March 15, 2017 issue
Cricket
England, 3rd ODI, Barbados, March 9, 2017
An inept West Indies suffered their heaviest One-Day International defeat to England, when they crashed to a 186-run loss in a lopsided series finale at Kensington Oval on March 9.
Reserving their worst performance of the three-match series for the Kensington Oval, the hosts batted and bowled with equal indifference, as England pulled off their first-ever clean sweep of an ODI series in the Caribbean.
Sent in, England equaled their highest-ever total against the West Indies and the highest ever at the venue with 328 all out off their 50 overs, with fit-again opener Alex Hales gathering 110 and Joe Root, 101.
The pair dominated the West Indies bowling, adding 192 for the second wicket to pull their side around from the early loss of Jason Roy for 17 in the sixth over with 27 runs on the board.
Twenty-year-old fast bowler Alzarri Joseph, playing his first game of the series in place of the injured Shannon Gabriel, claimed four for 76 while captain and fellow seamer Jason Holder picked up three for 41.
Having never successfully chased a total in excess of 300 to win an ODI, West Indies buckled under the weight of history and collapsed for 142 all out off 39.2 overs – narrowly avoiding their lowest-ever venue total of 141, 23 years ago.
Only left-hander Jonathan Carter with 46 showed any enterprise but he was the sole batsman to pass 20 and one of just three to reach double figures. West Indies were tormented by seamers Chris Woakes (3-16) and Liam Plunkett (3-27) who finished with three wickets apiece while Steven Finn claimed two for 35.
Once the hosts collapsed to 45 for six in the 17th over, the mission became one of avoiding embarrassment, and Joseph’s unbeaten 22 off 13 balls at number 11 averted total disaster.
Left-hander Kieran Powell (6) failed for the third straight game when he defensively pushed the third delivery of the innings from Finn in to Hales’ hands at short square leg. In the very next over, new batsman Evin Lewis tugged an attempted pull back to bowler Woakes without scoring and when opener Kraigg Brathwaite’s nondescript waft at Plunkett found Root at mid-wicket, West Indies were tottering on 13 for three in the fourth over.
Jason Mohammed, already with two half-centuries under pressure in the series, failed to deliver this time as he missed a drive at Plunkett and was bowled for 10 at 32 for four in the 13th over and Shai Hope (16) and Holder (0) fell to Plunkett off successive deliveries in the 17th over, to leave the innings in strife.
Carter, who finished the series as his side’s leading run-scorer with 137 runs, faced 77 balls and struck eight fours, adding 30 for the seventh wicket with Carlos Brathwaite (7). But seamer Ben Stokes trapped Brathwaite lbw on review and Carter was eventually ninth out, caught in the deep pulling at Finn in the 36th over.
Hales and Root had earlier put England in control, with Stokes weighing in with a cameo 20-ball 34. Not for the first time in the series, the tourists lost an early wicket when Roy drove Joseph into Holder’s lap at mid-off but Hales and Root overcame a tough period to dominate.
In his first match of the series after sufficiently recovering from a broken hand sustained on the recent tour of India, Hales faced 107 deliveries and crunched nine fours and five sixes to record his fifth ODI hundred. Root, meanwhile, coming off an unbeaten 90 in the second game in Antigua, counted 10 fours in a 108-ball knock to post his eighth ODI hundred.
Hales started slowly but quickly grew in confidence to reach his half-century off 52 balls with a cover-driven boundary off expensive leg-spinner Devendra Bishoo in the 21st over which leaked 18 runs.
Given out on 93 in the 34th over, lbw to part-time off-spinner Kraigg Brathwaite, Hales gained a reprieve via DRS and raised triple figures off 99 balls with a top-edged six over the keeper’s head off Joseph.
He was beginning to open his shoulders even further when he was caught at fine leg by Nurse off Joseph. Root, dropped twice before he had reached 20, strolled to his half-century off 71 deliveries but stepped on the gas and required only another 36 deliveries to reach three figures.
On 241 for three at the end of the 40th over, England seemed poised for a total well in excess of 350 but underachieved in the last 10 overs, with only 87 runs coming for the loss of seven wickets.
Bangladesh skipper Mushfiqur Rahim regretted his team's inability to draw the first Test against Sri Lanka on Saturday in Galle. Resuming with the overnight score of 67 for no loss on the final day, Bangladesh were shot out for 197 to lose by 259 runs on a wicket that offered little help for bowlers.
"Last night the way the openers batted, I thought the wicket was pretty good. Still, it doesn't look like a day-five wicket. It doesn't look like there is anything wrong with the wicket. We had a hope that if we managed to survive the first one hour, we could do something," Mushfiqur told journalists.
"We lost our top five batsmen in the first hour. After that it's very difficult to recover. They had to just bowl the right line and length from thereon. Losing that many wickets in the first hour cost us the game. We were outplayed in all three departments and they deserved to win," Mushfiqur added.
"If we could have stuck to our basics, ball after ball, then the session could go either way. And if we lost maximum one or two wickets in the first session, then I think the last two sessions could have been a different ball game. There are lots of areas to work on and we don't have enough time, but there is one more game to go and one more opportunity to come back in the series."
Although the margin of defeat was massive, Bangladesh had their moments in the game. One of the turning points of the Test match was when Sri Lanka batsman Kusal Mendis was recalled after being caught behind off a no-ball on the first delivery he faced. He went onto post a career best 194.
"If Subashis did not bowl the no-ball, one or two wickets could have fallen then. There are some areas that we didn't do ourselves justice. The no-ball is a big crime, no matter when you bowl it, and when you take a wicket off it, it becomes really bad. These are areas we have to work on, because this also happened in a previous series when a no-ball got someone out, and it's very difficult to come back from that," Mushfiqur said.
While Sri Lanka played three specialist spinners in the game, Bangladesh went the opposite direction, opting for three specials seamers, which earned the visitors criticism. But Mushfiqur refused to put his team's defeat down to team selection, and reckoned the batsmen let the side down.
"The bowling did not cost us the Test match, the batting did. Even with spin, there was nothing so exceptional that troubled us. You can say that since we were so far behind in the first innings and we had such a big target, the opposition could bowl with a lot of freedom. That put us on the back foot. I don't think there was a problem with our combination."
Summarized scores: Sri Lanka 494 and 274 for 6 declared; Bangladesh 312 and 197. Sri Lanka won by 259 runs.
"Last night the way the openers batted, I thought the wicket was pretty good. Still, it doesn't look like a day-five wicket. It doesn't look like there is anything wrong with the wicket. We had a hope that if we managed to survive the first one hour, we could do something," Mushfiqur told journalists.
"We lost our top five batsmen in the first hour. After that it's very difficult to recover. They had to just bowl the right line and length from thereon. Losing that many wickets in the first hour cost us the game. We were outplayed in all three departments and they deserved to win," Mushfiqur added.
"If we could have stuck to our basics, ball after ball, then the session could go either way. And if we lost maximum one or two wickets in the first session, then I think the last two sessions could have been a different ball game. There are lots of areas to work on and we don't have enough time, but there is one more game to go and one more opportunity to come back in the series."
Although the margin of defeat was massive, Bangladesh had their moments in the game. One of the turning points of the Test match was when Sri Lanka batsman Kusal Mendis was recalled after being caught behind off a no-ball on the first delivery he faced. He went onto post a career best 194.
"If Subashis did not bowl the no-ball, one or two wickets could have fallen then. There are some areas that we didn't do ourselves justice. The no-ball is a big crime, no matter when you bowl it, and when you take a wicket off it, it becomes really bad. These are areas we have to work on, because this also happened in a previous series when a no-ball got someone out, and it's very difficult to come back from that," Mushfiqur said.
While Sri Lanka played three specialist spinners in the game, Bangladesh went the opposite direction, opting for three specials seamers, which earned the visitors criticism. But Mushfiqur refused to put his team's defeat down to team selection, and reckoned the batsmen let the side down.
"The bowling did not cost us the Test match, the batting did. Even with spin, there was nothing so exceptional that troubled us. You can say that since we were so far behind in the first innings and we had such a big target, the opposition could bowl with a lot of freedom. That put us on the back foot. I don't think there was a problem with our combination."
Summarized scores: Sri Lanka 494 and 274 for 6 declared; Bangladesh 312 and 197. Sri Lanka won by 259 runs.
India bowled Australia out for 112 in Bangalore to win a dramatic second Test by 75 runs and level the series at 1-1.
The hosts resumed their second innings on 213-4 and added 25 before wickets tumbled and they were dismissed for 274, with Josh Hazlewood taking 6-67.
Australia needed 188 to win and, after a promising start, were slowed down by losing regular wickets, including captain Steve Smith for 28.
Their last six wickets went for 11 runs as Ravichandran Ashwin took 6-41.
India pace bowler Umesh Yadav also played a key part as he took the wickets of Smith and Shaun Marsh in the second innings.
Marsh was given out leg before wicket but the decision would have been overturned had he chosen to review.
"It was a great Test match, it certainly ebbed and flowed throughout," said Smith. "The partnership between Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane really hurt us.
"This afternoon did not go to plan. We weren't up to it but I'm proud how the boys played."
India conceded a first innings deficit of 87 after they were skittled out for 189 before Australia made 276.
Pujara and Rahane put on 118 for the fifth wicket in their side's second innings and it proved crucial as they helped India to 274 and a match-winning lead.
"After losing the first Test how we did, we wanted to bounce back hard," said India captain Virat Kohli. India were humiliated in the first Test, losing by 333 runs.
"We knew if we got more a lead of than 150 it would be difficult."
The third Test of the four-match series will start on Thursday, 16 March in Ranchi.
Summarized scores - Second Test, Bangalore:
India 189 & 274: Pujara 92, Rahane 52, Hazlewood 6-67
Australia 276 and 112: Smith 28, Ashwin 6-41
India win by 75 runs
The hosts resumed their second innings on 213-4 and added 25 before wickets tumbled and they were dismissed for 274, with Josh Hazlewood taking 6-67.
Australia needed 188 to win and, after a promising start, were slowed down by losing regular wickets, including captain Steve Smith for 28.
Their last six wickets went for 11 runs as Ravichandran Ashwin took 6-41.
India pace bowler Umesh Yadav also played a key part as he took the wickets of Smith and Shaun Marsh in the second innings.
Marsh was given out leg before wicket but the decision would have been overturned had he chosen to review.
"It was a great Test match, it certainly ebbed and flowed throughout," said Smith. "The partnership between Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane really hurt us.
"This afternoon did not go to plan. We weren't up to it but I'm proud how the boys played."
India conceded a first innings deficit of 87 after they were skittled out for 189 before Australia made 276.
Pujara and Rahane put on 118 for the fifth wicket in their side's second innings and it proved crucial as they helped India to 274 and a match-winning lead.
"After losing the first Test how we did, we wanted to bounce back hard," said India captain Virat Kohli. India were humiliated in the first Test, losing by 333 runs.
"We knew if we got more a lead of than 150 it would be difficult."
The third Test of the four-match series will start on Thursday, 16 March in Ranchi.
Summarized scores - Second Test, Bangalore:
India 189 & 274: Pujara 92, Rahane 52, Hazlewood 6-67
Australia 276 and 112: Smith 28, Ashwin 6-41
India win by 75 runs
Rain played spoilsport in Dunedin, forcing the officials to abandon the final day's play of the first Test between New Zealand and South Africa without a ball being bowled,on Sunday. The intriguing game - evenly poised after the visitors finished 191 runs ahead on the penultimate day - ended in a damp draw.
The rainfall that started overnight ensured that the covers were firmly in place and the scheduled early start, to make up for the lost time on Day 4, remained a distant dream. Matters only got worse as the rain did not relent. Lunch was taken with both teams yet to leave their hotel. Play was called off shortly afterwards.
The second Test of the three-match series will be played in Wellington, starting onMarch 16. However, the hosts have a few major injury concerns in their camp to address.
Ross Taylor, who sustained a low grade calf tear while batting in the first innings on Thursday, has officially been ruled out of the second Test. The veteran batsman hasn't been ruled out of the third Test just yet, in order to assess his recovery. New Zealand Cricket are yet to name a replacement for him for the second game.
In the bowling department, Trent Boult, who did not take field in the final session on day 4 due to a strain, will continue to be monitored by the team, though he will remain with the squad in Wellington. Tim Southee, who had been dropped for the series opener to accommodate an extra spinner, can fill in should the need arise.
On the other hand, South Africa have quite a few positives to take away from the game. Dean Elgar's gritty knocks in both innings and Keshav Maharaj's maiden five-for stood out. Both JP Duminy and Temba Bavuma did themselves a favour with their handy knocks in the two innings respectively. Barring Stephen Cook and Quinton de Kock's form, or the lack of thereof, the visitors have little concerns going into the second game.
The rainfall that started overnight ensured that the covers were firmly in place and the scheduled early start, to make up for the lost time on Day 4, remained a distant dream. Matters only got worse as the rain did not relent. Lunch was taken with both teams yet to leave their hotel. Play was called off shortly afterwards.
The second Test of the three-match series will be played in Wellington, starting onMarch 16. However, the hosts have a few major injury concerns in their camp to address.
Ross Taylor, who sustained a low grade calf tear while batting in the first innings on Thursday, has officially been ruled out of the second Test. The veteran batsman hasn't been ruled out of the third Test just yet, in order to assess his recovery. New Zealand Cricket are yet to name a replacement for him for the second game.
In the bowling department, Trent Boult, who did not take field in the final session on day 4 due to a strain, will continue to be monitored by the team, though he will remain with the squad in Wellington. Tim Southee, who had been dropped for the series opener to accommodate an extra spinner, can fill in should the need arise.
On the other hand, South Africa have quite a few positives to take away from the game. Dean Elgar's gritty knocks in both innings and Keshav Maharaj's maiden five-for stood out. Both JP Duminy and Temba Bavuma did themselves a favour with their handy knocks in the two innings respectively. Barring Stephen Cook and Quinton de Kock's form, or the lack of thereof, the visitors have little concerns going into the second game.
Extraordinary security measures because of a surge in militant violence last month did not stop thousands of cricket-starved fans from flocking to the 25,000-capcity Gaddafi Stadium to watch the Pakistan Super League (PSL) final between Peshawar Zalmi and Quetta Gladiators on Sunday, March 4.
“Even if we have to pass through a dozen security checkpoints we won’t mind,” said Mohammad Afzal, a smiling 25-year-old Peshawar fan.
“It’s not a matter of who wins or loses tonight, it’s a big day for Pakistan as we wanted to show the world we can host international matches too,” said 18-year-old student Iftikhar Ahmed, who arrived at the venue hours before the game was due to start.
PSL chairman Najam Sethi, who also heads the Pakistan Cricket Board’s executive committee, said he looked at the PSL final as the opening for Pakistan to bring back international cricket.
Security officials from the cricket boards of Australia, Sri Lanka, England and Bangladesh, as well as the International Cricket Council were also present at the stadium to see security measures for themselves.
Thousands of security officials, including policemen and soldiers, had been deployed around the stadium and the route from the teams’ hotel as part of the beefed-up security.
In a tweet, Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) chief Maj Gen Asif Ghafoor said that sports promoted peace.
Wishing good luck to both teams, the ISPR director general welcomed the foreign players who participated in the match and foreign guests who came to Pakistan to watch the final.
Brushing off security worries, cricket-obsessed fans relished a rare chance to savour big-time cricket on home soil.
“For the last several weeks, we were not going to restaurants because of threats of terrorism. But celebration of the PSL final has brought us out,” said school teacher Maleeha Rizvi, 48, dining with her family near the stadium. “I guess this event has defeated terrorism,” she added.
The air of festivity and excitement in front of the Gaddafi Stadium was palpable. Singing national songs while clapping and dancing, the crowds waited patiently without complaint, ecstatic at being able to witness the final match in their hometown.
As special shuttle buses arrived in the designated parking lots to take the visitors inside the stadium, the large number of men and women of all ages boarded the vehicles as their festive sloganeering reached a crescendo. The extra hassle of having to wait in the parking lots was met with no complaints.
The city was lit up ahead of the big match. The Lahore Municipal Corporation (LMC) had set up fairy lights in greenbelts on major roads, especially on both sides of Canal Road.
An LMC spokesperson said the reason for this was not only to decorate the city, but also to help law enforcement agencies maintain law and order by keeping an eye on people’s movement.
“This looks more like Eid that we celebrate every year... I am very happy that my parents allowed me to come see the match,” Ahmad Iqbal, a student of Lahore Grammar School, said while heading towards the Barkat Market parking lot to catch a shuttle bus.
The energy of the youth wearing shirts bearing emblems of their favourite teams was matched by the volume of the slogans they shouted. “I support Peshawar Zalmi... it will surely win,” Auan Raza said, while Dr Sharjeel Ahmad nearby weighed in: “No no, of course the Quetta Gladiators will win... I’m supporting it.”
“Zalmi, Zalmi, Zalmi,” shouted Aizaz, high-fiving his friends who cheered him on. “I like Zalmi... it is a strong team.”
A lot of the slogans the crowds shouted were for the country. They resonated deeply with the people who spoke about an overwhelming feeling of solidarity and camaraderie that had brought them to witness the match.
“I feel safe since [there are] many police officials here to protect our lives. We are [here] to see the match not only to support national and international players, but also those who have organised this mega event [in the face of] threats,” said Kamran Siddique, while waiting for his turn to board a bus. “The police officials’ attitude has been very good,” he added.
Faheem Chaudhry, a student who danced to national songs with his friends while heading towards a parking lot, said: “After many years, today’s scene reflects that finally we will succeed in overcoming terrorism. I hate terrorism and it must be eliminated by the government by hook or by crook.”
He added: “The time has come to revive international cricket that had stopped in the country after a terrorist attack on the Sri Lankan team in Lahore in 2009.”
“[This is] after many years that I [have gotten to] see such a wonderful activity attracting the public and [infusing them with] enthusiasm, courage and emotion. It seems as if the end of terrorism is near,” said Qayyum Zahid, a senior journalist at a news agency, while walking to the venue near the Barkat Market traffic signal.
“The people’s enthusiasm reflects that we are united against terrorism,” he added. Shujaat Anwar, another visitor, appreciated the efforts of the law enforcement agencies to provide an opportunity for such an unprecedented festivity for Lahorites. “I salute our police, the army and all those, whether in the government or not, who have done such an amazing job of converting a state of fear and disappointment to a mega festivity in the country,” Mr Anwar said.
“Even if we have to pass through a dozen security checkpoints we won’t mind,” said Mohammad Afzal, a smiling 25-year-old Peshawar fan.
“It’s not a matter of who wins or loses tonight, it’s a big day for Pakistan as we wanted to show the world we can host international matches too,” said 18-year-old student Iftikhar Ahmed, who arrived at the venue hours before the game was due to start.
PSL chairman Najam Sethi, who also heads the Pakistan Cricket Board’s executive committee, said he looked at the PSL final as the opening for Pakistan to bring back international cricket.
Security officials from the cricket boards of Australia, Sri Lanka, England and Bangladesh, as well as the International Cricket Council were also present at the stadium to see security measures for themselves.
Thousands of security officials, including policemen and soldiers, had been deployed around the stadium and the route from the teams’ hotel as part of the beefed-up security.
In a tweet, Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) chief Maj Gen Asif Ghafoor said that sports promoted peace.
Wishing good luck to both teams, the ISPR director general welcomed the foreign players who participated in the match and foreign guests who came to Pakistan to watch the final.
Brushing off security worries, cricket-obsessed fans relished a rare chance to savour big-time cricket on home soil.
“For the last several weeks, we were not going to restaurants because of threats of terrorism. But celebration of the PSL final has brought us out,” said school teacher Maleeha Rizvi, 48, dining with her family near the stadium. “I guess this event has defeated terrorism,” she added.
The air of festivity and excitement in front of the Gaddafi Stadium was palpable. Singing national songs while clapping and dancing, the crowds waited patiently without complaint, ecstatic at being able to witness the final match in their hometown.
As special shuttle buses arrived in the designated parking lots to take the visitors inside the stadium, the large number of men and women of all ages boarded the vehicles as their festive sloganeering reached a crescendo. The extra hassle of having to wait in the parking lots was met with no complaints.
The city was lit up ahead of the big match. The Lahore Municipal Corporation (LMC) had set up fairy lights in greenbelts on major roads, especially on both sides of Canal Road.
An LMC spokesperson said the reason for this was not only to decorate the city, but also to help law enforcement agencies maintain law and order by keeping an eye on people’s movement.
“This looks more like Eid that we celebrate every year... I am very happy that my parents allowed me to come see the match,” Ahmad Iqbal, a student of Lahore Grammar School, said while heading towards the Barkat Market parking lot to catch a shuttle bus.
The energy of the youth wearing shirts bearing emblems of their favourite teams was matched by the volume of the slogans they shouted. “I support Peshawar Zalmi... it will surely win,” Auan Raza said, while Dr Sharjeel Ahmad nearby weighed in: “No no, of course the Quetta Gladiators will win... I’m supporting it.”
“Zalmi, Zalmi, Zalmi,” shouted Aizaz, high-fiving his friends who cheered him on. “I like Zalmi... it is a strong team.”
A lot of the slogans the crowds shouted were for the country. They resonated deeply with the people who spoke about an overwhelming feeling of solidarity and camaraderie that had brought them to witness the match.
“I feel safe since [there are] many police officials here to protect our lives. We are [here] to see the match not only to support national and international players, but also those who have organised this mega event [in the face of] threats,” said Kamran Siddique, while waiting for his turn to board a bus. “The police officials’ attitude has been very good,” he added.
Faheem Chaudhry, a student who danced to national songs with his friends while heading towards a parking lot, said: “After many years, today’s scene reflects that finally we will succeed in overcoming terrorism. I hate terrorism and it must be eliminated by the government by hook or by crook.”
He added: “The time has come to revive international cricket that had stopped in the country after a terrorist attack on the Sri Lankan team in Lahore in 2009.”
“[This is] after many years that I [have gotten to] see such a wonderful activity attracting the public and [infusing them with] enthusiasm, courage and emotion. It seems as if the end of terrorism is near,” said Qayyum Zahid, a senior journalist at a news agency, while walking to the venue near the Barkat Market traffic signal.
“The people’s enthusiasm reflects that we are united against terrorism,” he added. Shujaat Anwar, another visitor, appreciated the efforts of the law enforcement agencies to provide an opportunity for such an unprecedented festivity for Lahorites. “I salute our police, the army and all those, whether in the government or not, who have done such an amazing job of converting a state of fear and disappointment to a mega festivity in the country,” Mr Anwar said.
It was a final nobody expected would happen. It was a final most cricket diehards in the country had yearned for. It was a final some political bigwigs had eyed with scepticism. It was a final Quetta Gladiators feared. Stars or no stars, it was going to happen anyway given the determination of the people who mattered most.
Collectively, everyone should be applauded for a peaceful game of cricket after cynics had passed comments and tweets in the opposite direction during the lead-up to the title-decider.
Peshawar Zalmi may have emerged champions — and deserving ones too — of the second Pakistan Super League season. The advantage of not having to lose their major overseas stars became a crucial factor in Peshawar lifting the trophy in front of a vociferous Gaddafi Stadium crowd.
Talking of fans, the Peshawar ones outnumbered those rooting for Quetta as gauged by the sea of yellow shirts in the stands. That too inspired Darren Sammy and company and made them feel at home.
Quetta were hard done by unavailability of their first-choice foreign imports and one really felt for them since the replacements of Kevin Pietersen, Rilee Rossouw, Tymal Mills and Luke Wright were not only rusty but were out of their depth. It was clear the circumstance got to them.
Barring West Indian paceman Rayad Emrit, the imports were disappointing from Quetta’s perspective and one of them, the 34-year-old Sean Ervine was playing his first T20 match — for English county side Hampshire — since July last year. Many would not know him for the reason he had given up playing international cricket in 2004 but he is an older brother of Craig Ervine, a current Zimbabwe batsman.
Morne van Wyk, a 37-year-old wicket-keeper/batsman who has been in and out of South Africa limited-overs teams, was a victim of jetlag having flown into Lahore from Port Elizabeth after playing for Dolphins against Warriors in a South Africa domestic one-day cup the Friday before.
Bangladesh opener Anamul Haque, who has been out of the national side for more than a year now, had come into the PSL final after having last appeared in this format in December.
With due respect to all of them, they were no match for Pietersen, Rossouw, Mills and even Wright. Quetta, thus, were unlucky in every sense of the word from the onset.
Moreover, Sarfraz Ahmed perhaps made the wrong call to bowl first at a venue where the last competitive fixture was staged way back in the middle of November – when Lahore Whites hosted Karachi Whites in the Quaid-i-Azam Trophy – and hence, he had no clue about the pitch behaviour.
Unfortunately, the expectations of an exhilarating final, which many had anticipated, died a natural death in cricketing terms given the disparity of the personnel available for the finalists.
Coming to the gains and losses of the PSL finale, the biggest loser was the contest itself since it lacked the competitive edge. The biggest gainer on the night was Ahsan Raza. Despite committing a number of gaffes both as an on-field and TV monitoring official – one has actually lost count of them – the portly individual went home with a hefty $20,000 for being declared the best umpire.
Najam Sethi as PSL chairman promised a final in Lahore and delivered it an unqualified success. Therefore, he was also a big winner.
One cannot assess what the fans had gone through to see the match live at the venue. But it must have taken more than 10 hours just to watch a T20 match, starting from preparations at home and travelling through various shuttle points before reaching the destination and then going through the same again.
Whatever, it was. Cricket was the ultimate winner.
Collectively, everyone should be applauded for a peaceful game of cricket after cynics had passed comments and tweets in the opposite direction during the lead-up to the title-decider.
Peshawar Zalmi may have emerged champions — and deserving ones too — of the second Pakistan Super League season. The advantage of not having to lose their major overseas stars became a crucial factor in Peshawar lifting the trophy in front of a vociferous Gaddafi Stadium crowd.
Talking of fans, the Peshawar ones outnumbered those rooting for Quetta as gauged by the sea of yellow shirts in the stands. That too inspired Darren Sammy and company and made them feel at home.
Quetta were hard done by unavailability of their first-choice foreign imports and one really felt for them since the replacements of Kevin Pietersen, Rilee Rossouw, Tymal Mills and Luke Wright were not only rusty but were out of their depth. It was clear the circumstance got to them.
Barring West Indian paceman Rayad Emrit, the imports were disappointing from Quetta’s perspective and one of them, the 34-year-old Sean Ervine was playing his first T20 match — for English county side Hampshire — since July last year. Many would not know him for the reason he had given up playing international cricket in 2004 but he is an older brother of Craig Ervine, a current Zimbabwe batsman.
Morne van Wyk, a 37-year-old wicket-keeper/batsman who has been in and out of South Africa limited-overs teams, was a victim of jetlag having flown into Lahore from Port Elizabeth after playing for Dolphins against Warriors in a South Africa domestic one-day cup the Friday before.
Bangladesh opener Anamul Haque, who has been out of the national side for more than a year now, had come into the PSL final after having last appeared in this format in December.
With due respect to all of them, they were no match for Pietersen, Rossouw, Mills and even Wright. Quetta, thus, were unlucky in every sense of the word from the onset.
Moreover, Sarfraz Ahmed perhaps made the wrong call to bowl first at a venue where the last competitive fixture was staged way back in the middle of November – when Lahore Whites hosted Karachi Whites in the Quaid-i-Azam Trophy – and hence, he had no clue about the pitch behaviour.
Unfortunately, the expectations of an exhilarating final, which many had anticipated, died a natural death in cricketing terms given the disparity of the personnel available for the finalists.
Coming to the gains and losses of the PSL finale, the biggest loser was the contest itself since it lacked the competitive edge. The biggest gainer on the night was Ahsan Raza. Despite committing a number of gaffes both as an on-field and TV monitoring official – one has actually lost count of them – the portly individual went home with a hefty $20,000 for being declared the best umpire.
Najam Sethi as PSL chairman promised a final in Lahore and delivered it an unqualified success. Therefore, he was also a big winner.
One cannot assess what the fans had gone through to see the match live at the venue. But it must have taken more than 10 hours just to watch a T20 match, starting from preparations at home and travelling through various shuttle points before reaching the destination and then going through the same again.
Whatever, it was. Cricket was the ultimate winner.
World cricket's governing body plans to send a team of international players to Pakistan in September as part of efforts to revive home fixtures disrupted by a deadly militant attack in 2009, officials said on Tuesday of last week.
The announcement comes days after the final of the Pakistan Super League was held in Lahore without incident.
Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Shaharyar Khan said the PSL event, which featured foreign stars and was hailed by fans as a unifying national force, had paved the way for the return of international matches.
"I have received a letter from Giles Clarke, the head of a (International Cricket Council) task force on Pakistan, who has praised the successful staging of PSL final and has promised to bring a World XI in September," Khan said.
The Guardian had earlier quoted Clarke, who is also the president of the England and Wales Cricket Board, as saying: "The terrorists cannot win and cricket must not give up on Pakistan."
No major international team has toured Pakistan since Islamist militants attacked a bus carrying Sri Lankan cricketers in 2009, killing eight people and wounding nine including six visiting cricketers. Visits by minnows Afghanistan and Zimbabwe did little to calm the nerves of bigger opponents.
Khan added: "Clarke had come to Pakistan in January this year and was impressed with the security arrangements which we showed him for future matches."
The PSL final was held amid security that resembled a military operation, involving more than 8,000 heavily-armed police and paramilitaries.
The World XI is expected to play four Twenty20 matches against a Pakistan XI on September 22, 23, 28 and 29.
The visiting team will likely feature two-time World Twenty20 winner Darren Sammy and fellow West Indian Marlon Samuels as well as England's Dawid Malan and Chris Jordan.
Sammy had earlier told AFP he had felt safe playing in Pakistan.
"I had my doubts and fears before coming to Lahore and when I spoke to my mother she said 'Go, boy, and play and I will be on my knees praying for you', and my wife said the same thing," he said.
"I am glad that I came for a cause and it was as safe as playing in St Lucia or India or anywhere in the world. Pakistan fans deserve to see their players playing, which they have not done for a while."
The PCB is also hoping Bangladesh and Sri Lanka – whose security delegates visited Lahore for PSL final – will consider touring Pakistan later this year.
The announcement comes days after the final of the Pakistan Super League was held in Lahore without incident.
Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Shaharyar Khan said the PSL event, which featured foreign stars and was hailed by fans as a unifying national force, had paved the way for the return of international matches.
"I have received a letter from Giles Clarke, the head of a (International Cricket Council) task force on Pakistan, who has praised the successful staging of PSL final and has promised to bring a World XI in September," Khan said.
The Guardian had earlier quoted Clarke, who is also the president of the England and Wales Cricket Board, as saying: "The terrorists cannot win and cricket must not give up on Pakistan."
No major international team has toured Pakistan since Islamist militants attacked a bus carrying Sri Lankan cricketers in 2009, killing eight people and wounding nine including six visiting cricketers. Visits by minnows Afghanistan and Zimbabwe did little to calm the nerves of bigger opponents.
Khan added: "Clarke had come to Pakistan in January this year and was impressed with the security arrangements which we showed him for future matches."
The PSL final was held amid security that resembled a military operation, involving more than 8,000 heavily-armed police and paramilitaries.
The World XI is expected to play four Twenty20 matches against a Pakistan XI on September 22, 23, 28 and 29.
The visiting team will likely feature two-time World Twenty20 winner Darren Sammy and fellow West Indian Marlon Samuels as well as England's Dawid Malan and Chris Jordan.
Sammy had earlier told AFP he had felt safe playing in Pakistan.
"I had my doubts and fears before coming to Lahore and when I spoke to my mother she said 'Go, boy, and play and I will be on my knees praying for you', and my wife said the same thing," he said.
"I am glad that I came for a cause and it was as safe as playing in St Lucia or India or anywhere in the world. Pakistan fans deserve to see their players playing, which they have not done for a while."
The PCB is also hoping Bangladesh and Sri Lanka – whose security delegates visited Lahore for PSL final – will consider touring Pakistan later this year.