Loud Thinking

Posts Tagged ‘odi’

Don’t be surprised, if the third ODI cricket match between Pakistan and Zimbabwe being played today, ends in a tie..!

Today is the day when millions of Pakistani and Bangladeshi cricket lovers are very excited and tense about the match result of the Asia cup ODI cricket final, being played between the two brotherly nations.

My advice to the cricket fans of both the brotherly nation is, that rather than being focussed on the result of the match, the game itself should be enjoyed, for the entire 100 overs of this historic moment.

When two brothers or sisters play the final, it’s always a moment of pride for the parents and the family, because, in any case, the victory of either player, the cup remains within the family.

Here it’s the same case, no matter Pakistan wins the final or Bangladesh, we should celebrate the joy of trophy being retained in the family.

Let us cheer the players of both the teams, so that the team playing better, comes out winner on the day.

In all sports, the spirit of the game lies in the Victory of achieving the highest standards of the game.

Good luck to Bangladesh, Good luck to Pakistan.

Change in the game of cricket is here to stay, whether we like it or not. T20 and ODI’s are definitely going to churn out more and more money, for all connected with the game. Now, there is no use criticizing the evolution process. 

Adaptation is the secret of success. Building a Test team is no rocket science. One has to be just one step ahead of the competition. Just closely watch how England and Australia are focusing their time and energy, on keeping at top level, in Test format of the game. Moreover, until and unless the sub-continent players are given rigors of sessions of fast and bouncy pitches, with special bouncing balls, to expect our batsmen to perform better than their opponents, is to live in a fools paradise. 

Although, Pakistan is not a very strong team against the world No.1 England yet, they did not leave anything to chance and asked English players to practise for months in India and South Africa, to prepare and practise for the conditions, nearest to the UAE pitches. 

As they say, practice makes one perfect. And for an ordinary person, it will not be difficult to predict the outcome of the ensuing Pakistan Vs England encounters in UAE, particularly when Misbah ul Haq is a known defensive mind. Last day his comments posted on ESPN Cricinfo removed any doubt about his negative attitude towards the game.

Quote.” It is better to win playing safe than attack and lose.”

On the same web page was posted an advice of famous Indian captain Saurov Ganguly, for Sachin Tendulkar, quoted as below.

Quote” I will tell him, if he thinks about defending, he must try some other sport.” Unquote.

As Viv Richards said “Cricket is a mind game.” And as Imran Khan said “playing for a draw is the best recipe for defeat.” If the objective of any captain, before entering the ground, is to wait and see, rather than nothing but a win, how can he marshall his players to the victory? In cricket you have to impose your agenda, on the opponent team. You have to create opportunities, like they say you have to create run outs. At times you have to snatch victories from the jaws of defeat. In any sport, one team wins and the other loses. There is no harm in losing if you give a good fight. The only objectionable thing is the abject surrender.

Now, someone must tell Misbah that famous saying, quote” In any fight, if a dog is given to lead the lions, all lions will die fighting  like a dog. However, in any fight, if a lion is given to lead the dogs, all dogs will put up a fight like a lion, irrespective of the outcome of that fight.”Unquote.

Misbah should be told that offense is the best defense.

It looks Misbah has already surrendered the series, even before a ball was bowled. Anyway, we should pray for the success of our team, as miracles do happen.

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

(I wrote this article exactly a year ago, is being reproduced for the lovers of the game, on the first anniversary of the world record, created by Sachin Tendulkar)

Many congratulations to Sachin Tendulkar for creating a unique world record, of scoring a double century in an innings of an ODI. It is a well-deserved honor earned by a batsman (Sachin Tendulkar ) adored by the followers of the game, transcending the geographical boundaries of their nations. Without doubt, the feats of Sachin are a testimony to the fact, that he is the greatest player, ever produced, by the glorious game of cricket.

In fact, cricket is truly a game of peace. It is the only game where player of one team, ties the shoe laces of the opponent member of the team. Under the circumstances, millions of cricket lovers of Pakistan and India have been denied, for more than sufficient gap of time, the pleasure of witnessing high class cricket duels between one of the finest cricketers, the game has ever produced.

We the cricket lovers, demand from both the governments and their respective cricket boards, to immediately restore cricketing ties between the two teams. Initially, we can play three tests five ODI’s and two T20 matches series in Sharjah, Abu Dhabi and Dubai stadiums in the first available slot of time. Both the teams can also experimentally, play a night test match in the proposed series. Thus, turning a new leaf in the annuls of the game.

I am confident that, by the resumption of cricketing ties between Pakistan and India, a lot of animosity will also be removed in their current tension riddled ties. In this regard, it is very aptly said that the most ailing nations have developed a functional blindness to their own defects. They are not suffering because they can’t resolve their problems, but because they can’t see their problems.

The leadership of both the countries must realize that only peace and friendship, not war, can break the shackles of poverty and terrorism, so rampant in the sub-continent.