Why should Afridi steer the ship?
On March 30, 2011, when the team lost to our arch rivals and eventual champions, India in the semi-finals of the coveted 2011 World Cup, this is what our team captain at the time, Shahid Afridi had to say: “I want to say sorry to my nation. We tried our level best but couldn’t make it. I am pleased with the way my team played throughout the competition.” He apologised for leading a fragmented, jaded, and weak team to the top four; something which he envisaged on February 9, 2011. The talismanic all-rounder was ...
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A checklist for the new PCB chief
It hurts to the core when I see the absolute shambles Pakistan cricket is in after being associated with it right from the start. Gone are the days when Justice Cornelius, Hafeez Kardar and Nur Khan were its administrative leaders, the individuals drawing respect from all over while representing Pakistan cricket abroad. I rest the blame on the amount of money associated with cricket. The perks of being head honcho attracted all and sundry, resulting in a total mess of the board’s management, which is overstaffed with most personnel being a drain on its resources, who need to be given ...
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Zaka Ashraf: From farmer to PCB chairman
The much awaited, controversial and politically influenced post of Chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board has finally been filled. Ladies and gentleman, put your hands together for Mr Zaka Ashraf, a man who has had absolutely nothing to do with cricket! Nice job Mr President – out of the multiple candidates presented to you, you have successfully chosen the worst one. Having said so, lets look back on Butt’s tenure as the chairman of the PCB to gauge whether Pakistani cricket can, indeed, fall lower than it already has. The damage done Ijaz Butt has faced a great amount of criticism based on his ...
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Three Ps of Ramazan: Pakoras, piety and politics
Those who believe that piety and politics can never be mixed have obviously never spent Ramazan in Islamabad. Anyone who has a cause to promote, or an issue to lobby hosts a lavish iftar, complete with small talk and even smaller samosas. In the spirit of a month where forgiveness and charity are supposed to be paramount, the guest list does not take into account political differences. The iftar hosted at the Serena hotel by the Indian High Commission reflected the casual nature of these gatherings. There was meant to be a strict guest list with the coveted invitation, not ...
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What Ijaz Butt should learn from Steve Jobs
When I first told my friend that Ijaz Butt should learn from Steve Jobs, he told me I had totally lost it; comparing a legend with Ijaz Butt. I also felt a little stupid for saying that, but then I realized that it actually was true. A few nights ago all over the internet, the biggest news was that Steve Jobs had quit from his post as CEO of Apple Inc. He left the company with a short letter, an excerpt of which is: “I have always said if there ever came a day when I could no longer meet ...
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10 reasons why Ijaz Butt should quit
Many have come and gone trying to present reasons for him to be sacked, but to no avail. I would also like to enter and ebb in the endless list of those who believe Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Ijaz Butt should resign or be sacked. Below are 10 reasons that I believe are enough for Mr Butt to vacate his post: 1. At 73, it’s time Mr Butt heads the PVCB (Pakistan Veterans’ Cricket Board) instead of the PCB. The manager of the PVC team can still be his long time friend from Hoshiarpur, Intikhab Alam who himself is 70 ...
Read Full PostI read so you don’t have to: Afridi week
Pakistan’s love affair with Shahid Afridi is a curious thing. He is a charismatic underperformer but we choose to concentrate on the former and ignore the latter. In a week otherwise dominated, as all weeks are, by bombings, the Taliban, the CIA and the ISI, there was no greater spat than the one between Afridi and PCB chairman Ijaz Butt. It reminded us once again that we love Afridi because he makes us smile and he makes us laugh, a feature common to all the best pieces of the week. The worst pieces of the week make it to the ...
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Afridi, as I see him
Two bloggers face off on Afridi’s controversial resignation – were his actions justified or did ego get the best of him? The Pakistan Cricket Board had it coming: Zainab Imam Someone had to go against them and who better than Shahid Afridi – Lala to his fans – who not only says he has public support and doesn’t need anything more, but also behaves like it. Many believe that Afridi has a personal agenda against the board which is why he, loved and hated for his mercurial temperament, has taken the bull by the horns. They point to the day he announced ...
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A clash of mighty egos
It is hard to accept but celebrated all-rounder Shahid Afridi has decided to put a full-stop to an illustrious career – at least for the time being. The 31-year-old, followed by millions across the globe, said his decision was prompted by the “humiliation” meted out to him by the Pakistan Cricket Board. So what’s new? We have a habit of not honouring our national heroes. And Afridi, maybe you’re not such a hero after all. Irresponsible, immature attitude exhibited off and on during the 15-year career led to your downfall, and still you haven’t learnt. Throwing away your wicket when ...
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No more Butt and Butterfingers
As Ramiz Raja put it, though Shahid Afridi could not win the World Cup, for 30 days he united the nation. However, though we must unreservedly praise the performances of Team Pakistan, a few heads must roll to ensure that the strides we have made are capitalised to the fullest extent. Butt needs to go The system governing the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), effectively a one Butt show, has to be revamped. The PCB needs a much more effective, efficient and vibrant administrator – someone who is in touch with modern day cricket – to govern the way the game is played ...
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