ICC Test and ODI Ranking

Pakistan Cricket Team Future Tour Programme 2012

PAKISTAN CRICKET TEAM 2012 SCHEDULE
Jan-Feb 2012	Pakistan vs England 2012  (3 Test, 4 ODI and 3 T20 matches)	UAE
March 2012	Asia Cup 2012  (6 ODI and 1 Final match.)	Bangladesh
Apr-May 2012	Bangladesh tour to Pakistan (2 Test, 3 ODIs)	Pakistan
May-Jun 2012	Pakistan tour to Sri Lanka (3 Tests, 5 ODIs, 2 T20s)	Sri Lanka
August 2012	Pakistan host Australia (5 ODIs)	Pakistan
Sep-Oct 2012	T20 World Cup 2012  (27 Twenty 20 matches)	Sri Lanka
December 2012	Pakistan tour to Zimbabwe (2 Tests, 3 ODIs, 2 T20s)	Zimbabwe

Tony Greig's Concerns on India's Domination in ICC

Famous Commentator Tony Greig has shown his concerns on Indian domination in ICC. In an interview with BCC he said that “we have a situation at the moment where the ICC is dominated by India, therefore, we have to try to get ICC right.”  He added "We are playing too much cricket. I would be getting all the countries from the world and saying hey listen, what is this nonsense of giving Indian domestic cricket an open window? He added "It is laughable that Chris Gayle and Kieron Pollard are playing in the IPL when the West Indies are playing home series against Pakistan -- that is just ridiculous."

The concerns of Tony Greig are facts. Due to only charm of money ICC has provided an open window to a domestic tournament of BCCI. This encouragement from ICC for playing only for earning money has destroyed the career of some good cricketers. Andrew Symonds, Lasith Malanga and now Chris Gayle is also on the same track. Over all impact of this money aimed league on the character of players is also negative. IPL players are not concentrating hard during their international matches now. The performances of some good players like Pollard, Gayle, JP Domeny and some Sri Lankan players in ICC World Cup 2011 are acknowledging their lack of concentration.

So, therefore, President of ICC and Indian Born CE of ICC should think regarding the betterment of cricket instead of promoting useless Indian league which is harmful by any means for the game. 

ICC Future Tours Programme - 2011

January 2011

*     England in Australia

*     Tri-Series in Australia (Eng, Aus & SL)

*     India in South Africa

*     Pakistan in New Zealand

*     Zimbabwe in Bangladesh

February 2011

*     ICC Cricket World Cup 2011

March 2011

*     ICC Cricket World Cup 2011

April 2011

*     Australia in Bangladesh (2 Tests & 3 ODIs)

*     Pakistan in West Indies (2 Tests & 5 ODIs)

May 2011

*     Sri Lanka in England (3 Tests & 5 ODIs)

*     India in West Indies (4 Test & 5 ODIs)

June 2011

*     Zimbabwe in Australia (2 Tests & 3 ODIs)

July 2011

*     India in England (4 Tests & 5 ODIs, 1 T20)

*     Bangladesh in Zimbabwe (2 Tests & 5 ODIs)

August 2011

*     Australia in Sri Lanka (3 Tests & 5 ODIs)

September 2011

*     Australia in South Africa (3 Tests & 5 ODIs)

*     Pakistan in Zimbabwe (2 Tests & 3 ODIs)

October 2011

*     England in India (5 ODIs, 1 T20)

*     Sri Lanka in Pakistan (3 Tests & 5 ODIs)

*     West Indies in Bangladesh (2 Tests & 3 ODIs)

November 2011

*     New Zealand in Australia (2 Tests)

*     West Indies in India (3 Tests & 5 ODIs)

December 2011

*     India in Australia (4 Tests)

*     Zimbabwe in New Zealand (2 Tests & 3 ODIs)

*     Pakistan in Bangladesh (2 Tests & 3 ODIs)

*     Sri Lanka in South Africa (3 Tests & 5 ODIs)

Hosting Mega Events – Embarrassing Record of India

It is a massive embarrassment for the World Cup organizers, that International Cricket Council has ruled out Eden Gardens, Kolkata as the host of the game between India and England on February 27. The ICC’s inspection team found that Eden Gardens would not be ready in time.

Before this controversy, India has faced such embarrassment in common wealth games also. When top star players avoid to come India because of insufficient facilities and unprofessional preparations for the games by Indian officials.

What these all details shows? Infact India is showing the world that it is a modern and developed country through his huge media, but in fact only one class of India has developed themselves through money, the whole structure of the country is still not in position to meet the requirements of such huge events like Olympic Games and common wealth games. Because before the starting of World cup ICC has shown there concerns regarding event preparations.

So therefore, world community should look ground realities while thinking to consider India as host for massive events. Because media can make some thing charming only on the screens not on ground. 

Zulqarnian Controversy – Both Sides of The Picture

 The recent controversy of Zulqarnian born some questions in mind of cricket lovers.

  “Was he really in so danger from the bookies.”

“He has played a game for popularity and money.”

            If he was really in danger then the environment for Pakistan cricket is very unsuitable. It shows that there are some very high profile people who want to see their own player as wicket keeper on any cost. Because they can achieve their desire results very easily through wicket keeper. If wicket keeper is not performing you cannot win the matches. Before this controversy they have already send back Zulqarnain from England after he performed well in a Test Match. Zulqarnain’s brother has said in a TV interview that Zulqarnain was able to play the matches, but management sent him back from Australia. In this situation ICC should investigate the matter thoroughly. And if any Pakistani team official is involve, ICC should demand from government of Pakistan to dissolve the current board otherwise they have to ban Pakistan cricket.

            If Zulqarnain has played a game then he should be punished. Government of Pakistan has to file criminal case against him. So that no one think again about earning money through disgracing his country.

            But nothing can be expected from the current board. Because the committee they form for fact finding  is comprising on servants of PCB and they will never go against the desires of PCB chairman. 

Double Standards of ICC and International Media

A British News Paper disclosed the fact that there is a link between Indian player Suresh Raina and Bookies. CCTV Cameras recording shows that more than one time Raina was accompanied by a lady known for links with bookies. A report was sent by Sri Lankan Cricket Board to Indian Cricket Board.  But BCCI was showing that nothing has been happened.

Imagine if any Pakistani did so, what would be the response of ICC and International Media, especially Indian Media. So many questions arise here. Is ICC suspended Suresh Riana as ICC has done with Pakistani Players. If not, why? Only footages were evidence against Pakistani players. These types of evidence are available against Raina also. What is ICC waiting for? Has ICC established special task force to look the issues of Indian Cricket Board as ICC did in case of Pakistan. Where is Mr. Malcolm Speed, Darrell Hair, Ian Both and Nasir Hussain who had demanded ban on Pakistan cricket in the similar type of situation. Where is Mr. Anil Kumble who was in favor to stop the England and Pakistan ODIs series.  Would he like to comment on the Suresh Raina Issue. Haroon Lorgat also needs to clear his position. Because he was the one who reached England and then ban the Pakistani players.

The double standards of ICC and International Media are visible for every one. This situation is not helpful for the game. If some one is sincere with the game, he should treat every player and country equally. 

Disappointing Role of ICC in Prevention of Match Fixing

It is said that Match Fixing, Fancy Fixing and Spot Fixing exists in the game of cricket since long long ago. Shane Warne and Mark Waugh from Australia, Harshelle Gibbs, Nicky Boy and Hansie Cronje from South Africa, Azhar Ud Din and Ajay Jadeja from India and Salim Malik from Pakistan have faced the allegations of Match fixing. Therefore, for the prevention of Match Fixing ICC has established an unit named Anti Corruption and Security Unit. The duty of this unit is to prevent match fixing and other corruption in game of cricket. But if we review the character of this unit, we can say that either this unit is not serious in prevention of corruption in game or it is  not capable of doing so. Because in recent days if we look at the spot fixing scandal of Pakistan Cricket team, it is clear that Anti Corruption Unit of ICC was totally failed to identify this corruption. It was weekly “World of News” who identified the corruption. So therefore, the role of  Anti Corruption Unit is questionable. One can draw conclusion that for prevention of Match fixing we cannot depend upon this unit.

The question is, what is this unit doing. What is the duty of this Unit? Why ICC does not feel responsibility for its failure. But there is another side of the picture also. Most of the time ICC actions look like they are supporting bookies for some reasons. I will give you one example here. If we look at the World Cup which was played in West Indies and where Pakistan loss his Match to Ireland. One can ask some question about the following two aspects.

Number one “Most of the wickets were balance for Bellowing and Bating”. Number Two “Then why the wicket on which an Asian country (Pakistan) was playing against a European country (Ireland) was prepared to suite the weak team that was Ireland (The wicket was quick and bouncy)”. Because most of the European teams are better then Asian on a quick wicket.  In other words a chance was given to weak team to win against the favorite. Why ICC did so, I think only bookie may concern with the win of weak team. And ICC given a chance to weak team to win and help the bookies. Several times ICC prepares quick and bouncy wickets in a country that have record of slow and dead wickets. It is look like ICC want to get unexpected results for some reasons. So, therefore, I think that another Anti Corruption Unit must be established to have a watch on the corruption of ICC officials also.