Loud Thinking

Posts Tagged ‘2011’

YOUR AGE BY CHOCOLATE MATHEMATICS    

Don’t tell me your age; you’d probably lie anyway-but the Thornton Man will know! 
   
YOUR AGE BY CHOCOLATE MATH

Heartiest congratulations to India on a well deserved and well earned cricket ODI world cup 2011 victory achieved for the 1st time by any nation on its own soil.

The Pakistani cricket team’s Madness in Mohali Semi Final world cup 2011 match has shell shocked the nation. Reason being that every body could see that the situation was under control and target very achieveable. By snatching defeat from the jaws of victory, captain Shahid Afridi and other team management members proved, how badly they lacked management abilities of a thinking mind and leadership qualities.

Management is doing  things right; Leadership is doing right things. Management is efficiency in climbing the ladder of success; Leadership determines whether the ladder is leaning against the right wall.

Now, if we analyse the management and leadership of Pakistani cricket team, during the semi final match of 30 March 2011, the following glaring examples, speak out for themselves.

1. Shahid Afridi kept on giving overs after overs to Omar Gul, even when he was the most expensive bowler of the team, without utilizing the most economical bowler Abdul Razzaq. This was the master stroke of genius Afridi, who was also not given any advice by the other senior members of the team or the more genius members of the management team, sitting in the pavilion.

2. Genius Afridi, removed Wahab Riaz from bowling, precisely at the time, when he was about to run through the Indian batsmen.

3. At a time when Pakistani openers gave a very positive start to the innings & then got out, Abdul Razzaq, Afridi or Omar Akmal should have been sent in, to maintain pressure of runs in the 1st power play of ten overs, when only two fielders are out side the circle. But what happened was, that Younis came in and later on Misbah. Both batted so lazely that it dragged the momentum of runs created by the openers, to such an abyss, from where the innings never recovered.

4. It looks that the entire team and its management, forgot to take the last batting power play, till the time the sand had slipped from the hand. This is an un pardonable blunder. The best time to take the 3rd PP was, when Afridi and Misbah were togather at the crease.

5. Nobody advised the batsmen to keep on taking singles, rather than blocking exceptionally high percentage of balls for no run.

The nation is shaken not by the defeat but the way our team management snatched defeat from the jaws of the victory. Now the way forward for the PCB is to either its chairman, take the full responsibility and resign or take the following steps.

a) Dismiss M/S. Intikhab Alam, Waqar Younus and Aaquib Javed from their respective positions.

b) Sack Afridi from the captainship of the national team.

c) Younis, Misbah and Abdul Razzaq should never again be considered for ODI or T20 teams and Kamran Akmal should also be sacked from any version of the national team. He is not an ordinary player rather, a below ordinary level player. 

d) Hafeez should be appointed the future captain of ODI & T20 Pakistan teams, with Wahab Riaz as his deputy.

e) Youngsters like Sarfraz Ahmad, Naveed, Shoaib Khan etc should be inducted in the ODI and T20 teams.

f) A full time fielding coach must be appointed for Pakistan team, without any further delay.   

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.

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)