Pakistan’s players have mostly struggled to make an impression on the IPL, which must be some reflection of the quality of their current team © AFP

The genius of the Indian Premier League is not only has it created an international buzz, but it has also opened up a whole new world of possibilities for cricket. Let’s be clear, the Indian Premier League has hijacked the original idea of the Indian Cricket League and ground its competitor into the dirt. The current formula is problematic, mainly because of the sheer volume of matches crammed into too many weeks.

The execution, however, is a different matter to the concept, and indeed there have been many positives, not least the colour and glitz of each T20 spectacle. Indian fans have enthused about suddenly flung together teams and Indian cricketers have seized an opportunity to shine on a different kind of international stage.

Other countries have fared less well, however. Pakistan’s players have mostly struggled to make an impression on the tournament, which must be some reflection of the quality of Pakistan’s current team. Shoaib Malik and Co can’t even claim to be overworked. If the PCB has any sense it will learn that its own players have much to do to match many of their leading international counterparts. Pakistan fans can only hope that the Packer effect of raising international standards also applies to Pakistan players and the IPL.

	"It comes as no surprise that the world's cricket boards haven't supported Malcolm Speed's principled stance" © Getty Images

As Malcolm Speed departs the stage I finally find myself agreeing with him. Financial irregularities are a cardinal sign of corruption, and while corruption has many tentacles each poisonous limb has to be amputated at every opportunity. The affairs of Zimbabwe and the poverty of its people are dismal enough without the international cricket community tacitly endorsing financial irregularities in Zimbabwe's cricket board.

The case for playing cricket against Zimbabwe is tenuous enough, it becomes almost unsustainable if there is no financial probity.

It should, however, come as no surprise that the world's cricket boards have not supported Speed's principled stand--and if early reports are to be believed it is indeed that. How many of the other cricket boards have financial skeletons in their bookkeeping cupboards?

I can name one. Guess who? Only this week Pakistani newspapers have been running pieces on how the Pakistan Cricket Board failed to disclose salary payments to its Chief Operating Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Marketing Director, and Director of Human Resources on its payroll. The financial officer and another finance department worker have resigned.

In my role as chief executive of a company, I find it incredible that the salaries of any staff, let alone such senior directors, have not appeared on the organization's payroll. You would not excuse this practice from a small business, coming from a major national and international organization it is an absolute disgrace from which the chief executive and chief operating officer cannot be extricated.

With money sloshing about international cricket as never before this is a time for the ICC and the Pakistani government respectively to take a firm stand. The ICC looks to be failing its test on Zimbabwe. The Pakistani government must ensure that the PCB is not allowed to wriggle out of this one either. I have no problem with cricket officials being well paid as long as they execute their roles in a deserving manner and their payments are transparent. At present, it would be hard to argue that Zimbabwe and Pakistan cricket officials are succeeding in either way. The other cricket boards should be ashamed too.

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April 21, 2008

It's a record Shoaib, but not as we know it

Posted by Kamran Abbasi at 3 weeks, 1 day ago in

	Shoaib Malik: successful... but controversially so © AFP

Shoaib Malik's Pakistan have set a record of successive wins in one-day cricket. A few more home series against sub-standard opposition - before the ICC Champions Trophy - and the record will be unbeatable. This is a Pyrrhic victory made possible by the decimation of Pakistan's international itinerary. To compare Shoaib's captaincy with Imran Khan's is unworthy.

Indeed, the decision-making during the series has created plenty of controversy. Why were the new batsmen given little opportunity to play a substantial innings? Why were the new bowlers under bowled?

A series against Bangladesh - one that has been easily won - would seem an ideal opportunity to develop young players but not, apparently, in the minds of the current decision makers in Pakistan cricket. Yes, you can only beat the opposition presented to you. Yes, a record is a nice-to-have and a source of much welcome cheer. But why is it the development of Pakistan cricket that suffers at each turn?

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April 14, 2008

Superficial stars of a failed system

Posted by Kamran Abbasi at 4 weeks, 1 day ago in

	Younis Khan: fatigue or pique? © AFP

Today, a reader sent me a message arguing that it is my social responsibility to start a new thread on Younis Khan, as cricket fans are poised to comment on his extraordinary withdrawal from the current series. An excuse of fatigue is hard to believe. A fit of pique (at the visit by the anti-corruption unit) would be more in character. A statement explaining that he is tired of playing the world's less challenging teams might be understandable. An expression of irritation at Shoaib Malik's captaincy would play to the gallery.

You decide.

Instead, I'm using Younis Khan to highlight a different point. An observation that is reinforced by the presence of two Pakistan XIs in action simultaneously. It is further emphasised by the enigma of Shoaib Akhtar. Once upon a time, Pakistan cricket had more big time players than little piddling ones. Since Inzamam's retirement, Mohammad Yousuf is the only player that will genuinely merit comparison with the top players of the past.

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April 3, 2008

No way back for Ashraf

Posted by Kamran Abbasi at on 04/03/2008 in Politics

	Nasim Ashraf has chosen to sue Shoaib Akhtar for his comments to a private television channel © AFP

You might not have imagined it but it has happened. After finishing Shoaib Akhtar's career with a punishment that didn't fit the crime, Nasim Ashraf should really have expected a backlash from the cricketer himself, his fans, and most neutral observers.

Some of Shoaib's retaliatory comments might have hurt. They might have even crossed the line of what is fair, decent, and lawful but leading any organisation, especially a high profile one, requires a healthy dose of judgment and wisdom. By choosing to sue Shoaib for a multi-million dollar payout, Ashraf has confirmed that he has neither in sufficient supply to head a nationally important organisation.

Indeed, instead of him suing Shoaib, the many millions of people around the world who hold Pakistan cricket dear might feel justified in a legal action against Ashraf for damaging the reputation of Pakistan cricket. This farce has become an international joke. The patron of Pakistan cricket has to bring this stupidity to an end. Earlier this week, I said--with irony--way to go Dr Ashraf. I'll amend that to: Time to go.

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