Shoaib Akhtar to Join KKR!

A few days ago on Ottayan's blog, I said that it was bound to happen.

We all knew it would happen sooner rather than later.

Maybe this is the boost that the Knight Riders needed to get back to their winning ways. Only time will tell though, how effective Shoaib would be. He could potentially form a lethal attack with team mate Umar Gul.

I hope he does well.

But where does all this leave the PCB?

This is yet another one of the umpteen U-turns the PCB and its so called "3-man committees" have taken since Dr. Nasim Ashraf has been in charge. It is beyond ridiculous now.

First they ban Shoaib.

He appeals against the ban.

PCB sets up an appellate tribunal.

They uphold the appeal saying ban is just.

Tribunal says Shoaib is free to play in the IPL though.

IPL says they won't accept banned player.

Nasim Ashraf personally requests Lalit Modi.

Modi says sorry can't do.

Shoaib lawyers plead for 1 month suspension of ban.

Tribunal accepts.

Lalit Modi says:

"We look forward to Shoaib playing for us, I am going to call him immediately and invite him to come to Kolkata tonight or tomorrow morning."

Who are you guys kidding?

I mean seriously. So Lalit Modi is willing to allow Shoaib play knowing that in a months time he will be banned from cricket in and for Pakistan for 5 years.

What difference does it make whether Shoaib is banned from today or from June onwards?

And what happens after the current IPL tournament ends? Shoaib won't be allowed to play in future IPL seasons?

What a joke.

Who is Naumanullah?

He's the man who made his debut for Pakistan in the 5th ODI against Bangladesh.

He's the 32 year old who looks younger than the 28 year old Afridi and the 30 year old Younis Khan.

He's the one who was awarded the best batsman of the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy 2007-08 for his 949 runs in 10 matches at an average of 63.26 with 4 centuries and 3 fifties.

He's the batsman who was the 3rd highest leading scorer in first class matches this season (2007-08) - 15 matches, 1,235 runs, average 53.69, 4 100s, 5 50s.

He's the right hander who justifiably made the squad for the 5th ODI against Zimbabwe earlier this year but unjustifiably didn't get to play.

He's the number 3 batsman who walked out at the fall of the 6th wicket in the 5th ODI against Bangladesh, when 2 overs of Pakistan's innings were left.

He's the debutant who did not get a knock when Pakistan lost its 2nd wicket at 207 in the 35th over.

He's the Karachi-ite who will not play for Pakistan again.

What Did Nasim Ashraf Say?

Shoaib Akhtar and Nasim Ashraf appeared before the Pakistan Senate Committee on Sports yesterday to answer questions regarding the 5-year ban imposed on Shoaib by the PCB.

The Senator Enver Baig concluded: "the ban was unjust and members of the PCB had settled their personal scores by banning Shoaib".

Even though that statement has no bearing on the ban, it might have an impact on the decision of the appellate tribunal set to hear Shoaib's appeal on Thursday.

Enver Baig also said that "the Government should revamp the PCB set up and sack the Chairman Nasim Ashraf because he and his staff members were not professionals and they had ruined Pakistan cricket".

Considering that Enver Baig is a member of the PPP, the political party that leads the coalition Government, this demand will not fall on deaf ears. Nasim Ahraf's days are numbered.

Shoaib Akhtar had a lot of interesting things to say during the meeting. He was being himself raising questions on Nasim Ahraf's presence in the dressing room despite the rules of the ACU, Javed Miandad raising a bat on Deniss Lillee and yet not being reprimanded, PCB officials and team members going to night clubs and drinking on foreign tours and a lot more.

Note to Shoaib: I am a fan. A true admirer, supporter, and fan but you need to realise that Miandad raised his bat on an opponent but didn't swing it, while you sir swung one at your own team mate. There IS a difference. As for other officials and team members going to night clubs and drinking - it is in all probability true but then Mr. Akhtar, they do not get caught breaking curfews nor do they get clicked by the media nor do their pictures with women in bars and night clubs do the rounds of the internet nor do they get into brawls with security guards or bar tenders.

Nasim Ashraf also had a lot to say during the meeting, but what intrigued me was what was it that the PCB Chairman was saying in the pic above that resulted in this reaction from Shoaib Akhtar?

The PCB Reacts...

Yesterday I posted on something that seems trivial today but could be a major issue in the future.

The PCB seem to have picked up on it as well. They have filed a case against the ICL for using the name "Pakistan" for one of their teams and for projecting that Inzamam & Co. are representing "Pakistan".

Feeling threatened PCB?

No doubt. The Pakistan international team faces the danger of being overshadowed by an ICL Pakistan.

I know that around Dubai last night, there were more Pakistanis interested in following ICL Pakistan vs ICL India as compared to Pakistan vs Bangladesh. This is definitely a cause for concern and a trend that looks to continue.

Even though Pakistan won and ICL Pakistan lost, there seems to be more support for ICL Pakistan.

The PCB have acted but what will the result be?

PCB's Pakistan or ICL's Pakistan?

I have been reporting on the Australians who have taken the IPL by storm. Coaches, assistant coaches, domestic players, strength trainers - you name it and the IPL teams have these Aussies on their pay roll.

One glance at the other 20-20 league and you see that its the Pakistanis who are making the ICL their very own.

The Lahore Badshahs was an all Pakistani outfit that made it to the finals of the ICL Edelweiss 20s Challenge with an unbeaten run of 7 wins. In the finals they were stopped by another Pakistani, Abdul Razzak, who also won the player of the series award.

Lahore Badshahs won a lot of hearts in India and the public back in Pakistan followed them with intent. People around Dubai were also buzzing about how good the Badshahs looked.

Inzamam's leadership, the fielding, the attacking strokeplay from Imran Nazir, Imran Farhat, and Hasan Raza were all admired.

Mushy's guile and Saqlain taking wickets again reminded everyone about the great spinners Pakistan used to once have.

Azhar Mahmood showed how he has been treated so unfairly by the Pakistan selectors. And Abdul Razzak made sure that the PCB and its selectors have a lot more than just egg left on their face.

The Badshahs success and popularity across India, Pakistan, and elsewhere also led the ICL to hastily organize a 3-way tournament including teams from Pakistan, India, and a World XI.

The ICL have siezed on the classic India-Pakistan rivalry and it has given their league a new look altogether.

But what does this mean for Pakistan?

Domestic stars have left their departments and regional teams high and dry to play in India. Inzamam is leading a Pakistan XI, which can easily pass of as an international team. And the public is actually enjoying watching a Pakistan team that looks unbeatable. It doesn't matter who the competition is.

Is this good?

Initially I thought it was great since it brought an altogether different atmosphere to the ICL. But going forward if the Lahore Badshahs / ICL Pakistan do become the invincibles within the league, the fans will be somewhat divided. Who would watch an international side that easily beats the minnows but looks like one itself when facing tougher competition?

Already the public is more interested in the progress of ICL Pakistan in the ICL 20s World Series than it is in the on going international series against Bangladesh.

I heard that a victory parade in Lahore was being planned for the Lahore Badshahs before Razzak came to spoil the party. The same is being planned for ICL Pakistan if they win the 20s World Series. I can already sense the buzz around such a victory parade if it does happen.

The cricket starved Pakistani public will appear in thousands to watch Inzamam and his troops on a bus top driving from the airport to the Gaddafi or wherever else. Would they even care that the international team is playing Bangladesh?

Kapil Dev has announced that they are looking to take the ICL to Pakistan. In the next season the ICL will look to hold the Badshahs' matches in Lahore and Karachi. Talks are already taking place for this to happen in October. Its a great business move considering the interest the Badshahs have created in Pakistan.

But it definitely divides the public.

Imagine what would happen when an international team is touring Pakistan in October. There will be an ODI going on in the Gaddafi with Shoaib Malik and his men taking on Australia or South Africa. At the same time, Inzamam's Badshahs will be taking on the Hyderabad Heroes at the Lahore Gymkhana or the Garrison Cricket Ground.

Where would you go? Who would you rather watch?

There's a certain nostalgic factor associated with the Badhshahs. At the same time they are playing more exciting cricket than the international Pakistan team. The public is anti-PCB and the Badshahs boasts of players who have been projected as those treated unfairly by the cricket board.

The public's sentiment is with the Badshahs / ICL Pakistan.

The Pakistanis have 2 teams to support on the world stage. We may be fortunate but its also a dilemma. I hope the international team is not lost among the hype the Badshahs create.

I want the Badshahs' / ICL Pakistan's success but not at the expense of Pakistan's international team.

Stand up to the BCCI !!

"The ICL headquarter in Mumbai has been flooded with calls from leading Pakistani cricketers who are willing to join the breakaway league"

- Former Pakistan Captain Inzamam Ul Haq who led the Lahore Badshahs in the ICL Edelweiss 20s Challenge and is leading the ICL Pakistanis in the ICL 20s World Series.

Moin Khan, who is coaching the teams captained by Inzamam, is also the ICL agent for Pakistan. He gets a neat commission from the ICL for every Pakistani player he signs on and has been instrumental in getting together an international looking Pakistan side for the league.

The presence of big names like Inzamam have led a number of Pakistani cricketers to jump ship. Ignorance on part of the PCB is another factor leading players like Imran Nazir, Imran Farhat, Taufeeq Umar, Mohammad Sami joining the ICL bandwagon.

You can't blame the cricketers - for apart from being ignored for national duty, they earn more from the ICL than from playing domestic cricket and maybe even earn more than their IPL counterparts.

The PCB here failed on several accounts.

• They failed to provide the 'rebel' cricketers with enough confidence that they still have a future in Pakistan.
  
• They failed to increase pay packages for domestic cricketers. Or at least for those who had represented Pakistan or were on the fringes.
  
• They failed to negotiate IPL packages for these cricketers. The Badshahs were a hit in India so theres no reason why the BCCI would have ignored these cricketers, which have proved to be big crowd pullers.

Where does all this leave Pakistan cricket?

Not in very good shape unfortunately.

The domestic competitions this year, despite having the first choice internationals, lacked subtance due to 18 of the countries' top cricketers playing in the ICL.

If another dozen or 2 dozen cricketers join the ICL it would leave the domestic structure in tatters with only 2nd and 3rd grade cricketers participating in it. Or rather only those whom the ICL are not interested in.

So what should the PCB do about this?

Its quite simple honestly.

Let the cricketers earn their livelihood by playing in the ICL and allow them to play domestic cricket in Pakistan. Its not that these cricketers don't want to play for their regional teams or departments - they do, the PCB has banned them.

Imran Farhat and Taufeeq Umar have a case filed with the High Court to overturn the bans. Abdul Razzak has filed one as well.

The sooner the PCB realises that the ban is unfair, and its only going to hurt them, the better.

But then if the bans are overturned the PCB will come into the bad books of the BCCI. They can't afford to do that.

Someone then needs to knock some sense into the BCCI. Who can do that? The ICC? CA?

All the national cricket boards need to come together and stand up to the BCCI. They need to let the BCCI know that they are at a loss since they are not getting a share of IPL revenues and at the same time they are losing cricketers to the ICL because of their support to the BCCI.

I hope that sanity prevails and the boards don't go for a cut in IPL revenues as opposed to having their domestic cricketers back.

Shoaib Akhtar in Hotter Soup - The WAR Continues...

The PCB banned Shoaib Akhtar, Nasim Ashraf gave a press conference, Shoaib gave an interview to GEO, Hamid Mir disclosed off-camera talk, Shoaib confirmed off-camera talk on other TV channels, and now it has all come back to bite Shoaib on his back side!

To read about what has happened over the last few days since this war started, read here, here, and here.

Had Shoaib remained quiet after the ban, seemed apologetic for his indisciplinary acts, and filed an appeal, maybe, just maybe, he could have gotten away with it. He has filed an appeal and the PCB is setting up an appellate tribunal to her it out but I highly doubt Shoaib would be listened to this time round.

His vindictive interviews to the media regarding match fixin, former cricketers, the PCB, and Nasim Ashraf have completely back fired.

1. The ICC have stated that the ACU is going to question Shoaib - this is going to get him or others into serious trouble. In order to keep intact whatever little integrity he has left, he cannot go back on what he has said. If he speaks the truth and is able to give some sort of evidence, it could potentially shake up cricket in Pakistan, India, and South Africa.
   
2. The IPL have disallowed Shoaib from playing for the Kolkata Knight Riders - Lalit Modi said that since the IPL was looking for global acceptance they had to follow international guidelines, thus it would be wrong of them to allow a player banned by a home board to play in their league. Fair enough, but there could be more to this. Ottayan has pointed out that it was the BCCI that requested the ICC to question Shoaib regarding his claims of being approached by bookies in India. This could have triggered the BCCI barring Shoaib from the IPL.
   
3. Nasim Ashraf and the PCB have filed a defamation case against Shoaib - a lawsuit demanding millions of dollars in compensation for making derogatory comments about the PCB and Nasim Ashraf has been filed by the PCB. If he cannot provide evidence against Nasim Ashraf and his "fee cuts", Shoaib is going to be poorer by some $3 million! Plus I doubt the tribunal will reverse the ban following these statements.


4. The ICL looks out of the options list - Shoaib publicly spoke about slapping Inzamam and Moin Khan who are the captain and coach of the Lahore Badshahs respectively. Playing for the Lahoriyas is out of the question now. He could play for some other ICL team but then Moin Kan is the agent for Pakistani players taking part in the ICL and I believe he will put in all efforts to keep Shoaib out of it.

What now for Shoaib? I think he has bowled his final delivery in all forms of cricket.

Bollywood and Rakhi Sawant look like the more realistic option.

The WAR is ON !! - Shoaib Akhtar Rips Apart the PCB and Nasim Ashraf

Shoaib Akhtar appeared on Capital Talk on GEO TV last night.

Before I go on to disclosing what he said on and off camera, let me brief you on GEO TV, Capital Talk, and its host Hamid Mir.

GEO is a privately owned Pakistani television channel based and telecasted out of Dubai Media City. The onwers are also the owners of Pakistan's most widely read newspapers - Jang and The News. There are a number of talk shows aired on GEO and majority of them have the reputation of being anti-establishment. Capital Talk is one of them and Hamid Mir usually bounces on every opportunity to criticize the Government. At times rightly so, at times maybe not.

Back to Shoaib Akhtar.

The show was aired last evening and Shoaib Akhtar talked about how he has been victimized by the PCB and criticized Nasim Ashraf and the PCB of having double standards and personal vendettas against him. He said a number of other things, the key ones being:

• He said that the PCB had no right to ban him since he is not a contracted player and thus the PCB laws do not apply to him.
  
• He questioned Nasim Ashraf's eligibility to be PCB Chairman since he was a US citizen and not a Pakistani one.
  
• He blamed President Pervez Musharraf of nepotism saying that Nasimn Ashraf was chairman only because he was the president's friend.
  
• He brought up the match fixing issue mentioning that those players who were involved didn't get any bans and yet he was being banned.
  
• He also talked about instances where he was offered money to under perform yet refused to do so - he mentioned Johannesburg and India as the 2 places where he was offered money.
  
• He reminded everyone of the times when he played for Pakistan despite being injured or not fully fit because the team management demanded it.

Shoaib spoke about all this on camera. But what happened off it is what I think is going to start a war within Pakistan cricket!

Once the show ended, Star News ran a story on Shoaib Akhtar. They gave their views on him and reported about the ban and the reactions associated with it. Half an hour or so into the program the reporter contacted Hamid Mir via telephone.

Hamid Mir mentioned that he had just interviewed Shoaib Akhtar and spoke about the above mentioned points. As the Star News reporter probed further into Shoaib's criticism of Nasim Ashraf and the match fixing comment, Hamid Mir opened up and said that Shoaib Akhtar had made a number of glaring revelations off camera.

According Hamid Mir these were:

• Pakistani, South African, Indian, and Australian cricketers are all involved in match fixing.
  
• Shoaib Akhtar has been offered money to throw matches by cricketers from all these countries and in all these countries.
  
• Shoaib Akhtar slapped Moin Khan and Inzamam Ul Haq on 2 separate occasions inside the dressing room when they offered money to him to under perform.
  
• Briefcases full of money have been left in Shoaib's hotel rooms in South Africa and India by players from SA, Ind, and Pakistan to throw matches.

For Pakistani readers these stories have been heard of before but only partly - Shoaib getting into a spat with Moin Khan or Shoaib and Inzamam having arguements in the dressing room are commonly known facts but there were never any concrete stories as to why the spats took place. According to Hamid Mir, Shoaib Akhtar came clean on those incidents.

But even that is not what I think will shake Pakistan cricket. It is what Shoaib Akhtar said about Nasim Ashraf.

Hamid Mir told Star News that Shoaib Akhtar told him that he has always given a share of his match fees to Nasim Ashraf. Not only from matches played for Pakistan but also from those played for counties, World XIs, Asian XIs, etc. He also mentioned:

• The PCB Chairman demands a cut of the fees earned by all players representing Pakistan - whether is is their match fee for playing for Pakistan or their county contract.
  
• The latest cuts that are to be paid to Nasim Ashraf are those from the IPL contracts.
  
• All Pakistan players give a share to Nasim Ashraf to play for Pakistan.

After disclosing all this, Hamid Mir said that Shoaib told him that if his ban is not overturned he will go to court and go public with proof on all these allegations on Nasim Ashraf and the cricketers involved in match fixing.

Concluding his tele conversation with Star News, Hamid Mir signed off by saying that the PCB did not have any just reason for banning Shoaib and he thought that it had happened because of Shoaib treating Nasim Ashraf the same way he had treated former captains Moin Khan and Inzamam Ul Haq - i.e. with a slap.

In Hamid Mir's words: "ho sakta hai Shoaib ne Nasim Ashraf saahab ko bhi apne haath ka maza chakhaya hoga kabhi".

It could be a result of sour grapes on the part of Shoaib Akhtar or it could be a case of political motives on part of Hamid Mir but the kind of facts that have been disclosed, whether true, false, or exaggerated, are bound to shake up Pakistan cricket.

Shoaib has a case on his hands - against the PCB, against the cricketers, and against the man that banned him, Nasim Ashraf.

He claims he has proof of match fixing, nepotism, and demand of shares from players' fees.

He has threatened to go public with all these facts and proof.

Pakistan's newly elected Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani has already passed on his request to the PCB to overturn the ban.

A lot has already happened within 36 hours of the announcement of the ban.

I sense a lot more is in store. The War has just started and I believe it will end in a reinstated Shoaib Akhtar and a sacked Nasim Ashraf.

Its NOT Over!

After an impulsive post regarding Shoaib Akhtar's 5-year ban, I have taken the time for the news to sink in, read other reactions from around the world, and conclude on what I feel is the best way forward for Shoaib Akhtar.

Shoaib has decided to the fight against the ban in court while saying that he does not want to live on with the stigma of being banned from cricket. The PCB have given him 7 days to appeal. Deja Vu?

With a new Government in Pakistan set to assume power a changing of the guard at the PCB is a near possibility. With a new board the chances of Shoaib being reinstated are even higher.

Voices of this issue being discussed within the Government are already doing the rounds:

“The people who have banned him will not stay (in power) for long with the new government in. This issue will be discussed in parliament.” - Hanif Abbasi, a newly elected member of the National Assembly.

“Disappointing is no word to describe Shoaib’s ban, I would call it pathetic and request the new political government to sack Nasim Ashraf-led Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB)” - Sarfraz Nawaz, former Test fast bowler.

This is probably not such a grave issue to be tackled by the Government especially when Pakistan is faced with a million other larger political and economic issues, but the decision of a ban on a star the PCB could not handle is so unjustified that even political figures are speaking against it.

They may be doing so only to further their political agendas but this PCB decision has stirred the entire country.

Imran Khan had this to say: "The ban on Shoaib and even on the players who have gone to play in the Indian Cricket League are unacceptable and will shake the foundations of our cricket system. We are losing good players to bad policies of the board."

Starting of with Inzamam, Abdul Razzak, and then Mohammad Yousuf to a certain extent; Shoaib Akhtar is the latest cricketer whose career has been destroyed by the current PCB set up.

Javed Miandad lashed out at the PCB's double standards saying that they had let off others who had done what Shoaib did and also blaming the board for not being able to handle him in the past - "I would like to add here that it is the result of the PCB's leniency towards Shoaib's blunders he did in the past. But now his [latest] offense is not that grave as several Pakistan Test cricketers in the past have done this type of wrong acts repeatedly and got away with those."

This I believe is the key reasoning behind the ban - PCB's inability to handle Shoaib Akhtar. They have banned him when they themselves are to be blamed. Not that Shoaib isn't, but the PCB deserves more blame than the pacer.

So where does Shoaib Akhtar go from here?

According to him and press reports the course of action will be a case in the court, an appeal, a probable change in the PCB set up, a ban overturn, and a return to international cricket.

Is this the best way forward?

I don't think so. Especially with 6 months of potential legal hassles only to play for your country for at most another year or two - definitely not the best way forward Shoaib.

Despite being extremely disappointed with this unjustified PCB decision, after having given it thought, I feel that this may be the best thing to have happened to Shoaib Akhtar.

He is a free man today with no responsibilities towards Pakistan. He shouldn't get involved in legal hassles and just let this be. Make India your home Shoaib, people love you there and we will still love you.

Go concentrate on your IPL career.

Win the tournament for the Kolkata Knight Riders.

Sign some bollywood movies.

Join Wasim Akram and Ravi Shastri on the ESPN Commentary Team.

Host a game show for Star Plus.

Become a judge on some ZEE TV reality show.

Make guest appearances on other TV shows.

Maybe star in a saas-bahu TV serial as well.

Appear on Koffee with Karan with your team owner Shahrukh Khan.

Star in a Yashraj movie.

Star in a Sanjay Gupta action thriller.

Co-produce a movie with SRK.

Endorse Pepsi and Lux and Mach IV shaving blades!

Build your brand in India.

Do a music video with Adnan Sami Khan.

Participate in Nach Baliye IV with Rakhi Sawant!

Sign some more Bollywood movies.

Replace Shahrukh Khan as the #1 Bollywood star.

Jump ship to Delhi or Mohali for a higher package than Kolkata.

Marry Rakhi Sawant.

Win a filmfare award for "most dramatic couple".

Build your holiday home in Goa and become known for throwing the most lavish parties. Invite us as well.

Stay in the Headlines as you always have.

Live life King Size and entertain us Shoaib, because thats what you do best.

RIP Shoaib Akhtar

BREAKING NEWS

Shoaib Akhtar has been banned by the PCB for 5 years.

Indiscipline ranging from drug abuse, disregard to authorities, late nights before matches, injuries due to lack of care, hitting team mates with bats to publicly bashing the PCB has resulted in PCB's disciplinary committee banning Shoaib Akhtar for 5 years.

Nasim Ashraf in his statement a few minutes ago said that enough was enough and mistakes can be forgiven once or twice and not all the time.

What I don't understand is what is the point of a 5 year ban? Does the PCB actually believe that Shoaib Akhtar will be fit enough to play 5 years later?

Thy should have just come clean and said that can't handle Shoaib Akhtar and thus will not consider him for Pakistan ever again. In addition because he calls Pakistan's domestic structure useless he will not be allowed to play domestic cricket either.

Imran Khan has called the domestic structure useless for the last 40 years, 20 of which were spent playing for Pakistan, and 10 of them captaining Pakistan!

Shoaib Akhtar at the most had another 2 years to serve Pakistan and the PCB have taken that away from him.

Its more a failure of the adminstrators and the team management than Shoaib Akhtar. They have failed to handle him properly and they were left with no choice but disassociate themselves with him.

Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis managed him quite well. Shoaib gave his best performances under them. After the 2 Ws moved on it was the PCB and the team management that publicly spoke of Shoaib being their match winner and how much Pakistan wanted him and that he was the spearhead after Wasim and Waqar and so on. A more sedate approach would have been far better with a character like Shoaib.

Imran Khan handled men like Sarfraz Nawaz whom Imran Khan says was a 100 times wilder than a Shoaib Akhtar. The problem here lies in the men who have run and lead Pakistan cricket in recent times. There hasn't been that leader who has been able to manage the players and their talent.

Its disappointing to say the least to see a career end unfulfilled.

Shoaib Akhtar could have done so much. He had so much potential. Only if Pakistan had found that 1 man who could handle such personalities and utilize them to their best.

Its sad to see him leave the game on such a note.

I hope the PCB doesn't take away his right to play for the IPL and I hope his Kolkata Knight Riders provide him with a new home and team.

Maybe we'll finally see him in Bollywood now. Maybe its good for him that his right to play for Pakistan has been taken away but its not good for Pakistan nor for us viewers.

Goodbye Shoaib.

This post is just a ramble of all my incoherent thoughts resulting from the disappointment this PCB decision has caused.

Gul is back & Bazid Returns from the Wilderness

As I had mentioned a few days ago, there were no surprises in the Pakistan squad announced for the first 2 ODIs against Bangladesh.

The only difference between my squad and the PCBs was the inclusion of Rao Iftikhar instead of Yasir Arafat and the return of Bazid Khan to the squad. Khurram Manzoor, whom I had kept as a 3rd opener was let out after scoring a 50 in his only ODI against Zimbabwe 2 months back.

I know that Bazid did well in the recently held Pentangular Cup and was the 2nd highest run scorer of the competiton, but Khurram deserved some more matches after his lone appearance.

Bazid Khan, son of former Pakistan International Majid Khan, played 3 ODIs for Pakistan back in 2004-05. He played 2 ODIs against the touring Zimbabwe side near the end of 2004 scoring 12 and 0. His next ODI was mid of 2005 when he scored 66 against the West Indies in St. Lucia.

He hasn't played for Pakistan since.

Anyone notice the pattern of dropping batsmen for no reason at all?

Bazid dropped for over 2 years after scoring 66 in an ODI and now Khurram after a debut 50. I hope Khurram doesn't have to wait for another 2 years for his next ODI.

In more positive news, Umar Gul returns to the team after a long lay off with a back injury. He has played a few one-dayers in the ongoing ABN Amro Cup and seems to be fit enough. We can only hope that he doesn't break down again.


In the pace deprtment, Gul is joined by Sohail Tanvir, Rao Iftikhar, and this domestic season's leading wicket takers - Wahab Riaz and the latest pace sensation Sohail Khan.

Salman Butt and Nasir Jamshed will open the batting and the rest of the cast and crew comprises of the same usual suspects.

Both Mohd. Yousuf and Shahid Afridi are part of the 16 despite reports of Geoff Lawson demanding their exclusion.

Mohammad Asif is expected to be fit for the last 3 ODIs. I've heard that Asif is desperate to play so that he can convince the PCB that he is fit enough so that they clear him to play in the IPL.

There was no place for Shoaib Akhtar who is still facing disciplinary charges.

The Squad: Shoaib Malik (capt), Salman Butt, Nasir Jamshed, Younis Khan, Mohammad Yousuf, Misbah-ul-Haq, Bazid Khan, Shahid Afridi, Fawad Alam, Kamran Akmal (wk), Sarfraz Ahmed (wk), Umar Gul, Sohail Tanvir, Rao Iftikhar Anjum, Sohail Khan, Wahab Riaz.

Pakistan's Triple Threats

Australia's withdrawal from touring Pakistan have left them with a series against the lowest ranked team rather than the highest ranked team. Maybe thats a good thing - this way Pakistan can start from the bottom and work their way up. They conquered Zimbabwe this January and now its only apt that they go on and do the same with their Bengali brothers.

I reckon the PCB should organize a series against the Windies next followed by one with England and New Zealand. They can play the top 4 after that.

As it happens in Pakistan, every series is preceded by selectorial problems. This time is no different.

Triple Threat (Wrestlemania Potential) - Lawson vs Afridi vs Yousuf
Last week there were some news reports regarding Geoff Lawson not wanting Mohammad Yousuf and Shahid Afridi in the ODI team. The reasons apparently given by Lawson were lack of fitness / poor fielding and inconsistent performer respectively for the 2 senior players.

How true is that? Partly. Lawson has argued for Afridi's and Yousuf's exclusion from the team but the reasons given are very different from the actual ones.

It is no secret in Pakistan that Afridi has been lobbying for the captaincy of the ODI team. Thus his dominating presence in the dressing room and the field has made Shoaib Malik very insecure and uncomfortable.

While Yousuf is still sour over his exclusion from the 20-20 squad, and since Inzamam's retirement, has become a reclusive figure in the dressing room distancing himself from the rest of the team. Again it is a commonly known fact in Pakistan that these days Yousuf plays for himself rather than the team.

So is Lawson / Malik justified in requesting the selectors and the board to exclude these 2 cricketers from the ODI team? Lets have a look.

This season, starting from the series against South Africa in October under Shoaib Malik and Geoff Lawson, Yousuf has played 14 ODIs, scored 792 runs, and averaged 88.00. This includes 2 100s and 6 50s including an unbeaten 99. His string of scores reads 53, 117, 58*, 5, 53, 82*, 12, 16, 99*, 74, 72, 38*, 5, 108*.

More than anything else, Inzamam's absence seems to have had a positive effect on Yousuf's ODI performance probably due to addedd responsibilities. On the back of the above performances I really don't think Lawson or Malik are justified. Nor is the Paki public, which feels that Yousuf has batted selfishly in recent times.

During the same period, Afridi has played 13 ODIs, scored 297 runs, while averaging 33.00. At the same time he has picked up 13 wickets. My views about Afridi are known to whoever reads my posts regularly. A Pakistan team without him is incomplete.


Triple Threat (Survivor Series) - Akhtar vs Asif vs Gul
Its inriguing that this combination has never played an international match together. The reasons for that are known to all so I am not going to dwell on those.

Sallu, the Chief Selector, said a few days back that he was waiting to hear about them before finalizing the squad. While Mohammad Asif an Umar Gul were waiting fo fitness assessments, Shoaib Akhtar is waiting for the verdict on his disciplinary issues.

Gul has been passed fit. Asif declared himself fit yesterday only for the PCB to come out today and say that Asif is not ready for the series against Bangladesh. Did Asif announce his return to fitness so that he doesn't miss out on the IPL? Maybe. Reports today also mentioned that the PCB will not allow him to play the IPL so that he can get some rest. They have already stopped him from appearing for a county side.

Whether Akhtar will face disciplinary charges or not will not be known for some time as the committee is yet to give its verdict and it will not do so anytime soon. Akhtar might as well consider his international career over. Whats he got to lose when he's got the King Shahrukh Khan backing him in cricket as well as bollywood. Akhtar should just play for the Kolkata Knigt Riders, do some movies, party hard, and live life King size! After all one should do what he's best at.

Such stories are the norm in Pakistan. I wouldn't expect any surprises in the Pakistan squad. Salman Butt, Nasir Jamshed, and Khurram Manzoor will be announced as openers. Malik, Yousuf, Younis, and Misbah will make up the middle order. Afridi and Fawad Alam will be the allrounders along with keeper Kamran Akmal. And the bowling will be comprised of Umar Gul, Sohail Tanvir, Sohail Khan, Wahab Riaz, and Yasir Arafat. Plus Sarfraz Ahmed, Yasir Hameed, Khalid Latif, Anwar Ali will get a look in during the course of the 5 ODIs.

I'm not sure what kind of boost would a series against the Bengalis will provide Pakistan cricket. Apart from a few passionate followers of the game like me, the majority would be watching Kolkata Knight Riders taking on the Bangalore Royal Challenders rather than a Pakistan vs Bangladesh ODI.

Even I would be flipping between the 2!

Pakistan Pooled with India

Not only for the Asia Cup in June but also for the Champions Trophy in September.

Both the tournaments are being held in the "safety concerned" Pakistan and Sri Lanka has been named as the alternative venue for both. For the sake of Pakistan Cricket, I hope that Pakistan is declared safe enough for the Asia Cup and the Champions Trophy.

With PPP announcing their candidate for PM and rumours of Pervez Musharraf shifting base to hideout in Turkey, probably a "safe" Pakistan is not too distant in the future.

The more interesting part though is that in both the competitions, India and Pakistan have been pooled in the same group. A garanteed Pakistan-India clash will definitely boost ticket sales and will provide the domestic season the energy it needs.

Is this a casting coup by the adminstracrats or did the seeds actually play a role in this?

For the Asia Cup its Pakistan, India, and Hong Kong in the same pool. With the top 2 going through to a "Super 4" stage the Asian teams shouldn't have a problem here unless HK pulls an Ireland.

For the Champions Trophy its Pakistan, India, Australia and the West Indies. This pits the Asian sides against the defending champions (the Aussies), and the winners and runners up of 2004 and 2006 (the Windies). Only 2 teams will go through to the semis - tough one there for the Asian sides.

Scheduled or June and September, its high time top internatonal cricket returns to Pakistan.

Order Order !!

The timeline:

2006: Mohammad Yousuf breaks Sir Viv Richards' record for the most test runs scored in a calendar year. On top he also breaks the record for the most number of centuries in a year.

Fast Forward...

July 2007: PCB conducts a 20-20 camp and several 20-20 matches between leading players of the country in preparation for the T20 World Cup. Mohammad Yousuf fails to make an impact in the practice games and is excluded from the World Cup squad on the basis of being a poor fielder and being too old for the T20 game.

August 2007: In protest over shabby treatment from the PCB, Mohammad Yousuf signs with the ICL despite PCB's claims that all ICL signatories will be banned from international and domestic cricket.

September 2007: Nasim Ashraf and PCB enter into negotiations with Mohammad Yousuf and convince him to cancel his ICL contract because Pakistan require his services. PCB is successful as Yousuf cancels his ICL contract, returns the signing amount and the PCB announce that Yousuf will play for Pakistan. Moreover, PCB aslo secure an IPL contract for Yousuf and give him a handsome renumeration for choosing Pakistan over the ICL.

October 2007: ICL file a case against Mohammad Yousuf for dishonoring the contract. PCB state that they will take care of all the legal hassles and Yousuf has nothing to worry about.

February 2008: An Indian court passes an order that Mohammad Yousuf cannot play for any league competing with the ICL till a final verdict is given. The IPL cricketers' auction Episode I takes place and 77 international cricketers are sold to Indian multinationals and bollywood stars. Noone bids for Mohammad Yousuf.

March 2008: The IPL cricketers' auction Episode II takes place and another 14 cricketers are auctioned but no Mohammad Yousuf yet again.

Today (March 19th, 2008): The Mumbai based arbitration court announces that there will be a final hearing for the case on March 29th before a verdict will be given.

March 29th, 2008: What will the verdict be? Or rather, what should it be?

Mohammad Yousuf has thus far blamed the PCB and the BCCI for not pressing on his case with the court and also for not garanteeing to the IPL franchises that he is able to play so that they bid for him.

Who should really be blamed? The PCB? BCCI? Yousuf? The ICL? or the IPL? Or maybe the lawyers fighting his case? Or the judge?

Bowlers Take Sindh to Pentangular Cup Title

Shahid Afridi held aloft the Pentangular Trophy after Sindh beat Punjab by an innings to become the Pentangular Cup 2007-08 Champions.

When I reported at the end of play on day 2 of the match, I predicted an innings win. I've done it before on Soulberry's blog and I've done it here now. I think I should quit blogging and open a up a cricket betting business or something like that. Any takers?

(Uncle J - I took this tip from your part 2 of a 'guide to writing a cricket blog'. Bold prediction, but I didn't edit)

Resuming their innings 119 runs ahead at 303/6, Sarfraz Ahmed (82*) and Anwar Ali (33*) - the captain and star of the 2006 U19 world cup win respectively, led Sindh to a match winning total of 417 with an unbroken 8th wicket partnership of 88 runs before Afridi declared the innings 233 runs ahead.

Punjab's star-studded batting line up, for the 2nd time in the match, folded in front of the pace of Sohail Khan and Anwar Ali and the spin of skipper Afridi. Punjab were bowled out for 202 as Afridi picked up 3 top order wickets and Anwar Ali wiped out the tail with the last 4 wickets in quick succession.

Brief Scores:
Sindh beat Punjab by an innings & 31 runs.
Punjab 1st innings 184 (Sohail Khan 4-58, Shahid Afridi 2-25)
Sindh 1st innings 417-7 declared (Sarfraz Ahmed 82*, Faisal Iqbal 65, Wahab Riaz 4-99)
Punjab 2nd innings 202 (Misbah 51, Anwar Ali 4-45, Shahid Afridi 3-60, Sohail Khan 2-41)

Sindh & SOHAIL KHAN on Top

Shahid Afridi's Sindh edged closer to the Pentangular Cup Title as they ended day 2 of their championship deciding match against Punjab with a lead of 119 runs.

Winning the toss, Afridi put Punjab in on a green top Karachi wicket. The Sindh bowlers, led by Sohail Khan's 4 top order wickets, bowled Punjab's in form batsmen out for 184. Sohail's victims included internationals Salman Butt, Misbah Ul Haq, and Kamran Akmal.

Sohail Khan has been blistering form in his first ever first class season.

He tops the list for most wickets this season with 89 wickets in 14 matches at an average of 18.68.

That includes 21 wickets in 4 matches at an average of 16.33 in the on going pentangular cup. He tops the wickets list for this competition as well.

His haul includes as many as 10 five wicket hauls and 2 ten wicket hauls with an innings best of 9-109 and a match best of 16-189, which broke a 50 year old national record.

I don't remember any bowler creating such an impression on the domestic scene since Waqar Younis 2 decades ago. Its a pity the Aussies aren't touring, otherwise it would have been a good test for the 23 year old fast bowler. Or maybe for Ricky Ponting.

In response Sindh reached 303-6 at the end of day 2 on the back of a 140 run 4th wicket partnership between Rizwan Ahmed (79) and Faisal Iqbal (65). Wahab Riaz, the 2nd highest wicket taker this season, took 4 of the 6 Sindh wickets to fall including those of opener Khalid Latif (21), Rizwan, Faisal, and this season's leading run scorer Naumanullah (4).

With Fawad Alam (29) and Sarfraz Ahmed (25) at the crease, Sindh look set to gain a substantial lead and a possible innings victory given the kind of form Sohail Khan & Co. are in.

Pakistan skipper Shoaib Malik and Mohammad Yousuf missed the match due to 'personal reasons'. I wonder if those had anything to do with a green top. Misbah is captaining Punjab in Malik's absence.

Stay tuned for updates.

Pentangular Champions - Sindh or Punjab?

The main event of the Pentangular Trophy begins this morning at the National Stadium in Karachi where Punjab takes on Sindh.

Its Shoaib Malik's team against Shahid Afridi's, its Pakistan's largest province against the 2nd largest, its Punjab's experienced batting line up vs Sindh's inexperienced, its Punjab's batting pitted against Sindh's bowling. And so much more.

The match has all the ingredients required for a potboiler and considering that it is being played on a lively track at the NSK, one can expect a cracking contest.

The winner of the match will be crowned the Pentangular Cup Champions. However, if the match ends in a draw, then the Federal Areas, which have played all their matches and currently lead the table, will be crowned Champions.

The Punjab batsmen, which resemble a Pakistani line up - Salman Butt, Mohammad Hafeez, Nasir Jamshed, Mohammad Yousuf, Misbah ul Haq, Shoaib Malik have been in tremendous form throughout the tournament, but they have played all their matches in Punjab (Lahore and Sialkot) on dead tracks. This is the first time they will be up against a strong bowling line up and that too on a grassy wicket. Will these batsmen continue their outstanding string of scores?

Sindh's bowlers Sohail Khan and Anwar Ali have wrecked havoc during the competition on the NSK wicket and they will have their hands full in front of a strong batting line up. They have also been well supported by the spinners Afridi and Kaneria. Will Sindh's bowling force live up to their potential?

Compared to Punjab's experienced batting line up, Sindh primarily comprises of Pakistan hopefuls in young openers Khurram Manzoor and Khalid Latif in addition to Naumanullah and Faisal Iqbal. Add Shahid Afridi to the mix and it looks like a strong batting line up, but still on the weaker side when compared to Punjab's heavyweights. Will the Pakistan prospects live up to expectations and make a lasting impression?

The contest will also pit Pakistan's number 1 wicketkeeper Kamran Akmal (Punjab) and his understudy, Sarfraz Ahmed against each other. Will the junior outplay the senior keeper?

One can expect a nerve wrecking match that has the potential to be a cracker and go down the wire. The fact that the Championship is on the line makes it all the more exciting.

For those who get GEO sports, you can catch LIVE action starting 6:00am GMT. I will cover as much as possible right here.

Response to the Unwritten Memo

Over at Cricket with Balls I read an open letter to the PCB written by Uncle J. Since Uncle J is playing the CA administracrat, I decided to play the one from PCB. Here is my response.

Dear Cricket Australia Administracrat,

It is very unfortunate to hear about Australia cancelling their tour to Pakistan. We were looking forward to a sound thrashing by the Aussies, especially after the kind our beloved neighbours gave your team.

We were thinking that Ponting, Symonds, and Hayden who were below par in the CB Series would have looked forward to a tour of Pakistan to get back into form. I am sure you are aware that we have the knack of providing out of form batsmen with many opportunities to score big.

I understand that a tour of India for ODIs would generate more money for you but the Pakistan cricket team is also sponsored by Pepsi, so you should definitey consider our proposal to reconsider the cancellation.

Here is what we are willing to provide:

1. Top presidential level security including a bodyguard for each player. 2 for symonds.
2. Assurance that the tour will end before April 16th thus ensurng that all the Pakistani and Australian IPL signatories recieve their fill price from the Indian franchises.
3. Matches held only in areas where bombs do not blow up every week.
4. Dead tracks to ensure that all your batsman will be batted back into form.
5. Private parties at Shoaib Akhtar's farm house to ensure that Symonds & Co. are entertained during the nights. In order to understand what goes on during these parties, please contact your A team and the U19 team that toured last year.

I hope that these points will make your team consider touring Pakistan.

Last but not least, I can also assure you that all the bombers and terrorists living in Pakistan have cabe television and will be watching the matches keenly. Thus they will have no time to plan any sort of bombings while the Australians are here. There is nothing to worry about.

If you still have apprehensions please contact our coach Geoff Lawson, who is also an Australian and has been living in Lahore for the last 6 months without any problems. He is well taken care of and so will be the Australians that tour.

The show must go on.

Cheers.

PCB Administracrat.

Punjab scores 723, Wins by an Innings, BUT Shoaib Malik gets Flak!

Where have you seen a skipper of a side that wins a match by an innings and over a 100 runs garner flak from the authorities?

It can only happen in Pakistan.

After dismissing Baluchistan for 375 in the first innings, Punjab hammered the Baluchi bowlers at over 6 runs an over to score a mazzive 723-4 declared in a mere 114 overs to set up an innings victory in thir Pentangular Cup match up.

Punjab's spectacular innings made the authorities criticize the dead track prepared by the Sialkot groundsmen, who in response told the PCB that they had shaved off the grass at skipper Malik's request. The PCB then gave Malik a sound warning for going against their will of playing the Pentangular matches on lively tracks.

I wonder if the PCB has something against Malik. I say this cause no one warned Misbah when in Malik's absence, Punjab's first match was played on a flat deck against FA and Salman Butt hammered Shoaib Akhtar and Sohail Tanvir for a career best 290. Moreover, as I mentioned before, the PCB also gave Malik flak for not opening with Nasir Jamshed in the previous match, whereas Misbah had done the same and not heard a word from the PCB.

Is it just something against Malik or a liking towards Misbah?

Punjabs's massive total was built around a 251 run 2nd wicket partnership between Salman Butt and Nasir Jamshed. Salman continued his spectacular run with the bat scoring his 3rd century in as many matches - his 160 came at a run a ball and included 25 fours and a six. Nasir has also been in fine form during the competition and smashed 140 with 14 boundaries and 3 sixes.

After their patnership it was Misbah-ul-Haq's turn to come to the party. Misbah hammererd the Baluchi bowlers and scored 208 of only 218 deliveries with 17 hits to the fence and 6 over it. A double century at a strike rate of 95 is truly a remarkable achievement, no matter how bad the bowling and how flat the deck.

Shoaib Malik then ended Punjab's innings in a hurry hitting a quickfire 60 off only 37 deliveries.

Facing a 1st innings deficit of 350 runs, the Baluchi batting folded for only 220 in under 50 overs to hand Punjab an innings win.

The deck didn't look too flat then, which makes me wonder even more - is it PCB against Malik or is someone in the The News running a propaganda against him?

Skipper Afridi Stars but Federal Areas Scrape Through to 1 Wicket Win

The Pentangular Cup match between the 2 table toppers, Sindh and Federal Areas (FA), ended in dramatic fashion with FA scraping home with only a solitary wicket in hand, after Sindh skipper Shahid Afridi had sportingly declared the 2nd innings to give FA a target of 322 of 85 overs.

Taking 9 points from their win, FA displaced Sindh from the top of the standings.

Sohail Khan, who has wrecked havoc with the ball this season, picked up yet another 5 wicket haul, while Danish Kaneria and Afridi picked up 2 each to restricts FA to 295 in the first innings. Earlier Sindh had been dismissed for 222.

In response, the Pakistan prospects who had thus far failed to impress during the Pentangular, took the responsibility to guide Sindh to a high total in the 2nd innings. Openers Khurram Manzoor (73) and Khalid Latif (74) shared 119 run partnership, and then Faisal Iqbal knocked a fine century remaining unbeaten on 105 when Afridi declared the innings on 394-4 to give FA a target of 322.

FA were cruising at 174-2 when Afridi struck for the first time with his leg breaks. Afridi struck 4 more times in quick succession and FA were looking down the barrel at 262-7, but FA's tail wagged and an 8th wicket partnership of 37 and an unbroken last wicket parntership of 13 led them to an unlikely victory over the favorites.

Afridi & Tanvir Shine

The 4th round of matches of the Pentangular Cup started yesterday with the 2 table toppers, Sindh and Federal Areas going head-to-head in Islamabad, and Punjab and Baluchistan clashing at skipper Shoaib Malik's home ground in Silakot.

Its good to see that the matches have moved to the smaller areas around Pakistan after the first 3 rounds of matches were held in Lahore and Karachi. Maybe some of the earlier matches should also have been conducted in other territories but I guess the authorities thought that Karachi and Lahore would attract more crowds - wrong they were. The cricket deprived smaller centres always attract larger crowds than the metros for domestic games.


On to the matches then. Sohail Tanvir has been in outstanding form during the Pentangular, both with the ball and the bat - he continued his run knocking over 5 Sindh wickets for 58 in his 20 over spell for the Federal Areas. Tanvir's efforts restricted Sindh to 222, which would have been far lower if it wasn't for skipper Shahid Afridi's blitzing knock of 70.

Afridi was in typical mood as he smashed 8 boundaries and 3 sixes in his 49-ball knock to lift Sindh to a respectable total. Apart from Naumanullah (53), the other batsmen failed to make any impression and Pakistan prospects Khurram Manzoor, Khalid Latif, and Faisal Iqbal disappointed yet again.

Naumanullah has had an amazing run this season and is the leading run scorer in all domestic first-class competitions for 2007-08. He has been around the domestic scene for over 10 years now and has played over a 100 first-class matches for Karachi and National Bank of Pakistan. His case has been similar to Misah's - breaking into a strong Pakistani middle order during the 90s and 2000s has been a tough task. Maybe Nauman could do a Misbah soon, but I don't see a place among the ones currently occupied by Younis, Yousuf, Misbah, and Malik.

Federal Areas ended Day 1 on 119-3. Sohail Khan, who destroyed Baluchistan last week, picked up 2 wickets and Afridi picked up 1.

In the other match Baluchistan batted well to notch up 298 for the loss of 7 wickets. Baluchistan are virtually out of the competition but they could come into contention if they manage to open their points account in this match and do the same in the next.

Here come the Lahore BADSHAHS!

Team: Lahore Badshahs (Translation: Lahore Kings)
Coach: Moin Khan
Captain: Inzamam Ul Haq

The Squad
Openers: Imran Farhat, Imran Nazir, Taufiq Umar
Middle Order: Inzamam, Naveed Latif, Hasan Raza
Allrounders: Azhar Mahmood, Abdul Razzak
Wicketkeeper: Humayun Farhat
Fast Bowlers: Mohammad Sami, Rana Naveed Ul Hasan, Shabbir Ahmed, Riaz Afridi, Shahid Nazir
Spinners: Mushtaq Ahmed, Saqlain Mushtaq, Arshad Khan

Reading those names as part of a Pakistani squad would seem that a Pakistan A side is touring for a series of matches. This is not Pakistan A, its the Lahore Badshahs team taking part in the 2nd edition of the Indian Cricket League (ICL) that gets underway in a weeks time.

Apart from the 6 teams that participated in the 1st edition of the ICL, the 2nd edition, "ICL 20s Grand Championship" will feature another 2 teams: Lahore Baadshahs and Ahmedabad Rockets.
In the last 2 days Osman Samiuddin, Ian Chappell, and Asif Iqbal have raised their concerns regarding the bans placed on the cricketers joining the ICL. I did the same a few weeks back demanding the rule of the free economy in cricket - Read here and here.

There is a clear distinction between the IPL and the ICL - the former boasts of current international stars, while the other of retired or ignored ones. Then why are these national boards depriving these cricketers of their livelihood?

Moreover, the ICL 20s Grand Championship will run from 9th March to 7th April, thus concluding over a week before the IPL gets underway. ICL has smartly scheduled its competition so it doesn't clash with the IPL and even then the BCCI seems to have a problem with it. They have left no stone unturned in trying to block it with barriers of all forms -including support from the ICC and other national boards.

As has been mentioned in the articles I linked above, the key question here is what are the ICC and the national cricket boards getting out of this? The IPL benefits only the BCCI, the franchisees, and the auctioned cricketers - the other cricket boards get nothing out of it and neither does the ICC.

This just makes the BCCI the big bully monopoly earning billions and the ICC, PCB, CA, ECB, etc its partners in crime who get what?

Intriguing I think.

Sohail Khan and Anwar Ali Rip Apart Baluchistan - Sindh Win inside 2 Days.

Sohail Khan took 6-21 in 9.2 overs including a wicket in each of his first 5 overs to demolish Baluchistan in their 2nd innings on the 2nd day at the National Stadium in Karachi (NSK) in the 3rd set of matches of the Pentangular Trophy.

In what was an extraordinary match between Sindh and Baluchistan, 18 wickets fell on day 1 and another 16 on day 2 as Sindh won the match by 6 wickets before close of play on the second day.

Shahid Afridi, who had just landed from a flight from the US 6 hours earlier, won the toss and sent Baluchistan in on a green top at the NSK - similar to the pitch on which Irfan Pathan took a hatrick in the first over of a test match a couple of years ago.

The Baluchis were bowled out for 187 with Anwar Ali, the star of Pakistan's victorious U-19 WC campaign in 2006, picking up 4-41. Anwar ripped through the heart of Baluchistan's batting as he dismissed 3 middle order batsman in the space of a few deliveries for 1 run during his second spell. He was well supported by Afridi and Danish Kaneria who picked up 2 wickets each.

Sindh failed to capitalize on their bowler's effort and ended day 1 on 131-8. They were then bowled out for 139 on the 2nd morning conceding a 50 run 1st innings lead. Khalid Latif, Khurram Manzoor, Naumanullah, Fawad Alam, Shahid Afridi, Sarfraz Ahmed all failed to get going and it was only Faisal Iqbal who held the innings together with a we