IPL talk is all around the place.

I read a Q&A on cricinfo with Jacob Oram who recently completed his short stint with Chennai team. There were interesting things for him to share. I have started getting clearer perspective of what players think about IPL. I used to wonder if players really care about all that money or it is just being the best in the business that is pulling them into IPL. Looks like players do care about financial security. After being asked if IPL has changed his life in the long term. He said - "Financially speaking, most definitely. What you can earn over there in a year is a career - or at least a good three or four years - for New Zealand, so it's certainly security for my future and my family."

So players are clear about the financial aspect of IPL. Oram however repeatedly stated that playing for NZ is the numero uno priority. He understands that injury can hamper chances to play for the country and earn livelyhood. "It(playing in IPL) might ease the pressures, especially surrounding injury and selection. Say, if playing for New Zealand is your only source of income and you are in and out of the team because of injury or form, then most definitely, if you have that security behind you from India then I can only see it easing a bit of that stress on you."

Here is an interesting perspective of a blogger with lot of Pakistani talk(whine) in it. The blogger tracks how many Pakistani players were selected viz-a-viz players from other nations. Here is the post.
There are lot of numbers there to talk about, but in this short version of the game numbers hardly matter. What matters the most is - whether your contribution was match winning or not. Lets say if Shoaib Malik had managed to restrict Punjab in that final over, I am sure he would have been a hero by now. Same with Asif too. He is completely out of steam right now. He is trying too many things. He numbers are still looking OK. But he has never been a match winner for Delhi after first couple of games. Afridi is not a bowling all rounder but a batting all rounder. If he is not doing good for Deccan with the bat, people are going to notice that. Again not a match winning innings.

India look all set to win at Delhi.

[photo courtesy: cricinfo.com]
A great day of cricket with India now almost certain to win the first test in Delhi. Its been already been an exhilarating contest. Day 4 started with Pakistan in the driver's seat but great bowling by Zaheer (to be more precise, very disciplined) brought India back into the game, just too quickly. Pakistan batsman on the other hand lacked application and intensity coming in on 4th day. Coach has to tell them that test match is won by playing good cricket session on session and day on day. Pakistan seemed to relax and loose focus after couple of sessions of good cricket.

[photo courtesy: cricinfo.com]

Ganguly surprised everyone in this match but again he is a fighter and loads of experience. I was not too surprised by his contribution. By the time Pakistan finished their innings, the target for India looked comfortable. But previous run chases at kotla suggested that it is going to take huge effort to be able to win the match and more so live up to the expectations from a great batting lineup. Despite a brilliant (after a long time I have seen) performance by Shoaib Akhtar, India is sitting pretty. Ganguly and Jaffar played excellent and positive cricket with Sachin looking comfortable. First match provided a great entertainment which was evident by crowd's presence, just goes to show how the next two matches will be played.

Best of Test cricket...

Cricinfo - A tale of missed chances Annotated

The article discusses an interesting aspect of the test match - Loosing advantage. Day 4 of the test will start with Pakistan in driver's seat. Having a lead of more than 150 and Misbah at the crease, Pakistan needs another 100 runs to put Indians almost out of the game.
If the article holds true for the remaining of the test match, Pakistan would soon loose the advantage and India will be left with 230 odd runs to chase in the last innings. That would be a huge task for India but a perfect platform for Indian batsman to script a memorable victory. Be it Sachin, Saurav or Dhoni, a match winning innings will be the one to remember for a long time. I still think Pakistan has a better bowling attack and they can win the test match if they can put that score on board.

Seeing the match and the wicket's behavior, I think, this wicket is the best to test a batsman's or a bowler's character. The one who has great patience will surely win the battle. I am sure Pakistan will be able to do that in their bowling, I am not sure about India's batting. Pressure and a grave requirement of patience is a danger sign for India. No need to analyze batting order or capabilities of great batting lineup, this is the time to show some charater. I would love to see this test match go down the wire. There is nothing like seeing a re-play of Chennai classic. Come on India!

One who enjoys the game

Yuvraj Singh walks back after being caught in the deep Annotated

Yuvraj seems to be in his prime form. He is bowling ok, batting superb and fielding excellent right now. Most importanty, he seems to enjoy being in the field a lot. He is total control of his game. Just to see where he is in his career -
Yuvraj's record
My favorite video on you tube-

Inzi retires from One day cricket.

Its been a day of bad news from the world cup. Earlier Bob Woolmer's death had shocked the world and then came the news that Inzi is saying good bye to One day cricket.Ironically, It was the same platform (1992 world cup in Australia) where he emerged as a star for pakistani cricket, steering them to a WC win. He made his debut there. What a sad end to such an illustrious career.
I cannot forget the innings he played in the semi finals. The world watched as Pakistan from nowhere blasted their way to the finals (and eventually winning the WC). He is known for many things like being prone to run outs, Sahara cup controversy in Toronto when he jumped on to the stands with his bat to beat an Indian spectator, his slow pace on the field and many more. But he will be remembered more because of his contributions and records than any thing else.

clipped from content-usa.cricinfo.com Shattered Inzamam retires from one-day cricket Inzamam-ul-Haq has announced his retirement from one-day cricket on a sad day for the game © Getty Images in Test he has made 8813 runs in 119 Tests, with a highest score of 329 against New Zealand at Lahore Inzamam's one-day career was legendary. He played 377 matches over a 15-year career, scoring 11702 runs at 39.53 including 10 hundreds and 83 fifties. He shot to fame as a 22-year-old in Pakistan's triumphant World Cup campaign in 1992, belting his side into the final with a blistering 60 from 37 balls in the semi-final against New Zealand at Auckland. He went on to contribute a vital 42 in the final itself, at Melbourne against England

Pakistan and India - Worst day out

Bob Woolmer said today after the Pakistanis lost to Ireland -
".......with Bangladesh beating India as well. I think you can say that March 17, 2007 will be a historic day for cricket." To a great extent he is right. India and Pakistan suffered their worst defeats ever in World Cup. Pakistan's is worst as they are out of the World Cup but India is tantalisingly close to be bowed out. India played their worst cricket in many months. They are back as one of the most highly rated and the most inconsistent team in the world. I saw the match and again there was no plan and application. All the batsman played wreck less shots and even if the wickets were tumbling on both the ends, no body switched gears and built partnerships. Worst of all, the best players of spin was falling as pack of cards. No body was sticking to basics of playing straight or with the spin. Oh boy and the way Bangladesh played, amazing. Low scoring games often become close games but Bangladeshis were determined and played some excellent shots. The way they played straight and over the in field was mark of a great technique. The way they bowled they hearts out was awe inspiring. With only two seamers, Bangladesh dismissed India under 200 is hard to believe. I can understand this happening against Aussies or SA. But all marks to Bangladesh. They deserved to win. Pakistan too played a very similar game. I don't agree with Inzy's comments that Pitch played bad. They are the team that can handle these situations very well. Poor shot selection and lack of application was responsible for Pakistan's total of 132. In the end, both the totals were too low to defend against spirited sides.

clipped from content-usa.cricinfo.com Inzamam-ul-Haq overcomes his disappointment to congratulate Trent Johnston on Ireland's victory © AFP clipped from content-usa.cricinfo.com

Two Dwayne's enough for Pakistan

Good match to begin with. West Indies somewhat showed that they have home advantage. Bowling magnificantly to defend a meager total of 241. Highlight of the match was the performances from Dwayne Bravo and Dwayne Smith. Both of them shared 6 wickets and quick fire 40 odd runs to give that little edge over Pakistan.

Pakistan on the other hand played over cautiously and in the end had to chase with a huge asking rate. Parternership between Inzy and Yousouf proved a waste. I think Pakistan should play Shahid Afridi. He is a make or break batsman. But if he makes, he breaks the opposition. Well they have a lot to think about but they are certain to reach round 2 where actually things get hot. The match however proved great to the local crowd. Its always good for the tournament if the local team advances.

clipped from content-usa.cricinfo.com Dwayne Bravo celebrates his catch to remove Kamran Akmal © AFP Dwayne Smith sets off in celebration after shifting Mohammad Yousuf © AFP Dwayne Smith traps Inzamam-ul-Haq lbw © AFP Dwayne Smith spoons one over cover © AFP

Injured or kicked out.

Cricinfo - Pakistan board blasts Speed's remarks  Annotated

It is such a big shame for Pakistan cricket. Time and again their fast bowlers have let the spirit of Pakistani cricket down. Be it ball tempering issues, Pub brawls, players engaged in wrong practices or the latest doping scandal.

No body of the face of this earth is going to believe PCB's explanation  about Shoaib's and Asif's exclusion.

Shoaib and Asif were finally dropped from the Pakistan squad yesterday for medical reasons. While injuries to one's knee and the other's elbow is the official reason given by the board for their withdrawal, speculation in Pakistan has centred around fears that the duo were still carrying traces of Nandrolone in their body, a fact that could have led to stringent bans had they tested positive during the World Cup in ICC-conducted tests. The PCB has rubbished such speculation.

I think Speed is right in his statements. Surely its going to raise eyebrows but its the truth. PCB, instead of reacting like this, should make sure to improve the image of pakistani cricket and their players. Ramiz Raja is right in his demand of public apology from these two players.

 

World Cup Jolt to Pakistan

Its sad to see some of the great players not making to the world cup. Razzaq is one of those players. One of my favorite players in Pakistan team and a genuine allrounder. I hope somehow he makes a comeback.

clipped from content-usa.cricinfo.com

Knee injury forces Razzaq out of World Cup

Abdul Razzaq, the Pakistan allrounder, has been ruled out of the World Cup with a knee injury suffered just prior to the team's scheduled departure for the West Indies. Razzaq sustained the injury during a practice session on Monday at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore and doctors have said that he might be out for up to three weeks.

"I am simply devastated. One moment we are practicing and planning for the big tournament and next moment doctors tell me I am out of it," Razzaq told agencies. "It is hugely disappointing for me to go out this way," said Razzaq, who would have been playing in his third World Cup, had it not been for the last-minute injury. Razzaq, who has played 229 ODIs for Pakistan, recently missed the Test series in South Africa because of an elbow injury.