed Indian photographer Dheeraj Dixit for involvement in match-fixing.

Some Pakistanis see conspiracy in the sting operation by News of the World. They should see Pakistan’s record of inexplicable losses over the years. There have been inquires, sometimes action taken against players for sometime, but most of the times players were back in the team. In 1999 Pakistan lost to Bangladesh in World Cup and Wasim Akram said “We are happy to lose to our brothers.”

Geoff Lawson, who was Pakistan’s coach, has mentioned an incident when one Pakistani selector wanted an undeserving player to be in the team because the selector had received a threat that if the player was not in the team the selector’s daughter would be abducted.

Wajid Shamsul Hasan should either mention the names of Indian bookies who framed Pakistani cricketers or retract his statement. Many Pakistanis are in denial and someone said RAW is behind the sting operation. They should ask why Shahid Afridi gave up Test captaincy after one Test in the four Tests series against England. They should watch the recording of Shahid Afridi’s deposition after Australia series.

Some want betting to be legalised in India. They say it is easy to control when it is legal. They are being naive. In England betting is legal and spot-fixing took place in England. Who is watching the bookies? What is the guarantee that those appointed to watch bookies will not accept bribes and keep quiet? ICC’s anti-corruption unit did not unearth any case of match-fixing or spot-fixing. When legalised betting will be more widespread and many more will lose money due to match-fixing or spot-fixing.

Pakistan Cricket Board and cricketers

Cricket, Pakistan
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On 10/3/2010 PCB imposed bans and fines on seven cricketers: Mohammed Yusuf, Younis Khan, Shoaib Malik, Rana Naved, Shahid Afridi, Kamran Akmal and Umar Akmal. This followed Pakistan’s disastrous tour of Australia. During the tour Pakistan’s performance was poor and it appeared some players did their level best to lose the matches.
Was there match-fixing? ICC anti-corruption unit was present during the tour but that doesn’t mean much.
Did the players lose the matches because they did not like each other? Was there groupism? Whatever be the reasons the players had to be disciplined and PCB acted.
Some former players have expressed shock against actions cricketers saying there should no ban for poor performance. The actions of players show it was more than poor performance. It was sabotage. Action against Shahid Afridi may not have anything to do with ball tampering as ICC had acted against him.
CNN-IBN conducted a poll “Is Pakistani cricket team the most mismanaged in the world?” and 90% voted yes, 10% no.
Disagreements between players are not new in Test cricket. When disagreements result in losses that is a matter for concern and people in authority need to act and that is what PCB has done.

Link to e-book King – a novel: http://go4quiz.com/vincent/king

Film and the city

Cricket, India
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On 12/2/2010 the film My name is Khan opened for show in a few theatres at noon in Bombay. After two hours more theatres had opened and by night it was business as usual.
The film’s release was hanging in balance for the past two weeks. Shiv Sena had demanded apology from Shah Rukh Khan for his statement that Pakistani players should have been selected for IPL 3. If no apology they will not allow the film to be shown in Bombay. They had also said Bombay belongs to Marathi people and had criticised anyone who said Bombay belongs to all Indians. They had dared Rahul Gandhi to visit Bombay. If he came he will be shown black flags. Rahul Gandhi visited Bombay and travelled by local trains. Black flag demonstrators were arrested. Next day Shah Rukh Khan returned from abroad. He was given security from airport to home. Shiv Sena was dejected and would have given up the boycott. Sharad Pawar visited Bal Thackeray and that gave a boost to Shiv Sena which renewed the threat to boycott the film. They sent letters to theatre owners not to show the film.
Ashok Chavan, Chief Minister of Maharashtra, assured security to theatres. Karan Johar met Police Commissioner. Meeting was held with theatre owners. Then came many twists. Sometimes theatre owners said they will not show the film. One person said the atmosphere has to be conducive. There were reports of opening and cancelling of bookings. More than 2,000 Shiv Sainiks were arrested. Shah Rukh Khan went to Abu Dhabi and Berlin. On the night of 11/2/2010 it seemed the film may not be released in the city. Ashok Chavan looked dejected. We have given security. Our job is to maintain law and order. Showing films was upto theatre owners. That was his statement.
The film was to be shown in 63 theatres in Bombay. Shiv Sena had claimed victory in its newspaper. There were no morning shows. The battle was between mobocracy and democracy. The battle between Shiv Sena and State had got personal.
The tide turned at noon. Some theatres started the show. Sanjay Nirupam, Congress MP, went to one theatre. Raosaheb Patil, Home Minsiter of Maharashtra, went to another theatre. Kabir Bedi and Pooja Bedi wanted to see the film but did not get the tickets as it was house full.
What went behind the scenes will be known in due course. What made Raosaheb Patel to go to a theatre? There was no report of Ashok Chavan going to any theatre. Shiv Sena had said there is a mass movement against the film. They had initiated the protest. There was no sign of mass movement against the film. Theatres were house full.
For the first time in Maharashtra a film was given protection against widespread threats and theatre owners showed the film. Previously at the hint of any trouble the film affected was banned by the government or theatre owners stopped the film shows. Sometimes producers or actors bowed to the demands of trouble makers.
When there was trouble regarding Wake up Sid, Karan Johar had gone to meet Raj Thackeray and bowed to his demands. That time Ashok Chavan had said if there is any trouble people should come to me. Raj Thackeray had said who is he that people should go to him. This time Ashok Chavan demonstrated the power of the state government.
Link to e-book King – a novel: http://go4quiz.com/vincent/king