Loud Thinking

Archive for August, 2014

White elephants of the PCB..!

Media informs that Pakistani offspinner Saeed Ajmal has been reported for a suspect bowling action, following the first Test against Sri Lanka in Galle.

As per ICC regulations, Ajmal will have to undergo testing of his action within 21 days, but can continue bowling until the results of the test are known.

Here the question arises what for PCB hired Mushtaq as a spin bowling coach…another white elephant? Was he hired for spoiling the bowling action of our ace spin bowler?

PCB’s working can never improve, till such time, there is a system of defined responsibilities and subsequent accountability of the results and output.

Media reports that ICC has warned Saeed Ajmal to correct his bowling action within 21 days…!

Here the question arises what for PCB hired Mushtaq as a bowling coach…another white elephant?

Don’t Be Afraid to Negotiate with Someone More Powerful

It can be daunting to ask your boss for a new assignment or to try to land a deal with a major client. But you can succeed if you approach the negotiation in the right way. Don’t let fear of the competition cloud your judgment. Often, if other candidates are being interviewed or six vendors are vying for the contract, we’re tempted to lower our demands. Don’t decrease your value — think about the skills and expertise you bring to the table that others do not. To conquer your fear, the most important thing is to be well-prepared. Make a list of what you want from the negotiation and why, and then study your counterpart’s motivations, obstacles, and goals, so you can brainstorm creative solutions that will work for both of you. Find data to help you make your case, and build trust by listening and asking questions. All of this will help you keep your cool.

Adapted by HBR from “ How to Negotiate with Someone More Powerful than You” by Carolyn O’Hara.

The blocking of roads with containers by the government is NOT a violation of any BASIC human rights…!

OK… Kindly also inform that saving the lives of so many dying patients in ambulances, coming to Lahore hospitals, comes under the BASIC human rights or not?

Can any person recall a defeat in the annals of Test cricket history, where a team scoring 451 runs in the 1st innings, lost the match..?

Can any wise person throw some light on the feeling that the party of the PMLN is over..?

Men of conscience in the PCB Muhammad Akram and Ejaz Ahmad..!

I would like the PCB to either confirm or deny the news that the name of dud batsman Khurram Manzoor (who scored 3 runs each in both the innings) was added by Mr. Najam Sethi; and as a protest, two members of the selection committee, Muhammad Akram and Ejaz Ahmad, refused to sign the team selection paper, according to their their conscience..!

Masters of Mayhem

By Fahd Husain Published: August 9, 2014

They say good things come to those who wait. But waiting is clearly nothing without action. Old Orders don’t just die, they are usually dragged to the guillotine — figuratively and often literally.

Could this be our moment? Could this be our evolution on steroids? Could this be the storming of the Bastille? Or will it once again turn out to be a clash of power hungry men for the spoils of the State?
Bet if you dare.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 10th, 2014.

Best speech in the history of Pakistan..!

One may agree or disagree with Allama Tahir ul Qadri, but the fact is that last night, he delivered the best political speech ever, in the history of Pakistan..!

Mr. Waqar Younis, Moin Khan and Misbah ul Haq are solely responsible for their defensive strategy, right from the start of the game; wherein, they played only 4 bowlers in a 5 day match; and snatched defeat from the jaws of a draw..!

How these experienced people forgot the famous saying of the legendary leader Imran Khan that “the surest way to defeat is to play for a draw”.