Irish spank Pakistanis - St. Patrick's Day massacre
Agreed. Massacre is too strong a word to be associated with such a fun holiday. Anyway, who cares...Pakistan is out of the WC and readers of this blog might think I am going to crawl under my shell, whine and point fingers. Not so my furry friends! Omar Loves Cricket and this blogger had actually predicted, in not so many words though, an early exit for Pakistan from the World Cup. So in my own creepy, pessimistic way, I had prepared for the worst. (What I actually claimed was that Pakistan would be one of the teams that a minnow would upset. I did think we would make the super 8's at least!) On the brighter side, I can focus my attention on all the other teams playing in the World Cup and give an impartial opinion on their progress.
Well, what better timing for Ireland that St. Patrick's day. How cute! Since I don't particularly want to delve on what went wrong right about now, I shall tell you about things that made me happy today. Fear not though, I will be scathing in my criticism of the Pakistani batting line up when I write a thorough analysis in the afternoon tomorrow. I need the night to tone down my response and perhaps make it articulate and eloquent. Tall order.
So random fun story of the day: I was on my way back from NYC after watching the Irish bumjack Pakistan, when I was about to get off at my train station when someone calls my name. Turns out, it was old friend from college. He was on his way to Philadelphia and I haven't seen him in a few years. How bloody random is that?! He is Pakistani too, but has no clue whatsoever about cricket or anything, so I was more than happy (eager and persuasive rather...) to pull him off the train and catch up over a drink. Quite refreshing to forget about the loss, and to reconnect with a friend.
Feel free to post your thoughts and comments on Pakistan's early departure...
4 comments:
Not only the defeats but the nature of defeats was even more telling. Both India and Pakistan were comprehensively outplayed in all three departments and it was a complete reversal of tags of minnows and majors. Both the teams did not stand a chance after losing first couple of over and the inexperiences sides played like true professionals, never allowing them to come back in.
Other teams must take inspiration from this and we will atleast be saved the trouble of witnessing predictable match results. Well how about India Vs Pakistan being replaced by Bangladesh Vs Irelad. Will you be watching
Smart Alec
hello All,
I am and will always be a Pakistani. Cricket is a sport, and one thing none of you or myself can ever truly understand is the PRESSURE that is exerted on professionals.
That being said, the issue is not, nor has it ever been, about talent/technique/etc.
It is my friends, simply about pressure. I have never seen any country swing the ball like we do, or play the audacious shots we do. But under pressure, us desis tend to buckle. Borders might have been drawn between Pak and India, but the people are one and the same, and they can not take pressure.
The only time they have won?
1983 when the kaalaas (who handle pressure even less) and 1992 (when Pak had a captain who had steely out of this world nerves).
When else huh? I challenge you to furnish consistent periods.
And remember I am talking about HANDLING pressure, not exerting it. People are crying about the toss? Give me a break. The same 2 teams play on the same exact track within the span of a few hours.
Ireland/Windies are better than us under pressure. So is Zimbabwe probably.
And I thoroughly enjoyed Bangladesh's professionalism, but man if India gets knocked out, that is not going to be good at ALL for the world of cricket. They have the $, etc. They love the game big time and if they are not in the final 8, nobody is gonna give a shit except for all the goras (who hardly give a shit compared to us desis anyway).
And finally, May Bob Woolmer rest in peace and may his family find solace.
Regards,
Don Mo Khan
Smart Alec, Thanks for the comments....
I don't think the balance of power in the long run will have shifted greatly, but the moniows have certianly bit the bums of the test playing nations pretty hard.
I enjoy the minows playing each other.
Mo, Thanks for the comments as well.
Firstly, I don't appreciate you calling the West Indies 'kaalas', and am requesting you to kindly refrain from such racism on my blog. Thanks
You do make an interesting point about pressure though. I think what you wrote is something to think about, and perhaps I will write up my thoughts on pressure in the next couple of weeks.
Interestingly, you say talent, and technique have nothing to do with pressure, but I feel it does. Professionalism encompasses handling pressure situations well. And lack of proffesionalism permeates all levels of Pakistani cricket
Breaking News-The Irish Team Cheated
By now we all no the antics of last Saturday, Bangladesh beating India and most infamous Ireland "beating" Pakistan but is this shocking result as it seems. Pass on the this shocking news to every cricket loving person you know
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