If body language was a barometer of success, Pakistan looked the part on the day of the final
A speck of brightness in a tension-filled Long March-laden last week in Pakistan was the country’s emphatic victory against favourites India in the tri-series cricket final in Dhaka.
It helped lift the gloom a little bit in what has become a summer of national discontent with no end in sight in the foreseeable future.
But the end result reflected the nature of the beast: the unpredictability of Pakistan Cricket. Blowing hot one day and cold the other — although this particular pattern was on display in the reverse in Dhaka — Pakistanis were simply being true to their internationally-recognised mien.
Still all credit to the boys for rising to the occasion like ‘men’ possessed. The team spirit was infectious on the day of the final and if body language was a barometer of success, Shoaib Malik’s green shirters looked the part. India, the otherwise supreme short version force of the game, appeared to put a premium on “carrying the momentum” from its drubbing of Pakistan in the round match.
Not for nothing did the cricket sage say that it is a funny game. Even in pre-match comments, Indian captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni spoke about carrying the momentum though he added, as an afterthought, that every match was begun anew.
Pakistan Cricket Board Chairman Nasim Ashraf must take some of the credit for firing up his team following a blinding letter he sent the team management after Pakistan’s capitulation in the first match against India, resulting in its worst defeat against the arch rivals.
The letter was supposed to be a secret missive but was leaked to the media allegedly by Saleem Altaf, PCB’s Director Special Project of World Cup 2011, who was subsequently; sacked by Ashraf over charges that Altaf was working against the interests of the board.
Pakistan’s road to victory was paved not without its usual share of drama. Altaf was presented with incriminating evidence in the shape of recorded tape of his damning conversation before being asked to either resign of his own accord or face unceremonious ouster.
Altaf refused to quit and said he would consult his lawyer over the matter, an episode of which — secret taping of his conversation — he alleged was a serious breach of privacy and freedom. So we haven’t quite seen the end of the story unless Altaf has second thoughts and decides to fade into oblivion.
The missive to the team was so strong that, in the follow-up, there was a series of strenuous training sessions and team meetings.
Ashraf himself flew into the Bangladesh capital to drive home the message about slackening attitudes. For once, the PCB chief’s stand held him — and a demoralised Pakistani team — in good stead.
The final began with a sustained assault by southpaw Salman Butt, who has been in good nick and was declared the Player of the Tournament, but Younis Khan’s effort was more significant because he was coming into the match without a score in two outings — lasting just one legitimate delivery. He was run out in one innings without facing a ball.
But the Mardan batsman showed great sense of timing and poise in his vanguard effort that earned him the Man of the Match award. He joined Butt in a double century stand that ensured India would be under pressure right from the first ball during the chase.
The ends were achieved without mercurial all-rounder Shahid Afridi being able to strike the ball anywhere near his exaggerated prowess. Had he done so, India would have been simply played out of the game so there’s clearly a need to put him on notice.
Full marks to Sohail Tanvir and Umar Gul, who have manfully tried to shoulder the responsibility abdicated by the wayward duo of Shoaib Akhtar and Mohammad Asif.
Although there is now a compelling case for sidelining Asif as well following his embarrassing detention in the UAE over charges of carrying illegal substance, the PCB would do well to warn him that this would be his last chance at redemption, failing which he can kiss his chances of playing for Pakistan again goodbye.
That said, there should be an honest attempt at Asif’s rehabilitation but in a contingency move, the PCB should plan for the future without Shoaib, whose ban has now been reduced to 18 months, and Asif in mind.
The fact is that Pakistan Cricket has suffered immeasurably, because of these ill-disciplined characters, who appear incapable of looking after their own interest what to talk of the country’s that they represent.
Old wine in old bottle
FOR those of us who have exhausted their energies and descriptions of the never-ending saga of Shoaib Akhtar, there is more to delve into. His original sentence of five years has now been reduced to one-and-a-half. The change-of-heart seems to follow the demon pacer’s pledges of redemption and a burst of apologies.
At least, the Appellate Tribunal head swears he wasn’t swayed by any pressure in revisiting the previous judgment.
“The tribunal has taken the decision (to reduce the ban) with a clear conscience and under no pressure from either the board or anyone else,” Justice (retired) Aftab Farrukh, the head of the three-man tribunal, said before explaining the verdict thus:
“We also took into consideration the past record of Shoaib and that he had publicly apologised for his behaviour and past deeds. He has promised to reform himself and we have also recommended to the board that he should be given proper counseling.”
The bit about counseling sounds interesting. It is difficult to argue with the reason offered by the tribunal head but there is a question mark over how Shoaib reacts to such sane advice.
It is unlikely the derailed Rawalpindi Express will be mighty pleased with even the reduced sentence and a phenomenal Rs7 million fine. Already his lawyer has given an indication that he would appeal even the reduced sentence. Watch this space!
