A Shocker: Italy Will Not Fly To Russia

The night was heavy with despair at San Siro. Italy pressed. They pushed. Yet, they failed to breach the Swedish defence. As the final whistle echoed, Gian Piero Ventura looked shattered on the sidelines. Daniele De Rossi seethed with anger, and the iconic Gianluigi Buffon, in a moment of profound heartbreak, shed tears that resonated with millions of Azzurri fans around the globe. For a nation steeped in footballing tradition, the unthinkable had occurred—Italy would not grace the World Cup stage in 2018.

This was a cataclysmic moment in Italian football, a cruel déjà vu of 1958 when Northern Ireland shut the door on Italy’s World Cup ambitions. That absence six decades ago was an anomaly; since then, Italy had been a permanent fixture, lifting the trophy twice and finishing as runners-up twice. Yet here we were, on the cusp of modern football history, with Italy inexplicably sidelined from the greatest show on Earth.

A team of such illustrious pedigree—renowned for its defensive mastery, tactical ingenuity, and thrilling counterattacks—was now reduced to spectators. How could this have happened?

An Azzurri Supporter’s Lament

For me, an admirer of Italian football since my school days, the pain was personal. Serie A in its heyday captivated me, and Italia '90 solidified my allegiance to the Azzurri alongside Brazil and Germany. Over the decades, Italy’s defenders, goalkeepers, and clutch strikers brought unmatched joy to the beautiful game. But last night, Sweden dealt a fatal blow to those cherished memories.

A Tactical Disaster

Italy’s failure can largely be laid at the feet of Gian Piero Ventura. When Antonio Conte left the national team, he handed over a squad transformed into a cohesive and promising unit. Under Ventura, that transformation unravelled. The brilliance faded, leaving behind a shadow of the team that once struck fear into opponents.

Ventura’s reign was reminiscent of Carlos Dunga’s ill-fated second tenure with Brazil—a coach whose decisions were dictated by personal preferences rather than tactical acumen. Much like Dunga, Ventura favoured ageing players over dynamic talents. Brazil’s footballing hierarchy realized their mistake in time; Italy, unfortunately, did not.

The decisions were baffling. Lorenzo Insigne, arguably Italy’s most creative and clinical forward, was inexplicably confined to the bench. Ciro Immobile, a striker whose golden touch seemed to have deserted him, was entrusted with leading the attack. Meanwhile, talents like Mario Balotelli—a natural number nine—and Stephan El Shaarawy—perfect for exploiting Sweden’s defensive flanks—were overlooked. Instead, Matteo Darmian, more suited to defensive roles, was thrust into attacking duties.

A Tactical Void

Italy’s midfield, led by Jorginho and Antonio Candreva, showed flashes of cohesion. They spread the play, moved with pace, and created opportunities. Yet the absence of a genuine finisher rendered their efforts futile. The lack of coordination in the final third pointed squarely to Ventura’s inability to devise a coherent attacking strategy.

Ventura’s failure wasn’t limited to the tactical realm. His pedigree—marked by a modest record in Serie C—was ill-suited for a team of Italy’s stature. The signs of decline were evident long before that fateful night in Milan. Struggling against Macedonia in qualifiers should have set alarm bells ringing. But the Italian football federation’s inertia allowed mediocrity to fester.

 A Painful Epilogue

The fallout from Ventura’s tenure extends beyond the 2018 World Cup. Italy’s absence was not just a national tragedy but a global loss for football. For fans who cherish the game beyond the polarizing realms of Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, and club allegiances, Italy’s brand of football was a cultural and emotional cornerstone.

This debacle serves as a cautionary tale. In football, history and tradition mean little without vision and decisive action. The Azzurri’s failure is a stark reminder that complacency and mismanagement can erode even the most storied legacies. For now, we mourn not just Italy’s absence but also the dimming of a tradition that has illuminated football for generations

Thank You

Faisal Caesar  

A Cricketing Renaissance: The Chandika Hathurusingha Effect on Bangladesh Cricket

Every cricketing nation has its watershed moment - a defining period when mediocrity gives way to ambition. For Bangladesh, the years between 2014 and 2017, under the stewardship of Chandika Hathurusingha, represent such a chapter. His tenure redefined the team's philosophy, instilling discipline and pragmatism, and recalibrated the nation's cricketing trajectory. What Hathurusingha achieved was not merely a string of victories; it was the construction of a cricketing identity that exuded boldness, clarity, and adaptability.

Chandika Hathurusingha in 2014, Bangladesh cricket remained a tale of unfulfilled potential.

The national team oscillated between occasional brilliance and prolonged mediocrity. Neither their style of play nor their results reflected any sense of consistency or ambition. However, Hathurusingha’s appointment marked the beginning of a dramatic transformation that rewrote the narrative of Bangladesh cricket. Within months, the team adopted a fearless approach, abandoning outdated strategies in favour of a more modern and aggressive style. This bold shift led to unprecedented success across formats, elevating Bangladesh into a force to be reckoned with.

Rewriting the Script: The Shift from Spin to Pace

Before Hathurusingha’s arrival, Bangladesh cricket was trapped in a tactical rut, overly dependent on spinners and the home advantage. This mindset was a reflection of insecurity - a reluctance to embrace change. Hathurusingha disrupted this inertia by prioritizing pace bowling. Under his guidance, the team’s fast-bowling unit - led by Mashrafe Mortaza and comprising the likes of Taskin Ahmed, Rubel Hossain, and Al-Amin Hossain - evolved from mere support acts into match-winners.

This was a seismic shift. Pace bowling demanded better fitness, deeper analysis, and sharper execution, traits the team had previously lacked. The transformation was gradual but unmistakable: Bangladesh began to win not just on familiar, spinning tracks but in conditions where seam movement and bounce dictated terms and formats, elevating Bangladesh into a force to be reckoned with.

 Statistical Resurgence: The ODI Renaissance 

Before Hathurusingha’s arrival, Bangladesh’s ODI win-loss ratio was a dismal 0.4, and excluding matches against lower-ranked sides, their record against top-tier nations was even bleaker - 27 wins in 191 matches, with a ratio of just 0.16. Hathurusingha, however, transformed this dynamic almost overnight. During his tenure, Bangladesh won 25 of 52 ODIs, improving their win-loss ratio to 1.086.

Key milestones during this period included their quarterfinal appearance at the 2015 World Cup, where Bangladesh famously knocked England out of the tournament. They followed this success by defeating powerhouses like India, Pakistan, South Africa, and  Afghanistan at home, and nearly upstaged England in a thrilling series in 2016. Their journey to the semifinals of the 2017 ICC Champions Trophy cemented Bangladesh’s status as a serious competitor in the 50-over format.

Redefining Test Cricket: A New Era 

Test cricket, long considered Bangladesh’s Achilles’ heel, witnessed a quiet revolution under Hathurusingha. Until his appointment, Bangladesh had managed to win just 4 of 83 Tests, with a win-loss ratio of 0.058. However, during his tenure, they won 6 out of 21 matches and drew 4, lifting their ratio to 0.545.

Their most notable victories came at home: Bangladesh defeated England in 2016 and followed it up with a historic win against Australia in 2017. In an inspiring away performance, the team also held Sri Lanka to a series draw in 2017, further establishing that they were no longer pushovers in the longest format.

 Individual Growth: The Rise of Bangladesh’s Stars 

Hathurusingha’s influence was not limited to collective achievements; it also spurred individual players to reach their potential. Tamim Iqbal was among the first to flourish under his guidance. From being inconsistent and heavily criticized, Tamim evolved into a dependable opener. Between 2015 and 2017, his ODI average surged from 26 to  46.38, 45.22, and 64.60 in successive years. His Test average, too, climbed from 37.29 in 2014 to over 50.

Similarly, Mushfiqur Rahim  grew into a formidable Test player. Before Hathurusingha’s tenure, Mushfiqur averaged 33.48 in Tests. That figure rose to 40.69 in 20 matches under Hathurusingha, as he recorded three centuries, including one in South Africa - the first by any Bangladeshi batsman in that region. His ODI numbers also improved significantly, with three hundreds across 50 matches.

Mahmudullah Riyad, another key player, credited Hathurusingha for his transformation from a lower-order all-rounder into a reliable middle-order batsman. "He gave me the confidence to bat higher up the order," Mahmudullah remarked. "The freedom he provided us allowed me to discover my potential as a middle-order player." This newfound confidence saw Mahmudullah play career-defining knocks in the 2015 World Cup  and 2017 Champions Trophy, turning him into one of Bangladesh’s most dependable batsmen.

Harnessing the Power of Youth 

Hathurusingha’s tenure also heralded the rise of a new generation of players. Under his leadership, Mustafizur Rahman burst onto the international stage, bamboozling batsmen with his unorthodox cutters. Meanwhile, the flair of Soumya Sarkar, the composure of Liton Das, and the all-around brilliance of Mehidy Hasan Miraz infused the team with youthful exuberance and depth.

Crucially, Hathurusingha dismantled the old mindset of relying on ageing players past their prime, making way for fresh talent. This blend of youth and experience proved vital in Bangladesh’s resurgence across formats.

Chandika Hathurusingha’s stint from 2014 to 2017 was not merely a successful chapter in Bangladesh cricket - it was a blueprint for transformation. He redefined the team’s approach, empowered individuals, and fostered a culture of discipline and professionalism. His tenure underscored that cricket is as much a mental game as it is a physical one, and that success lies in clarity of thought, trust in youth, and the courage to evolve.

The Hathurusingha era proved that Bangladesh can stand tall among cricket’s elite - not by imitating others but by crafting their own identity. His return now holds the promise of unfinished business - a chance to consolidate the gains made during his first tenure and build a team that not only competes but wins on the biggest stages.

For Bangladesh cricket, the lessons from Hathurusingha’s reign are clear: bold decisions, relentless professionalism, and an unwavering belief in the process will pave the way for sustained excellence. The story of Bangladesh’s transformation under Hathurusingha is not just one of victory—it is a testament to the power of change, both on the field and within.

Thank You

Faisal Caesar 

A Tale of Redemption and Triumph: Allan Border’s Australia in the 1987 Cricket World Cup

It was a journey across continents, a pilgrimage undertaken not for mere sport but for a story that would transcend the boundaries of cricket itself. On that November afternoon in 1987, at the Eden Gardens in Calcutta, Allan Border's Australia crowned themselves world champions, etching a new chapter in cricketing history. The game’s denouement—a tense seven-run victory over England—was more than a contest of bat and ball; it was a symphony of resilience, strategy, and, ultimately, redemption.

The Semifinal Shadows

Just days earlier, cricket fans had witnessed a heartbreak of a different kind. In the semifinal against England, India’s skipper Kapil Dev, the hero of 1983, had fallen to an ill-judged slog sweep. His counterpart, Mike Gatting, dismissed it as a “silly” stroke, the kind that unravels well-laid plans. Yet irony has a sharp sense of humour. In the final, with England cruising at 135 for 2 in pursuit of 254, it was Gatting’s turn to err. His audacious reverse sweep off Border ended in ignominy, a top edge spiralling into the grateful gloves of Greg Dyer. The symmetry was poetic, the consequences catastrophic for England.

The Forgotten Gem

Australia’s 253 seemed precarious at one point, their innings floundering at 188 for 4 after 44 overs. But then came an unsung hero, Mike Veletta, whose unheralded brilliance transformed the game. His ferocious assault on Phil DeFreitas—plundering 45 runs off just 31 deliveries—breathed life into Australia’s total. In an era preceding T20’s audacious finishes, Veletta’s cameo was revolutionary, adding a crucial 65 runs in the last six overs. It was a knock that would fade into the annals of cricket but remained pivotal in that moment.

The Turning Tides

As dusk descended upon Eden Gardens, England, too, felt the creeping shadows of panic. Bill Athey’s run-out, orchestrated by a young Steve Waugh, set the tone. Paul Downton succumbed to a careless stroke, his downfall engineered by the unassuming Allan Border. Emburey, a seasoned campaigner, fell victim to another run-out, the chaos reflecting England’s unravelling mindset.

Border’s leadership was almost mystical in its efficacy. Every move he made seemed divinely inspired. His decision to reintroduce Craig McDermott for a brief two-over spell mid-innings slowed England’s charge, building pressure that would later prove insurmountable. His faith in Waugh, then a 22-year-old yet to blossom into his eventual greatness, was rewarded as the young bowler held his nerve in the death overs with unerring precision.

A Flicker of Hope, Extinguished

Even as England faltered, there was a moment when the scales threatened to tilt. DeFreitas, heralded as the heir to Ian Botham, unleashed a flurry of boundaries against McDermott—4, 6, 4—rekindling faint hopes. But where McDermott faltered, Waugh stood firm. His guile, concealed beneath his innocuous medium pace, outwitted the English lower order. When DeFreitas mistimed his aggression, Bruce Reid’s towering presence in the outfield snuffed out the flicker of rebellion. Waugh’s penultimate over conceded a mere two runs, leaving the impossible task of 17 runs from the final over.

McDermott, redeemed after his earlier punishment, delivered the coup de grâce. Foster and Small were no match for the task at hand. With every ball, the dream crumbled further, and Australia clinched a seven-run victory—an outcome that seemed improbable mere weeks before.

A New Dawn for Australia

Australia’s triumph was not just a victory; it was a statement. Only three years earlier, the team had been in disarray, reeling from the retirements of Greg Chappell, Dennis Lillee, and Rod Marsh. Border had inherited a team in shambles, burdened with the weight of rebuilding. The World Cup victory symbolized the culmination of that arduous journey, a triumph of grit and character over despair.

As Border lifted the trophy, his typically stoic visage softened into a smile—a rare, luminous expression that captured the essence of what his team had achieved. It was not merely the culmination of a tournament but a vindication of a captain’s belief in his team, a redemption arc that echoed far beyond the boundaries of cricket.

In that moment, it was clear: some journeys are worth crossing the world for, not for the destination alone, but for the stories that unfold along the way.

Thank You 

Faisal Caesar 

The Wankhede Heartbreak: India’s Fall in the World Cup Semifinal

The 1987 Cricket World Cup semifinal between India and England at Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai was more than just a cricket match—it was a confluence of anticipation, strategy, and high-stakes drama. Defending champions India entered the fray as favourites, buoyed by an exceptional run in the tournament, including a commanding chase against New Zealand at Nagpur. England, while formidable, carried the psychological baggage of two losses to Pakistan and a visible vulnerability against quality spin bowling.

Yet, cricket’s beauty lies in its unpredictability. In a contest defined by decisive moments, Graham Gooch’s tactical brilliance with the bat and India’s lapses under pressure turned what seemed a destined triumph into a tale of heartbreak.

England's First Innings: The Masterclass of Graham Gooch

Kapil Dev’s decision to field first on a true surface under clear skies seemed astute, especially with their ace spinner Maninder Singh in prime form. Early breakthroughs vindicated the choice momentarily. Tim Robinson fell to a classic piece of flight and guile from Maninder, while Bill Athey struggled against the relentless Indian attack before edging behind.

However, Gooch, England’s linchpin, was prepared for this day. His meticulous preparation to counter India’s spinners with the sweep shot transformed the narrative. With deliberate precision, he swept both Maninder and Ravi Shastri to every corner of the leg side, rendering their variations ineffective. The innings, anchored by Gooch’s 136-ball 115, was a clinic in resilience and execution. Mike Gatting, England’s captain, complimented him with aggressive strokes and deft placements, adding 117 in partnership to tilt the match firmly in England’s favour.

India’s bowlers toiled, with occasional successes from Maninder and Kapil in the latter overs, but Allan Lamb’s dynamic 29-ball 32 ensured England finished with a daunting 254 for 5. The target was challenging but not insurmountable, especially for a team as resourceful as India.

India’s Chase: From Hope to Despair

The stage was set for Sunil Gavaskar to script a memorable farewell on his home ground. Yet, destiny had other plans. A loose defensive stroke saw him bowled for a mere five, silencing the Wankhede crowd. Navjot Singh Sidhu and Krishnamachari Srikkanth steadied the innings with contrasting styles, but England’s bowlers, led by Neil Foster and Phil DeFreitas, kept the pressure on.

Mohammad Azharuddin and Chandrakant Pandit provided a glimmer of hope, blending elegance with urgency. Azhar’s artistry through the off-side and Pandit’s audacious strokeplay brought India closer. When Kapil Dev walked in and unleashed a series of commanding strokes, belief surged. However, his departure at a critical juncture underscored the fragility of India’s middle-order depth.

Azhar continued to fight valiantly, reaching a fluent fifty, but his untimely dismissal—attempting an ill-advised paddle sweep—was a turning point. With the lower order failing to contribute significantly, the burden fell squarely on Ravi Shastri. His calculated aggression momentarily rekindled hope, but an ill-fated mistimed shot marked the end of India’s aspirations. The defending champions folded for 219, falling short by 35 runs.

 The Aftermath: Lessons in Triumph and Despair

England’s victory was a triumph of meticulous preparation and unyielding execution. Gooch’s calculated assault on India’s spin arsenal showcased the value of strategic foresight, while Gatting’s captaincy decisions were precise and effective. For India, the loss was a stark reminder of cricket’s unforgiving nature. Their over-reliance on key players and failure to adapt under pressure proved costly.

In the grander scheme, the match epitomized the essence of cricket—a sport where brilliance and heartbreak coexist, where glory hinges on moments seized and mistakes exploited. For Indian fans, the semi-final at Wankhede remains a bittersweet memory, a tale of what could have been in the annals of World Cup history.

Thank You

Faisal Caesar  

A Tale of What Could Have Been: Pakistan vs. Australia, 1987 World Cup Semifinal

Cricket, often described as a game of glorious uncertainties, seldom delivers heartbreak with such dramatic flair as it did in the 1987 World Cup semi-final between Pakistan and Australia. The clash at Lahore's Gaddafi Stadium unfolded as a saga of resilience, tactical gambles, and missed opportunities, culminating in a result that dashed the dreams of an expectant nation.

Prelude to a Dream

This was meant to be Imran Khan’s crowning moment, the perfect farewell on home soil. The charismatic all-rounder had been the heartbeat of Pakistan's cricketing resurgence, leading his team to five consecutive victories in the tournament. The semi-final was not just another game; it was a stage set for destiny. The Lahore crowd, carrying banners emblazoned with “IMRAN WE’LL MISS YOU,” was ready to witness their hero script the fairy tale ending they so deeply craved.

On the other hand, Australia entered as the underdog. Their campaign had been scrappy, marked by narrow victories over India and New Zealand. Yet, their gritty captain, Allan Border, and a core of dependable players embodied the fighting spirit that made them dangerous.

A Game of Momentum Swings

Choosing to bat first, Australia began with a solid platform. Geoff Marsh and David Boon combined for a steady 73-run opening stand, but Marsh’s run-out due to a sharp direct hit from Saleem Malik disrupted their rhythm. Dean Jones, with his characteristic audacity, kept the scoreboard ticking, even surviving a contentious LBW decision from umpire Dickie Bird that could have swung the game Pakistan’s way.

The innings gathered pace as partnerships flourished. Border’s calm head and Mike Veletta’s aggression pushed the total upwards. A flurry of wickets—including two brilliant direct hits—seemed to tilt the balance towards Pakistan. Yet, the lower-order resilience of Steve Waugh and Tim May proved pivotal. Waugh’s blitz in the final over against Saleem Jaffar turned a manageable target into a formidable 267. The 18 runs conceded in that over loomed large over the game, a cruel reminder of the margin for error in crunch moments.

The Chase: Hope and Despair

Pakistan’s reply began on a disastrous note. Rameez Raja was run out in the first over, and when Saleem Malik and Mansoor Akhtar followed cheaply, the hopes of the home crowd dimmed. But then, Imran Khan and Javed Miandad, veterans of countless battles, took the stage. Their contrasting styles—Imran’s flamboyant aggression and Miandad’s unyielding determination—complemented each other perfectly as they rebuilt the innings.

The partnership, worth 112 runs, infused life into the chase. Imran’s commanding presence and Miandad’s crafty manoeuvring of the fielders ignited dreams of an improbable victory. Yet, just as the tide seemed to favour Pakistan, a reckless slog off Allan Border’s part-time spin ended Imran’s sublime innings. It was a shot unworthy of the occasion, leaving Miandad to shoulder the burden of the chase alone.

The Final Act

Miandad soldiered on, crafting a masterful 70, but wickets tumbled around him. Wasim Akram’s cameo injected hope, but his dismissal exposed Pakistan’s fragile tail. The task fell to Abdul Qadir and Saleem Jaffar, who ran valiantly and swung desperately. In the end, the target proved insurmountable. Craig McDermott’s fiery spell, culminating in a five-wicket haul, sealed Pakistan’s fate, and with it, the dreams of millions.

A Post-Mortem of Missed Chances

This match, more than any other in the tournament, was defined by the “what-ifs.” What if Saleem Jaffar had held his nerve in the final over? What if Imran had trusted Abdul Qadir or Malik instead? What if Miandad had found a more reliable partner in the lower order? Cricket, however, offers no solace in hypotheticals.

For Imran Khan, this was a bitter pill to swallow. The image of him walking off the field, acknowledging the crowd’s applause, was a poignant reminder of how close he had come to a fairytale ending. Yet, the seeds of Pakistan’s ultimate redemption—four years later in Melbourne—were sown in this heartbreak.

Legacy of a Classic

This semi-final was not merely a cricket match; it was a narrative of human endeavour and fallibility. Australia’s triumph was a testament to their grit and determination, setting the stage for their ascendancy in world cricket. For Pakistan, it was a lesson in the cruel arithmetic of sport, where moments of brilliance can be undone by lapses in execution

Gaddafi Stadium’s roars turned into sighs, and the banners proclaiming “WORLD CUP IS OURS” were folded away. But the memories of this dramatic contest endure, a tale of hope, heartbreak, and the indomitable spirit of cricket.

Thank You

Faisal Caesar