Loud Thinking

Archive for the ‘Cricket’ Category

Honourable Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani.

A.O.A.

The whole Pakistani nation salutes you for sacrificing fatherly love over your duty to the national cause, by deciding to visit India on the invitation of Dr. Manmohan Singh, to meet him at Mohali, on the occasion of semi final ICC Cricket ODI World cup 2011 match.

Mr. Prime Minister, this decision will always  be remembered in the annals of history as a monumental choice of duty above parental love.

Here I am reminded a very famous quote whose first part aptly applies on you, ” A statesman is a politician who places himself at the service of the nation. A politician is a statesman who places the nation at his service “

While thanking you for this high act of patriotism, we pray for an early recovery of your son from his illness as well as, total success in your voyage of peace to India.

 
A vast majority of the peace loving people have  welcomed the news of Indian Prime Minister’s invitation to the Pakistani leadership  to visit India, on the occasion of cricket world cup semi final match, between Pakistan and India, to be played at Mohali on 30 March, 2011. It is earnestly hoped that this meeting will not only be a harbinger of peace between the two neighboring nations, but will also be a huge performance incentive for both the cricket teams, playing what is being billed as ‘Mother of all matches’.
 
Moreover, it is hoped that this historic opportunity of meeting, between the two democratically elected prime ministers, will also be utilized as a turning point, for genuine and authentic progress towards peace and harmony, between 1.5 billion human beings of two nuclear armed neighbors. It must be absolutely clear to every person that both of us have no choice except peace, whether we accept this fact today or 100 years hence. However, movement towards peace needs taking small but meaningful steps.
 
In this regards, besides other major issues of Kashmir, water, Siachin, Sir-Creek and anti-terrorism cooperation, the following smaller issues may also be given due importance, to show tangible progress in relations between the two neighbors.
 
1. Visa regulations to be changed to allow visit of people to any city, without restrictions, in both the countries.
 
2. Trade between both the nations should be given top most priority.
 
3. Relatives of prisoners should be given preferential visas.
 
4. Exchange of cultural, educational, trade/business and sports teams should be accorded top priority, for strengthening the people to people bonds.
 
5. Indian cricket team must visit Pakistan immediately after the world cup, to play a series of T20 matches.
 
6. As promised earlier,  BCCI must use its influence on ICC, to restore visits of foreign teams to Pakistan. And to show its resolve, a T20 tournament should be held ASAP in Pakistan, to be played amongst Pakistan, India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka national or A teams.
 
7. Direct air, rail & road traffic to more Indian and Pakistani cities should be opened without delay. Moreover, people wanting to visit both the countries by car, may also be allowed to travel by own transport.
 
8. Telephone rates are very high between the two countries, which should be rationalized according to the international tariff.

9. All television channels news papers & magazines should be freely available in both the countries, without any restrictions. 

Wishing & praying for a historic success to peace and cricket,  on the occasion of this highly awaited sports event of the century, which demands declaring of a holiday in both the countries, for its people to enjoy the witnessing of this mega event, in company of  their near and dear ones. 

Thank you Pakistani cricket team, for giving so much joy and happiness to the terror stricken Pakistani nation, through a fabulous cricket match victory, in the ICC ODI World Cup 2011 Quarter Finals Vs West Indies.

In fact, this is a sort of victory which will strike terror into the hearts of the opponent teams, for the remaining world cup 2011 matches. 

We Pakistanis, firmly believe that today our cricket team has laid the foundation of the final match victory, to be played on 2 April 2011.  

May Allah also Grace you with roaring victories in Semi-Final and Final matches,  as well. Pakistan Zindabad.

Insha-Allah the following situation will emerge after the Quarter Finals for the Semi Finals line up of ICC ODI Cricket World Cup 2011 matches.

1. Pakistan. Proved correct. Pakistan won.

2. Australia. Proved Incorrect. India won.

3. Sri Lanka. Proved correct.   Sri Lanka Won.

4. South Africa. Proved incorrect NZ won.

           Winner of Finals. (Proved wrong)              PAKISTAN

            WINNER OF FINALS :-  SRI Lanka (Proved wrong winner I N D I A)

Every negative has a positive. Although, Pakistan lost in a pathetic manner against New Zealand, in their group match played on March, 08, 2011 yet, I believe that we should consider this defeat as a blessing in disguise. Because firstly, it was not a knock out situation and secondly, now we know all the chinks in our armor which we can and should be mended, to play our future matches with total focus and determination on winning the finals, at all costs.
 
In this regard, the following steps are suggested as an immediate corrective measures.

1. Our main problem is batting. Mr. Mohsin Hasan Khan (Chief Selector) is a very experienced, committed & dedicated person. Our team badly needs his services for planning, strategy and overall game plan. As such, Mr. Mohsin Hasan Khan may be asked to immediately join the team, for utilizing his services to uplift team’s batting in  particular & overall performance in general.

2. Request M/S Imran Khan and Javed Mindad to hold daily video or telephonic conference with the team management and entire team and discuss all training, motivational, technical, tactical and strategy issues relating to the next matches.
 
3. We should avoid insanity which is defined as ” Doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.” What I mean to say is that Mr. Kamran Akmal should not be expected to deliver as a wicket keeper or attacking batsman. Hence,  if possible he should (in the national interest) feign injury, return home and some able replacement may be sent in. Otherwise, he should be replaced with Asad Shafiq as a batsman and Umar Akmal should be given the responsibilities of wicket keeping.
 
4. Now coming to our strategy for the 1st ten overs. These overs are more precious than gold. Here, again insanity should be avoided and Abdul Razzaq and Shahzad Ahmad should open the innings with license to play shots, freely and keeping in view a target score not less than 90-100 runs. ( Not failure but low aim is crime).
 
5. If a wicket falls in 1st ten overs, Shahid Afridi should bat at No.3.
 
6. It must be clear to all and sundry that M/S Abul Razzaq & Shahid Afridi have virtually played no role in any Pakistani current world cup victory with their bat. And the team needs this role very badly. 
 
7. If a spinner is required to bowl in the 1st ten overs, Hafeez should be asked to do the job.
 
8. Junaid, the left arm fast bowler must be given the chance to  prove himself in the next match.
 
9. Winning the world cup is almost like achieving the impossible. And in order to achieve the impossible, it is precisely the unthinkable that must be thought. World class success can not be achieved with second class performance.
 
10. The biggest plus of this tournament has been the emergence of Shahzad Ahmad as the best fielder of the team. This asset should be properly utilized, to the maximum advantage of the team.

If Pakistan forgets thrashing by NZ batsmen and focus on winning the game with absolutely positive attitude, they can still win the match easily.

Nevertheless, if fate has ordained defeat for you, give it a good fight. Never ever, surrender.

Sri Lanka

Australia

Match scheduled to begin at 14:30 local time (09:00 GMT) (20:00 Australia Time, 14:00 Pakistan Time, 14:30 Indian Time, 15:00 Bangladesh Time)

Match Winner Prediction :- Sri Lanka

Pakistani cricketer Ahmad Shahzad has proved with his fielding abilities that he is one of the best fielders  among all the ICC ODI world cup 2011 competing teams. In fact, Ahmad Shahzad is Jonty Rhodes of Pakistan. Moreover, Pakistani team management is totally wasting the nuclear weapon of the team Abdul Razaaq. His abilities are being utilized to the minimum advantage of the team. Ideally, either he should open the innings with Hafeez or go as one down batsman to make best use of the 1st ten overs power play, when only two fielders are outside the 30 yards circle.

Prediction for Today’s Match  India Vs England  Winner INDIA.

Pakistan cricket team has started its campaign for winning the ICC World cup 2011 on a very positive note, showing its tremendous potential against the minnows Kenya.

There is a bright chance that by the Grace of ALLAH, ODI ICC world cup 2011 will be won by Pakistan. 

• ICC Cricket World Cup – 6th Match, Group A
• ODI no. 3105 | 2010/11 season
• Played at Mahinda Rajapaksa International Cricket Stadium,  Sooriyawewa, Hambantota (neutral venue)
• 23 February 2011 – day/night (50-over match)