Why Mohammad Amir deserves a second chance?

Recently, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) sent a letter to International Cricket Council (ICC), international cricket’s governing body to review the conditions of Mohammad Amir’s spot-fixing ban. As per the revised anti-corruption code, banned players could be allowed to return to domestic cricket before the end of their penalty if they meet certain criteria.

According to PCB, Amir has fulfilled all the criteria and thus qualifies for reintegration.

Mohammad Amir was handed a five-year ban from the game after being found guilty of bowling no-balls on demand during the Lord’s Test against England in 2010. His teammates, Mohammad Asif and Salman Butt were also handed bans. A year later, a London court handed out jailed terms to the three players and their agent.

 As a nation, Pakistan is wading through troubled waters and it is their sportsmen who, generally give them joy and pleasure to overcome the depressive situations. But this saga had hurt the passionate Pakistani cricket followers badly. Though Asif and Butt received no sympathy, many empathized with Amir simply because of his age and talent.

After ICC’s revised anti-corruption code, it seems that Mohammad Amir will be able to rekindle his international career. But few people don’t feel that Mohammad Amir should be allowed to feature in the national team again. According to them, his presence will pollute the dressing room environment and kill the desire to play the game.

Forgiveness is a trait that needs to be implemented in Amir’s case

I can realize those people’s anger regarding Amir’s crime and I endorse their feelings. But I also believe that forgiveness is a great virtue and a beautiful trait that cannot be practiced by all. It is one such character which is easier to preach than to practice. It requires a great magnanimity to forgive whether that person is a friend or an enemy and like Mahatma Gandhi said, “The weak can never forgive. Forgiveness is the attribute of the strong“

I agree that Amir had committed a crime and such an act tarnished the image of his nation and defamed the gentleman’s game, but one must not forget how naive and immature Amir was during that time. He was just a kid who came from a poor family and got excited by sudden fame and cash. He shook hands with the wrong people and thus, lost his way. For a kid like Amir, who hails from a poor family, such mistakes are not surprising and for which rather than leaving such kids in the cold, we must help them to rectify themselves.

Mohammad Amir deserves a second chance and it’s the duty of his teammates, cricket board and fans to welcome him and help him to flourish further.

As an optimistic person, I don’t think that his presence will diminish the desire to win or hamper the environment of the dressing room. But, the presence of a mercurial talent like Amir will act as a motivating factor. Not only Pakistan cricket, but world cricket also needs a talent like Amir. Talents like Mohammad Amir are born once in a few years and it’s hard to ignore such a prodigy.

Mohammad Amir has learnt from his mistakes

Years of struggle and trying circumstances have changed Amir a lot. He has tried his best to correct himself. Two years back in an interview Amir said, “I am cautious about trusting people. Just because a person appears to be nice doesn’t mean he is a good friend. He is obviously not if he pulls you down when he sinks himself”.

He continued, “There are situations in everyone’s life when one has to decide quickly about what to do. Choose the right way and forget about what will happen next because eventually it won’t be as bad as if you chose the wrong way”.

Shouldn’t Amir be given another opportunity? If Italy’s Paolo Rossi and West Indian Marlon Samuels can be forgiven, then why not Amir?

You have to forgive Mohammad Amir and if you can’t forgive him then the words of George Herber echo in my ears, “He that cannot forgive others, breaks the bridge over which he himself must pass if he would ever reach heaven; for everyone has need to be forgiven”.

Note: This article has been published in Sportskeeda on 25/11/2014 Why Mohammad Amir deserves a second chance?

Thank You
Faisal Caesar

Pakistan cricket - Misbah-ul-Haq is a better captain than Imran Khan?

Some people simply make me angry when they say that Misbah-ul-Haq is a better captain than Imran Khan as because Misbah has won more Test matches than the Lion. Please do remember that the statistics don’t always give you the true picture. I am also aware of stats but while judging a cricketer I don’t only rely on them.

Misbah-ul-Haq might have won more Test matches, but he has not been successful outside home. His record in South Africa is shoddy while he has even failed to do well in Sri Lanka where he was supposed to do well as because the conditions were not alien. And again, Misbah-ul-Haq’s captaincy has never tested against the likes of Australia and England on their own backyard. Above all, Misbah’s Pakistan have never been a very consistent side under him and more often proved to be a very mediocre unit.

Misbah can be praised for stabilizing this team since 2010, but cannot be claimed as among the best captains as to be the best you need to have intelligence, courage and skill. I ask you, does Misbah possess all these?

Imran Khan was an ideal blend of intelligence, courage and skill. Imran Khan was POWER!

Under Imran Khan Pakistan developed into one of the most feared side in the world cricket. He galvanized a young unit into world beaters.

Imran’s men produced results outside home more and proved to be the most competent side in all conditions and against the top oppositions. Especially, against the mighty West Indies of 1980s, Imran and his young guns consistently challenged them in Test cricket. When all the others used to struggle against the Caribbean, Imran Khan’s team always used to make them sweat.

Be it winning trophies or be it conquering adversities or be it dishing out results in a consistent manner; Imran Khan’s men were simply brilliant.

And as a captain an Imran Khan is born once. Pakistan will get another Misbah, but they will never be able to produce another Imran. Imran was not only a high class allrounder, but as a captain he is still regarded as one of the best in the history of cricket – shrewd cricketing brain with plenty of innovative ideas and immensely courageous.

If you are still judging players on the basis of just stats then please mate, get a life!

Thank You

Faisal Caesar

Shakib Al Hasan has proved his worth again

The pressure of expectations on Shakib Al Hasan always remains high and to play for a team like Bangladesh, who have been the underachievers in world cricket till now, is never an easy task. He carries the hope of sixteen crore Bangladeshis. Even if Bangladesh lose, the loyal fans of Bangladesh cricket will be satisfied if Shakib does well. He is the heartbeat of every Bangladeshi.

Be it a rickshaw driver, a daily labourer or an elite, all will ask you first about Shakib’s whereabouts before Bangladesh’s position in a match. People will gather in front of those luxurious television shops whenever Shakib takes the center stage. If he hits a six or four or grabs a wicket, there will be a huge roar and it seems that one man has been able to capture the imagination of a nation which is in need of a hero.

Such has been Shakib’s impact not only over Bangladesh cricket, but over the whole country.

But amid those glorious performances and finest moments, Shakib Al Hasan’s cricketing journey has also been affected by controversies. And this year, most of the times, he has hit the headlines for all the wrong reasons.

He suffered a three-match suspension on February for making a lewd gesture on live television. He missed two important matches for Bangladesh during the Asia Cup and he returned with a bang against Pakistan, but sadly the Tigers had lost a nail-biter to Shahid Afridi’s magic.

No sooner had things started to calm down, Shakib was handed another suspension by the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) in July as he disregarded the protocol by leaving the dressing room during the first one-day international against India and getting involved in an altercation with a spectator, who had allegedly harassed Shakib's wife.

Shakib’s absence was heavily felt and had made the Tigers to suffer as they struggled to get back on the winning track. The BCB also started to feel his importance.

In August, the BCB had reduced his suspension from six months to two-and-a-half months and for which he was available for selection for the series against Zimbabwe. Shakib bounced back in style.

He had announced his comeback by bagging six wickets in the first innings of Mirpur Test and in the second Test at Khulna, he simply blew away the Zimbabwean team both with the bat and ball. By dismissing Elton Chigumbura, he became the third cricketer to score a hundred and bag ten wickets in the same Test match. Imran Khan and Sir Ian Botham had done this before Shakib.

Moreover, since 2000, only on five occasions that a player has scored a century and taken a five-wicket haul in a Test match and three of those have been by Bangladesh players.

Sohag Gazi had scored an unbeaten 101 and took 6 for 77 against New Zealand in Chittagong in 2013, but the other two were both achieved by Shakib Al Hasan: 144 and 6 for 82 against Pakistan in Mirpur in 2011, and 137 and 5 for 80 in the Khulna Test match against Zimbabwe.

Wow! That’s how champions rise to the occasion when the going gets tough. The more you try to suppress them, the more they will bounce back strongly. Time and again, Shakib has replied his ugly critics with scintillating performances.

Shakib Al Hasan is the ultimate champion of Bangladesh. He is not an Imran or Botham but he plays like them. Shakib is a cocktail of swagger, nonchalant, rhythm, anticipation and ego. Yes, he has a big ego, but his ego makes him determined enough to perform better each time he takes the field. Such egoistic champions are more often the nucleus of a team and for which such egoistic champions must be handled smartly and not harshly.

Shakib has proved his worth again. I hope his harsh critics realize his true worth as well.

Note: This article has been published in Sportskeeda on 9/11/2014 http://www.sportskeeda.com/cricket/shakib-al-hasan-bangladesh-proved-his-worth

Thank You

Faisal Caesar 

Pakistan v Australia - Well done Younis Khan!

Younis Khan had caught my attention fourteen years back. In the second innings of the first Test match against Sri Lanka at Rawalpindi, Pakistan were found wanting and they were in need of a brave batting display as the lead was not sufficient enough to challenge the might of the Lankan batting lineup.

A 22-year old batsman from Mardan rose to the occasion and imprinted his name in the history books by notching a workmanlike century in a record ninth wicket partnership with Wasim Akram as Pakistan staged a resilient but belated fight back. Sadly, Pakistan had lost against Sri Lanka in an absolute nail-biter, but Younis Khan’s brave knock had earned enough accolades from the critics.

he journey of Younis Khan had started, but it was not rosy at all. Time and again, he had failed to live up to the expectations according to his talent. Big hundreds were not coming and his stays at the wicket were short-lived. And thus, his place in the Pakistan team was never guaranteed. But Younis Khan never gave up. He continued to try harder to claim a permanent place in the Pakistan team.

The high voltage Indo-Pak series in 2005 proved extremely fruitful for Younis Khan. Till the third Test in Bengaluru, Younis Khan was a lost soul, but still the team’s coach Bob Woolmer never lost faith in him. Younis bounced back with a bang at Bengaluru by smashing a double ton and since then, he hardly looked back. The appropriate guidance of Bob had transformed Younis into a better player both technically and temperamentally.

Younis continued to deliver the best for Pakistan as a batsman, captain and a fielder. Under his captaincy, Pakistan went on to win the World Twenty20 in 2009 while under crisis, his bat always smiled to provide valuable runs for Pakistan. The steeper the odds, the more he seems to thrive.

But despite establishing himself as one of the most important members of Pakistan cricket team, Younis has always been the victim of Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) whimsical treatments. Time and again, this great servant of Pakistan cricket has been treated shabbily. He was ousted from the captaincy in the most shameful manner in 2009 and then he was left in the cold for a brief period during Pakistan’s important away tours and for his dedications towards Pakistan cricket he has never received the due respect.

Not so long ago, before the start of the one-day series against Australia, Pakistan cricket’s hierarchy had announced the ODI team without including Younis. He made an ODI comeback during the Sri Lanka tour, not having played 50-over cricket for Pakistan since March 2013. He scored 3 in his only innings of the series before he had to fly home following the death of his nephew.

Chief selector Moin Khan said, “Our experiment with Younis in the ODI series in Sri Lanka backfired. Now all have unanimously decided to look ahead to our future with youngsters. His services for Pakistan are commendable, but now we have to take a step forward and he is also out of contention for the 2015 World Cup”.

Such an act simply annoyed Younis Khan, who said, “Don't let everyone be treated in a similar manner, those who have raised the flag of this country, don't disrespect them otherwise no youngster will play for Pakistan”.

But Younis Khan is a person who never gives up so easily. He is a Pathan warrior - committed, inspired, capable, and has the ability to conquer adversity. For a while he might be annoyed, but whenever it had been the matter of delivering for the country, Younis never stepped back, but gave his very best for the betterment of Pakistan cricket.

In the ongoing Test series against Australia, he has slapped the hierarchy of Pakistan cricket by scoring heavily and so far, his achievements have been unique and they are well enough to tag him as one of the best batsman Pakistan have ever produced.

People like Younis Khan are cricket’s most prolific fighters who are born to inspire a generation. His rich vein of form against Australia has been a product of his sheer will power and commitment towards his team which can hardly be undermined. The Pakistan Cricket Board can’t afford to drop Younis from the World Cup squad. They should be ashamed of their harsh actions against Younis.

Note: This article has been published in Sportskeeda on 01/11/2014 Pakistan v Australia - Well done Younis Khan!

Thank You

Faisal Caesar