Breath of fresh air.

Pakistan women team's victory feels just like a breath of fresh air after inhaling the dust and smoke from the Lahore incidence last week. These girls need a lot of appreciation and support not only from PCB but from the whole nation. This shows to the rest of the world and specially to Australians that we are not a bunch of lunatics and also that our women are not only excellent professionals in other fields of life but an emerging force in sports as well. The blog by the captain is a must read for both young girls and boys and also very refreshing, specially after reading so much negative stuff about Pakistan cricket. I wish them all the best in the next game against England and if they win, maybe too much to to ask but miracles can happen, I will be treating all my English colleagues with Samosas.

Test cricket is in danger ...

Chris Gale and his team's attitude towards the game is shocking and very condemnable. The body language of the team is demoralising not only for youth of windies cricket but also for the test cricket lovers. On top of all that, the wickets we have seen in last few games add fuel to the burning coffin of the game. ICC must  act really fast and need to hit the nail right in the head instead of just taking useless steps like the new referral system. 

    The first and the foremost concern is the quality of the wickets. Current wickets, almost allover the world are in terrible state. This is not only reducing the interest in the game but will also have devastating impact on the quality of fast bowlers. If we keep going in that direction, we will never see stars like Marshal,Holding,Wasim,Waqar,McGrath....  

    The attacks in Lahore have not only taken precious lives but threatens test cricket, as there are dark clouds looming over Pakistan's test and ODI future. Both, ICC and PCB, are not going in the right direction to save the game from that horrible incidence. PCB need to hold its ground on the home games to be played locally and ICC need to support them for that. It is understandable that it is a steep climb but the steps need to be taken in the right direction not downwards. BCCI has not done any favours to PCB and the game, by offering to host the world cup matches to be played in Pakistan. The ACC need to be united on this and has to keep the game away from dirty politics in almost all the four member countries. If the level of Pakistan cricket drops, that means we will have even fewer test playing teams, that is not only an area of concern for Pakistan but for all test playing nations. 

    The other possibillty is, to introduce few changes to the longer version of the game as well, as we did to the shorter version. How about putting a limit to the number of overs, at least in the first innings of the game? Lets say maximum of 120 overs a team can bat in the first innings, if the bowling side get them out under that limit then they will have the option of using those overs on top of their quota of 120 overs. This will make sure that there will be no stupid 700 runs  scored to draw the game by team who is ahead in the series.  

    Watching the Eng vs WI game is painful, thank God Manchester united were playing, otherwise my flu would have  gotten worst, instead of getting better after four days off ill from work. 

Scars of war will remind us of our struggle...

The 'attack on Lahore' is yet another wake up call to a dozing nation. Honestly speaking, it was extremely disappointing that the thugs were allowed to walk away casually in broad daylight and nobody dared to stop them. Being a passionate fan of the game and a Pakistani, the pain of this incident is gnawing at my insides just as if somebody close had passed away. The goons who carried out this atrocity must feel satisfied, as they have delivered a significant blow: "Pakistan is at the brink of Isolation".

As to the people of Pakistan and our team, lets get straight back on our feet, shake the dust off and march on. We are down, but not out and never will be! Once we have beaten this menace, I'm sure we will come out stronger and these scars of war will remind us of our struggle. Our team must work even harder than before and prove that whenever or where ever we play; we play for the whole nation. Cricket is not just a game, it is the pride and joy of a despondent nation. As fans, we need to make sure we stand behind our team in this time of turmoil and emerge victorious in every aspect.