Published on October 14, 2007
in Sports.
By Patrick Kidd, The Times
Inzamam-ul-Haq’s magnificent Test career ended in a rush of blood only two balls into his final innings yesterday when he charged down the wicket at Paul Harris, the South Africa left-arm spinner, was beaten by the flight and stumped.
Inzamam had walked out to a standing ovation in Lahore, needing six runs to become Pakistan’s highest run-scorer in Tests. He shuffled down the wicket, had a word with Mohammad Yousuf, waved a bear-like paw at the sightscreen attendants and took guard before immediately getting off the mark, driving Jacques Kallis for three through mid-wicket.
Yet it proved the briefest of cameos because Inzamam misjudged the next ball he faced. Perhaps, having sat with his pads on for 35 overs as Yousuf and Younus Khan built a partnership, he was impatient to breach Javed Miandad’s record. Perhaps, with Pakistan needing 185 in 32 overs to win the Test and draw the series, he wanted to push the score along. By making only 17 runs in the match, his career average fell below 50 for the first time in two years.
Continue reading ‘Inzy’s in good company…’
Published on June 27, 2007
in Sports.
Most of you would know about Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi who has become the first man after 31 years to represent Pakistan in the singles competition. The latest on his Wimbledon adventure is that he has won his first round match against Britain’s Lee Childs. He convincingly won the match 6-3, 6-4, 7-6 (8/6) and will now be playing former world No. 1 Marat Safin of Russia.
Click here to view the BBC video on the match which Aisam won against Lee Childs. It’s more a ‘Lee Childs Lost’ report then an ‘Aisam ul Haq Won’ report, but that’s probably because the BBC follows British players and their progress through the tournament. Anyhow, it’s the latest video of Aisam playing tennis and he seems to have a strong serve and volley game. He also has a very good drop shot.
Aisam’s progress in the tournament has already created a lot of hype and most Pakistanis are very proud of his achievements so far. At least, it gives us some sport to watch and cheer (and take part in) as there is no cricket these days. Compare this to Aisam’s previous visit to Wimbledon in 2002 when he partnered with Israeli Amir Hadad in the doubles competition (Daily Times) Continue reading ‘Wimbledon: Aisam ul Haq storms into the second round’
Published on May 18, 2007
in Sports.
I just came across this documentary on Imran Khan on YouTube and I found it very interesting. Imran Khan, like other celebrities in the world, has had a colourful and interesting past. He was part of an exclusive social set in London during his cricketing years. However, Imran Khan’s private life does not interest me because I am not interested in analysing society lizards. This documentary of Imran Khan is very interesting because it explores his journey from the day he was born till now.
Continue reading ‘Documentary: Imran’s Journey’
Published on May 2, 2007
in Sports.
I had mentioned this in my previous post. However, it is now on YouTube and it is possible to watch it online. It explores different motives for Woolmer’s murder and analyses them. The program also discloses that Woolmer had been poisoned, in effect incapacitated, before he was strangled.
Part 1
Continue reading ‘Bob Woolmer: Murder at the World Cup, BBC Panorama’
Published on April 14, 2007
in Sports.
Cricket is a draining and emotional sport. Like cricket, this post is emotional and long, so brace yourselves.
I have just read the ‘draft’ constitution of the PCB which has been passed by the Standing Committee of the Senate for approval to the President (also the Patron of PCB) – which means it is past the debating stage. It is likely that this final draft will become part of the PCB as soon as it is approved by him. Of course, given how much the General has regard for constitutions it is unlikely that he will even give it a single look before signing it. Then again, he doesn’t really need to, given that it does give him absolute power and it WILL make things worse rather than any better.
Continue reading ‘PCB Constitution: A Circus Act?’
Published on March 27, 2007
in Sports.
So, it’s confirmed that Bob Woolmer was murdered. Last couple of days everyone’s been trying to voice their theories about how he was murdered, who may have done it and why. I’d like to put out my theory as well before we actually find out who did it. You see, its a high profile investigation and the rate at which things are going you never know how soon we might find out the identities of the killers and their motives. That’ll be the time when those whose guesses would have clicked would say, ‘Told ya so!’. The so-called foretellers would gloat on the exactitude of their claims. Obviously, they would say that they knew all of it as a matter of fact much before the investigators did. Which makes me wonder about the state of their knowledge? Are they accomplices in crime? Or, did they figure all this out through some next level, divine formulas and calculations? Either way the mystery surrounding Woolmer’s death has allowed many minds to wander and to attempt to figure out reasons for his death.
I made my own little attempt. Having taken all the facts into account and having done my own set of calculations I can say who I think DID NOT murder him. None of the Pakistani team members are involved. Also, even though violent crime is a serious problem in Jamaica I don’t think the local thugs or gangs may have anything to do with it. Why?
Continue reading ‘Bob Woolmer’s death: My theory’
Published on March 23, 2007
in Sports.
I am pasting two news stories. The first one states that the Pakistani President honours Bob Woolmer with the Sitara-e-Imtiaz. I had shown support for such an honour in an earlier post. The second one talks about something very sad. It is now confirmed that Woolmer was murdered. I find it very difficult to say anything about this latest development and will wait to see who did it and why. There are a lot of theories flying around lately, but there is no doubt that there is something seriously wrong with the sport these days:
It should serve as a wake-up call to those who run cricket, and those who profess passion for it. If a game starts taking lives, there is something sickeningly wrong with it - Sambit Bal, Cricinfo
Continue reading ‘Bob Woolmer: The plot thickens’
Published on March 23, 2007
in Sports.
Absolutely hilarious. MUST WATCH! I think the last few weeks haven’t been great for Pakistanis as a nation, which has definitely affected our morale. A little humour in these difficult times would help. Here is a clip from the brilliant 4manshow that was aired a day before the World Cup started.
Continue reading ‘Inzamam-ul Haq: Exclusive interview for 4manshow’
Published on March 21, 2007
in Sports.
Cricinfo report on Inzi’s arrival on the world stage. Exactly 15 years to the day he enters a cricket field in coloured clothing for the last time and makes an emotional exit. Let’s remember that innings that led to many more enjoyable innings and victorious matches. In my opinion no other Pakistani batsman played more match winning innings than this man.
Inzi announces his arrival
The young tiger mauls New Zealand, Auckland, 1992
Inzamam’s 37-ball 60 dismantled New Zealand’s World Cup
The great World Cup dream seemed to be turning into a nightmare as Pakistan needed an improbable 123 runs in the final 15 overs. That was when Inzamam-ul-Haq chose to script a fantasy. Imran Khan had told his team-mates to play like ‘cornered tigers’ in the tournament but he himself had played like a wounded tiger that day. His laborious 43, as Pakistan chased 263, took a time-consuming 93 balls. The other old hand, Javed Miandad, was still in the middle when a young Inzamam entered the arena.
Continue reading ‘21 March 1992: 15 years ago today he became a hero’
Published on March 21, 2007
in Sports.
Amid the disappointment, despair, depression, and general confusion surrounding Pakistan at the World Cup at the moment, it is very easy to forget how great a player Inzamam truly was.
When Hakim requested me to write a piece about Inzamam and the legend that he is, I found it very difficult to bring myself to do so. Our embarrassing exit from the World Cup, the painful passing of Bob Woolmer (which hurts more because I feel the loss to Ireland led to the heart-attack), and the timid captaincy of Inzamam, all made it extremely difficult to write an article on the brilliance of Inzamam throughout his career.
Continue reading ‘Tribute’
