Shockers...NOT!

While theres lots of stuff happening in the intl arena like Bang fightback and the Indian fightback ... theres lot more happening at the domestic arena. The World Champs were blasted by the Pakistan A team. Razzaq's quick-fire 39(17) at the end ensured Pakis a decent score of 143. Pakistan A had no problems in chasing. They chased it with no hiccups, eventually winning by 7 wickets. Way to go Champs!


Something similar happened at Dubai in moments after the Pak game... Poms were thrashed by Poms A (Lions). Poms were really struggling at 109-6 when Wright and Prior joined hands and hit some lusty blows and they finished with a score of 157/6. Not a bad score to defend ..is it ? Considering the recent form of Sidebottom,Swanny and Broad... but not to be... Lumb 58*(35) and Keiswetter 81(66){ prospective Poms keeper , maybe} got off to a flyer. But then, since they are English players, there was a slight screw up at the end. 14 reqd of the last 5 balls . Lumb's meaty blows at the end ensured that they just cross the line in time.


With the ICC World T20 coming up in a couple of months... this should be a wake up alarm for the respective teams and the boards.
P.SMock feels: Pakistan don't deserve to be T20 champs. Its not that i am against them, its just that they don't deserve to be ..

IPL Aspirants – Part i

HOT & NOT

I am aware that the IPL is still a long way to come but, the season of team changes is round the corner, which means we should be keeping an eye on the key picks for the 3rd season of the Indian Premier League. Keeping in mind that the contracts end at the end of the 3rd season and the money banks are also not heavily loaded for new purchases, the buying is gonna be less and needs to be sharp and spot on. So, expecting a Mashrafe Mortaza style auction is highly unlikely. And also, since the teams are going to bid fresh for 2011 onwards bringing in two more teams making that 10 teams fighting for the league title. So, no point in signing big for just one year of the league (unless, that’s the only way to win). Most teams have already started recruiting in the wilderness. Mumbai Indians, have made a lot of changes in the staff and team, Robin Singh is to don the role of coach while, Pollock and Rhodes are continuing their stints. They have also roped in Stuart Binny, a high profile ICL player, a great prospect indeed. Kolkata Knight Riders have made Watmore as their coach and signed Abdul Razzaq, who is again a big hit at ICL but, the news of no Pakistani players will hurt them the most. Rohan Gavaskar has been signed by KKR for the 3rd season as well.

Steam’s shot:

Stuart Binny: HOT

Likely to give competition to Dhawal Kulkarni but, definitely given a shot for his reputation of performing with bat and ball.

Rohan Gavaskar: NOT

Way past his prime, another one added in the KKR list of dummies. Should pick some younger talent instead.

Abdul Razzaq: NOT (if IPL continues to avoid Pak players)

Doesn’t look good at the moment. We could be in for a surprise(not really) if, Pak players are given the green signal. He is sure to make an impact. Smart pick, bad timing.

We will continue to keep a close eye on the IPL franchises and all the movement across teams. And additionally pick players and match their profiles in our HOT n NOT segment. Review not only international but also local talents. Some of the names to feature are Michael Clarke, Brad Haddin, Clint Mckay, Doug Bollinger, Wayne Parnell, Hashim Amla, Eoin Morgan, Luke Wright, Jimmy Anderson, Stuart Broad, Trott, Kieron Pollard, Lendl Simmons and many more exciting talents, with some local flovor from India (and Pakistan if they are permitted to participate). So, till then keep the excitement rising and say “Wah! Cricket”.

p.s. – Yuvi to be axed from the Kings xi captaincy. News still building up, catch more of it right here!

BBOTD-Popeye

December 2nd happens to be the birthday of one of the most versatile Pakistani all-rounder, Abdul Razzaq. Highly under-rated for his batting and bowling skills, Razzaq slowly built a reputation in every department of the game. He has time and again rescued the team from loss and turned them into victories, such is his caliber. His bowling might have drawn flack of late but, his batting has improved for which, he is one of the most feared lower order hitters in the game. He has the potential to turn games around and it is due to talents like his and Azhar Mahmood Pakistan reveled in the late 90’s and gained much success. Razzaq was dropped from the team, mainly due to drop in pace in his bowling. He later joined the ICL, where he played for the Hyderabad Heroes. He was one of the star performers for them and they even won the second edition of the ICL, beating the Lahore Badshaahs in a best of 3 finals. His impressive performances in the ICL, paved way for him into the national team. He along with several senior cricketers quit the ICL thus, making him eligible to play for their national teams. In 2005, it was revealed that he was suffering an addiction to spinach which was causing him to suffer from nausea and sickness whilst playing. This led to him being known as "Popeye" by teammates.