Pakistan rules Cricket World: Wherever there is Cricket there is PAKISTAN
There were voices raised to ban Pakistan from Cricket for couple of years after the spot-fixing saga. Pakistan has suffered from major “lows” of Cricket in last 5 years; Pakistan had most of their worst catastrophes in this period.
In 2006 there was Oval Test fiasco followed by dope Tests of Shoaib Akhtar and Asif, in 2007 there was mysterious death of Bob Woolmer, in 2008 Pakistan didn’t play any Test, in 2009 there was attack on Srilankan Cricket Team, in 2010 there was spot-fixing controversy which eventually removed Asif, Aamir and Salman Butt from Cricket. Yes! On papers Pakistan might deserve a ban but Cricket can never survive without Pakistan. Pakistan is like a vagabond who irritates the street with his loud noises and notorious acts but, once he is gone, a part of you always miss him!
Pakistan has truly been a soul of this game. In every aspect of Cricket there are Pakistanis who keep the blood running in heart of Cricket. The examples are overwhelmed particularly from on-going ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 where Pakistan was stripped from hosting it due to security reasons.
Pathan Afridi is a stupendous thunderbolt in go, Punjabi Imran does it with poise and aplomb
Leading Wicket-takers in World Cup:
While Pathan Afridi is a stupendous thunderbolt in go, Punjabi Imran does it with poise and aplomb; in an unorthodox and maverick way, the current leading wicket takers in on-going World Cup are Pakistanis in same colours[green] playing from different countries. Shahid Afridi with 14 wickets in 3 matches is leading wicket taker whereas Imran Tahir, the South African leggy, with 11 wickets in 3 matches is 2nd leading wicket taker; both are leg-spinners.Not to forget, Imran Tahir made his ODI debut in this World Cup.
Wooohhhoooooooo.....!!!!![Didn't you know I have transmission from Pakistan?]
Ajmal Shahzad's SIX rocked Bengaluru:
You can never take Pakistan out from a Pakistan-heredity. Ajmal Shahzad did a havoc in Bengaluru, he shattered the hopes of all Indians with his micro and mini cameo. When England needed 11 runs of 4 ball, it was Shahzad’s SIX which rocked the Bengaluru. The 55,000 crowd at Chinnaswamy faced the mayhem.
Presence of Aleem Dar:
You just can not take this man out from epics. As usual he was there in one of the most enthralling games of on-going World Cup. Wherever there is run-fest there is Aleem Dar; when Ireland chased 328, highest successful chase in WC, against England in Bengaluru, there was Aleem Dar on field, he was also in reserves during epic tie between England and India at Bengaluru. Whether its South Africa chasing 434 in Johannesburg 2006 or New Zealand chasing 347 in Hamilton 2007; there is Aleem Dar. In 4 out top 5 successful ODI chases, Aleem Dar was on-field Umpire. And not to forget he was also present when Brian Lara scored 400 in Test Cricket.Trivia: When Ian Bell survived LBW decision by DRS in tied match against India at Bengaluru. It was Aleem Dar, reserve Umpire for that match, who told Ian Bell to not leave the field as distance was more than 2.5 Meters between ball and stumps so decision might go in his favour.
Miscellaneous:
The voice from Pakistan can not be ruled out. Bangladesh hosted World Cup’s opening ceremony but song from Pakistan was hymned by Runa Laila in Bangabandhu Stadium. The commentator, Ramiz Raja and Wasim Akram, are seen in matches played in Sri Lanka with their expert opinions and Wasim Akram is always clinical in analyzing conditions. Even when Pakistan players were not selected in IPL-3, Wasim Akram was there to coach IPL players in form of Knight Rider’s coach.
Written by: Mazher Arshad
