Loud Thinking

Archive for the ‘Pakistan’ Category

How to avoid the Bengali whitewash?

The biggest positive from the 1st ODI match of Pak vs BD played on 17 April, 2015, was that our captain Azhar Ali proved to be a lion hearted leader, who not only led from the front, but also led by example.
However, unfortunately he fell into the trap of the head coach, in selection of the final eleven, and opted to go on the defensive, by playing with only 4 regular bowlers. The strategy of playing with 7 batsmen backfired so badly that we not only lost by a huge margin of 79 runs, but also got out in just 45.2 overs.

Now, Azhar Ali will have to learn that offence is the best defence. In test matches you can bat for a draw, but in the ODIs or T20s, you live and die for a victory, which only comes in plan of attack and nothing else.

I am still of the opinion that to strengthen our batting, as per modern day requirements of the hard hitting game, where even non Test playing nations are easily scoring over 300 runs, we need to induct players having potential, to tear apart the bowling of the opponents, in first ten power play overs, when all the fielders (except only two persons) are forced to stay inside the 30 meter circle.

In this regard, AWAIS ZIA must be immediately sent to Bangladesh to open the innings with either Sarfraz Ahmad or Azhar Ali.

Furthermore, the wrongly and undeservedly selected Saad Nasim must be called back (no harm in correcting the error of judgement of the selection committee) and he should be replaced with a specialist batsman, who is also touted as the most talented batsman of Pakistan, namely, IMAM UL HAQ. It is being recommended precisely for the reason that after consecutively failing to bat 50 overs in the 7 World Cup matches, our team again failed 8th time in a row, to bat full 50 overs.

Our selection committee also erred in selecting Saeed Ajmal, just on his name and didn’t consider the fact that taking wickets over 45 degrees arm bend is much easier than bowling and taking wickets or containing runs with an arm bend of under 15 degrees. Today Saeed Ajmal bowled one of the worst spells of his life, when he gave 74 runs in 10 overs. Not only this but he got hit for 3 out of 6 sixes (50%) and 8 out of 35 fours (22.85%). Our selectors also failed in NOT selecting highly talented pacer Imran Khan, for the Bangladesh tour.

If corrective action is not taken immediately, don’t be surprised by our white wash from the Bangladeshi team, in not only the ODIs, but T20 and Test Matches, as well.

However, the selection committee deserves kudos for their find of Muhammad Ramzan, who looks an excellent future prospect for Pakistan. Best thing about his batting was the middling of his shots with his bat.

Moreover, the lack of positive thinking, correct planning and defensive mentality (proved by the fact of playing with 4 bowlers) demands immediate recall of our head coach, to avoid total disaster of the ongoing tour; and he should be replaced by either of the two reputed successful coaches namely, Mohsin Hassan Khan or Kabir Khan (who successfully coached 2 international teams i.e., Afghanistan and the UAE teams).

نہ سمجھو گے تو مٹ جاؤگے اے پی سی بی والو
تمہاری داستان تک نہ ھوگی داستانوں میں

Blunders of the PCB and its selection committee.

1. Azhar Ali never deserves to be the captain of the ODI team, as he proved in the selection of his ODI team that he has neither professional competence, and vision nor the guts of captain material, to ask for right players in his team.
I have a strong feeling that under his leadership, our ODI team will go down further, mainly because he himself don’t deserve a place in the ODI team, as a player.

2. In ODI, fielding is as important a factor as batting or bowling ability. Rahat Ali and Ehsan Adil can not find a place in any ODI team of the world, just because of their poor fielding ability.

3. The explosive left handed opener Awais Zia must have been given the chance in the ODI and T20 teams. Everyone remembers how he played like McCullum of NZ, when he was given the chance vs England in UAE, where he hit huge sixes to Finn, forcing him to send wide balls.

4. Instead of Asad Shafiq having poorest of average of 13.07 in last 15 ODI innings, Imam ul Haq deserved a place in the team.

5. Instead of Suhail Tanvir (spent cartridge and poor fielder) talented pacer Imran Khan, deserved a place in the team.

6. Raza Hasan, who is an excellent spinner and recently scored a century, deserved a place in the team. He also bowled exceedingly well, when he was given a chance during the last series, played in India.

An URGENT request to the chairman PCB to hold an INQUEST, why PRECISELY Pak team failed in the areas in which each and every relevant person in the PCB like head coach, selectors and players etc were forewarned, at least half a year before (in September 2014) the start of the World Cup 2015.
STRANGELY our team failed specifically in those areas of the game, which were pointed out in the following write up dated 22 September, 2014.

Link…http://t.co/yP8CGhFsak

How to win the ODI World Cup 2015..? Proposals sent to the PCB on 22 September, 2014 confined to the dust bin..!

From: Syed Nayyar Uddin Ahmad [mailto:nayyarahmad51@gmail.com]
Sent: Monday, SEPTEMBER 22, 2014 1:59 PM
Subject: World Cup 2015 – Few proposals for our team

Pakistan cricket team always had the potential and talent to win, any and all of the past cricket ODI & T20 world cup tournaments.

As such, there should be no doubt, about its chances of winning the next cricket ODI World Cup, scheduled to commence from 14 February 2015, to be played in Australia and New Zealand, where our (Pool B) 1st match, will be against the Indian team, on 15 February, 2015 at Adelaide.

The details of Pools A and B teams are given below:

Pool A.
England.
Australia.
Sri Lanka.
Bangladesh.
NewZealand.
Scotland.
Afghanistan.

Pool B.
India.
South Africa.
Pakistan.
West Indies.
Zimbabwe.
Ireland.
United Arab Emirates.

Since 4 teams from each pool (total 8 teams from both the pools) will move forward, to play quarter final matches, we can safely assume (barring any upset) that the following teams may qualify for the quarter finals.

Pool A.
England.
Australia.
Sri Lanka.
NewZealand.

Pool B.
India.
South Africa.
Pakistan.
West Indies.

Obviously, for all the teams playing quarter finals, semi finals and the final match, will be a do or die affair. Hence, for all intents and purposes, they will be considering all these matches, as a KNOCK OUT OR FINAL MATCH.

Now, for Pakistan to prepare for this ODI World Cup tournament, it has less than 5 months. Luckily, we also have the opportunity to play 8 ODI matches during coming Oct-Dec 2014, against Australia (3) and New Zealand (5).

PCB must ensure that firstly, it must also pick few newcomers with fresh legs, for the World Cup team, who performs outstandingly in the ongoing T20 national tournament being played in Karachi. This is high time that daring, fearless and hard hitting batsman like Awaiz Zia, is given an opportunity to play in all the 8 ODI matches vs Australia and New Zealand in UAE, to bolster his confidence for the World Cup tournament.

This is all the more necessary, because our low scores in the 1st power play part of the game, during the starting 10 overs, has been the achilles heel (a portion, spot, area, or the like, that is especially or solely vulnerable).

With World Cup almost at hand, we created a sort of a world record in just concluded ODI series vs Sri Lanka, by scoring only 19 runs in the first 10 overs of an ODI, when only 2 repeat 2 fielders, are stationed outside the 30 yards circle.

(On 1 March, 2015 Pakistan created even a more shameful world record that too against minnows Zimbabwe by scoring only 14 runs in 1st 10 overs).
We also possess the world record for playing the maximum number of DOT balls in the ODI’s and the T20 matches.

Pakistan also has the world’s lowest average of scoring the runs in the 1st 10 overs, which is 3.94/ over.

Our basic weaknesses in the ODI’s, as well as, in the T20 matches, have been the failure in scoring during the power play period (as if we have burdened the mind with the fear of losing the wickets during the power play, which in any case, on many occasions, we do lose, even with NOT scoring freely in the power play) and secondly, committing the CARDINAL mistake of not taking singles regularly, or playing huge number of DOT balls.

Both the above problems are obviously due to a negative mind set. And if our coaches particularly Mr. Waqar Younis, fails to address this very serious issue, our team will continue to perform, as we did in recent series in Sri Lanka played in August, 2014.

Our team management, must realise that it is not an issue of the ABILITIES of our players. Rather, it is related to the NEGATIVE mind set, imbibed or embedded in the MINDS of our players; and the only way to come out of this rut, is to do specific practise (particularly during the coming 8 ODI and 3 T20 matches vs Australia and New Zealand) of these two short comings, explained above.

In the coming 8 ODI and 3 T20 games, our tour management committee must give a minimum target of 80 runs, during the 1st 10 overs of the ODI’s; and 60 runs during the 1st 6 overs of the T20 games. Because, if at all we have to be the #1 team of the world, we will have to be BETTER THAN THE BEST.

However, our all batsmen must be told that they are required to play FAST but NOT at all required to play RASH.

They should also be told that the basic difference between cricket and the baseball game is that in baseball, you are supposed to hit every ball; and in cricket every ball has to be played on its merit. However, that doesn’t mean that batsmen should fail to score singles and doubles, if boundaries are not coming.

Moreover, to overcome the chronic problem of our batsmen, in effectively scoring runs of the short balls, coming fast over their shoulders, particularly on the bouncy wickets of Australia and New Zealand, they should be given rigorous practice, with special bouncing rubber balls, bowled over the cemented pitch.

Regarding fielding, the players should be taught that all 11 fielders must focus 100% during the game, just like a wicket keeper; and the best way to NOT to drop a catch and stop a hit, is to EXPECT that EACH and EVERY ball will be coming to me. This mind set will VASTLY improve the catching and fielding.

Further, while throwing the ball for a direct run out, first the fielder must LOCK his eyes on the wickets and then throw the ball towards the stumps, with one bump to the ground, rather than, direct aerial throw to the wickets. Research has proved that one bump throw to the wickets, increases the chances of hitting the stumps, compared with the aerial throw.

In the bowling field, the old adage of bowling wicket to wicket, still pays the maximum dividends. However, in the modern day cricket, disguised slower balls, the balls bowled away from the off stump (just short of wide ball) and surprise bouncers and slower bouncers have proved extremely useful and productive, during the crunch times; and in the case of FREE hits.

In this regard, PCB must prepare a plan named ”Vision 2015″. This plan should be a fool proof strategy with specific focus on winning the 2015 ODI World Cup tournament, considering all risk factors, like sudden unavailability of any player due to various reasons (as happened with Saeed Ajmal and later on with M. Hafeez and M. Irfan), at least five umpiring decisions going against us (two in batting; three in bowling innings), dropped catches/missed run outs and failure of main bowlers and batsmen etc. This plan should be based on preparations of the mind set of the players that in modern day ODI cricket, no score of any team, even if it was 300 or anything way above 300, should be considered a safe score, because the boundaries are small and rules heavily favouring the batsmen.

We should remember that plans never fail, we fail to plan. Moreover, the PCB “Vision 2015″ must state that “You were born to win, but to be a winner, you must plan to win, prepare to win, and expect to win.”

Best of luck to the Pakistan cricket team….you can do it…you can win the World Cup…just believe in the fact that InshaAllah, you will be the world champions..!

PCB’s next 5 years media rights auction or loot sale..?

– Is it another future NAB case???
– Does the gap of over Rs.30 billion or $300 million comes under the economic plunder and who are the beneficiaries of the huge earnings gap of the PCB???
– Where is the big 4 status for Pakistan in pure terms of the economic gains?
– Why (as per media reports) the PCB’s revenue share of the World Cup 2015 income of the ICC, will be even less than the the share received by the PCB, from the ICC’s World Cup 2011?

Pak will get the status of big 4 (as per link given below) and revenues of $450 million says Najam Sethi ..!

But now according to the reports, the PCB on 27 March 2015, auctioned its media rights for the next 5 years (including the 4 proposed Indian team’s visits for the home series to be played in Pakistan or outside Pak soil) for less than $150million (as per AB TAK TV channel report the bid amount for the auction was just a peanut of $125 million, with further deductions of production costs and UDRS expenses which may be over $10-15 millions, reducing the net earnings to a meagre amount of around $110-115 million), compared with the PCB’s 2008-2013 five years media rights auction amount of $144 million.

– Link of Mr. Najam Sethi’s claim that Pakistan has got the big 4 status of the ICC and will get $450 million earnings :- http://tribune.com.pk/story/729174/big-four-pakistan-to-earn-450-million-in-cricket-cycle/

Big Four: Pakistan ‘to earn $450 million in cricket cycle’

By AFP Published: June 30, 2014

Lahore. Pakistan Cricket Board chief Najam Sethi claimed on Monday that his country will earn $450 million from the next eight-year cycle, mainly from four series with arch-rivals India.

India and Pakistan signed an agreement to play six series, four of which Pakistan will host in the next eight years, on the sidelines of an International Cricket Council (ICC) annual conference in Melbourne last week.

The windfall for Pakistan was made possible after they conditionally agreed to approve an ICC revamp that gives major powers to cricket’s “Big Three”, India, Australia and England.

The shake-up, which Pakistan initially opposed, was formally endorsed at the meeting in Melbourne.

“We would have been left isolated and gone bankrupt in two years had we not approved the revamp,” Sethi told media on return from Australia.

“We get the most revenues when we play with India and if all goes well we are set to earn $300 million from the four series we host against India,” he said.

Sethi said Pakistan gained significantly during the ICC meeting.

“Pakistan have been included in the executive committee of the ICC for one year, with India, Australia and England as the permanent members, which means we will be at the forefront of most of the decisions,” said Sethi.

That, Sethi claimed, will get Pakistan the most funds after the Big Three.

“We will get revenues on fourth number, and I can say with confidence that in the next eight year cycle we will get $150 million dollars from the ICC,” he said, bringing the total takings to $450 million.

This compares to Pakistan receiving $10 million from the ICC per year in the last seven-year cycle, Sethi added.

The first of the series with India is scheduled for December next year, likely to be played in United Arab Emirates.

“The agreement is now on paper and I hope that the day will also come when PMs of both the countries clear it, then the two countries will also play in Pakistan. But at the moment it is not possible,” Sethi added.

International cricket in Pakistan has been suspended since March 2009 when militants attacked the Sri Lankan team bus, leaving eight people dead and seven visiting players injured.

But Sethi said there would be no compensation if India does not play due to non-clearance from New Delhi.

“There was no compensation before, there is none now. This is not the norm in mutual series when government does not give permission.”

Mohammad Aamer’s return

Sethi also said banned paceman Mohammad Aamer will be able to play domestic cricket before his worldwide ban expires in August next year.

“The ICC committee will finalise changes in the anti-corruption code in October this year after which the PCB will submit an application on relaxing the ban on Aamer and in the last year of his ban Aamer will be able to play domestic cricket to get ready for the international matches,” said Sethi.

Aamer was banned for five years on charges of spot-fixing during the Lord’s Test against England in 2010. Then-Pakistan Test captain Salman Butt and Mohammad Asif were also banned for a minimum of five years in the same case.

– Link of claim of Mr. Najam Sethi that Pakistan set to earn Rs.
30 billion from India series: Sethi
MOHAMMAD YAQOOB — PUBLISHED JUL 01, 2014 05:36AM
Link:- http://www.dawn.com/news/1116131

Pakistan set to earn Rs30 billion from India series: Sethi
MOHAMMAD YAQOOB — PUBLISHED JUL 01, 2014 05:36AM

LAHORE: Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Najam Sethi on Monday said he was part of the majority which elected the suspended BCCI president N. Srinivasan as chairman of the International Cricket Council (ICC) at its annual gathering in Melbourne, Australia last week.

Addressing a crowded press conference here after his arrival from Melbourne, Sethi had a lot of good things to say about the tremendous gains and achievements made by Pakistan during the ICC meeting.

However, he was sufficiently grilled over the thorny issue of Pakistan supporting the tainted Indian official Srinivasan as new ICC chairman.

When asked how he saw the future of cricket with a controversial person like Srinivasan now elected as head of the world governing body, Sethi initially appeared a bit reluctant to offer any comment and simply replied: “I can’t say about Srinivasan’s election.”

‘We went with majority to elect Srinivasan as ICC chief’
However, when asked if he raised this point of Indian Supreme Court probing Srinivasan before electing him in Melbourne, Sethi said: “We were part of those who agreed on it (to elect Srinivasan). We elected him and we were part of the majority and it (India court case) would not create any problem whatsoever because Srinivasan has been elected for two years.”

Highlighting his achievements at the ICC meetings, the PCB chairman claimed Pakistan will receive a bumper amount estimated at $300 million (Rs30 billion) from the six Pakistan-India series which will be played in the next eight years, with Pakistan hosting four of them.

“We are estimating to earn Rs30 billion by hosting India in four series and that is the biggest news for Pakistan cricket,” he said.

The PCB chairman disclosed that while India were not willing to consider Pakistan as a possible venue for any of the series, he managed to pull it off by getting a certain term included in the agreement which says either Dubai or any other venue could be selected to host those series with mutual understanding.

However, Sethi admitted that as in the past, the governments of either side will have the final say in holding the series.

He added that a joint statement released from the BCCI and the PCB about the future series was a remarkable achievement by all counts and the decision had now been included in the ICC records as well.

Sethi, obviously delighted at the breakthrough, said the Indo-Pak series was a bigger event than the Ashes (Australia-England series) and the world also recognised that fact.

“The Indo-Pak series have great potential to attract spectators and the sponsors,” he said.

Elaborating further on the bilateral series, Sethi said Pakistan had signed the agreement to hold the series with India some six months back but the instability in the PCB threw a spanner in the whole affair.

“There was a possibility to hold the first series in the current year with India, but the instability (the Zaka Ashraf-Sethi tug of war) and Zaka’s stance on the Big Three issue delayed things.”

Sethi confirmed that Pakistan has been included as the fourth member of the newly-formed Exe­cutive Committee of the ICC for one year.

“Pakistan will be a key part of decision making at the ICC while the next president of the ICC in 2015 will be elected from Pakistan,” Sethi said proudly. “So, in the next two years Pakistan would be able to play an effective role at the ICC level.”

However, he clarified there was no Big Four status for Pakistan but the PCB would have a larger share in the ICC revenues.

“In the last seven years, the PCB had received $70 million from the ICC,” recalled Sethi. “But in the next eight years, it would get almost double, upto $150 million.”

In fact, the revenue will be increased for all four top members including India, Australia, England and Pakistan at the cost of cutting the share of smaller nations like Zimbabwe, Bangladesh and a few others who, it appears, will end up as losers in their support for the Big Three formula.

Regarding the progress made on the front of banned young fast bowler fast bowler Mohammad Amir, Sethi said new rules were being finalised to give the bowler some concessions to his ban imposed on him in a spot fixing case.

He said the PCB had written a letter to the Supreme Court to give a final decision in its case against Zaka Ashraf as soon as possible because the PCB wants to attain stability as it had to take many important decisions to make in the coming days including awarding of the media rights for two ‘home’ series against Australia and New Zealand.

In the end, Sethi mentioned how several people at the ICC meeting discussed with him the negative role played by the Pakistani media against its players and PCB which was proving harmful to Pakistan cricket at international level.

Published in Dawn, July 1st , 2014

Email dated 26 February, 2015 addressed to the PM Pakistan:

Subject: Very urgent message for the PM – Big Four: Pakistan ‘to earn $450 million in cricket cycle’ A news item by the daily “The Express Tribune” of 30 June, 2014

Respected Mian Nawaz Sharif Sahab,

AoA.

Sir,

The subject mentioned news item is being submitted for your kind perusal because PCB is going to auction its media rights (for the next five years) tomorrow on 27 January, 2015 and it is in Pakistan’s interest to ensure that nothing less than $450 million is earned by the PCB from the auction of this rights for the next five years.

Moreover, it is very strange that although it is a marketing department’s domain but the Director Marketing PCB is NOT included in the bidding committee which includes Mr. Najam Sethi about whom conflict of interest is reported.

Sir, in view of the seriousness of the matter and as per 100% transparency policy of your government it is suggested that a member from the following organisations should also attend this bidding process as observers:

– NAB
– FIA
– Public Procurement Regulatory Authority
– Office of the Auditor General of Pakistan
– Transparency International Pakistan

– Mr. Khalid Mahmood Ex. Chairman PCB

In this regard, if it is necessary the bidding process may be delayed for a few days to ensure that the representatives of the above mentioned departments can attend the bidding meetings in due course of time.

Best regards,

Syed Nayyar Uddin Ahmad

Sent from my iPad3 4G LTE

Link :- http://tribune.com.pk/story/729174/big-four-pakistan-to-earn-450-million-in-cricket-cycle/

9 Questions to honourable Mr. Misbah ul Haq and honourable Mr. Waqar Younis..!

Mr. Misbah ul Haq and Mr. Waqar Younis, while both of you strongly recommending Mr. Azhar Ali to the PCB, for the Captainship of Pakistani ODI cricket team, said that he (Mr. Azhar Ali) was an excellent ODI material; and Mr. Azhar Ali would have been selected for the World Cup team, but narrowly missed the selection.
So far so good.
However, Mr. Misbah ul Haq and Mr. Waqar Younis owes to the nation, replies of the following questions:

1. When both of you came to know about the ODI abilities of Mr. Azhar Ali?

2. If Mr. Azhar Ali’s ODI abilities were known to both of you prior to the announcement of the World Cup probables on 6th December 2014, why as a captain and national head coach, you did NOT suggest and strongly recommend Mr. Azhar Ali’s name to be included in the squad of the 15 players?

3. If Mr. Azhar Ali was such a gem of an ODI cricketer, to be suddenly made captain of the Pakistani team, why he was never groomed by Mr. Misbah ul Haq, as vice captain, during his tenure of leading the Pakistani team since the year 2011.

4. Why Mr. Misbah ul Haq didn’t consider Mr. Azhar Ali at least suitable to play as an ordinary player for the last THREE years?

5. Why Mr. Waqar Younis didn’t consider Mr. Azhar Ali suitable for inclusion in the national team for any ODI match, played during his almost one year old tenure, as head coach.

6. Isn’t it not a sufficient proof of intellectual dishonesty of ALL THOSE, who have recommended a player to the chairman PCB, for elevation as a national team’s captain, who themselves deliberately kept this gem of a player named Mr. Azhar Ali, out of the playing eleven, since the year 2012, when Mr.Azhar Ali last played an ODI for Pakistan?

7. Is there any precedent in any Test playing country, which selected a player as captain of the ODI team, who didn’t represent his national team for ODI matches, for the last 3 years?

8. Is the appointment of a national ODI captain a joke or a serious matter?
If it is a serious matter, then why Mr. Misbah ul Haq and Mr. Waqar Younis are hell bent upon playing a joke with the nation, regarding their own recommendations for appointment of the next ODI captain, who was NOT considered suitable to be included in the national team for the last 3 years?

9. Now, God forbid, if
an ODI discarded player since 2012, who is being sent to lead Pakistani ODI team, as a captain on tour of Bangladesh, fails in his assignment, will Mr. Misbah ul Haq and Mr. Waqar Younis accept their responsibilities of playing a joke with the nation; and leave the arena of Pakistan’s cricket for the good?

Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif Sahab.

AoA.

Sir,

As per media reports the PCB is going to make another cardinal blunder, by making Mr. Haroon Rashid, as chief selector (a known person of below average IQ) and Mr. Azhar Ali, as captain of the ODI team (he has never been known as an ODI player and precisely for this reason the entire top brass of the PCB, did not include him in the World Cup squad).

Moreover, he is another low level replica of Misbah ul Haq. So, if at all Mr. Azhar Ali is to be made the captain and Hafiz Sarfraz Ahmad, as vice captain, why not keep Mr. Misbah ul Haq, as captain and Hafiz Sarfraz Ahmad, as vice captain, for future grooming?

Sir, in view of the need for the PCB to move forward, rather than taking retrogressive steps (already PCB old top brass is mentally living in the 20th century, whereas, the world cricket has moved to the 21st century, as was clearly visible in the World Cup performances, where not only we lost, but we lost many matches comprehensibly and by a wide margin of runs; and many matches were surrendered in 32-34 overs).

Actually, the PCB is suffering from severe internal politics and bickering, which is rampant; due to more than one power centers in the organisation.

As such, you are once again requested to personally look into the doomed PCB affairs, to uplift the totally collapsed cricketing structure from the abyss by a imposing an ad-hoc in the PCB, which should be headed by a hard task master, who should be a thorough professional, with impeccable reputation of honesty.

Moreover, in order to lead Pakistani cricket as per the modern day game requirements, the following appointments may be considered, purely on merit basis (rather than likes or dislikes of faces).

Chief Selector: This appointment may be made from following cricketers, who are world renowned sporting personalities, and also known for their impeccable honesty, as well.

1. Mr. Abdul Qadir
2. Mr. Mohsin Hasan Khan
3. Mr. Aamir Suhail

Captain of the ODI team: PCB is inclined to make Mr. Azhar Ali as ODI captain, whose 2nd last ODI innings of just 9 runs consumed 38 balls. His ODI career strike rate is 64.8. As such, one of the following DYNAMITE players, may be made ODI captain of our team:

1. Sarfraz Ahmad
2. Wahab Riaz
3. Sohaib Maqsood

With best wishes and kind regards.

Yours truly,

Syed Nayyar Uddin Ahmad

Mr. Misbah ul Haq, if we accept your statement that this team was NOT selected by you, then I will request you that being HIGHLY HONOURABLE man, you should refund all the expenses of the PCB incurred on you, when you travelled from Lahore to Karachi, to give your approval of the team chosen by the selectors, where in Misbah’s presence and knowledge, Moin Khan said that Sarfraz will be the 3rd opener.

So, come on Mr. Misbah, have a heart and accept that your absolute lack of leadership and defensive mental approach, let Pakistan down very badly in the ‪#‎CWC15‬.

Mr. Misbah also please inform the facts about who pressed the PCB for sending Nasir Jamshed and Rahat Ali and who pleaded for sending Tanvir Suhail.
Mr. Misbah, I wish you had also retired from Test Captainship when under your brilliant leadership, Pakistani team was bowled out for shameful 49 runs in a Test match in South Africa.

Wake up Pakistan : Jaag Pakistan Jaag

Latest update about the ever worsening economic foundations of Pakistan from a news item titled “Rs4 trillion bonds may deal a blow to economy” published by the daily “Dawn” dated April 12, 2015 quoted as below:

Quote.”The high-yielding long-term Pakistan Investment Bonds (PIBs) could deal a blow to the economy as volume of bonds crossed Rs4 trillion on March 31, the State Bank reported on Friday.

As over-dependence on PIBs hurts, and borrowings piles up domestic debt, it cripples the banking system, compromising its capacity to serve as an important institution for development of economy.

The banks’ rising profits are the direct outcome of government’s debt servicing. Another report of State Bank said the government had to pay Rs746bn as debt servicing during July-Jan FY15.

The amount can easily cross Rs1.2tr in the remaining five months, a huge burden on economy struggling to contain its fiscal imbalances.” Unquote.

(Kindly peruse below an OLD but still very relevant article on the economic downslide of Pakistan, where now we are forced to take fresh loans, to repay the old loans, which in economic terms is NOT virtual, but REAL bankruptcy).

This has reference to the news item of 01 December 2012, by Mehtab Haider titled “Total debt scales Rs.14.5 trillion mark” published by the daily “The News” link :- http://www.thenews.com.pk/Todays-News-3-145837-Total-debt-scales-Rs145-trillion-mark

The gist of the above reveals the extremely precarious economic situation of Pakistan, as below.

1. Pakistan’s public debt and liabilities crossed Rs.13.5 trillion by end-September 2012, as per SBP data released on 30 November, 2012. However, a closer look reading of the data showed that the size of total debt is Rs.14.5 trillion.

2. According to SBP data total debt and liabilities at end of September 2012, touched $66.24 billion.

3. BY THE END OF JUNE 2012, PAKISTAN’S DEBT-TO-GDP RATIO STOOD AT 61.5%.

4. According to the former economic adviser Dr. Ashfaque Hassan Khan. “Even now, interest repayments are consuming 56 percent of the FBR’s revenue. And these unsustainable levels of public debt will be a burden on future generations who will service this debt through exorbitant taxation.”

5. Analysts say that irresponsible fiscal management, sharp depreciation of the Rupee (from Rs.60 to a dollar to Rs.97 to a dollar – in the last four years) and low economic growth, have caused the surge in public debt.

In view of the foregoing, it is clearly evident that we have reached a stage, where even alarm bells ringing time has passed. The economy of Pakistan is not sinking, it has already sunk. Imports are more than the double of the exports. Foreign exchange reserves are fast depleting.

However, what is very alarming and strange that the entire government and the parliament is silent over the issue, as if, they are in collusion with each other, on (God forbid) this virtual economic demise of the country. Otherwise, at least a single person from the entire parliament would have raised his voice, over violation of the binding on the government, for not exceeding the debt-to-GDP ratio over 60%. (Please refer para 3 above).

We should remember that USSR was not dis-membered due to the violation or collapse of its geographical boundaries. Rather, it was the collapse of its economy, which destroyed a superpower overnight. The USSR broke down without firing of a single bullet, just due to its economic melt down. If, even at this later stage, patriotic Pakistanis won’t raise their voice over this virtual economic collapse of the country, then be ready, history will never forgive us, for our collective Harakiri. No amount of military or nuclear power, can save a nation from its demise, due to the economic collapse. Yes, collective will power of its people, can save a nation from any crisis, but that too if the people are are not too late, as time and tide waits for none.

Although, Pakistan is in a perpetual state of war, for more than a decade yet, the government never acted in a manner, that would reflect even slight realisation on its part, to make its expenses in a more prudent manner. No economy measures imposed to either reduce the size of the bloated cabinet, stop payments of foreign exchange to top government functionaries who are entitled for such perks, or even restrict purchase of new cars etc. This is extreme callousness with the nation. On the other side, high and mighty are enjoying benefits which even a rich country like Switzerland, can not afford to its VIP’s, for example allowing instalment payment of power bills of their factories, over a period of 2000 YEARS. The Pakistani VIP class is enjoying such facilities and benefits which even the Queen of England would envy.

Now business as usual can not be continued.

The economic treason with the state of Pakistan, by all the concerned, looks like a fit case for the patriotic people in the government, opposition (in and out of parliament) and the entire civil society, to demand the immediate formation of a very lean national government, which should impose an economic emergency and also take necessary action on the question that “why all the concerned remained silent when the debt-to-GDP ratio exceeded 60%, that too, five months back on 30 June, 2012.” Don’t forget when the same problem was faced by the US government, even the salaries were not paid, till such time, President Barack Obama, got approval from the law makers, for enhancing the expenditures limit.

It will not be out of place to end this note with quote of the Midwestern tycoon Warren Buffett, who once gave an easy solution to America ’s debt problem on CNBC:
“I could end the deficit in five minutes. You just pass a law that says that anytime there is a deficit of more than three percent of GDP all sitting members of congress are ineligible for reelection. “

Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif Sahab,

AoA.

Dear Sir,

Hope you have been watching the pathetic performance of the Pakistani cricket team through out the ICC ODI World Cup 2015.

Sir, whatever happened during our matches of the World Cup 2015, was anything, but cricket.

Now, as the CEO of the country and the Patron in Chief of the PCB, the nation expects from you to swiftly take action against the entire PCB board, for utterly failing in coming up to the hopes and aspirations of the Pakistanis, all over the world; because more than the players, the responsibility of the world cup’s debacle, squarely falls on the PCB, which will NEVER do its own accountability (no body from the top will resign of his own volition) and will surely (with it’s PR gimmickry) try to put the blame on others, like media, former chairmans and players etc., and project itself as an innocent ANGELS.

As such, Mr. PM, you are requested to immediately REPEAT immediately, dissolve the cricket board for its shameful World Cup performance, where today Australia beat us in the 34th over, in a totally one sided QF match; and also in ALL the World Cup matches, our batting failed to bat for 50 overs.

So much so, that our team created shameful world records for making minimum runs in the 1st ten overs and our four top batsmen got out for just 1 run.

Sir, with the formation of entirely new PCB, the fresh leadership of the PCB should be given only two assignments as below:

– Purge the PCB, with all the junior and senior staff having bad reputation and nincompoops, eating up the boards resources, for ages.

– Pick up the pieces from the ashes, to rebuild an entirely new cricket team, which should be selected purely on merit, without even accommodating SIFARISH from the President or the PM houses.

Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif Sahab, we know you are the type of leader, who even sacrificed the post of his daughter, when the matters came to the principles.

Here, today the whole country also knows that your government’s selection of top personnel and members of the board of the PCB, was not right in the first instance, which subsequently caused this agony of humiliation in the World Cup 2015.

Sir, in life, everyone commits mistakes, but the greatness of wise men lies in midway corrections of their incorrect course, without loss of any precious time.

As such, kindly order dissolution of the PCB board and appointment of an ad-hoc body headed by a dynamic, professional and true visionary chairman, sooner than later and without waiting for any report etc. which will greatly enhance your stature, as a statesman.

Hoping that Pakistani nation will hear good news on cricketing front, from your side, sooner than later.

With best wishes and kind regards.

Yours truly,

Syed Nayyar Uddin Ahmad

If Pakistani cricket team really wants to beat the Australians in the #CWC15 quarterfinals game on Friday, the only way available for our team is to make a game plan, for snatching the victory from the jaws of the Australian players; because without any doubt, we know that the Australian plan will be to attack; and only attack.

The Australians, under no circumstances will give away the victory, without putting up a fight, till the last ball was bowled.

Hence, our plan must not be based on how to fight the Australian attack. We should simply plan how to attack the Australia team in mind game as well as, in batting, bowling and fielding areas: for offence is the best defence (Invincibility lies in the defence; the possibility of VICTORY in the attack…Sun Tzu) and in the words of Sun Tzu “Thus, what is of supreme importance in war is to attack the enemy’s strategy”.

The Pakistani team can not wait for something to happen, they will have to be the one to make it happen.

The Pakistani think tank must remember that after Muhammad Irfan, the next atomic weapon in their arsenal is Yaser Shah, who MUST be included in place of Ehsan Adil (whose fielding gives the impression that Nasir Jamshed was a super fielder like Jonty Rhodes).

Further, our batsmen must be given the task to score @ 8-10 runs/over in the 1st ten overs, 6 runs/over in the next 25 overs, 8 runs/over during the next 5 power play overs and 10 runs/over during the last 10 overs. This will take us to a cumulative score of around 350+ runs in 50 overs.

However, in cricket big scores are NOT accumulated without considering of playing of DOT balls, as a cardinal sin; and it is a must to rotate the strike for accumulating runs with singles, doubles and three runs, besides 4’s and 6’s.

Since, it is a do or die match; and Shahid Afridi has constantly failed to contribute with any significant score at the lower order: as such, either Shahid Afridi be sent as an opener, with Ahmad Shahzad/Sarfraz Ahmad, or he should be sent at one down position, with a license to bat freely, but sensibly. Shahid Afridi should be told that the major difference between the games of base ball and cricket is that in base ball, you are required to hit every ball, whereas, in cricket every ball is required to be played on merit.

Moreover, enough is enough as far Misbah ul Haq is concerned. He should be asked to come at two down position.

Mr. Misbah ul Haq should also be told that the major difference between an ODI and a Test match is that in a Test match on many occasions, you are required to play for a draw, but in an ODI game, there is no room for even an iota of defensive and negative approach.

The real acid test of leadership of a captain is during his marshalling of resources, while leading his team out in the field for bowling. Captain must know that placement of slips and close in fielders (obviously at an appropriate time) is the best way to create pressure on the minds of the batsmen. Cricket is a mind game played on a larger chess board. Misbah ul Haq will have to constantly think and act, one step ahead of the Australian moves, wherein, they always plan to attack the best batsman; and the best bowler of the opponent team.

There is also a need for out of box thinking and to place the third man fielder just on the 30 meters circle (as on many occasions caches fly between the slips and the point fielders) and place a fielder on the boundary line to stop shots hitting the rope between the area of cover and extra cover. Similarly, if the bowling is disciplined (particularly in 1st 10 overs) square leg fielder can also be placed inside the circle and one fielder can be moved to stop the shots going for four runs, at the boundary line of the mid wicket area.

Last but not the least, bowlers should not with hold their throws to run out the batsmen, after the batsman has moved out of the crease, after playing forward defensively and the ball comes quickly in the hands of the bowler.

With all the prayers and best wishes for the success of Pakistani team in the #CWC15 tournament.