tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3713921718473352259.post8239469417371451095..comments2024-03-17T12:14:30.727+04:00Comments on Well Pitched - a cricket blog: Is the Glass Half Full or Half Empty?obaidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04686432822347334520noreply@blogger.comBlogger84125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3713921718473352259.post-53403174223796867862009-08-08T23:17:01.103+04:002009-08-08T23:17:01.103+04:00RGB,
As of now explaining things to you has offic...RGB,<br /><br />As of now explaining things to you has officially become more difficult than explaining them to my girl friend. And I must say that is some achievement on your part ;-)<br /><br />I say it again, I would love to meet you for a drink.Qhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13947332468863567271noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3713921718473352259.post-65676867299331435422009-08-05T15:26:58.096+04:002009-08-05T15:26:58.096+04:001)So what does the statement "I would not hav...1)So what does the statement "I would not have it any other way" mean?<br /><br />You have seen the collapses and other inconsistent performances. And thats the way you want the Pakistani team to perform and you would not have it any other way.<br /><br />And then you say you are also not pleased with the collapses. <br /><br />So does that mean you don't like the collapses but still want the Pakistani team to have them?<br /><br />Yes, I really am finding it very hard to comprehend your views.<br /><br />2) I made the "proud of the drawbacks" comment after sensing a tendency to glorify inadequacies in your comments.<br /><br />Collapsing regularly is a drawback. <br />Off the field drama due to mediocre performances is a drawback. They may create excitement for you . But they still are drawbacks. <br /><br />Initial stumble in a victorious WC campaign is a drawback as opposed to a an undefeated WC campaign. <br /><br />You admire raw talent rather than a honed professional. Fair enough. Its your prerogative. But a raw talent will have drawbacks. <br /><br />Hence the comment followed.RGBhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06694812087829406010noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3713921718473352259.post-45557514766977842182009-07-28T13:36:47.023+04:002009-07-28T13:36:47.023+04:00RGB,
Now u r confusing me. I think ur finding it ...RGB,<br /><br />Now u r confusing me. I think ur finding it really hard to comprehend me ...<br /><br />The comment that u have re-posted and the conclusion of my post, which part of that exactly tells u that I was "proud of the drawbacks" and "deliriously pleased about the collapses" ?<br /><br />I merely spoke about looking for the positives and supporting the team when they were down.<br /><br />And I went on to explain that I enjoy the Pakistan team the way it is because of the drama and excitement it brings with itself.<br /><br />Again, where in there do you see "proud of the drawbacks" or "deliriously pleased about the collapses".<br /><br />Maybe you should not try to read too much behind the words or rather assume that because I think this, I would probably think that too...Qhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13947332468863567271noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3713921718473352259.post-59034751177852469312009-07-28T09:53:33.586+04:002009-07-28T09:53:33.586+04:00You cannot be serious.
Anyways, please allow me ...You cannot be serious. <br /><br />Anyways, please allow me to refresh your memory .<br /><br />Please read the concluding paragraph of your post where you have extolled the drama created by mediocrity.<br /><br />And then please go through this comment as well. <br /> <br />"About the context, if you read the concluding paragraph leading up to the "I wouldn't have it any other way", I talk about the different emotions the team takes us through.. the ups and downs.. it is this jekyll & hyde behaviour that gives the team so many fans.. <br /><br />Would the world t20 have been more exciting had South Africa won it without losing a match?<br /><br />I highly doubt it. With Pakistan came a story, drama, excitement, flair.<br /><br />I would rather see Pakistan win a world cup like they did in 92 and 2009 than see them win everything and lose the final like in 99 or like Aus won the 03 and 07 world cups."RGBnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3713921718473352259.post-73904043433626854142009-07-26T12:51:28.742+04:002009-07-26T12:51:28.742+04:00Oh man RGB, u r impossible! No i was not delirious...Oh man RGB, u r impossible! No i was not deliriously pleased by the collapses, the off-field bickering, and the hyde like behavior.<br /><br />Where did u get that idea? <br /><br />Instead of reading my statements in isolation, I think you should read them according to what I have responded to... add to that the message of this post..<br /><br />Sigh.. I am going to die trying to explain my POV to you.. wanna meet for a drink? That might be easier .. and the fact that we disagree so much, it might even be fun! ;-)Qhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13947332468863567271noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3713921718473352259.post-33620727012214715712009-07-26T11:04:59.113+04:002009-07-26T11:04:59.113+04:00"I am not proud of the drawbacks.. I am proud..."I am not proud of the drawbacks.. I am proud of some of the performances that were put in despite the drawbacks."<br /><br />Now you are confusing me. Weren't you deliriously pleased about the collapses, the off the field bickering and the Hyde-like behaviour?RGBnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3713921718473352259.post-32205617029919497872009-07-25T22:06:15.590+04:002009-07-25T22:06:15.590+04:00"Its one thing thing to look for positives in..."Its one thing thing to look for positives in defeats and quite another thing to be proud of the drawbacks."<br /><br />I am not proud of the drawbacks.. I am proud of some of the performances that were put in despite the drawbacks.<br /><br />There's a difference.<br /><br />And nope, I am not Younis Khan's speech writer but what I said is what I believe is how majority of the Pakistanis should feel..Qhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13947332468863567271noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3713921718473352259.post-42348236638826736242009-07-25T11:06:28.268+04:002009-07-25T11:06:28.268+04:00"I do believe that I am a part of a very minu..."I do believe that I am a part of a very minuscule group of fans who don't thrash the team around cos of their mediocre performance.. I do look for positives even in defeats.."<br /><br />Its one thing thing to look for positives in defeats and quite another thing to be proud of the drawbacks.<br /><br />I can understand the clutching of straws. Its the latter thats is very difficult to comprehend.<br /><br /><br />"Look at the what the country is going through, look at how much cricket they are playing, look at the teams they have been playing lately, look at what the players go through, look at how disfunctional the board is, look at how inefficient the entire system is.."<br /><br />Are you by any chance Younus Khan's speech( more apt description would be excuse) writer?RGBnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3713921718473352259.post-23060818588417404272009-07-25T06:00:29.506+04:002009-07-25T06:00:29.506+04:00"From what I have read on the net, I can safe..."From what I have read on the net, I can safely say that you belong to a very minuscule group of Pakistani supporters who have found the current performance as exciting and are pleased with it.<br /><br />Overwhelming majority of fans would have liked the team to play with more mental strength and win the series"<br /><br />There you go RGB.. that says it all. Those few lines are what this post "is the glass half full or half empty" was all about. It took you some time, but u finally got there :-)<br /><br />I do believe that I am a part of a very minuscule group of fans who don't thrash the team around cos of their mediocre performance.. I do look for positives even in defeats.. I am optimistic every time Pakistan takes the field.. not delusional.. I know wat the current players are capable of and what not..<br /><br />I love my Pakistan team the way it is and their results right now do not disappoint me..<br /><br />Look at the what the country is going through, look at how much cricket they are playing, look at the teams they have been playing lately, look at what the players go through, look at how disfunctional the board is, look at how inefficient the entire system is..<br /><br />If despite all that the players can turn out to play cricket and even out in half a performance, I think it is a big deal.Qhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13947332468863567271noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3713921718473352259.post-86534875542328847112009-07-24T22:21:55.621+04:002009-07-24T22:21:55.621+04:00"Because they cannot be Waugh's or Pontin..."Because they cannot be Waugh's or Ponting's Australian teams."<br /><br />And the inexplicable part is you do not even aspire the Pakistani team to be like those Australian teams.<br /><br />" I talk about the different emotions the team takes us through.. the ups and downs.. it is this jekyll & hyde behaviour that gives the team so many fans.."<br /><br />So you like your team to frequently have collapses and lose just so as to enable you to experience the whole gamut of emotions. I must say you are a very very unique supporter.<br /><br />And I do not think the team's Hyde like behaviour can cultivate any fans other than masochists. It is like saying fans worship Sehwag for his occasional brain implosions. <br /><br /><br />"I would rather see Pakistan win a world cup like they did in 92 and 2009 than see them win everything and lose the final like in 99 or like Aus won the 03 and 07 world cups."<br /><br />I think you are only supporter of any team that I have come across who is pleased when his team loses and is proud of its mediocrity.<br /><br /><br />"It may not be exciting for you, it was for me.. and probably for many Pakistani fans as well.<br /><br />Would they have it any other way? I don't think so."<br /><br />From what I have read on the net, I can safely say that you belong to a very minuscule group of Pakistani supporters who have found the current performance as exciting and are pleased with it.<br /><br />Overwhelming majority of fans would have liked the team to play with more mental strength and win the series.RGBnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3713921718473352259.post-57920527608366189022009-07-24T14:50:01.679+04:002009-07-24T14:50:01.679+04:00RGB,
Sorry this is coming out in parts..
Sure Pr...RGB,<br /><br />Sorry this is coming out in parts..<br /><br />Sure Prince can demonstrate flair.. he hasn't done so in the past but he did in that century that he made while opening against Australia. Now besides the runs he scored and the way he played there was a story behind it as well...<br /><br />Ignored for Duminy, upset at selectors for ignoring him, wants to come back, only position avaialble is opening slot, never opened in his life, has a point to prove, and boy did he prove it!<br /><br />How many times do u see such passion in SA?<br /><br />Never really.<br /><br />If AB and Duminy are to put up a partnership like M-M did, if there is no story to it, it would be boring for me. As simple as that.<br /><br />As for Kallis.. his selfishness is well documented and is probably a subject for another post. I will leave it for that.Qhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13947332468863567271noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3713921718473352259.post-77079794449236994182009-07-24T14:46:39.765+04:002009-07-24T14:46:39.765+04:00"So at the very least Steyn has all the quali..."So at the very least Steyn has all the qualities that Gul has and the extra pace. But Gul has flair and Steyn does not. Strange."<br /><br />No its not strange. Its a matter of perception. You see flair in Steyn? I guess you do.. I don't. I see more flair in Gul and Aamer.. <br /><br />Again, flair has a lot to do with raw and natural talent.. Bot Gul and Aamer have bundles of that.. Steyn is a honed professional.. those kind generally do not come with flair.<br /><br />Again, a matter of opinion. You don't have to agree.<br /><br />"Yes I was aware of the situation.<br />But as a neutral I do not care a bit about Malik's and Misbah's place in the Pakistani team. I look forward to the the cricket played on the field and not the shenanigans off the field . If I am concerned about the latter, I will watch a movie."<br /><br />Now there is the point.. if u read the post again, I said the Pakistan team dishes more drama than a bolly flick.. and it does.. which is why there is a certain level of excitement involved with them.<br /><br />If you don't enjoy the off-field stuff connected to the on-field stuff then u can choose to ignore it..<br /><br />For me, the M-M partnership was a lot more than just the runs they scored and how.. there was a whole script playing in the background..<br /><br />It may not be exciting for you, it was for me.. and probably for many Pakistani fans as well.<br /><br />Would they have it any other way? I don't think so.Qhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13947332468863567271noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3713921718473352259.post-71246827975235275972009-07-24T14:40:02.088+04:002009-07-24T14:40:02.088+04:00"No, I do not. What is the context? And why w..."No, I do not. What is the context? And why would you prefer the current Pakistani team to the Waugh's or Ponting's Australian teams?"<br /><br />Because they cannot be Waugh's or Ponting's Australian teams.<br /><br />About the context, if you read the concluding paragraph leading up to the "I wouldn't have it any other way", I talk about the different emotions the team takes us through.. the ups and downs.. it is this jekyll & hyde behaviour that gives the team so many fans.. <br /><br />Would the world t20 have been more exciting had South Africa won it without losing a match?<br /><br />I highly doubt it. With Pakistan came a story, drama, excitement, flair.<br /><br />I would rather see Pakistan win a world cup like they did in 92 and 2009 than see them win everything and lose the final like in 99 or like Aus won the 03 and 07 world cups.<br /><br />"Yes these shots can be played with flair. But Younus hardly does. His dismissal in the second test was as ugly as it can ever get."<br /><br />I never said it wasn't ugly. But how often has he got out like that? Rarely. More often than not he has played the stroke and has looked good..Qhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13947332468863567271noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3713921718473352259.post-68170469419596188922009-07-23T23:50:19.278+04:002009-07-23T23:50:19.278+04:00"I think u r not understanding as to why thos..."I think u r not understanding as to why those comments were not contradictory... in the context of the post they were not."<br /><br />No, I do not. What is the context? And why would you prefer the current Pakistani team to the Waugh's or Ponting's Australian teams?<br /><br /><br />"Back to my definition of flair.. according to that those sweeps, reverse sweeps, hoiks, etc are all flair."<br /><br />Yes these shots can be played with flair. But Younus hardly does. His dismissal in the second test was as ugly as it can ever get.<br /><br />". Gul in recent times has not repeated his success in tests.. Steyn is probably the best test pacer there is today.. but I don't see the flair in him.."<br /><br />So at the very least Steyn has all the qualities that Gul has and the extra pace. But Gul has flair and Steyn does not. Strange.<br /><br />"Nope ur not getting the point again. ... Everyone knew abt the talk regarding factions and so on..."<br /><br />Yes I was aware of the situation.<br />But as a neutral I do not care a bit about Malik's and Misbah's place in the Pakistani team. I look forward to the the cricket played on the field and not the shenanigans off the field . If I am concerned about the latter, I will watch a movie.<br /><br />"No it is not. I mean that flair is definitely not the central theme of this post."<br /><br />I meant the discussion and not the post. <br /><br />"SA play boring cricket, period. Maybe u find it exciting, that's ur opinion."<br /><br />I admire the SA team for their success and not for the flair. And I find most of the times their cricket as attritional as the M-M partnership . But you find a difference between the two and I cannot understand why it is so.<br /><br /><br />"Again M-M's play the other day was exciting cos of the drama surrounding them not because of the way they played or scored. In SA, there's no drama.. its all play play play choke choke choke."<br /><br />So the partnership was exciting due to the abysmal incompetence of the Pakistani batsmen in the previous tests? And such incompetence creates drama and causes excitement? <br /><br />And similar such innings by SA batsmen are not exciting because they do not exhibit prior incompetence?<br /><br />And if the Pakistani batsman would have ground it out instead of playing expansive shots in the first two tests would that have been exciting too?<br /><br />And in a hypothetical case if SA would have been 0-2 down and Amla and Kallis would have played that partnership , would that have been exciting?<br /><br />"but that is the only 1 instance where Prince has demonstrated flair to me.."<br /><br />Yes that may be probably the only innings when he has exhibited flair. But it just shows that he can exhibit such flair. And generally it is eschewed for greater efficiency. <br /> <br />"Kallis in the world T20? Man, if u think he played with flair I don't know what to say.. "<br /><br />And why were those innings not comprising of flair?<br /><br /><br />"he played for himself like he always does.. great batsman but not a team batsman.."<br /><br />Why was it selfish batting? And if he is selfish batsman why was he recalled for the T20 WC? <br /><br />"So how many times have u seen Kallis play a selfless innings for the team?"<br /><br />Since you have accused him of selfishness , please state which innings were selfish and why.<br />And if he is a selfish batsman why is he in the SA team for 13 years?<br />I do not think the SA management has any tolerance for selfishness. It was the same management which dropped Klusner for being a disruptive influence.RGBnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3713921718473352259.post-90545235735917954982009-07-23T20:21:01.561+04:002009-07-23T20:21:01.561+04:00About the flair thing (which is the only bit of th...About the flair thing (which is the only bit of this discussion I am mentally equipped to take part in, the rest of it pretty much goes over my head), <br /><br />nobody's saying winners=robots, because clearly, Australian team proves you can have fun, entertain the crowd, and still win. South Africa is just a special case :)Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09760799888416896858noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3713921718473352259.post-74722067496986510532009-07-23T15:08:25.619+04:002009-07-23T15:08:25.619+04:00RGB,
I think u r not understanding as to why thos...RGB,<br /><br />I think u r not understanding as to why those comments were not contradictory... in the context of the post they were not.<br /><br />Moving on..<br /><br />"Class- Yes. Flair - No. Have you seen his sweeps, reverse sweeps and the propensity to drag balls to the leg side?"<br /><br />Back to my definition of flair.. according to that those sweeps, reverse sweeps, hoiks, etc are all flair.. when he drags the ball on he looks ugly but that is not as frequent as he shows his flair..<br /><br />"So what additional qualities does Gul possess and Steyn lacks that make Steyn a robot and Gul a brilliant individual with flair?"<br /><br />The yorkers.. again restricted to T20 cricket and I know u were talking abt tests.. Gul in recent times has not repeated his success in tests.. Steyn is probably the best test pacer there is today.. but I don't see the flair in him.. I do in Ntini, but not Steyn.<br /><br />"Sorry, there was no excitement for the neutral. I fully endorse the way they played. But it was attritional."<br /><br />Nope ur not getting the point again. Even the neutral was aware of the stories going around in the media. Everyone knew how Malik and Misbah were under pressure for their places. Everyone knew abt the talk regarding factions and so on...<br /><br />With that in mind, their partnership had plenty of drama for everyone.<br /><br />"The central theme of this post is how flair should be the overriding criteria in judging a team."<br /><br />No it is not. I mean that flair is definitely not the central theme of this post. The theme of this post is to look at the positives rather than the negatives. The theme of this post is about whether u r an optimistic fan or a pessimistic one.<br /><br />Flair came up in the comments after u mentioned it.<br /><br />"So when M-M played attritional cricket today because their heads were on the chopping block( and the situation demanded it as well), you find that exciting. But when SA play same type of cricket in pursuit of a win, it is boring? "<br /><br />SA play boring cricket, period. Maybe u find it exciting, that's ur opinion.<br /><br />Again M-M's play the other day was exciting cos of the drama surrounding them not because of the way they played or scored. In SA, there's no drama.. its all play play play choke choke choke.<br /><br />They r programmed.. that's how I see it anyway.<br /><br />"Did you see Prince score century in the last Test against Aus? Have you seen Kallis in the T20? Have you not seen Smith play in England last year?"<br /><br />I certainly saw Prince open and bat the way he never has before... he also batted like he had a point to prove.. plenty of excitement and drama... yes that innings had a lot of flair about it.. but that is the only 1 instance where Prince has demonstrated flair to me.. <br /><br />Kallis in the world T20? Man, if u think he played with flair I don't know what to say.. he played for himself like he always does.. great batsman but not a team batsman..<br /><br />"But most of the times they eschew it because may be for them a team victory is more valuable than individual brilliance."<br /><br />So how many times have u seen Kallis play a selfless innings for the team?Qhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13947332468863567271noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3713921718473352259.post-64962312209370007482009-07-23T02:44:00.941+04:002009-07-23T02:44:00.941+04:00"Cos there's more to it than just the run..."Cos there's more to it than just the runs being scored. There is drama and excitement around it."<br /><br />Sorry, there was no excitement for the neutral. I fully endorse the way they played. But it was attritional.<br /><br />The central theme of this post is how flair should be the overriding criteria in judging a team. So where was the flair in that partnership for it to be exciting?<br /><br /><br />"U see when Amla, Prince, Kallis et all score match after match in boring ways its like routine for them.. I call it robotic.."<br /><br />Hence Amla , Kallis et al have Smith, AB, Duminy, Gibbs to play around them. And why was the Misbah -Malik partnership today not robotic for the neutral?<br /><br />So when M-M played attritional cricket today because their heads were on the chopping block( and the situation demanded it as well), you find that exciting. But when SA play same type of cricket in pursuit of a win, it is boring? <br /><br />Is it not presumptuous to say that M-M ground it out today deferring to the circumstances but SA grind it out only because of their innate staidness and not due to the circumstances or pursuit of a win?<br /><br /><br />Did you see Prince score century in the last Test against Aus? Have you seen Kallis in the T20? Have you not seen Smith play in England last year?<br /><br />They all can play with flair. But most of the times they eschew it because may be for them a team victory is more valuable than individual brilliance.RGBnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3713921718473352259.post-82026220592224551932009-07-23T02:08:28.842+04:002009-07-23T02:08:28.842+04:00"So unless Pakistan can be the ruthless Austr..."So unless Pakistan can be the ruthless Australia,"<br /><br />I think this statement means you would like the Pakistani team to be like the ruthless Australian team. This I think contradicts the last statement of the post. <br /><br />That the current team is not such a team or that the current Pakistani cricket establishment will not produce such a team unless major changes take place is a completely different matter. <br /><br /><br />"Misbah, Razzaq, Aamer, Ajmal, Younis, Imran Nazir have also demonstrated flair."<br /><br />As I have said in the previous comment, I am talking about the Test teams.<br /><br /><br />" Younus- I think 17 tons in 60 odd tests is quite a frequent show of class.. and flair."<br /><br />Class- Yes. Flair - No. Have you seen his sweeps, reverse sweeps and the propensity to drag balls to the leg side?<br /><br />"Wow, I cannot believe u just compared the two"<br /><br />Agree Amla has some more work to do. But he has the South Asian wristy way of batting.<br /><br />"Have u seen Misbah's T20 performances?"<br /><br />Yes I have. And they were 2 years ago. In the WC he scored 82 runs at an Avg of 27 and SR of 117.<br />Kallis scored 238 at an Avg of 59.5 and SR of 126.<br /><br />Anyways I am talking about Test batting. Did you see him bat( block would be the most appropriate description) in the recent Test series? Even the proverbial Boycott's grandmother with a rhubarb stick would have done a better job. And please do not remind me of those centuries against India. Even Jaffer scored a double century on those pitches against Akhtar.<br /><br />"Remember Gul's 5-for in Lahore against India? That was all new ball."<br /><br />Yes and that was five years ago. And why was this performance not robotic? And have you seen him bowl of late with the new ball?<br /><br />"Steyn has got speed and swing but he goes abt his business like a robot.. he's definitely not as robotic as a Pollock but not flair for me.."<br /><br />So what additional qualities does Gul possess and Steyn lacks that make Steyn a robot and Gul a brilliant individual with flair?<br /><br />"Throughout the World T20 there was a certain buzz around Aamer"<br /><br />Again Tests and not T20. Got wickets in the first test but has been wicket less since then. Let him demonstrate the slower ball, reverse swing, the in dipper in Tests.RGBnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3713921718473352259.post-15468136947097787322009-07-22T23:53:23.906+04:002009-07-22T23:53:23.906+04:00RGB,
They are not contradictory because I know th...RGB,<br /><br />They are not contradictory because I know they cannot be the ruthless Australia.. rather in my view they cannot, hence I would not have them any other way.<br /><br />"How would you define flair?"<br /><br />For me its style, natural talent, individual brilliance, the mannerisms, excitement, ...<br /><br />"Out of the long list you provided, in my opinion only Afridi,Gul and Akmal (T20) and Yousuf (Test) have <br />demonstrated flair."<br /><br />I guess its a matter of perception.. besides those that you mentioned for T20, Misbah, Razzaq, Aamer, Ajmal, Younis, Imran Nazir have also demonstrated flair.<br /><br />For tests besides Yousuf, Younis and Akmal have also demonstrated flair.. not talking abt these series only.. <br /><br />"In Test matches, Younis frequently looks ugly. Not unlike Smith."<br /><br />I think Younis looks a class act more frequently than he looks ugly.. I think 17 tons in 60 odd tests is quite a frequent show of class.. and flair.<br /><br />"Yousuf has flair and is graceful. Same as Amla( though Amla is a notch or two below)."<br /><br />Wow, I cannot believe u just compared the two.. even by a couple of notches.. again its ur opinion.. Amla grinds and grinds and nudges and pushes.. Yousuf looks like King when driving and pulling and cutting..<br /><br />"Misbah- 'The Blocker' has flair while Kallis doesn't? Are you kidding me?"<br /><br />Have u seen Misbah's T20 performances?<br /><br />"Malik has flair and Duminy doesn't?<br />What is the criteria for flair?"<br /><br />Duminy definitely has flair.. he showed that in his 2 innings in Australia end of last year.. Malik's flair is restricted to ODIs and T20s..<br /><br />"Gul has displayed flair only with the old ball so far. So if he has flair, so does Steyn."<br /><br />Remember Gul's 5-for in Lahore against India? That was all new ball.<br /><br />Steyn has got speed and swing but he goes abt his business like a robot.. he's definitely not as robotic as a Pollock but not flair for me..<br /><br />"Aamer has just started. Yet to demonstrate flair."<br /><br />Throughout the World T20 there was a certain buzz around him.. then the final's 1st over to Dilshan.. then the 1st test performance in this series.. i've definitely seen plenty of flair..<br /><br />"Razzaq no longer has flair is his bowling and is now just a hard hitting all rounder. Just as A. Morkel is."<br /><br />His World T20 return, he hardly did any batting.. in the bowling the flair i gone I agree.. for him it was a more general opinion.. if u witnessed him in the RBS 20-20 and the ICL, there was a lot of flair on show in his batting and bowling<br /><br />"So I really cannot see why you think Pakistani team has more flair than SA. But then it is every individual's own viewpoint."<br /><br />You're right, it is everyone's own viewpoint.. for me SA are boring, characterless, flair-less, robotic...<br /><br />"And the Misbah- Malik partnership did not bore you to death today?"<br /><br />Not at all, you know why.<br /><br />Cos there's more to it than just the runs being scored. There is drama and excitement around it.<br /><br />U see when Amla, Prince, Kallis et all score match after match in boring ways its like routine for them.. I call it robotic..<br /><br />Misbah and Malik were under pressure today.. all over Pakistan there were demands for them to be dropped.. many had even accused them of conspiracies against the skipper.. they had failed miserably in this series and for some during the world T20 as well.. today was their last chance to redeem themselves.. they probably would have been dropped from the test team if they did not do well today...<br /><br />And from a collapsible position of 67-4, Malik and Misbah stood up to be counted..<br /><br />Sure they blocked and grinded, but their knocks gave us a story more than just runs..<br /><br />U c what I mean?<br /><br />This is what I love about Pakistan.. the drama, the excitement, the twists, the turns, the failures, the successes, the turnaround stories, heroes to villians and vice versa in a day..<br /><br />As i said, more drama than a bolly flick!Qhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13947332468863567271noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3713921718473352259.post-64407703248929478882009-07-22T21:46:53.492+04:002009-07-22T21:46:53.492+04:00The last statement in the original post.
"Bu...The last statement in the original post.<br /><br />"But would you have it any other way?<br />I surely wouldn't!"<br /><br />"So unless Pakistan can be the ruthless Australia, which they were a few years ago"<br /><br />Are these statements not contradictory?<br /><br />While comparing flair , I was talking primarily about Test teams.<br /><br />How would you define flair?<br />Out of the long list you provided, in my opinion only Afridi,Gul and Akmal (T20) and Yousuf (Test) have <br />demonstrated flair.<br /><br />In Test matches, Younis frequently looks ugly. Not unlike Smith.<br /><br />Yousuf has flair and is graceful. Same as Amla( though Amla is a notch or two below).<br /><br />Misbah- 'The Blocker' has flair while Kallis doesn't? Are you kidding me?<br /><br />Malik has flair and Duminy doesn't?<br />What is the criteria for flair?<br /><br />Gul has displayed flair only with the old ball so far. So if he has flair, so does Steyn.<br /><br />Aamer has just started. Yet to demonstrate flair.<br /><br />Razzaq no longer has flair is his bowling and is now just a hard hitting all rounder. Just as A. Morkel is.<br /><br />So I really cannot see why you think Pakistani team has more flair than SA. But then it is every individual's own viewpoint.<br /><br />"And I would any day see these guys fail and succeed than see a Kallis, a Smith or a Duminy or a Prince or an Amla bore me to death."<br /><br /> And the Misbah- Malik partnership did not bore you to death today?RGBnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3713921718473352259.post-75843378117828266032009-07-22T19:45:50.891+04:002009-07-22T19:45:50.891+04:00RGB,
No it doesn't contradict the last statem...RGB,<br /><br />No it doesn't contradict the last statement, because as i said, we CANNOT be an Australia, hence I would like to have the team as it is now rather than see it be a South Africa or an England...<br /><br />Are you serious about South African flair? They were the most boring team on display at the World T20 despite winning all their games till the semi final.<br /><br />They have no character whatsoever. Boring robots they looks like.<br /><br />No way would I want to support a team like that.<br /><br />As for Individual brilliance and flair.. I believe there is plenty of that in the likes of Afridi, Younis, Yousuf, Akmal, Gul, Aamer, Malik, Razzaq, Misbah..<br /><br />I'm probably forgetting a few more.. but I see it..<br /><br />And I would any day see these guys fail and succeed than see a Kallis, a Smith or a Duminy or a Prince or an Amla bore me to death.Qhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13947332468863567271noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3713921718473352259.post-17454308391246319442009-07-21T20:12:21.781+04:002009-07-21T20:12:21.781+04:00"So unless Pakistan can be the ruthless Austr..."So unless Pakistan can be the ruthless Australia, "<br /><br />Which contradicts the last statement in the post.<br /><br /><br />"I don't think Pakistan can ever be an Australia.. for that you need an entire generational change of thinking and management and I don't see it happening in my lifetime.."<br /><br />And if the change does not happen now, next generation will also say the same thing. Of course this is assuming there is a will to change. Since 'rebuilding' has now become a very convenient excuse. <br /><br /><br />"The thing is that in my life time I have not seen an all conquering Pakistani team.. what I have seen though is a team full of drama, spirit, energy, flair, individual brilliance, ability to win lost matches, and lose won matches, and all that.. u know what I mean?"<br /><br />Can the current team even claim to possess individual brilliance and flair? Pakistani teams of the past did possess those qualities. Not the current one. And why should ability to snatch defeat from jaws of victory be a desirable quality?<br /><br /><br />I do not know how you infer that the SA team is characterless. The current SA team has as much flair as the current Pakistani team if not more.RGBnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3713921718473352259.post-49615920034773908152009-07-20T04:09:33.087+04:002009-07-20T04:09:33.087+04:00Yaar what I don't understand is, why do u guys...Yaar what I don't understand is, why do u guys get personal?<br /><br />Keep the fight abt the cricketers and the cricket.. don't attack each other.. attack the Maliks and Misbahs and the Younises.. isn't that wat the point is?Qhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13947332468863567271noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3713921718473352259.post-77006172690535586472009-07-19T13:26:50.791+04:002009-07-19T13:26:50.791+04:00Wasim Jal Gaya
I can't also imagine someone w...Wasim Jal Gaya<br /><br />I can't also imagine someone who is so middle aged can't spell properly, write properly and murders syntax in broad daylight. If there was no Microsoft Word, God help you.<br /><br />And I certainly can't believe you are an accountant. You are an accountant like how Zardari is a graduate of "London School of Economics and Management".<br /><br />You are filled with BS, because the player who had problems with, Fawad Alam, slapped you in the face and because of his innings your giyareen might be dropped. That is too painful for you to tolerate.<br /><br />You are not different from the paindoos on the street. When you give them too much respect and they act like they are worthy of respect. I think people should react to you like how to react to them, with paindoogiri, arrogance and uncouthness. That will put you in your place. It was a mistake to give you respect from the start, like your giyareen Akhtar, Asif, Tanvir, it has affected you, too.<br /><br />In my opinion someone who considers you an educated or reasonable person is an uneducated paindoo like you. The problem with giyareenbandi is what is seen in the Pakistan team. Despite knowing your paindooness, your giyareens support you on this blog.<br /><br />I am not avoiding your question. Malik is not a Test player. He is only a Test player for paindoos. You will just carry on ranting despite not knowing what Test calibre is. I expect that from a paindoo. Never mind. <br /><br />Anonymous<br /><br />Are you a paindoo too who has problems understanding English? When did I say there is any match fixing?khansahabnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3713921718473352259.post-84306306137839225422009-07-19T06:03:06.818+04:002009-07-19T06:03:06.818+04:00carry on Khan Sahab. I am with you. Go ahead with ...carry on Khan Sahab. I am with you. Go ahead with your views. Fixing, Tendulkar not being finisher..<br /><br />What more to come ? <br /><br />Something on Younis Khan or Shoaib Akhtar ?<br /><br />You are providing a tremendous entertainment sir. You rock....Give us more of your conspiracy theories and your diagnosis of what ails the team...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com