It is indeed a pleasure to announce that I have launched a sister blog for Twenty20 Cricket. If you want to keep up to date with the ongoings in the Twenty20 world, head on to the Twenty20 Cricket World Cup blog. There you can get access to the upcoming world cup schedule, squads, updated news and much more.
Do not forget to subscribe to the blog feed. Twenty20 Awayyy!
Geoffrey Francis Lawson, born at the oddly named, Wagga Wagga; New South Wales on December 7, 1957, known as Henry. This is the profile of the new Pakistan Cricket coach. An all Aussie choice pool, also including Dav Whatmore, albeit more desi than Aussie, has resulted in this choice. Trained optometerist by training, perhaps he will be able to fix the short sighteness currently pervailing in PCB.
Not known as much for his coaching abilities as for his media work, he is supposed to be a softer choice for the players in comparison to Whatmore. But that might just not be the case as discussed by Osman Samiuddin in his Cricinfo article.
His pedigree as a tough Australian fast bowler aside, the main question is how much will he be able to support the batsmen, who really need supporting. He has already struck a diplomatic chord with one, we can rest assured, to be his biggest vocal critics. Asking Javed Miandad to play a role with the team was a stroke of genius. It showed that he knew the landscape and also 'keep your friends close and enemies closer'. Javed has responded quickly and positively. How positive it will end up being is for us to see.
Well its not going to take long for us to see how things are going to shape up. The twenty20 worldcup aside, South Africa is due in Pakistan, and then that litmus test for all Pakistan cricket, a tour of India.
For now its time for optimism and good wishes. Good luck Henry.
A coronoer's inquest is a legal inquiry into the cause of a, often violent, death.As of yet it is not known if any one from the Pakistan squad like Inzamam-ul-Haq or Mushtaq Ahmad, key witnesses who were questioned twice, will be asked to witness at the coroner's inquest.
Inzamam-ul-Haq sat down with Fakhr-e-Alam of Geo Super and gave an exclusive interview. He was candid and often witty as he answered the tricky questions on the loss in the world cup, captaincy issues, religion, criticism from former players, next coach / captain, and the death of Bob Woolmer. F: But Inzamam, the Irish batsmen played on the same pitch and chased down your total. I: That is right they did it but you see when you have gotten any side out for 130 odd runs, its easy to chase down because you have 50 overs to do that task and no need to take undue risks. F: Ok fine, then what happened against West Indies. The match against them didnt have similar pitch and you had to chase less than 250 runs. I: Again, ok ... we did not play up to potential in that match... F: There we go again. So we didnt play well in that game too... I: Yes we did not. It was a chaseable total I agree, but if you see in West Indies targets around 250 are tough chases. You cant say it was an easy target. It was a tough target and If you look now in the results of the world cup, most teams who score this many runs batting first are able to save the game. F: Imran Khan has said that he doesnt understand why you didnt bowl Kaneria at the end of West Indies innings... what do you say about that? I: Well Imran Khan didnt understand a lot of things, i have heard... F: Imran Khan didnt understand a lot of things!!! I: Yes, but regardless he has his opinion and I have mine. I believed that the straight boundary was short and I didnt want to risk Kaneria in the slog overs with a short boundary. F: Imran Khan has always said that teams require talent, technique and temprament. Irish batsmen played against Umar Gul, Rao Iftikhar and Muhammad Sami on the same pitch. We know and agree and adore you that you have talent. We can see this country and team has talent. But what about the questions on temprament and technique? I: Let me answer about temprament. Muhammad Yousuf has broken a 130 years of record of having scored the most runs in a calendar year and... F: Thats a 30 year record! I: It is 30 year record because that many years ago some batsman scored the most runs in a calendar year. But since the history of the cricket uptil now, no one has scored as many runs in a calendar year as Muhammad Yousuf. So it is 130 year old record. So about this guy, what can I say, he must have temprament or you can not do that. Now come to Younus [Khan], if you look at his two year record I think his average is above 50. Now if I say that he does not have technique or temprament then I would be worng. Now if you talk about me, you can decide with my close to 12,000 runs that whether I have temprament or not. What we are left with are openers and yes we had issue there. F: Again with the openers. how long has this problem been! I: Yes this is a problem. F: Wasim Bari said that why should he resign as a selector. He used to give you a team and you wouldnt play it. You would play your own team? What would you say about that? I: How can I play my own team? Could I play from outside the 15 players that he would select from me? F: Then why would he say some thing like that? I: I dont know you should ask him that! I think when one looses, one should admit it. We lost the world cup and we accept it and I think Wasim Bari should also accept and admit it. According to the rules selectors have more power over the captain. Now if he was under my power then its either his weakness or more about my strength. F: People are saying that the captain was too strong and the captain did not listen to the selectors. I: Let me ask you one thing, if the captain was big headed or too strong then there must be some reason for it. Why doesnt some one ask these people what was the reason of the captain being too strong. Its being said that even if a peon was fired or a clerk was hired in the board it was due to the captain. Was I running the board, the first class system and every thing else as a captain? F: Yes, you said this same thing in the press conference too. I: Yes I did. F: Ok now come to the issue of Mushtaq Ahmad as an assistant coach and the firing of Waqar Younus as a bowling coach and it is said that you had pressurized the board to do both. Justice Quyyum had fined Mushtaq and advised that he not be given any official position with the pakistan cricket. Yet he was appointed assistant coach twice, did you pressurize the board? I: Lets talk about Waqar first... if you see, Waqar actually resigned from the position. Now I dont know what has been said and what people know but the fact is that he was due in South Africa for the test matches. I was told by Dr. Nasim Ashraf that Waqar had said this [waqar had said that he would resign if not taken to South Africa for the ODIs] and I told him that instead of resigning tomorrow, why dont you resign tonight. Now this is the truth of the matter that I had no knowledge of any thing prior to that. Now coming to Mushtaq, Justice Quyyum's recommendations. Were they sent to me? F: They were sent to the board... I: Yes to the board. So If I ask for some one and the board gives him to me, is it my fault? F: Its Pakistan Cricket Board's fault... I: I think that if one can represent Pakistan, one can also hold an official position. F: Inzamam, you are a religious man and thats great but your own people, even your tour media manager for the world cup, PJ Mir has said that the boys were focused on preaching more than winning matches. Why do you think this was said? I: This has been said before and personally I dont like to talk about it because I dont like that a muslim makes prayer an issue. But, as muslims if its time to pray then you should pray, in fact one should take time out to pray. Its must. PJ said things about praying in the plane... F: Yes about praying in the business class, calling for prayer and then offering prayers... I: Now if its time to pray in plane then one has to pray. I wasnt leaving batting practice to pray or Bob hadn't set up a net for me and I went off to pray. F: Inzamam, Imran Nazir and Azhar Mahmood were brought into the team suddenly. For some years the selectors didnt look at them, and then suddenly for the SA tour they were brought in and then selected for the world cup. I: If I select a player, or ask for one, then there is a reason behind it and I will answer all the questions. I will give you reason. None of the openers we tried were working. Imran Nazir is one player who on his day can stand up and demolish the opposition. Now he showed that in SA and then in the world cup as well. For me, I didnt know exactly but with my experience and the reports that were coming in, the pitches in the West Indies were supposed to be like the sub continent. On such ptiches Imran would have proven successful. So that was the thinking behind his selection. Azhar Mehmood is a simple case. One day before leaving, Razzaq got injured and he was out of the touring party. Now I had no choice. I needed some one to fill that role and Azhar has done it before. F: Ok. One thing we can see these days is that Imran, Aqib, Sarfraz and even the board itself is now saying that the loss of the world cup is due to you. The blame is on you and the responsibility is on you. I: It is said about me that I dont run very well. I am not going to run away now either. Yes, I accept responsibility for the loss. F: Very well. If now Younus [Khan] does not take the captaincy. You have said you will want to play Tests. Will you play under a younger captain? I: I think its an honor to play for Pakistan and even the younger captain will find it honorable to be captain. I have no problems playing under any one. F: Now lets talk about another major incident. One was the loss to Ireland, it happened. But then the death of Bob Woolmer which is now investigated as murder. Are you happy with the support you got from the board and overall situation? I: No. First thing to notice is that if the world cup had been taking place in Pakistan and such an incident would have happened. A coach of a foreign team is murdered. What would be the first issue that would be raised? F: Security! I: Exactly. One hotel has four international teams staying there and all of a sudden you have a murdered coach. They should be asked first what about the security situation. What kind of security have you provided? F: Inzamam, who do you see as a good coaching prospect for Pakistan? I: I believe that a coach and captain should be selected as soon as possible. The coach shouldnt be who has never coached at any level and suddenly made coach of Pakistan. He should have some experience in coaching at some level and should definitely be a good natured human being. F: Good nature is very important. Ok Inzamam, before we let you go, one final question. Is there a chance that if pressurized, you could make a come back in ODIs? I: No. This is a partial, unofficial transcript. Conversation with another guest, a senior journalist, is not included in this transcript. Disagree with my opinion? Let me know. Please leave me a message and I will reply right back.
Here is a transcript:
Fakhr-e-Alam (F): Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to Super Exclusive, where we have a very special guest with us, the ex Pakistan captain and a batting hero in his own, Mr. Inzamam-ul-Haq.
Inzamam, you have been a great servant of cricket for Pakistan but today we are here to talk about some issues which are very hotly debated in socieity's circles today.
Inzamam(I) : In the name of Allah, most gracious most benficient. Yes ofcourse I am here to talk to you and to the nation and I will try my best to answer all the questions.
F: Inzamam, what were the reasons for losing the game against Ireland. If you are asked to give 4-5 reasons, can you put them down here?
I: Yes I will ... give you reasons. I will give you ... two reasons.
As the Monday after Easter Sunday fades out, the memory of the late Pakistan coach, Bob Woolmer still shines bright. Amongst news reports that texicology reports on Bob will take four further weeks to arrive, the world cup moves on.
The rumor mills on the other hand is running full tilt. A host of bloggers are leading the effort. Theories including match fixing mafia and some lost chapters from Bob's upcoming manuscript are cited. On the other hand, the old fox of Pakistan cricket, Sarfraz Nawaz has been in the limelight once again. It was enough that he had come on Geo News and speculated how he knew bookies who had gone to the carribean, he is now being sued by Imran Khan and similar action is being researched by Shoaib Malik.
Sarfraz himself, has sued PCB chairman, Dr. Nasim Ashraf for ten crore rupees.
It is evident that in the absence of proper news from Jamaica, the bandwagon has found refuge in its own theatrics.
A stirring memorial service took place in South Africa in honor of late Bob Woolmer. The Pakistan coach was found dead, later declared murdered, on March 18, 2007. Among the mourners were Bob's wife and family, ex-South Africa players and Dr. Nasim Ashraf from Pakistan.
Many reports have appeared on the web and in print after the service. Bob's wife has been quoted saying that she tried to stop Bob from taking the Pakistan job. She also spoke of her wish that if Bob's upcoming book would stir up a storm, then it would rather not be published.
Interpol Expert Hired
Meanwhile, Interpol has been asked for help. A DNA expert has arrived in Jamaica to provide expertise in the most controversial and high profile murder mystery in the history of the carribean island.
The cricketing world is still seeking the texocology report which would confirm the poison theory mentioned here. It is a certainity now that the would be killers will not be lurking around the islands any more and most probably have left the country.
CCTV Identifies Possible Suspects
CCTV recordings have been digitized and rumors are abound that more than two people were seen entering Bob's room. It seems to a learned observer that such recordings dont always provide clear pictures for identification purposes. But atleast we now presumably know the number of people who entered the room and did not come out till long. Newspaper article in the Dawn mentioned that the Jamaican police may not report on the CCTV identities till the end of the world cup. It just dissolves the importanc of the finding because one would believe they would be bustling to make arrests and not hang around till the world cup is over and extends the dark shadow that already engulfs it completely.
Do not agree with my opinion? Let me know. Please leave a comment and I will reply right back.
The Jamaican police are now investigating the theory that Bob Woolmer was poisoned to incapacitate before being strangled.
Poison Suspected
The police received a lead that aconite, a cyanide-like poison. According to reports on Cricinfo, "Aconite causes internal organ failure and forces the victim's breathing to slow until it finally stops. Death is usually by asphyxiation within 30 minutes."
As discussed previously, the more we look at it, the more it seems like perhaps the initial coroner's report was not up to the mark.
Possible Scenario
If it is really a case of poisoning then it is entirely possible that:
CCTV Not Helpful
It now seems evident that even the CCTV tapes have not been fruitful in solving this mystery. Bob Woolmer's death during Cricket World Cup 2007, is now more than two weeks old and yet the police are still struggling to find a suitable and single reason of death.
Help Arrives from Britain, Pakistan
Four police officers from Scotland Yard, as well as two senior police investigators from Pakistan are due to arrive in Kingston tomorrow. Jamaican Police is adamant that this in no way means that they have reached the end of line or admit that they might have missed something during this investigation.
In light of how the controvercy is now shifting towards how this investigation has been handled, I am very pessimistic that we can get to hear a definitive reason of death or charges brought against any one.
Do not agree with my opinion? Let me know. Please leave me a comment and I will reply right back.
Read The Full Article!
The good folks at the forum Indian Cricket Fans posted a version of the Cricinfo site showing news items from Cricket World Cup 2011. The results are hillarious.
No doubt Indian and Pakistani fans disturbed with their team's quick removal from Cricket World Cup 2007 will like what they see.
Full Image
It is a day that 1.5 billion people of India and Pakistan looked forward to eversince the clash in World Cup 2003.
Pakistan vs. India becomes Ireland vs. Bangladesh
April 15, 2007. A day that will live in infamy. Where billions expected to watch a fervent, war like game of cricket between the two Asian giants, the events of the first round dictate that we will have to watch a less glorious, mostly insignificant game between Bangladesh and Ireland.
Ticket Holders Rue Black Saturday
Thousands of ticket holders are now ruing Black Saturday (March 17, 2007). The day of upsets, as they call it, saw Pakistan losing to minnows Ireland on a controversial pitch. In another game, fizzy Bangladesh brought down the might of India.
Indian and Pakistani cricket followers, primarily from USA, UK and Canada, had made ticket, flight and hotel arrangements to watch their favorite teams come head to head in a world cup fixture once again. These have always been well fought matches and historically India has a superiority over Pakistan in world cup games.
Now these fans, already broken hearted, are also facing losses of hundreds to thousands of dollars.
I will be watching the Bangladesh vs. Ireland game. I don't think I will be rooting for any one side, but I might just slightly favor the tigers.
Do not agree with my opinion? Let me know. Please leave me a comment and I will reply right back.
In Short Term:
Medium and long term plans (2007 - 2011)
Selection Committee
Was Bob Woolmer really murdered?
Did the police make an error in judgement?
Given the conditions of his hotel room, could there be another explanation?
These are the questions which must be answered correctly, quickly and finally. According to reports, the Jamaican police are about to order a second autopsy.
Well well well!!!
What do we have here? Mark Shields, the Deputy Police Commissioner says this might be needed if they make an arrest and lay a charge. I ask this of Mr. Shields, how sure is he that there was a crime committed at all. It seems to me that now there is a significant doubt in authenticity of this murder claim.
First Autopsy 'inconsistent'
When Ere Seshiah, the forensic pathologist, first declared the autopsy results 'inconsistent', it should have sent alarm bells ringing. But the confidence shown by the authorities in declaring it a murder case swept every one away. We genuinely believed that indeed, Bob Woolmer was murdered.
Condition of the Room
Let us examine the condition of the room. We know the following:
Is there a possible alternative?
Alternative Scenario
I have a couple. Could it be possible that:
It Still May Be Murder
The true intution is that it may still be a case of blatant murder. But the lack of progress by the Jamaican police in making an arrest, and now the reports of a second autoposy create severe doubts. This is fast approaching towards a mystery we may never be able to solve.
Read The Full Article!
Deputy Commissioner Shields in Jamaica has declared that the autopsy report on Bob Woolmer makes murder the official line of investigation.
Meanwhile, the Pakistani team has left Kingston after being questioned and fingerprinted. It seems the ordeal has got a second life after today's revelation.
It comes as a shock to every one and the worst fears have come true. It also brings forth a pandora box of questions and the police are now investigating them.
PJ Mir, Pakistan teams Communication Manager said in an interview that Bob had complained about loosing the proofs to a book he was writing. He had asked the team members if some one had seen the package and he was a bit disturbed about that. Its only speculation whether the book was about coaching, or life in Pakistan or it revealed secrets about corruption in the game. One has to say that there is this dark thought that we may be in for further shocks before this mystery is solved.
Almost 15 years from the day when Inzamam shone on the world cup stage against an unbeated New Zealand side in a semi-final, big Inzi could not stop his tears as he went past his team members who gave him a guard of honour at the end of his last ODI Innings.
It was a brisk innings. As if he was committed to shed the pressure he had faced since the last eight months. Hitting majestic sixes and boundaries in his 37 runs, he gave the innings another boast along with Imran Nazir.
It speaks a lot about Inzi's 17 year long illustreous career, that every Zimbabwe player greeted him as he began to walk towards the pavilion, one last time. He swung his bat above his head and seemed to be in control, but as he got close to the Pakistani players, tears swelled his eyes.
Younus Khan, the captain in waiting (?) was the first to offer support. The crowd on its feet, most admitted in later interviews that they had come mainly to bid farewell to Inzamam who they had liked very much.
Pakistani politics is weird so I can not say whether he will be selected for a Test match again, but the next opportunity to see Inzi will be in September. As for now, we remember a hero, who has been the backbone of Pakistani batting for so long, its hard to conjure pictures of what was before him.
Inzamam, the Pakistani nation is emotional and fragile. We may not seem like we deserved you, but rest assured, soon we will forget the turmoils of the last eight months and remember the best of Inzamam-ul-Haq. Good luck in what ever it is you wish to do.
When all is said and done, cricket will be all the lesser for the loss of Bob Woolmer. Please add your condolences and comments for Bob Woolmer's family at http://remember-bob.blogspot.com.
Read The Full Article!
