Its Going to Happen!
When we went to watch the 2nd ODI between Pakistan and the West Indies dressed in white t-shirts with the letters P A K I S T A N painted on them, we also carried with us several banners.One such banner was this one.
At that time it was something we had talked about, thinking out aloud about who would win and how the players would fare against each other if such a match up ever took place.
With the ICL considered a rebel league and the players taking part in it banned by national boards, none of us really thought such a match would take place.
Though it ran through all our imaginations.
I talked about the two teams, as did Jrod, while NC had a completely different take on it.
Even then, no one really thought it would happen.
Or did we?
Whether we did or not doesn't matter anymore for Inzamam Ul Haq has come out openly and challenged the Pakistan international team to a match.
Pakistan vs Lahore Badshahs!
Inzamam wants it. Yousuf wants it. The Badshahs want it. We want it.
But does the PCB want it?
Will Shoaib Malik accept the challenge?
With Inzamam's recent meetings and conference calls with Ijaz Butt indicating that the bans on Pakistan's ICL players will be lifted, such a match is very much a possibility.
Who do you think will come out on top?
Pakistan or Lahore Badshahs?
Irrespective, I think it will be one charged up contest with a number of players looking to settle some scores.
If you thought the Badshahs vs Heroes game was a heated one, wait till you see this!
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It would be amazing if it happens - I can't see the PCB saying yes, though.
It seems to me that the Badshahs have caught the imagination of Pakistani fans during the period when the 'official' team hasn't been playing. If the PCB-backed team gets into a bit of form and plays more often, some of the ICL 'exiles' may be tempted back.
AP, from what I've been hearing abt the new PCB chairman and his stance on the ICL, the 'rebels' maybe back playing domestic cricket and maybe even international cricket in the not so distant future.
A clearer picture should emerge in the next few weeks.
You r right, the Badshahs have surely caught the imagination of the public and rightly so... at a time when international cricket has been minimal and the 'official' team has hardly played or won, a dominant Pakistan team in any sort of competition has been a blessing for the public back home.
I'd prefer an all Pakistan ICL XI against Pakistan as quite a few talented players from Pakistan playing in the ICL would miss out (Shabbir Ahmed and Razzaq of course!).
ps
It would be fantastic if it took place!
i wanna see razzaq play. not by himself, but in one of the two teams - who'll have him? given he'll field at third man, bat 9 down, and won't get a bowl, but still he gotta play. Maybe to have a catfight with azhar mahmood.
When the ICL World series took place last season, ICL Pakistan included Razzak and Shabbir and I think it will too this season as well ..
Rana & Razzak in the same team.. well well.. RA-RA NC?
I believe if the Badshahs vs Pakistan match happens, Razzak might play for the Badshahs - he does share a great relationship with Inzi..
It surely would be Krishna!
RaRa has a ring to it. Maybe even a ringtone -RaRa Rasputin...
Btw how does Razzaq get along with himself?
Thats an interesting question NC.. u've got me thinking.. How do i get along with myself?
Hmm...
Would be great! I'm all for it.
PCB/Pakistan have a lot more to lose. It would be simply embarrassing for them.
Badshahs have nothing to lose and everything to gain. Plus, it could lend more legitimacy to the ICL.
However, I think BCCI/ICC will throw a hissy-fit if this were to happen.
Maybe they could counter BCCI and ICC by playing a 'super Pakistan XI' against a super Badshahs XI
so this is going to be like that time in the vb series when aus a played aus.
it turned out pretty well.
besides it gives the pakistani national team some match practice :)
its good to see the Badshas have kept the name of cricket alive in pakistan in these turmoil times!
It depends what format they are playing. Don't forget Inzamam is well past is prime and he cannot bat better than Younis or Misbah, perhaps even Malik.
I think the Pakistan team will be stronger. If you think about the bowling attack, in ODI's/Tests the only good bowler Badshahs have is Shahid Nazir.
If they play, which will certainly be fun, I think they will play T20. It would be difficult to predict the result, but then that is the case between most teams playing T20.
I agree Sledge.. Pakistan losing to them would be quite an embarassment... and I guess Krishna's suggestion might be a way around BCCI/ICC if they were to create a fuss...
Damith, there was a 20-20 match recently held between Australia and Australia All Stars - about a week or so back.. Gilchrist, Hodge, Langer and others turned out for the All Stars team.. a Pakistan vs Badshahs match would be more like that..
I believe only a T20 match between the 2 sides is the only viable option and as Khansahab said it is anybody's game as is any 20-20 match..
I don't think the Badshahs would be that competitive in the ODI version.. Tests is out of the question..
I don't see it happening right away.
Inzi's stealing the thunder from Pakistan team and directing the attention of their win towards the Badshah's win. In a sense he's saying the players of LB are more capable.
The best way Mallik and his men can answer that is to go out and win most games.
If at some point ICL is all ICC A-OK, then maybe...
Its highly unlikely but I would love to see it happen,and it might happen next year, there are people in PCB's new management who have a soft corner for ICL and Lahore Badshah players.
If it happens my money would be on Pakistan team although I will be rooting for the Badshahs as it includes some of my favorite players.
Lets see SB.. as Wasim pointed out, the current PCB boss is looking to unban the players. If that happens the match may happen as well.
I say Pakistan beats the Badshahs... bring it on! Won't happen though.