BCCI must rope in Kapil Dev to groom fast bowlers

There is a perception amongst common cricket fans that India is a graveyard when it comes to producing quality pace bowlers. After Kapil Dev there have been only Javagal Srinath and Zaheer Khan who glorified the legacy of fast bowling in India. There is a hue and cry amongst Indian cricket experts about the lack of pace bowlers whereas India's neighbour Pakistan tends to deliver speed merchants like a smiling paddy field. Pakistan is a fertile land for fast bowlers whereas India are the opposites.

But is India really incapable of producing quality pace bowlers? I slightly disagree with this concept. Over the years, India has produced quick men, though not as gifted as those in Pakistan. Though Kapil and Srinath and Zaheer did India proud there have plenty of others who showed much promises only to fade away in the course of time.

These include Ajit Agarkar, Harvinder Singh, Irfan Pathan, Sreesanth and Munaf Patel, among others; all bowlers who emerged as encouraging packages but in the long run did not cope with the demands of international cricket.

There have been other reasons offered for their overall failures to become leading fast bowlers. In my opinion, these young prodigies lacked a proper mentor to survive in the competitive world of international cricket. They were never given the type of nurturing which is necessary for a pace bowler to accomplish a 10-year career stint with success.

Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis burst onto the scene as prodigies but their long term success was the result of Imran Khan's astute guidance. Similarly, Dale Steyn, Morne Morkel and Vernon Philander are talents of high quality but for their successful existence they can't deny the contributions of Allan Donald. But sadly, the promising Indian pacemen were never under the watchful eyes of a true master.

As a matter of fact, India does have the mentor but he has been underutilized. The MRF Pace Academy is headed by foreigners whereas in their own land there is Kapil, the man who had given India hope and a shot of pace with his nippy, effective swing bowing. Since Kapil's retirement, India have only summoned the man in 1999 to coach a young side.

The relationship between Kapil and the BCCI is a sore one and for which Kapil was aloof from Indian cricket. A legend like Kapil doesn't deserve such treatment. For the future of Indian pace bowling, the BCCI should've thought of getting benefited from Kapil. Kapil would have been ideal for the likes of Munaf or Irfan, providing necessary guidance. He would have been the perfect person to nurture these younger talents. But it was not to be.

Indian cricket is going through a transition phase. Such times often produce young talents and Bhuvneshwar Kumar is one of them. Rather than being accurate, his ability to swing the ball at will is brilliant. But Kumar should be nurtured and that is where Kapil should come in. Only an Indian pace bowler can read the minds of a young quick. The Indian culture has always been too busy in focusing on batting talents; pace bowlers have rarely been their subject of interest.

It is not true that fast bowlers don't emerge in India. They do, but worryingly they fade away due to improper man management. There had been no person brought forward to build these young talents. The time has come to seek Kapil's help. Whether the BCCI has Kapil in their plans remains a moot question. I hope good sense prevails.

Note: This article had been published on January 24, 2014 on cricketnext.com BCCI must rope in Kapil Dev to groom fast bowlers

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Faisal Caesar

Passionate Bangladeshi cricket fans will uplift BPL 2

So there will be no Pakistani players in season two of the Bangladesh Premiere League. The Pakistan Cricket Board has denied to give No-objection certificates (NOCs) to its star players and they did it as Bangladesh declined to tour Pakistan last year. The Bangladesh Cricket Board had set a deadline of 1pm BST on January 16 for the PCB to decide whether it will send their players to play in the BPL or not. But at the eleventh hour, the PCB declined.

It's a sad affair. The relationship between the BCB and PCB has gone from cold to colder. And for all this, the factor which has to be blamed are Mustafa Kamal's useless dramas. All the tussle, the chaos and the confusion have been the result of Kamal's twisted attitude.

In this tough world of cricket losing a friend is always handy. And as Bangladesh doesn't enjoy the company of too many well-wishers in world cricket, so the cold relationship with its neighbor Pakistan cannot be encouraging. The same goes for Pakistan. In its most critical condition in world cricket they too cannot afford to lose a friend. For one man's twisted attitude it is the cricket fans who are suffering the most.

There is a fear that this mega event will lack brightness due to the absence of the Pakistani players who were instrumental in last year's BPL. Players like Ahmed Shehzad, Mohammad Sami, Imran Nazir, Nasir Jamshed and Shahid Afridi had boosted the BPL with their charisma and skill. The first season had pace and thrill and the cocktail of our local heroes and foreign stars had made it one of the most memorable events of 2012.

Sadly, this year's BPL will proceed without a dynamic cocktail. Even though the franchises are searching for replacements for the Pakistani players - it is also rumored that the Sri Lankan cricket board has come forward to help - but nothing is sure yet.

Such a critical situation leaves the BCB to invest its faith in its local stars. And the board, without showing any signs of fear or frustrations, has confidently decided to move on.

Personally, I am not a fan of such Twenty20 leagues. The instant adrenaline rush has never attracted me. I can't discover an ideal chemistry in Twenty20 leagues. But in this year's BPL, the BCB's determination to proceed on with our local stars has caught my attention. The BCB didn't beg or compromise.

Normally, foreign stars remain the most magnetic presence and such leagues reach a peak of excellence because of the dazzling displays of these enigmatic cricketers. There might not be an Afridi or Jamshed in full throttle but you can be sure that a Shakib Al Hasan or Tamim Iqbal will fire on all cylinders and blitz the Mirpur sky. It's a unique opportunity to prove to the world that such mega events can be set on fire by local stars too. It's an opportunity to prove our self-efficiency.

Moreover, the reactions of our cricket fans during this event will also be a matter of great interest. The stepping back of the PCB has made 16 crore Bangladeshi fans even more determined to increase their presence in the stadiums to support this event and make it a super hit.

In fact, BPL 2 is already a hit. The buzz around the country is electrifying. The Bangladeshi fan's emotions are attached with the country's cricket. In any crisis of our cricket, the ardent fans have always been there with their full support. And be sure that in this critical situation of our cricket it is the fans' passionate support which will uplift BPL 2013.

Note: This article has been published today in cricketnext.com  Passionate Bangladeshi cricket fans will uplift BPL 2

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Faisal Caesar

What has happened to New Zealand?

South Africa comprehensively had nailed the Kiwis with two successive innings defeats to claim their supremacy in Test cricket in modern times. Their bowlers were utterly hostile while the batsmen piled up runs effortlessly. But such hostility and fluency were made to look even brighter by the Kiwis lack-of-heart performances. Since the Test series started in January 2, the Kiwi batsmen were unable to hold their own while the bowlers were left stranded.

The Kiwis started the new year in a shameful manner by getting skittled out for just a mere 45 runs in the first innings and since then there had been nothing but spineless surrenders both by the batsmen and bowlers. Even though, over the past few decades, despite not having champions like a Richards or Warne; the Kiwis have always been the symbol of a fighting unit. But this New Zealand side sinks without even trying to swim.

Something is seriously wrong!

It’s not that the present soldiers of the New Zealand side lack talent. With people like BJ Watling, Doug Bracewell, Dean Brownlie, Kane Williamson or  Boult there are enough promises but at some point of time they are unable to produce their best performances. They are found wanting. This young promising side lacks the passion, purpose and heart to dish out the fight which they are expected to do so. They seemed like a ship without a rudder and their problems can be attributed to a vacuum in the captaincy post where there is no imagination and inspiration.

In 1997, a young Stephen Fleming was made the captain of a New Zealand side which was passing through a transitional phase. But what Fleming did was to make that New Zealand side dream big, chase that dream and hardly let his men left stagnant. For a brief period of time, the Kiwis relished some outstanding successes over some giants of the game. The batsmen showed character and temperament, the bowlers hunted for wickets while the fielders were athletic backed up by some clinical imaginative captaincy.

Yes, to bring the best out from a young unit requires imaginative and inspirational captaincy. What New Zealand need is an inspirational leader who will not only lead by an example but also will guide these young guns to travel through the troubled waters of international cricket. This young team needs to dream bigger, this young team need to chase their dreams. And at present there’s none other than Ross Taylor who is apt and appropriate to lead this demoralized unit. The sooner the New Zealand higher officials realize this, the better it will be for their cricket future. 

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Faisal Caesar

Hello BCB!

The much hyped BPL (Bangladesh Premiere League) seems to have been overshadowed by the tour to Pakistan and the participation of the Pakistani players in the BPL. As the BCB denied to tour Pakistan this year again, the PCB chief has taken a stern stance regarding the participation of the Pakistani stars in the glamourous show. In turn, PCB has planned to launch their own T20 league in the name of PSL (Pakistan Super League).

With a number of big names declining to participate in BPL as it collides with their respective international schedules, the lack of star players from the top cricket playing nations in the BPL has left it with the risk of loosing shine and attraction. By the way, the BCB is again all set to send an inspection team to Pakistan to inspect its security. You know what, the security will again come up with a satisfactory result. Surely, they won’t be aware of the recent bomb attack in Quetta and regarding which Imran Khan said that the situation has deteriorated to an extent that even personnel of law enforcement agencies and media men were not safe.

With the satisfactory security results there will be another tour schedule and Pakistani players will be given a green flag to take part in BPL. But again, whether to tour or not to tour debate will start. The ugly fights between the Pakistani and Bangladeshi fans in Facebook pages will reach it’s maximum heights.

The BCB will be in the soup. I feel sorry for the present BCB chief. But thankfully, he has been able to realize who is the main culprit behind all these chaos and confusions. No matter how many times Mr. Mustafa Kamal will deny about the written commitment to Pakistan about the tour, not even a single person will believe him.  Only to fulfill his dream of becoming the ICC’s vice-president, Kamal has played with the emotions of the fans of both the countries.  

But there is a commitment and that has to be fulfilled.  Let the security team inspect the situation and pass an opinion not with the motto of participation of the Pakistani players in BPL, but keeping the security of our boys in mind. We wish to help Pakistan. We have not forgotten the help Pakistanis did for our cricket. But we care for our boys’ security. Until and unless there’s a stability in Pakistan the tour must not commence. A Pakistani must ask themselves whether it will be fair enough to tour their country amid such a critical condition.

I am not enjoying this tussle, this deteriorated relationship between the two countries. I wish a healthier relationship between all the subcontinental countries. Both the country’s fans must judge the reality and then decide whether to fight or not.

    

But more than this Pakistan tour drama and BPL, my interests are in some other issues. The BCB is so much busy with the Pakistan tour and BPL that they have forgotten that our boys are still without a national coach. With the Sri Lankan tour knocking at the doors, the BCB must take this matter with a greater importance. At present the bowling coach is performing as the main coach’s role and if the BCB thinks then he’s able enough to coach our boys the without a delay they must appoint him as our national coach through proper contracts. And if not, then, appoint a coach as soon as possible. People like John Wright or Ian Pont are quite eligible to be the Tigers’ coach. 

  

Bangladesh will play six Test matches this year. It’s a great oppourtunity for the boys in proving themselves as a well-equipped unit in the 5-day format. The time has come to shut the critic’s mouth through performance. Last year’s performance tells us how well the Tigers have come to terms with the 50-over format. And this year the Tigers must prove their abilities through patience and composure in the 5-day format too.

In 2012, one of BCB’s finest approaches has been the introduction of the franchise-backed first class cricket league – the BCL (Bangladesh Cricket League) where each game spans around 4 days with the final to be played in 5 days. Such sort of initiatives help in developing the temperament for the longer-versions and also helps to chalk out talents suitable for Test cricket. And we discovered Marshal Ayub and Saqlain Sajib at their sublime best through the BCL.

Over the years, Ayub and Saqlain have been the name of consistency and time and again  they have proved their worths to claim a place in the Test side. With plenty of left-arm spinners around, Saqlain’s selection might just be tough but Marshall Ayub’s selection is a must as our batting order requires the composure and appetite-for-runs of Marshall Ayub. I just hope that good sense prevail amongst the selectors and they select the Test teams by not wearing the Chittagong-sunglasses!

Thank You

Faisal Caesar

Junaid and Irfan, a potent fast-bowling pair

Over the last two decades, amid the chaos and instability, the production of thrilling fast bowlers from Pakistan has been in an eyebrow-raising regularity. Since the trend set by the majestic Imran Khan Pakistan have, over the years, turned out likes of Wasim, Waqar, Aaqib, Shoaib Akhtar and many others. Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Amir were the last of the green leopards to et the cricketing world on fire. Sadly, they got lost.

But Pakistan's pace factory is run by passion and this passion to become a fast bowler has unearthed two left-hand bowlers whose exhibitions are nothing but bone-chilling. In the recently concluded series against India, Junaid Khan and Mohammad Irfan hustled and bustled the opposition batsmen with pace, bounce and movement. Both of them rattled the timber with such regularity that it seemed that a wood chopper was chopping the wood with all his might.

At 7 foot 1 inch, Mohammad Irfan is a giant. At first look one would guess that he is a contender for the Pakistan basketball team. But after witnessing him bowl, you sit back and discover that this man was born to carry on the legacy of Joel Garner and Curtly Ambrose. Like the two aforementioned West Indians, Irfan utilizes his height immensely. He has an unerring accuracy and his height enables him to extract bounce even from unresponsive tracks. He bounces the ball from a nagging length with steep pace, and to compound the agony, Irfan also swings the bowl straight into the blockhole.

On the other hand, Junaid Khan's boyish look - with a dab of flair with his Aamir Khan-like patch of hair from Dil Chahta Hai - gives the impression of a Bollywood rookie all set to rock the silver screen. But with the ball in hand, Junaid gave the Indian batsmen a torrid time, especially with his incoming deliveries. In Chennai, Virat Kohli didn't have any clue as to what jagged back in to disturb his timber, Virender Sehwag was ripped apart by a vicious nip-backers; Gautam Gambhir seemed less

assured while the tail begged for mercy. Junaid's asset is his discipline in length. Consistently he moves the ball from a good length. If Pakistan's most cherished darling, reverse swing, gets included in his armory then Junaid will be even more of a threat.

Cricket pundits are getting nostalgic from watching the chemistry between Irfan and Junaid. With sizzling aggression and astonishing wicket-taking abilities while bowling in tandem, Junaid and Irfan have raised hopes of a new fast-bowling Pakistan pair. It would be an unnecessary burden to tag them as the next Wasim and Waqar, especially since Irfan is 30, and would only create useless the pressure of expectations. They must always be hungry for success. And above all, the PCB must save them from their ugly whims.

Note: This article was published in cricketnext.com in January 10, 2013  Junaid and Irfan, a potent fast-bowling pair

Thank You

Faisal Caesar

Spirited Pakistan, determined Pakistan

 “But you can’t just dare to write off Pakistan by any means. These men are a different kettle of fish. They always have the element of danger. No Pakistan side will ever act accordingly to your predictions. Either they will implode or they will crush you. And above all, when the opposition is India, they will come roaring to crush mercilessly. They will display determination of the highest quality with an unimaginable spirit”

The vociferous crowd at the Eden Gardens had started to walk towards the exit doors as the home team was on the verge of digesting another humiliating defeat at the hands of their old enemy Pakistan.

In the last ball of the 48th over, Junaid Khan dished out a ripping Yorker to uproot the off-stump of Ishant Sharma to secure the ODI series with a 2-0 lead. Junaid screamed with joy amid a silent Eden Gardens.

It was chilly weather at Kolkata and hazy due to fog. But through the foggy windows of nature, my imaginative eyes witnessed the shower of flowers from the heavens, paying tribute to the enormous amount of spirit and determination of the Pakistani cricket team. Sadly, the home team lost.

Sadly, the home team were down and dusted.

But, deep down, they must pay homage to the opposing team’s strong determination which proved even stronger than them.

If I have to mention one factor which proved critical behind Pakistan’s victory over India in India then it would be the rock-solid determination.

Other than the Greenwash in the Test series against England and the Asia Cup win, Pakistan didn’t have a chummy 2012.

Especially, in the limited-overs they were found wanting due to fragile batting display or hopeless fielding.

On the other hand, on home soil, India’s record in limited-over versions have been very encouraging despite dismal performances in Test cricket. In a sense, a cricket pundit would not like to bet on Pakistan  - Wasim Akram predicted a series win in favour of India.

But you can’t just dare to write off Pakistan by any means. These men are a different kettle of fish. They always have the element of danger. No Pakistan side will ever act accordingly to your predictions. Either they will implode or they will crush you. And above all, when the opposition is India, they will come roaring to crush mercilessly. They will display determination of the highest quality with an unimaginable spirit.

In the First T20I, they came back strongly after being dented earlier by a strong Indian start and rattled the Indian batting line up and they again rose to the occasion to stabilize a wrecked Pakistani ship, jolted by Bhuveneswar Kumar, with composure and notch up a thrilling win. Yuvraj proved handy in the Ahmedabad T20I but it was not enough to dent the momentum of Pakistani determination.

Through clinical performances, the men in green registered two back to back wins over the Indians in an emphatic fashion.

This Pakistani team has been different.

There was some fragility but somehow composure prevailed in a sound manner to maintain Pakistan’s staggering show on the Indian soil. Cricket experts will give various opinions regarding Pakistan’s bowling, discipline with batting and fielding and so on.

But Hafeez and Malik’s patient partnership at Bengaluru, Junaid’s consistent nippy line and length, Irfan’s guile, Gul’s energy, Kamran Akmal’s discipline behind the stumps or Nasir Jamshed’s cute willow exhibition aren’t just discipline and composure but cropped up from the determination to do well against India on Indian soil.

Nothing makes a Pakistani team more united, more focused and spirited than playing against India on Indian soil. Somehow, a bunch of wild leopards gels together to form a ferocious force to tear away anyone who comes in front of them. The crowd, the conditions or the soil which should have enlightened the Indian spirit, ended up enlightening the Pakistani spirit. They demolished their arch-rivals in grand style.

The empty stadiums in Lahore, Karachi, Rawalpindi, Multan etc. aren’t sad with their emptiness. The crowd back in Pakistan is joyous. Amid political turmoils, this victory is just like fresh air for the ill-fated nation.

Well done Pakistan!

Note: This article has been posted at Cricketsoccer as CSdesk on 04/01/2021 Spirited Pakistan, determined Pakistan

Thank You

Faisal Caesar

The BCB must change its attitude to the Pakistan tour

Bangladesh were all set to tour Pakistan in April 2012 after a deal was made between the BCB and PCB where the Pakistan board would back the then BCB chief Mustafa Kamal as the nominee for the ICC vice-president post. But sadly, the tour did not happen as a Dhaka court order embargoed the series. Bangladesh were supposed to play three ODIs and two T20Is. Time moved on and the proposed series looked a possibility again.

Kamal's dream of becoming the ICC vice-president came true and his legacy as BCB chief was to be carried on by Nazmul Hassan, an MP from the ruling party. On November 1, 2012 Hassan revealed that the BCB had made a written commitment to the PCB on touring the country in the latter part of 2012. Hassan said that necessary steps would be taken regarding the tour and didn't reveal by whom the letter was sent. Hassan and the BCB were in the second phase of talks with the PCB as the first phase which was about the security issues had been dealt satisfactorily.

Bangladesh's tour to Pakistan was scheduled before the start of the Bangladesh Premier League and it included a solitary ODI and T20I. One could realize the joy amongst passionate Pakistani fans who were yearning for the return of international cricket to Pakistan.

On December 31, 2012, while addressing a press conference, Hassan said that the tour to Pakistan had been ruled out for the moment neither saying 'yes' or 'no'. "The ICC minutes have it that we have made an unconditional commitment to tour Pakistan. But there is concern among us about the country's security situation, it has deteriorated. We don't think it will be wise to visit Pakistan at this time," he said.

But Hassan and his men did have a satisfactory talk regarding the security of Pakistan while they were in conversation in the first phase. Now, if the meeting regarding the security had been satisfactory enough then why this sudden stepping back by the BCB remains a moot question. In fact, Pakistan's security has been too shaky for the last couple of months. I don't think the BCB slept while the Polio Vaccine workers were attacked, Malala was shot or during the serial bomb blasts that had been taking place in many areas of Pakistan. Bearing such incidents in mind was it apt and appropriate by the BCB to wave a green flag regarding the Pakistan tour?

Rather than being non-committal, the BCB must come to a specific decision. If they wish to tour then they should proceed accordingly and if they don't wish to tour then they should say no straight way. This drama isn't doing any good to Bangladesh's image. In fact, this game of yes-or-no is questioning our commitments.

Sadly, the cricket fans of both the countries are the ones suffering. The war of words between fans on both sides on social websites is pathetic. As a matter of fact, Bangladesh and Pakistan cricket fans have never been at daggers drawn. Again, other than their army, the common people of Pakistan are very kind and humble towards Bangladesh and convey their utmost sadness regarding 1971. But the much cherished relationship is getting soured due to the twisted attitude of the BCB.

If the BCB had given a written commitment to Pakistan then it becomes a responsibility for Bangladesh to tour Pakistan. Bangladesh should respond to those fans that are deprived of cricket for the last three and half years. We mustn't forget Pakistan's help in building our cricket when we had no hope. We were provided coaches from them, they had provided us ample support in the ICC regarding our Test status, they had supplied us players for our Dhaka League in the 90's when cricket was still not popular and in last year's BPL it had been their players who were instrumental in making the tournament a mega hit.

Bangladesh must not neglect Pakistan. Their board has always been helpful towards us. We can't deny that. But yes, before that Pakistan must ensure a full-proofed security and the BCB must monitor it thoroughly before saying yes. The BCB must stop its twisted attitude regarding the tour and be specific.

Note: This article has been published today in Cricketnext.com  The BCB must change its attitude to the Pakistan tour

Thank You

Faisal Caesar