A Super Cool Symonds

The second one day international between Australia and Pakistan at Dubai reminded me of the world cup encounter between the same two countries way back in 2003 where Andrew Symonds bought Australia from nowhere to end up victorious at the end of the day despite being at 94 for the loss of 5 crucial wickets at one stage, with the then Pakistan side equipped with Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis. Australia finally ended their batting innings at 308/8 and winning the match by 82 runs. All this being possible because of Andrew Symonds who scored an unbeaten 143 off just 125 balls.

And this time in Dubai too, it was the same Andrew Symonds who with his all round contribution helped Australia win the second one day international against Pakistan. Otherwise also, the Australians were in a rather comfortable position first by restricting Pakistan to a modest total of just 207 and then by surpassing the total in 45 overs losing just 4 wickets in the process. Especially after the loss of Australia in the first one day match at the same venue a couple of days back and Shahid Afridi and Saeed Ajmal threatening to take the game away from the Aussies, Symonds' feat is indeed worth the praise.

That is the reason why someone like Andrew Symonds is there in the Australian team despite a number of controversies that surround him off late. If one would ask me, I can tell you guys that Andrew Symonds is no better when compared to either Sreesanth or Shoaib Akthar when it comes to off the field controversies. And Andrew Symonds was also kept aside for the test tournament against India in India last year owing to some fishing controversy which was fishy as well. And Australia paid the heavy price which it had to, by losing the test series 2-0 st the hands of India.

Coming to the match, the second ODI was a face saving one for Australia who are on the receiving end of many fingers which are found pointing towards them after the end of the Warne -McGrath era. Adding to these were the retirement of fellow players like Mathew Hayden and Adam Gilchrist and then injuries striking Brett Lee. Such victories are always welcome for any team who are facing such a drought in cricket when it comes to winning matches. May be that was the reason as to why all the six players who made it to the crease did their little bit that contribute to Australia's success after defeat.

PCB's Double Standards

Hmm..from the least couple of months or so,the man who has been in the news was found to be Shoaib Akthar.But,now it seems another fellow Pakistani cricketer has taken a share in what is now another scandal in Pakistan cricket.The man is Mohd Asif.And mind you it is the second time the man has stepped into this controversy of doping.And Wah!Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB)-for the second time in succession is trying to cover Mohd Asif for an act that is supposed to have been critisised in the most harsh way possible.But,look at what the PCB is upto?

When it came to banning Shoaib Akthar for up to 5 years along with a fine of around Rs 200 crore,the PCB once again failed to disclose the misdeeds done by Shoaib Akthar.It was the same PCB that held hand in hand with Shoaib Akthar when it came to his illegal bowling action. But,always makes news for making the same Shoaib Akthar a scape goat whenever possible.Probably for the third time I believe!

And,now when the ICC detains Mohd Asif in Dubai,alleging him of doping charges,the PCB is nowhere near to joining and seeing to that the truth never dies.One can imagine the multi standards of the PCB.Is this the kind of motivation the the PCB gives its upcoming younger cricket players?Well..if there is an Australia who can do things whatever they want when they are at the receiving ends,one has to also take into consideration that there is also a PCB that supports its players even when they are found to be guilty of something they have to be ashamed of.

Return With A Bang!!

Well in the game between Rajasthan Royals and Chennai Super Kings there was Laxmipathy Balaji who was found to make a grand comeback,the match between Kolkata Knight Riders and Delhi Daredevils saw the man whom people love to hate make a terrific comeback when he sent four batsmen back to the pevilion every time he came out to bowl out there.

The man was found to make news for all the bad reasons had something good in his very first Indian Premier League match.But,once again he's a man whom people love to hate.And once again he's made atleast Shahrukh do this.For his services were not available for most part of the IPL would have annoyed atleast me if not everyone.As far as the match goes,both the teams out there had to face humiliation when it came to batting.The first being the Kolkata Knight Riders who were bowled out for a mere total of 133 that was assumed to be chased down in a wick with the likes of Goutam Gambhir and Virender Sehwag.But,the Shoaib factor was not taken into account I guess.

And the funny thing the I like to highlight is the falling of three wickets in Laxmi Ratan Shukla's first five deliveries.So is it Shoaib Akthar who rattled the Daredevils' batsmen or the Delhi batsmen themselves got into self destruct mode.Well it is left for you people to judge it out.And the most successful bowler of the match being given just 3 out of four overs that could have bowled.

Well..I have a suggestion to Shoaib that the boundary in the T20 games is a bit less when compared to ODIs.Else,it would not be too far when one can see Shoaib Akthar starting his run-up from out of the boundary line.

Another twist To The Shoaib Episode!!!

Yesterday as all of you people read the post titled "Never Ending Shoaib Akthar Episode " was written taking into account the achievements of the great Pakistan thrower-Shoaib Akthar.The man was offered a ban of 5 years owing to misconduct by him to the PCB as well as his team mates.Well the post was written taking into account his great escapes which have been his achievements.If the post is to be believed to be serious,it meant that Shoaib deserved to be treated like that.

But,when I switched on the TV and turned my channel to some sports freak,I was just amazed to hear that the man was even banned to play in the multi million dollar Indian Premier League.Isn't that completely ridiculous?Well,I guess the abbreviation-IPL has been mistaken to be International Premier League rather than Indian Premier League.

When all these private cricket bodies make a mess of it whenever a contracted player fails to keep up his commitments with the board concerned,I wonder who gave the IPL chief excecutive Lalit Modi the right to play with someone's feelings as it has done with that of Shoaib Akthar.

With new twists and turns in Shoaib's episode making the news regularly,I feel the next blow to Shoaib might be to deny him even the right to live.So,lets wait and watch.Hope to see you tomorrow-PCB.Bye for now!!!

A Never Ending Shoaib Akthar Episode

A flash news yesterday read:The PCB banns Shoaib for 5 years.It would be nice if one could go to a flash back regarding Shoaib Akthar's career.it all starts with Shoaib's throw rather than calling it a bowling.The bowler was damn lucky when someone like Muralitharan was frequently warned,no-balled and much more.Rather call it humiliated for his bowling action.But,Shoaib was never accused for such an awesome action.God knows why.

And most of his career has been prone with injuries in one form or the other.Rarely Shoaib has been of some service to Pakistan cricket when it really mattered.But,his attendence has been found to be 100% when it comes to some off field actions or for wrong reasons I can say.The man was found guilty of hitting his fellow team mates-Shahid Afridi & Mohd Asif during a practice session during Pakistan's home series against South Africa.And then we have the dopoing scandal which involved Shoaib along with Asif-easily let off by PCB.

Well another luck awaited Shoaib as he is now allowed to play in the multi million dollar Indian Premier League.
Suggested Links:Shoaib Akthar banned for 5yrs by the PCB

Inzamam 'disgusted' at umpire Hair's reinstatement

Hmm..there was some shocking news for Pakistani cricketers on Tuesday after they heard the news of umpire Hair's reinstatement.As it happens obviously for everyone of us,even Inzy was not someone special.The situation is no different from"If Steve Bucknor had been reinstated for tours with India being a part".But,some things have to be made clear.When Pakistani cricketers condemn the reinstatement of Hair,wanting him to be sacked,to what extent are Pakistanis worth the praise?Why wasn't Inzy-the gr8 not punished when he beat up a fan in Canada during the Sahara Cup 1997?And how come Javed Miandad was spared when he was found to mess up Dennis Lillie?And Shoaib Akthar being pardoned when they were involved in the doping scandal along with Mohd Asif?How come PCB was not victimised when Pakistani fans at Karachi pelted stones at Indian cricketers,following which India surrendered the next match in Lahore-where Ijaz belted an 84 ball 139* without giving a fight owing to security reasons?

With the PCB being so reluctant when it comes to deeds performed by their own players,I feel that they have lost the moral right to point their fingers at Darrell Hair!!