How the world cup was won ... and almost lost
quotes from Shahryar and Shashi Tharoor book:
The deadline to submit the required data to the International Cricket Council was in March 2006 but it had to be extended to April 21 as four Asian nations India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh were still to be ready with their documents.
"...in January 2006, the four Asian representatives gathered in New Delhi to finalise our joint bid for the 2011 World Cup. The last date for the bid was a few days after our New Delhi meeting. To my horror, the BCCI had not completed its preparation for our joint bid which entailed filling detailed and copious forms that ICC had sent out to all the countries bidding for the World Cup," he wrote in the 'Shadows across the playing field', co-authored by United Nations Under-Secretary-General Shashi Tharoor.
"There was consternation in ranks when we -- Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Pakistan -- pointed out that our joint bid was bound to hit the rocks because India had not remotely completed the data required by the ICC," he said.
Mr. Shaharyar noted that the then newly appointed BCCI President Sharad Pawar ordered Board Secretary Niranjan Shah to complete the work by keeping him awake a whole night.
"Sharad Pawar was naturally deeply upset to learn of this potential disaster and ordered his secretary Niranjan Shah to sit up all night with his South Asian colleagues to complete the data."
But the task could not be completed, Mr. Shaharyar was told by his chief executive Saleem Altaf when inquired.
"We sat up with Niranjan Shah till 3 am but then the effort collapsed because Indian Board simply did not have the factual data at hand. I am afraid our bid will be found non-compliant in Dubai," Altaf told Mr. Shaharyar.
The 75-year-old former army man said Asia's prestige was at stake because of India's tardiness, which he blamed on the absence of a proper BCCI office and paid staffs.
"This was a serious blow and was certain to affect Asia's prestige in the cricket word individually and collectively.
"India's non-compliance was, in my opinion, due to the fact that the BCCI had no permanent headquarters, no secretariat and no paid officials performing BCCI's daily work. This was a stage omission... for the most powerful cricketing nation in the world not to have this basic structure seemed bizarre," he said.
Mr. Shaharyar also revealed how the co-bidders bought time from the ICC by stating failure of previous BCCI regime led by Jagmohan Dalmiya in not passing on the required documents.
"Our presentation was almost certainly going to be found non-compliant leaving the field to Australia-New Zealand. I suggested that at the board meeting we plead for a brief extension on the grounds that India's new board had recently taken over and had not been conveyed the documentation by the previous board for the proper compilation of the Asia's bid," he said.
"Sharad Pawar moved immediately to prepare the ground...he went up to Ray Mali and Peter Chingoka and engaged them in deep conversation... At the Executive Board meeting, he made a persuasive plea to be allowed a brief extension," he added.
The former PCB President explained how India and Pakistan, which unfortunately will not host any 2011 WC matches owing to the unrest in the country, then combined to turn things in their favour.
"India and Pakistan had declined to take part (in Twenty20 World Cup)... but one month later Sharad Pawar and I decided to withdraw our objection, especially as South Africa was to host the championships. It led to firming up of African and West Indian commitment to Asia holding the World Cup in 2011, with Australia and New Zealand being alloted the 2015 World Cup," he said.
"This diplomatic exercises had led to India and Pakistan closely co-ordinating their strategy to gain the World Cup 2011," he added.
http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/holnus/007200907091452.htm
Friday, July 10, 2009
Thursday, July 09, 2009
Show me your cause
An excerpt from the PCB FAQ ...
Q. What is the fravorite pastime of PCB officials?
A. Sending each other Show Cause Notices.
Q. What is the fravorite pastime of PCB officials?
A. Sending each other Show Cause Notices.
BCCI Cowers
No it was not the ICC or any court it was that other powerful cricketing force the Shiv Sena. The Deodhar trophy is back on courtesy of Shiv Sena.
http://cricketnext.in.com/news/deodhar-back-on-dates-to-be-out-soon/42238-13.html
BCCI says it was done to avoid the dissolution of concept ... the concept being the IPL. At least this time the concept is concrete.
http://cricketnext.in.com/news/deodhar-back-on-dates-to-be-out-soon/42238-13.html
BCCI says it was done to avoid the dissolution of concept ... the concept being the IPL. At least this time the concept is concrete.
BCCI Positions
BCCIs recent spate of decisions and comments have thrown some light on where it wishes to take the game and what are the factors that influence it. It would be instructive to take a look at five of its recent policy statements or actions.
1. Flouts the ICC by not inviting PCB to the world cup organizing committee meetings. This is after it forced its agenda through at the ICC. It is not even following the ICCs (own) decision.
2. Turns protectionist by recommending that foreign players be eliminated from its domestic cricket.
http://www.cricinfo.com/india/content/story/413286.html
3. While it may dictate ICC positions and still not listen to ICC it is all ears to Shiv Sena. Would this be termed giving into terrorism?
http://cricket.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/BCCI-to-reconsider-Deodhar-Trophys-fate-after-Sena-threats/articleshow/4738283.cms
http://www.stabroeknews.com/2009/sports/07/04/indian-party-threatens-ipl-games-over-domestic-event/
Bal Thakaray was able to stop games in India before by threatening BCCI with dire consequences for holding them. If this is what the BCCI gives in to how does it expect to hold the world cup matches if certain elements from within might not want it to hold certain games.
4. Does not include Pakistan or Bangladesh on its FTP draft in essence taking a stance harder than any of the two governments involved. Indo-Pak relations go through their ups and downs but the governments have not banned the "other side" from visiting and even when they have restricted their own teams it is on a case by case basis. The relationship has its swings but even the governments have never gone on to plan the exclusion of the other side over decades which is essentially what the BCCIs FTP draft effectively plans to do. No this has more to do with the BCCIs monopolistic attitude than its stated excuse of the deteriorating relationship between the two governments. It has more to do with keeping what it considers its satellite boards in orbit around it.
5. The level of discourse it has shown by coming up with the dilution of concept. Who is the great thinker who suffered the great pangs of the dilation of conception for this masterpiece?
Points 2 and 4 together infact show that BCCI is not interested in the expansion of the game which is the one of the stated ambitions of the ICC. It is a continuation of the MCC thinking of the past. It seeks to monoplize power at the expense of expansion.
This is a contest of the haves and have-nots or what the PCB calls the cartel of the big four against the smaller boards. I had written in January that this is where things are headed.
http://voiceandview.blogspot.com/2009/01/new-old-fashioned-divide.html
1. Flouts the ICC by not inviting PCB to the world cup organizing committee meetings. This is after it forced its agenda through at the ICC. It is not even following the ICCs (own) decision.
2. Turns protectionist by recommending that foreign players be eliminated from its domestic cricket.
http://www.cricinfo.com/india/content/story/413286.html
3. While it may dictate ICC positions and still not listen to ICC it is all ears to Shiv Sena. Would this be termed giving into terrorism?
http://cricket.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/BCCI-to-reconsider-Deodhar-Trophys-fate-after-Sena-threats/articleshow/4738283.cms
http://www.stabroeknews.com/2009/sports/07/04/indian-party-threatens-ipl-games-over-domestic-event/
Bal Thakaray was able to stop games in India before by threatening BCCI with dire consequences for holding them. If this is what the BCCI gives in to how does it expect to hold the world cup matches if certain elements from within might not want it to hold certain games.
4. Does not include Pakistan or Bangladesh on its FTP draft in essence taking a stance harder than any of the two governments involved. Indo-Pak relations go through their ups and downs but the governments have not banned the "other side" from visiting and even when they have restricted their own teams it is on a case by case basis. The relationship has its swings but even the governments have never gone on to plan the exclusion of the other side over decades which is essentially what the BCCIs FTP draft effectively plans to do. No this has more to do with the BCCIs monopolistic attitude than its stated excuse of the deteriorating relationship between the two governments. It has more to do with keeping what it considers its satellite boards in orbit around it.
5. The level of discourse it has shown by coming up with the dilution of concept. Who is the great thinker who suffered the great pangs of the dilation of conception for this masterpiece?
Points 2 and 4 together infact show that BCCI is not interested in the expansion of the game which is the one of the stated ambitions of the ICC. It is a continuation of the MCC thinking of the past. It seeks to monoplize power at the expense of expansion.
This is a contest of the haves and have-nots or what the PCB calls the cartel of the big four against the smaller boards. I had written in January that this is where things are headed.
http://voiceandview.blogspot.com/2009/01/new-old-fashioned-divide.html
Tuesday, July 07, 2009
On the Fourth Day Pakistan Created Collapse
continues from
http://voiceandview.blogspot.com/2009/07/match-so-far.html
To continue ...
13. Day 4: Pakistan could do little right. Sri Lankan bowlers stuck to excellent lines and made the ball do just enough and not too much. McGrathish I suppose but certainly did not look as devastating as the batsmen made it look. The way they went on playing and missing it looked like even another five batsmen would not be enough. Yousuf's was a curious out. Almost as if he was seeing the ball where it was not. Can't blame Butt for trying to take pressure off by scoring but again what he can be blamed for is his shot selection. Misbah was the worst. He yet again found a way to get out unnecessarily. He is starting to get a bit of a reputation for these in tight spots. However, the way he was playing and missing it probably took him out of his misery.
14. If Muralitharan is fit Sri Lanka will have a selection dilemma on their hands ... well maybe not until we see the pitch.
15. Pakistan's opening and batting brittleness remain the problems. It will be hard to fix either through selection since they have no other openers on tour and probably the current guys should get the rest of the series to make a claim but things seem to be opening up for the second coming of Imran Nazir.
16. Pakistan's attack did well but it will be too much to expect from a 17 year old to perform consistently at a very high level. The rest of the attack is too new as well. Gul will have to show up if Pakistan are to have a chance to make some reverses.
17. Things to ponder for Younis. The weaknesses were the transition game. At certain points the Pakistanis did not have a clear idea of what they should be aiming for. This led to not being able to drive the advantage through at key moments. Fielding is a problem but it always has been and its not going to be fixed in the next few days. Above all it will test him as a leader of men. He has been a clever tactician on the field and has been strategically sound and has developed his plans well but such a loss can devastate you long enough for the series to be over. He has to get his team back on its feet. He should also give up that line about being slow starters. First in this case it made no sense. Second it starts to sound like an excuse and losing early starts to be an expectation which may be fine for the fans but not the players themselves. It would be interesting if he makes any changes but one looks very unlikely given that he has no other openers out there and rest of the batsmen all did something in the first innings and nothing in the second except of course for himself. In tests it is highly unlikely that he would open with Akmal and opt to drop an opener since it is too much burden for the keeper. It would however give him an option to try Alam down the order. Unlikely though that he will go that far. Depending on the wicket Kaneria may or may not come into it at the cost of Rauf but again probably unlikely. He may choose to show confidence in the players and stick to his team here.
http://voiceandview.blogspot.com/2009/07/match-so-far.html
To continue ...
13. Day 4: Pakistan could do little right. Sri Lankan bowlers stuck to excellent lines and made the ball do just enough and not too much. McGrathish I suppose but certainly did not look as devastating as the batsmen made it look. The way they went on playing and missing it looked like even another five batsmen would not be enough. Yousuf's was a curious out. Almost as if he was seeing the ball where it was not. Can't blame Butt for trying to take pressure off by scoring but again what he can be blamed for is his shot selection. Misbah was the worst. He yet again found a way to get out unnecessarily. He is starting to get a bit of a reputation for these in tight spots. However, the way he was playing and missing it probably took him out of his misery.
14. If Muralitharan is fit Sri Lanka will have a selection dilemma on their hands ... well maybe not until we see the pitch.
15. Pakistan's opening and batting brittleness remain the problems. It will be hard to fix either through selection since they have no other openers on tour and probably the current guys should get the rest of the series to make a claim but things seem to be opening up for the second coming of Imran Nazir.
16. Pakistan's attack did well but it will be too much to expect from a 17 year old to perform consistently at a very high level. The rest of the attack is too new as well. Gul will have to show up if Pakistan are to have a chance to make some reverses.
17. Things to ponder for Younis. The weaknesses were the transition game. At certain points the Pakistanis did not have a clear idea of what they should be aiming for. This led to not being able to drive the advantage through at key moments. Fielding is a problem but it always has been and its not going to be fixed in the next few days. Above all it will test him as a leader of men. He has been a clever tactician on the field and has been strategically sound and has developed his plans well but such a loss can devastate you long enough for the series to be over. He has to get his team back on its feet. He should also give up that line about being slow starters. First in this case it made no sense. Second it starts to sound like an excuse and losing early starts to be an expectation which may be fine for the fans but not the players themselves. It would be interesting if he makes any changes but one looks very unlikely given that he has no other openers out there and rest of the batsmen all did something in the first innings and nothing in the second except of course for himself. In tests it is highly unlikely that he would open with Akmal and opt to drop an opener since it is too much burden for the keeper. It would however give him an option to try Alam down the order. Unlikely though that he will go that far. Depending on the wicket Kaneria may or may not come into it at the cost of Rauf but again probably unlikely. He may choose to show confidence in the players and stick to his team here.
Monday, July 06, 2009
Pakistan Unfirl Another Fast Bowler
The Match so Far
Interesting match so far ...
1. Younis takes the brave route of batting second on a subcontinental pitch but a very good pitch for anywhere.
2. Pakistan start strongly by getting a couple of early wickets.
3. They give up the early gains by a couple of lousy attempts at catching. The drop by Akmal was specially horrendous.
4. Younis springs a surprise by bringing himself on and regaining the momentum.
5. The momentum is somewhat dissipated by the continued attempts at catching but not catching.
6. Pakistan do well to restrict Sri Lanka to a reasonable score. the check on extras conceded was impressive.
7. Their openers give it up before the day is done (specially Butt). And that was just the first day. 8. Pakistan overhaul the Sri Lankan score with some batting left (5 wickets were down but one was a night watchman).
9. They give up the advantage with two run outs when they could have pushed the advantage through.
10. The only thing which seems up to this point that was in Sri Lanka's control (and where they faltered) was the extras they conceded. A fair portion of the lead came from them.
11. Day 3 Pakistan did little wrong. Somewhat worrying would be Gul's loss of rhythm and Younis's batting. For SL batting is the worry. So Pakistan have set themselves up well. Can they make the final push without faltering this time? This has been their weakness in this match (and in recent years; letting opportunities slide when in control. Hopefully other pitches will be similar.
12. The umpiring has been questionable (some good decisions too). It hasn't been an issue because the teams are on good terms with each other; the bad decisions have gone both ways and probably affected both sides similarly; the match has not gone into a real tight situation yet.
1. Younis takes the brave route of batting second on a subcontinental pitch but a very good pitch for anywhere.
2. Pakistan start strongly by getting a couple of early wickets.
3. They give up the early gains by a couple of lousy attempts at catching. The drop by Akmal was specially horrendous.
4. Younis springs a surprise by bringing himself on and regaining the momentum.
5. The momentum is somewhat dissipated by the continued attempts at catching but not catching.
6. Pakistan do well to restrict Sri Lanka to a reasonable score. the check on extras conceded was impressive.
7. Their openers give it up before the day is done (specially Butt). And that was just the first day. 8. Pakistan overhaul the Sri Lankan score with some batting left (5 wickets were down but one was a night watchman).
9. They give up the advantage with two run outs when they could have pushed the advantage through.
10. The only thing which seems up to this point that was in Sri Lanka's control (and where they faltered) was the extras they conceded. A fair portion of the lead came from them.
11. Day 3 Pakistan did little wrong. Somewhat worrying would be Gul's loss of rhythm and Younis's batting. For SL batting is the worry. So Pakistan have set themselves up well. Can they make the final push without faltering this time? This has been their weakness in this match (and in recent years; letting opportunities slide when in control. Hopefully other pitches will be similar.
12. The umpiring has been questionable (some good decisions too). It hasn't been an issue because the teams are on good terms with each other; the bad decisions have gone both ways and probably affected both sides similarly; the match has not gone into a real tight situation yet.
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