Pakistan’s national ODI cricket team is currently touring the West Indies, where they are engaged in a three-match ODI series against the hosts. According to the latest reports, Pakistan suffered an embarrassing defeat in the third and final match of the series.
Pakistan won the first match, but the team could not maintain its winning rhythm for long and, in quick succession, lost the second and third matches to the hosts. This marks the first time in almost 34 years that the West Indies have won an ODI series against Pakistan. In the third and final match, the West Indies crushed Pakistan by a humiliating margin of 202 runs.
Despite providing the players with the most modern and expensive facilities, the results have been disgraceful. The presence and supervision of a highly paid foreign coach, coupled with such performances, is nothing but a waste of money. Why does the PCB shy away from using the services of its own world-famous former cricketers instead of relying on costly foreign coaches? Does the PCB not trust its globally renowned ex-players? If experiments must be done, they should be carried out through local coaches — that would be much better.
The “performance” of the new expensive foreign coach, especially under the national selection committee, has been fully exposed. In short, the PCB, selection committee, and coach’s constant experiments have sunk the team, and more experiments are still ongoing. Well done, indeed.
Dear readers,
On another note, the Pakistan Cricket Board has faced another embarrassment due to the “alleged actions” of Haider Ali. Haider Ali, a senior member of the Pakistan Shaheens who has represented Pakistan in 2 ODIs and around 35 T20 matches, was reportedly “trapped” by his alleged girlfriend during the Shaheens’ recent tour of England and ended up in the custody of British police.
The PCB, acting swiftly to protect the country’s dignity, first suspended Haider Ali and then provided him with all possible legal assistance via the Pakistani embassy, eventually securing his release from police custody. However, his passport remains in the possession of the British police, and he is reportedly banned from leaving the UK until the investigation into the “alleged shameful act” is completed.
According to sources, the PCB and the Pakistani embassy are close to resolving the matter amicably with the “complainant woman,” and the issue is expected to be settled within a few days, after which Haider Ali will return to Pakistan. Upon his return, he is almost certain (around 100% likelihood) to face a lifetime ban from the PCB. Mohammad Faiq has been included in the Pakistan Shaheens XI as his replacement.
Dear readers,
Before we close, let’s talk a bit about Pakistan hockey. Once a dominant force in the hockey world, Pakistan’s national hockey team is now in a state of decline — or perhaps more accurately, a state of uncertainty. Currently, Pakistan is not a contender in any major hockey title, nor is there an immediate chance of re-entering the elite level. Reviving hockey will require intense, fresh efforts.
To its credit, the current Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) appears to be determined to work on this revival, even if its leaders’ own interests may be involved. At least they have started showing seriousness in pulling drowning Pakistan hockey out of troubled waters (God willing, it succeeds).
Interestingly, in just a few months, PHF’s non-playing officials have received around Rs. 12.5 million each in TA/DA claims, while players are given meager match fees in dribs and drabs. If these officials have truly decided to improve national hockey, that is still a positive sign, and may God grant them success in this attempt.
PHF has appealed to the Government of Pakistan for special funds to participate in the Pro League, an international hockey festival aimed at boosting the national team’s morale. Initially, the government did not take the matter seriously — the Pakistan Sports Board even turned its back in an outright dismissive manner. Later, PHF officials managed to brief caretaker IPC Minister Rana Sanaullah about the Pro League and requested the Prime Minister’s intervention.
Reportedly, the Prime Minister has directed Rana Sanaullah to form a committee immediately to resolve the matter on a priority basis. On the other hand, PHF has already submitted an estimated expenditure of around Rs. 450 million to the Pakistan Sports Board for Pro League participation.
The good news for PHF is that Pakistan will take part in the Pro League, and there is a 100% chance that they will receive the required funds — just a few weeks’ wait.
