Biased selection, mismanagement, player power, inept captaincy cost Pakistan Cricket World Cup 2023

By Naeem-ul-Haq in USA

(Pakistan News & Features Services)

Biased selection, mismanagement, player power and inept captaincy were the major causes of Pakistan’s flop show in the Cricket World Cup 2023 as the returning national team faces a barrage of criticism. Dishonesty was also an obvious factor which created rifts and tension among the cricketers leading to chaos and dismal performance.

The quartet Babar Azam, Shaheen Khan Afridi, Muhammad Rizwan and Shadab Khan had been running the show for the past three years. These four guys were observed working in unison as they pursued identical goals of controlling the affairs of the game. 

There was a change of guard at the headquarters of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) more than one time during this period but the unity between these four didn’t let any helmsman to implement his own vision. Different chief selectors also came and went without having the guts to contain players’ power. 

The Babar-led Pakistan outfit managed to accumulate ranking points by whipping soft opponents. The skipper himself and Rizwan scored heavily in these matches while Shaheen also performed exceptionally well with the ball. Shadab, however, was unable to deliver the goods even against these sides and fingers were being pointed at him all along. 

Yet neither the PCB Chairman nor the chief selector could do anything to displace Shadab, who form as a bowler had dipped considerably as he failed to come to terms with the demands of one-day cricket. 

Everybody knew that he didn’t deserve a place in the World Cup squad as a bowling all-rounder but nobody could throw him out because of his bonding with Babar, Rizwan and Shaheen. 

Imad Wasim was much better choice as a spinning all-rounder but it’s a common knowledge that Babar didn’t like him. Muhammad Nawaz, despite his inconsistency with bat and ball, was the preferred option and the whole world saw the humiliation caused by him at crunch moments. The decision of ignoring mystery spinner Abrar Ahmad and choosing Usama Mir was mind-boggling as well. 

What was the logic of having a reserve wicketkeeper-batter in the shape of Muhammad Haris whereas the presence of Sarfaraz Ahmed would have proved much more beneficial for the squad? But the interests of the team were compromised and the former Pakistan captain was purposely dropped as the ruling elite of four men possibly felt uncomfortable. 

Saud Shakeel and Salman Ali Agha were drafted in the contingent at the eleventh hour. While Saud justified his selection by chipping in with little contributions there was not much opportunity for Salman to showcase his skills. Even Saud needs to learn about converting those starts into something substantial if he is to become a regular member of Pakistan’s ODI playing eleven. 

With the Pakistani batsmen, barring a couple of occasions, failing to get big scores the pressure mounted on their own bowlers who were then taken to the cleaners by the opposing power-hitters. The policy of not allowing Haris Rauf to operate with new ball didn’t make sense and heavy price was paid for it. 

The captaincy of Babar was far from impressive during the course of the tournament. He was supposed to be the pivot of the team but he disappointed all his fans as runs didn’t flow from his bat and there was hardly any element of surprise at his resignation following the debacle in India.

readmore »»

Yousuf Malik, Mona Khan to represent Pakistan in Athens Marathon 2023

By Syed Khalid Mahmood

(Pakistan News & Features Services)

Long distance runners Mohammad Yousuf Malik and Mona Khan will represent Pakistan in the upcoming 50th edition of the famous Athens Marathon 2023 due to be organized in the capital of Greece on November 11 and 12. The event is being organized by Hellenic Athletics Association (SEGAS) with Hellenic Republic Region of Attica being the co-organizers. 

The marathon races, held in the cities of New York, Boston, Berlin, Chicago and Tokyo are among the most sought-after ones but the Athens Marathon is acclaimed as the most prestigious annual event of its kind which was launched in 1972. It could not be organized in 2020 due to the pandemic of Covid-19 and now its Golden Jubilee edition is being staged this year with great fanfare. 

A record number of more than 70,000 runners from 140 countries are expected to take part in the Athens Marathon, which is traditionally held on second Sunday of every November. The participation of Pakistani marathon runners in the event augurs well for future of athletics in the country.

readmore »»

Pakistan’s Shahram Changezi wins Texas Open Snooker Championship 2023

By Syed Khalid Mahmood

(Pakistan News & Features Services)

Shahram Changezi, one of the most accomplished all-round cueists of Pakistan, added another feather to his cap by winning the recently concluded Texas Open Snooker Championship 2023 held in Houston, USA. 

The highly gifted decorated snooker, billiards and pool player once again made the nation in general and his institution National University of Sciences & Technology (NUST) in particular proud by clinching the trophy in Texas. 

The event took place at the Q Billiards Hall in Houston and some of the top players from USA and other countries participated in it. 

Shahram overwhelmed Raed Shabib of Iraq in quarter-final before toppling Joey Torres of USA in semifinal and then outwitting India’s Ahmed Rauf 3-1 in the title clash to capture the trophy. 

Besides winning the championship, the Islamabad-based Shahram also earned the distinction of registering the highest break (89) of the keenly contested competition. 

On his same tour of USA, he also participated in the American 9-Ball Pool League in which 128 cueists from different parts of the world entered to showcase their skills and obtain a share in the prizemoney. He successfully demonstrated his skillset in 9-Ball Pool as well to secure third position.

Shahram's brilliant performance during his recent trip to USA should serve as a morale-booster for the talented Pakistani cueists who have the eagerness to compete in international competitions. 

readmore »»

Shan best bet to replace Babar: Anwar-ul-Haq

Pakistan News & Features Services

Anwar-ul-Haq, a former cricketer turned commentator, seems absolutely clear in his mind that Babar Azam, following inconsistency and incompetence, should be removed from national captaincy across formats and the baton should be passed on to none other Shan Masood, the prolific opening batsman.

“I had been advocating for the removal of Babar long before this World Cup had started. It would be in the interest of the team if he is relieved of the leadership role and be allowed to focus on his batting which has obviously slumped in the recent past. He has been unable to do justice to his talents as a batter, having caused immeasurable harm to the Pakistan side,” Anwar, respected for his candid thoughts, remarked in a conversation with PNFS soon after Pakistan suffered an embarrassing loss against hosts India at Ahmedabad on October 14. 

“Irrespective of the fate of upcoming matches, Babar, unquestionably a world-class batsman, should be allowed to do his primary job of hitting centuries instead of dragging him in a role which doesn’t belong to him. The administrators of the game have already done great disservice to the country by having him lead the national team despite his unsuitability for the job,” the former cricketer reflected. 

“I think it’s about time to take decisions in the national interest instead of personal whims. Babar’s tactics as a captain have often been under the scanner and his insistence on shielding players of his own camp has led to chaos to numerous occasions,” Anwar felt. 

When questioned about the possible replacement for Babar, he didn’t mince words in asserting that Shan, the tall left-handed opening batsman, looked the best candidate to take over the captaincy in all three formats on the basis of his talents and record.

“In the limited opportunities having come his way over the years, Shan has proved himself to be a capable leader who is blessed with the desired qualities to take fight to the opposition. We need a captain like him who could lead from the front,” the former opening batsman emphasized. 

“I firmly believe that Shan has been victimized by people with vested interests. On the basis of his strengths, he certainly deserved to play more often for the national but he was discarded once too often after a brief dip in performance which was certainly unfair to him in particular and to the country in general,” Anwar added.

“The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) had installed him as vice-captain for the ODI home series against New Zealand but the evil forces within the team conspired to keep him out of the playing eleven. The conspirators prevailed and Shan was not allowed the space to perform,” he recalled. 

Anwar, who is credited to have mentored quite a few illustrious cricketers like the great Younis Khan, urged the PCB to appoint Shan as the captain of Pakistan team in the larger national interest as he possessed the rare potential to extract the best out of his teammates, both seniors and juniors.

"We have had enough for Babar as a captain. His record is far from satisfactory and he has to be sidelined without further delay," Anwar concluded.

readmore »»

Inaugural MCW Over 40s Cricket Global Cup signs off with impressive closing ceremony

Pakistan News & Features Services

The curtain fell on the inaugural MCW Over 40s Cricket Global Cup, after a couple of weeks of fun and excitement, with an impressive closing ceremony at Hotel Pearl Continental, Karachi, on October 2. Nadeem Omar, owner of Quetta Gladiators, was the chief guest on the occasion. The tournament, contested by eight countries, had kicked off on September 19. 

Fawad Ijaz Khan, Chairman, Pakistan Veterans Cricket Association (PVCA), in his welcome address, observed that, having participated in all four previous editions of World Cup, Pakistan got the opportunity to host the Global Cup for the first time and we tried our level best to excel in every single organizational aspect to make it a memorable event for all participants and stakeholders.

“We had to change name from World Cup to Global Cup at the eleventh hour because of a special request received from the International Cricket Council (ICC). Moving forward, the ICC will not allow use of word World Cup in any future Veteran Tournaments,” he shared.

The PVCA Chairman congratulated the Pakistan team on winning the tournament, making special of five Test cricketers, Shahid Afridi, Misbah-ul-Haq, Abdul Razzaq, Muhammad Sami and Hassan Raza for being part of the home squad. 

 He thanked his colleagues at the PVCA as well as the support staff for having worked tirelessly to make the tournament a success story. He acknowledged the contribution of the sponsors, the government officials and the ground authorities in making the arduous task of hosting an event of this magnitude possible despite the numerous challenges. 

Earlier in the day, the prize distribution ceremony was conducted at National Bank Stadium soon after the conclusion of the final in which Pakistan defeated West Indies by 152 runs to be crowned as world champions. Australia took third position while United States of America (USA) finished fourth. United Arab Emirates (UAE), unable to qualify for semifinals, emerged the plate champions with Hong Kong taking sixth position. Canada and Nepal ended seventh and eighth respectively. 

Fawad Ijaz Khan, Chairman, PVCA, presented the winners’ trophy to the Pakistan skipper, Misbah-ul-Haq, who was adjudged Player of the Match in the final for his brilliant century. Muhammad Farrukh, who captained United States of America (USA), was declared Player of the tournament for his consistent all-round performance. 

Among other individual awards, Pakistan’s left-arm spinner Abdul Qadir was chosen as the best bowler of the tournament and Nepal’s opening batter Rabin Joshi was adjudged the best batsman of the tournament. Steve Paulsen of Australia and Randy Thomas of West Indies were voted as the best fielder and the best wicketkeeper of the tournament respectively. 

Pakistan’s chief selector, Ajaz Faqueih, announced a team of the tournament on the occasion which comprised of Abdul Razzaq (Pakistan), Amjad Ali (Pakistan), Rabin Joshi (Nepal), Misbah-ul-Haq (Pakistan), Narsingh Deonarine (West Indies), Muhammad Farrukh (USA), Randy Thomas (West Indies), Tassawar Abbas (Pakistan), Ankur Vasishta (Hong Kong), Ajay Sharma (USA), Mark Leard (Australia) and Abdul Qadir (Pakistan). Abdul Razzaq was chosen as captain with Muhammad Farrukh being his deputy. 

Nadeem Omar, owner of Quetta Gladiators, and Sameet of MCW Sports, were also present in the presentation party alongwith the PVCA functionaries Fawad Ijaz Khan (Chairman), Amer Ilyas Butt (CEO), and Amir Sarfaraz (Secretary) besides its Directors Alamgir Ahmed, Fazal Jilani, Haji Ashraf, Dr Asjad Ali and Amjad Islam.

readmore »»

‘Flying Horse’ Samiullah symbolizes Pakistan’s golden era in hockey

By Syed Khalid Mahmood 

(Pakistan News & Features Services)

It’s time for Samiullah Khan, the living legend of field hockey, to light another candle on his birthday cake. His name has become synonymous with Pakistan’s golden era in the national sport. The Flying Horse, most appropriately titled for his incredible speed, is always found full of energy which he has successfully retained because of his healthy habits and excellent work ethics. 

Samiullah’s mention takes us back to the 1970s and early 1980s when Pakistan ruled the hockey world. Those were the times when all other teams, including Europeans, were under the awe of the green-shirted Pakistanis for whom sky seemed to be the limit. Such was the dominance of the star-studded Pakistan outfits that they were household names wherever the sport was played. 

The team was packed with superstars but left-winger Samiullah stood out because of sheer brilliance. His lightening crosses paralyzed the most formidable of defence lines and he was simply unstoppable even when confronted by the tightest of markings. 

His remarkable ball control with enormous speed was a rare and lethal combination which allowed him to penetrate the defenders at will. With his thrilling runs, body dodges and large leaps he posed the toughest challenge for the opponents. There was indeed something magical about him which made him the most valuable player of his generation. 

Having represented the country in 155 matches, he scored 55 international goals but what the statisticians won’t be able to tell you is the fact that he was instrumental in the scoring of many more goals through his fellow forwards. He was the architect of many famous victories to leave an indelible mark on the sport. 

Irrespective of the number of medals and trophies he earned, it was his impact which created numerous scoring opportunities and paved the way for the country to register victories with unmatchable frequency. It was a pity that his solitary appearance in Olympic Games came at Montreal in 1976 as Pakistan boycotted the 1980 Olympic Games at Moscow and he was forced to hang his boots before the 1984 Olympic Games which took place at Los Angeles. 

He, however, featured in three editions of the World Cup, starting from Kuala Lumpur in 1975 where he hit headlines as Pakistan won silver medal. He continued to star in the next couple of World Cups at Buenos Aires (1978) and Bombay (1982) where Pakistan clinched gold medals. 

He enjoyed even better record in Asian Games, as the country won gold medals on all three occasions, Tehran (1974), Bangkok (1978) and New Delhi (1982). Pakistan also captured gold medal in the 1980 Champions Trophy at Karachi in his presence. 

Rather interestingly, the Indian audience in particular saw him at his very best when he was in the leadership role in two successive events. He was the vice-captain of the Pakistan team which won the World Cup at Bombay in 1982 while he was the captain of the team which annexed the Asian Games at New Delhi later the same year.

readmore »»

Prokhrov pledges support to MSAP in chess promotion

By Ehsan Qureshi 

(Pakistan News & Features Services)

The Director of the Russian Centre of Science & Culture (RCSC) in Karachi, R M Prokhrov, has reiterated continued support to the mind sport of chess by hosting its various events besides providing other facilities to the participants and organizers. 

He also announced the famous Grand Master, an ex-world champion and a prolific trainer from Russia, Anatoly Karpov, will be training the Pakistan’s national masters of chess. He made these remarks while inaugurating Engro Women Training Programme being held at the RCSC, also known as Friendship House, on September 3. 

The event is being organized by the Mind Sports Association of Pakistan (MSAP) as part of its women empowerment initiatives. Around 25 women, including students from some of the prestigious educational institutions of Karachi, have enrolled for the programme. 

Tariq Rasheed Khan, CEO of MSAP, complimented Prokhrov for his support for this program and plans for arranging the Russian chess star Anatoly Karpov for training Pakistan chess masters.

Pakistan's chess star apparent, Grand Master Mahmood Lodhi, is the chief instructor with FIDE Master Omer Khan and Muhammad Waqar are both qualified trainer and coaches. The MSAP's Syed Akhtar Sami is supervising overall programme.

The MSAP, it may be recalled, was founded in 2008 for the promotion of bridge, chess and scrabble, three of the most popular mind sports in the country. The Association has held a number of events over the last 15 years beside facilitating the participation of the players in international events. 

readmore »»

Younis, Sarfaraz face discrimination from PCB once more

By Naeem-ul-Haq in USA 

(Pakistan News & Features Services)

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), seemingly as a part of its promotions ahead of the upcoming Cricket World Cup 2023, compiled and released a video, showcasing the high moments in history on the eve of the 76th Independence Day celebrations. Its contents have already resulted in causing lots of resentment and controversies. 

Initially the PCB was slammed for ignoring Imran Khan, the triumphant skipper of the World Cup 1992. Since he is a former Prime Minister besides being one of the greatest-ever all-rounders of the game, with a huge fan following globally, there was uproar and criticism from every nook and corner of the world. 

Omitting the World Cup winning captain on political grounds was indeed shameful and the PCB was forced to edit the video and release a new one which included his images. But a couple of more glaring omissions have not been rectified yet, which is very disappointing for those who love the game the most earnestly. 

How could the history of Pakistan cricket remain complete without mentioning the accomplishments of Younis Khan and Sarfaraz Ahmed? Yet they have been deprived of this honour of featuring in the video highlighting Pakistan’s conquests in the cricket field. Younis, as we all know, is the only other World Cup winning captain of Pakistan.

If Imran was the skipper of the team which brought home the title in 1992 it was Younis, under whose leadership, Pakistan had won the World Twenty20 Championship in 2009. Isn’t it strange that one World Cup winner becomes the Prime Minister of the country and the other one is denied the kind of respect and recognition he deserves?

Younis holds national records for the highest number of Test runs as well as centuries. He won numerous matches for the country. He led the team with distinction. But he was victimized in his playing days and the same trend has continued all along. Since he is brutally honest and straightforward, who always believed in let his bat to do all the talking, he has often been sidelined from limelight. Those in the corridors of power have generally been reluctant to interact with him because he takes pride in calling a spade a spade. 

Sarfaraz has also been meted out step-motherly treatment all along despite having exceptional record both as a player and as a captain of the national team. He had led the country to title victory in the ICC Champions Trophy in 2017. Earlier he was also the captain of the Pakistan team which annexed the ICC Youth World Cup. 

Pakistan remained the top ranked team in T20 rankings for two and a half years when Sarfaraz, an enterprising wicketkeeper-batsman, was at the helm of the affairs. He is credited to have blooded and groomed the youngsters like Babar Azam, Shadab Khan, Shaheen Khan Afridi and Fakhar Zaman who have gone on to become world-class performers. 

Both Younis and Sarfaraz have done wonders for the country, Any documentary of Pakistan cricket will be deemed incomplete without their mention. The PCB must re-edit the video to include both of them because they deserve to be there. The heroes are meant to be respected and admired, not humiliated or insulted.

readmore »»