Boy, what a last week it was in world cricket!

Returning home after a hectic hospital duty, other than doing studies, I relax my mind by watching cricket or giving opinion pieces on the website I work for. Cricket gives me pleasure and relieves my stress. But the last week wasn’t a stress reliever. Leaving few, many things in cricket didn’t impress me at all.

Poor advertisement by Mahela Jayawardene:

After a heroic show by Asad Shafiq and injured Adnan  Akmal, Pakistan gave Sri Lanka a target of 270 runs to chase within 71 overs on the final day of the third Test at Pallekele. The track was flat and the Sri Lankan batsmen gave an inspiring reply while chasing. With Sangakkara in full swing, Sri Lanka needed 76 runs from nine overs to register a win. But in utter disbelief of all Mahela Jayawardene aborted the chase and halted a fascinating finish. I didn’t expect such sort of act from such a dynamic personality like Mahela Jayawardene.

The target wasn’t unattainable by any means on a track that was as flat as a pancake. In my opinion it had been a poor advertisement of Test cricket by Sri Lanka. When the future of Test cricket is at stake then such a move simply indicates how reluctant the players are to give their best shot in Test cricket. I guess erasing the Murali-hangover was more important than winning a match. Mahela, you lost it even after winning the series.   

Azhar Ali and Asad Shafiq, those two Pakistani pals of mine:

Who is after Javed Miandad? Who is after Inzamam-ul-Haq and Saeed Anwar? Who is after Younis Khan, Mohammad Yousuf and Misbah-ul-Haq? Well, you have Azhar Ali and Asad Shafiq. In the Test series against Sri Lanka these two Pakistani young guns fought like gladiators. In the moments of crisis these two batsmen gave their best shot to lift Pakistan’s spirit. Azhar is an elegant willow artist while Asad is all about guts and confidence. Mind you, both these batsmen have a sound technique and a tough temperament. In times to come the world will see them grow as iconic figures. But my fear is with the mysterious world of Pakistan cricket. Can they preserve these two gems?

The name of the sparkle is Junaid Khan:

The ball that jagged back in and disturbed Sangakkara’s timber was an exhibition of superb fast bowling and the fats bowler was a Pakistani bloke, Junaid Khan. In terms of talent he’s nowhere near Mohammad Amir but has the dash and exuberance to carry on the legacy of his ancestors with utmost pride. Junaid Khan has been a revolution for Pakistan in the recently concluded Test series Pakistan. He can generate pace and like his past masters he is an exponent of late and reverse-swing. Junaid Khan is here to stay and dazzle the cricket world.

I am frustrated as a Pakistani cricket fan:

The series defeats against Sri Lanka had been frustrating for a die hard Pakistani fan like me. Pakistan’s tremendous run in Test cricket for the last one year has been halted. To get back in rhythm isn’t an easy task and losing the gained momentum is another frustrating thing. Pakistan gained an amazing momentum Test cricket after a horrendous tour to England in 2010. But it has been lost in Sri Lanka.

Since the Test series against England this year I am missing the harmonious tune in team Pakistan. I guess Dave Whatmore isn’t making an ideal blend which Mohsin and Waqar once did. In my opinion, nothing better than a local coach and in case of Pakistan it’s very important. Pakistan’s major successes in world cricket have always come under a local coach. Sadly, Pakistan’s board doesn’t realize this.

If you serve the country, you’ll serve the God also:

Zimbabwe’s wicketkeeper-batsman, Tatenda Taibu, last week announced his retirement from international cricket because he felt his true calling now lied in doing the Lord’s work. Good thinking but he should realize that serving the country is also equal to serving the Lord. With the T20 World Cup knocking at the door such sort of decision isn’t encouraging at all.

Oh no! Boucher:

In a tour match against Somerset South African ace wicketkeeper Mark Boucher injured his eye. While wicketkeeping a bail hit Boucher’s left eye and forced him to retired hurt and later on the severity of the injury forced him to announce his retirement from international cricket. I was speechless.

I am privileged to watch him grow as a stature. For the last 14 years, he has been a true warrior for South Africa, a warrior who gave everything for his country and asked nothing. He was undoubtedly one of the finest assets for world cricket. Like me, many weren’t ready for such a tragic exit. I was expecting a heroic retirement. Certainly an exit to make one’s eyes full of tears. His retirement made certain emptiness in world cricket which can’t be filled easily.

Goodbye Brett Lee:

It’s one of those nasty injuries that let the Australian blond-haired dashing fast bowler Brett Lee to say goodbye to international cricket. With Brett Lee, I don’t have any thrilling and exciting moments. He was a good fast bowler but couldn’t generate tremendous thrill and chill like Shoaib Akhtar. As a fast bowler, in my book Shoaib Akhtar will always be ahead of Brett Lee.

But Lee carried on the legacy of fast bowling alongside Shoaib in an era where the batsmen ruled more. In that sense he demands respect as many in that era shun fast bowling and concentrated more on line and length type bowling. He had been a true servant for Australian cricket. Goodbye Brett Lee.

Does the West Indies realize their potentials?

The West Indians have registered an ODI series win over a Test nation, other than Bangladesh and Zimbabwe, since April 2008. With the inclusion of Gayle the team has gained a different dimension and looks a better outfit than ever. Men like Pollard, Dwayne Bravo, Andre Russell and Sunil Narine are gritty customers in limited-overs cricket and for which the West Indies can be regarded as one of the most dangerous side in the upcoming T20 world cup.

But does the West Indies realize their true potentials? Do they realize that they bear a favorite tag? Realizing one’s potential and then utilizing it the right way is very important in reaching the pinnacle of glory. The West Indians’ true success depends on realizing their potentials and its proper utilization. At the moment they are looking good but how they maintain this rhythm will be matter to watch out for.

So an eventful week for cricket came to an end – a week which saw the retirement of legendary cricketers in a rather upsetting manner, a week which observed a frustrating response from a dynamic captain, a week which saw the derailment of a team’s fine run in Test cricket, but leaving these less encouraging affairs the last week also observed the emergence of new talents and the potentials of a team which has the fire power to reach the top if they use their talents in the right way.