Hell’s Angel

Love him or Hate him but you cant ignore him.
Call him a cheapster or whatever, He's still one of
the finest talents available. He's a match winner and
you havent got alot of match-winners in Pak team.

Hopefully, he'll do something in this India-tour.
Shoaib come on ..........

Shoaib is one of the best cricketers Pakistan ever had but at the same time, one of the the worst enemies of himself and his talent. his attitude has never been of a sportsman. He simply forgets that the stardom he got was due to his cricket and not his looks.
I guess he is not a teenager anymore and on the verge of getting into his thirties. The type of attitude he displays is totally counter productive owards any discipline among his team mates as well. I wish he had realised his potential and worked on it professionally to polish it. He is considered a match winner, which he did prove in maybe one out of five matches, but then the cost of that is too high. I am glad that he was pulled out of the team before this high profile series and even better would be to get rid of him altogether.
I actually do not mind his play boy image provided it is balanced by his committment towards the game and national team, which is totally absent in his case. I wish he could have learnt something from Imran Khan, who despite all his flings off the field, gave Pakistan cricket and his countrymen the best memories of their life time.
I hope he does not join the team in one dayers to prove how invincible he is as that would lead to a total disaster for both,shoaib`s mental health and Pakistan cricket. The team did ok despite his absense in the later days of the australian tour, and would do better without him. Pakistan cricket has already pampered him alot and does not need to do more for a guy who is not sincere to himself. let us leave him and let him live in his own glory with his heavy bikes and outrageous lifestyle.

Today`s DAWN (March 7) says that out of the 7,500 tickets for the Mohali Test given by the Indian Board to the PCB for sale to the Pakistani public, several thousand had to be returned unsold. Even the special trains between Lahore and the border were cancelled by PR for ``technical reasons``, prompting the corresponding cancellation of two trains on the Indian side. Is this public apathy due to Shoaib`s absence, and the perceived impact on Pakistan`s chances of winning? If indeed the PCB kept him away with some ill conceived notions of disciplining him while he was healthy enough to play, may be they will reconsider their decision at least for the next tests.

I keep thinking of Chuck Daly and Phil Jackson, the two great coaches who got the best out of Rodman and won championship after championship. Even th mercurial Ian Botham needed a captain like Mike Brearley to bring out the best in him. For years, that famous combination poduced many victories for England against formidable opposition.

I like Shoaib the way he is - hugely talented, emotional, aggressive, often willing and perfectly capable of putting a foot in his own mouth, and yet able to run through any opposition like a hot knife through butter.

From where I live, it is not easy to see him in action as it happens, but the recorded games have been a pleasure to watch. Whether it is Shoaib running through the Australian batting might on their own home turf (one dayers a few years ago) leaving nothing but bewilderment on the faces of the likes of Ponting, or whether it is his body language after being put to sword in his very first over by Sachin at Wanderers, I have always felt a sense of affection for this gifted player.

Shoaib is to Pakistani cricket what Rodman has been to the NBA. An enigma. Yet, in the end, while we cricket loving public have our reasons to love the game, to the organizing bodies it is essentially a money spinning business. Take away the glamour that the Shoaibs and the Rodmans bring to their sport, and you take away a lot of the game`s contemporary charm. The PCB would be foolish to overlook Shoaib`s appeal to the paying public. Of course, the NBA is far more single minded about money making than the PCB. And if simple economic rationality had ruled Indo-Pak relations, then ... Well.

I say, let Shoaib be Shoaib. Handle him well, and he will bring glory to Pakistani cricket. Try to mould him into somebody else`s image of right and wrong, and it would be one more case of wasted genius.

#22 by ijaz_gul on March 5, 2005 10:20pm PT
[``I am a keen visitor to Pindi Club cricket ground and seen Shoaib play even when he was not first class. He was also in company of Mohd Akram, Shabbir and Salman Shah who missed making it to Pakistan team.``]

Ijaz Gul Sahib.... do you know that for 30+ years after Merry Max`s retirement, no one from Rawalpindi made it to the national team. Then we had 3 caps, almost simultanesously...... Razzaq, Azhar Mehmood and Speed Akhtar!

Salman Shah is one year my junior and I have never understood why hasn`t he been selected to play for Pakistan, although at 30 years, I think he has missed the bus.

Do you know that two of his uncles were extremely good cricketers but never made it first class... Tony Shah who along with Asif Afridi was probably the fastest bowler in Pakistan (this is before Imran peaked)... Asif made it first class but never beyond... he was not a Pathan Pathan but a Mohajir Pathan... but Asif didn`t have any variation... a one trick pony with the only trick being speed.... Tony on the other hand was very clever and mean.... As a batsman, you didn`t see the ball in his hand through his run up and stride. He hid it very well... and like all fast-fast bowlers, he was bit of a chucker. He bowled toe crushers when Waqar was probably jockying camels in Abu Dhabi....

The other uncle, GC Shah was a very confident front foot batsman... it was literally impossible to force him on his back foot. He too never made it first class. (He was called GC because he resembled Greg Chappel, including the on again off again blondish goatee). Other than Zaheer Abbas, I haven`t seen another Pakistani batsman so confident on the front foot.

Cricketers from Rawalpindi have always been neglected by the Lahori cricketing establishment. But for a 10 year old, it was fun being traunt and watching these great cricketers in action at Rawalpindi club.

Jeez... sorry for the rant Farzana.....

rahul_capri:

Compared to the current lot, Shoaib would make an excellent captain. I`m looking at this in terms of what qualities Imran had - an aura, arrogance, and not holding back. Ijaz`s point that Shoaib didn`t have someone like Imran to groom him is well taken.

Sohaib makes international headlines while Afridi is popular domestically. Secondly, Pathans as race are fiercely independent, and being an Afridi brings in pride rather than any self prejudiced complex in him.


On betting, I feel that India would loose one of the tests and odds in ODI are 70:30 in favourv of Pakistan.

Cheerios

Some betting figures for the current test...Rs.500 crores is for Sachin breaking Gavaskar`s 34 Test centuries record; for the series it is between Rs. 12,000-15,000 crore.

#20 by HP:

:) What is wrong with being too deep? I thought since you were probing the depths of `insanity` on another board, you might understand.

[I like ALL kind of troublemakers.]

Shall keep this in mind...

#21 by Mantolives:

Agreed. And this piece is about understanding him.

#22 by ijaz_gul:

Thanks for the additional info. In some ways Shoaib reminds me of our own Vinod Kambli who never quite got his due and was always getting into trouble.

I have often wondered how and why Shahid Afridi gets away and Shoaib does not.

Farzana, you have made a commendable attempt at unfolding the personality of a macho cricketer. I feel you are right most of the time.
Now some emperical data about Pakistan Cricket.

Wasim won the series for Pakistan when he had hardly played any cricket.

Tauseef was picked up from nowhere and later won the series for Pakistan in India in tandem with Iqbal Qasim.

Waqar was bred into the Pakistan team with hardly any first class experience and became a toe crusher.

Sami single handedly won a test against New Zealand when most of the senior players had revolted, and beat Kiwis on their home ground with shearing pace.

In the last indian tour of Pakistan, the test that Pakistan won was sans Shoaib, and Umer Gul was the unlikely hero.

So who lnows this time. Will it be Sami, Atif or a new face altogather?

I am a keen visitor to Pindi Club cricket ground and seen Shoaib play even when he was not first class. He was also in company of Mohd Akram, Shabbir and Salman Shah who missed making it to Pakistan team. Shoaib was also a fitness fanatic and used to run around 40-50 times around the ground. He was arrogant and played most of his weekend cricket amongst the players of the GHQ team. Even then everyone wanted him in the Pakistan team but was difficult to tame.

Yes he performed as a loner. His tragdy is that he had to live under the shadows of Waqar and Wasim, whome he threatened to oust. Everytime he did not perform, Waqar and Wasim gained.Its unfortunate, he did not have a captain as Imran who sacrificed his bowling to groom Waqar and Wasim. I think that it was around there that the `most cruel cut of them all` was made.

Shoaib has always lifted his game when he has a point to prove, both batting and bowling.Sociologically, he is in the same street league as MianDad but being a bowler has to tear his body apart to bowl fast. Thats his advantage or he will loose his place to numerous 140K bowlers that play at nearly every net of Pakistan. So he will keep breaking down.

He is also a quick learner. Hesitant to speak english in the initial stages he has picked that accent and makes sense. Remember he does not have that english medium grooming of Imran, Wasim and Waqar.

Whatever we may say, Talanga, Chowkraboy, Streetwise Kid or a cheapster,Shoaib will make a comeback. I am sure he is now going to concentrate on swing, reverse and seam.

Cheerios

Farzana Versey...

Shoaib Akhtar and I work out at the same gym.

He is one of the most decent chaps in real life... something has to be said about the media image... and reality.

#18 by FarzanaVersey
“A clean image helps in detente. The message being sent out is that we know how to reign in trouble-makers (understated message being ALL kinds of trouble-makers).”

“Deep thoughts by Farzana Versey.”

Too deep! Farzana, Just too deep! I like ALL kind of troublemakers. What if they send him in for one days? … more troublemakers to follow…
It is fun to read between the lines, this was like reading between the words!

Re: # 18
``Your other point: ``Do you seriously believe that Shoaib`s absence has got something to do with sending a message to the Indians?`` I am glad you brought this up. Yes, I believe so. Today, sports, entertainment and other fields are used to politicise issues. A clean image helps in detente. The message being sent out is that we know how to reign in trouble-makers (understated message being ALL kinds of trouble-makers).``
Farzana,
though your reasoning is sound, I doubt Shoaib was left out for this reason. If Shoaib had declared himself fit, no selection committee or PCB management would have dared leave him out of the team. But looking at the positve side, I grant that it is as you put it, and I hope that both countries continue to look for such positive signs in each others actions. As you correctly put it it, all exchanges between India and Pakistan need to send messages that can promote friendship.

yahyajamil:

The quotes you have pointed out are not a criticism of Shoaib. He is shown to be a Bad Boy by the authorities.

I agree that Shoaib`s antics are not specific to any country and have mentioned that players do have fun....

Your other point: ``Do you seriously believe that Shoaib`s absence has got something to do with sending a message to the Indians?`` I am glad you brought this up. Yes, I believe so. Today, sports, entertainment and other fields are used to politicise issues. A clean image helps in detente. The message being sent out is that we know how to reign in trouble-makers (understated message being ALL kinds of trouble-makers).

Re: # 15
(Amrita, thanks...I was beginning to look between syllables for my alleged criticism of Shoaib...)
Farzana,
while safeer (# 10) may have been a bit harsh, the following would certainly not qualify as a compliment for Shoaib.
``Shoaib Akhtar has already won the series for Pakistan. How our neighbour fares on the field is immaterial; it has scored its victory by keeping the bad boy away. The message being sent out is that Pakistani cricket, Pakistani society, Pakistani politics are all about squeaky clean gentlemen out to do a hard day’s work and play fair.``

``This one masterstroke has achieved what a hundred diplomatic meetings and handshakes would not have.``
There is no doubt that Shoaib is a problem child, but how does his presence or otherwise affect relations between India and Pakistan? Do you seriously believe that Shoaib`s absence has got something to do with sending a message to the Indians? Shoaib`s on and off the field antics are never specific to any country.

The only reason that a polarized society like ours deals with someone like Shoaib in such manner is because of his class. Yes... I said it. Shoaib unfortunately wasn`t born in the higher echelons of the Pakistani society like our hero Imran Khan. That is why someone like Imran would be praised as a national hero who`s good looks have become a national pride. On the other hand if Shoaib wants to attend a party he`s taken to the committee and asked to explain himself. Imagine if he was an elite-born Aitchisonian who attended the same fashion show. I think the outcome would have been different.

If it is only the lower classes that watch cricket (though what is wrong about that anyway?), then how does one account for the huge bets -- Rs. 500 crore already? It has just become trendy for these social upstarts to sit in five-star lounges over champagne brunches and cigars and watch Formula racing. Btw, check out the F-1 strivers in India; they are huge cricket fans. I know!

Shoaib is considered BAD because he does not follow rules and not because he loves India...and Hindu models etc don`t count, considering Imran Khan was not quite as pure as driven snow...phew, and I am accused of conspiracy theories...

I read somewhere that if Pakistan lost this series, then Shoaib would be made captain. If they won, then Shoaib will be in sh!t street...Rozaiba, I agree that an emotional captain is better than those technicians.

I don`t understand what boozy nights have got to do with performance. Let me quote what Saurav Ganguly once said he would tell his players: ``You do whatever you want after the game, don`t come back to the hotel, don`t eat, don`t sleep, that`s not my problem. But from 10 am on the ground, from the first over to the last over, I want your 100 per cent.``

There is a typo that has changed the meaning of a sentence. It should be ``He won`t play ball`` not ``We won`t play ball``. Thanks Soulat for noticing it but I believe what Shoaib says in interviews. He speaks his mind...and I am naive!

BeeJay: I shall spare you since you are on sabbatical (though you have managed to take a look at him, weighed him and analysed his personality in this period!) Never mind that you are wrong about the first two. He is attractive in a ruffian way, which is hardly what Prez Kalam is. He is certainly not gargantuan; for that you will have to check out Inzy (now, don`t go googling for him as well...)

And this not a light issue for me...

Amrita, thanks...I was beginning to look between syllables for my alleged criticism of Shoaib...

#10: This is your first post on this site. After registering a year and half ago. I know how it must feel to hold back this long; hope you are feeling better after having finally `pissed off`.

Its never too late and its never too bad. For me, its a case of human resource mangement. Either some big shot in the board or the captain must be capable to manage different sorts of talents.

Shoaib`s case is not exceptional! Majority of the Pakistani youth are struggling along the same lines in their individual capacities. The problem is his lack of professionalism. There cannot be any excuse of boozy late nights before a full day of cricket ahead. The only reason he has made it thus far is is skill in cricket. He has to focus on his game to acheive emancipation! Living in gloomy old england is hardly going to make him happy!!

Re: # 10
er...did I miss something? I thought this wasn`t a criticism of Shoaib.

Oops! Forgot the link....Here is the complete news about Why Meera getting friendly with Indians is `BAD` for Pakistan.......the same goes for Shoaib as well!!

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/msid-1039954,curpg-2.cms

`Meera should fight for Kashmir too`

Sayed Munawar Hasan, Secy of Jamaat-e-Islami, spearheading the movement against Meera in Karachi, on the `ideology` of Meera`s kiss.


Yeh mudda kiss ka nahin hai... Everything is a political issue. Why is India trying to confuse the Kashmir issue? Why should there be a cricket match in Ahmedabad? Why is Meera in Bollywood? Why is she not fighting like us for the Kashmiris` freedom and human rights? Doesn`t Meera know and understand the tehzeeb of her culture? India and Pakistan are two different countries, two cultures. We have different definitions of shame, respect; different boundaries for our women; different ideologies. According to us, Meera should not be in Bollywood. The kiss is not the issue here. Kashmir, cricket or a kiss... there is a political angle to everything.

Farzana, admit it, either you have a huge crush on him, or he broke your heart. With the stringent acidic words you describe him, can only suggest one of the two. You speak of his flauntness and his shodiness. You know nothing of how he actually spent hours in the daunting heat of pindi summers on those fields to get where he is. You know nothing about his background, or how he made his way through the beauratic system to prove himself. You can sit back in your cozy world and criticize the guy, but don`t hide behind the curtains of intellect to do so. You know nothing about cricket, or sports for that matter. I couldn`t care less about what you think, but once in a while when some no one like you tries to take their frustations out on someone like this, it pisses me off. Get a life.

Interstingly...as per our Paki Mullahs Actress Meera is also `BAD` because she makes friends with Indians and does not work for Jehad in Kashmir!!!

Dear Farzana:

I profess my ignorance (although there is no reason why that would stop me from delivering a long lecture on this issue) that I had not previously heard of this person Shoaib Akhtar. His name sounds like SHOW-AIBE (as in “display your faults”), which appears to have negative connotations. However, the fact that he may be willing to put those characteristics on open display (and perhaps even offer some of them for sale) could also be taken as a sign of forthrightness. Therefore, he appears to have a rather complex personality.

So, as part of my (continuing) relentless pursuit of knowledge, I decided to check up on him. After some careful research (consisting of googling for 5 minutes), I found that his physical looks are okay (what with him resembling a little the current president of India, at least hair-wise, only perhaps younger). But I also encountered harsh quotes like “Cricket, being a gentleman`s game, has no role for such arrogant characters”. That really perked me up, since it conclusively proved that indeed there are some “gentlemen” still around (I had thought they had all been shown the door by “gentlepersons”). However, the next line of that article really clarified things for me ``It`s more than a game. It`s an institution.`` Since we are talking about an institution here, why should there be any surprise if we run into characters who ought to have been institutionalized?!

By the way, I am very distressed that you brought my poor Laloo into this, as if the poor fellow does not have enough pains as it is. Believe me Farzana, we feel HIS pain (and MANY have felt that for a long time, again and again, the gift that kept on giving!)

I would love to stay on a little longer and give my deep insight into additional issues I know nothing about, but I happen to be on sabbatical. I must say though, that it is great to see you back in form and talking about (relatively) lighter issues (although Mr. Akhtar may not qualify as light - looks like at least 250 pounds (115 kgs) to me!).

Sincerely,
BeeJay (still on sabbatical)

Shoaib opted out. I think he always has displayed motivation issues. There is always a different side to the story, but you have to play. The show must go on. From a personal perspective his decision may make sense to him,but in all other contexts, if his withdrawal has anything to do with anything else than fitness,(and people have been known to play when not fully fit in important matches) ,then people are correct in criticising him.
rozaiba, I doubt he wants to become a captain or would accept captaincy happily if offered.

Shoiab needs to be made captain. Regardless of the spate of victories or defeat of the team the past decade, the team needs an angry over-emotional captain. You may think this is a crazy statement despite all that`s happened, but it`s not.

My two pence impression of Shoab........Shoab is `BAD` because he refuses to consider India as an enemy state...he is `BAD` because he refuses to continously bow down before the arrogant Paki authorities and the mullahs......and he does not yell ``Death to Infidels`` every time he bowls those hurricans.....he has more Indian (and Hindu!!) friends than any of these Chowki Pakis.....he loves India...and Indian Models ofcourse....and Sachin Tendulkar is his friend!! All this is extremely uncomfortable for the Paki Generals who head the PCB!!

Do we need to know more as to why he was dropped??

My two pence impression of Shoab........Shoab is `BAD` because he refuses to consider India as an enemy state...he is `BAD` because he refuses to continously bow down before the arrogant Paki authorities and the mullahs......and he does not yell ``Death to Infidels`` every time he bowls those hurricans.....he has more Indian (and Hindu!!) friends than any of these Chowki Pakis.....he loves India...and Indian Models ofcourse....and Sachin Tendulkar is his friend!! All this is extremely uncomfortable for the Paki Generals who head the PCB!!

Do we need to know more as to why he was dropped??

In Punjab, they use a term “Talanga” for people like Shoaib. They never grow up. As they grow old, they become more unmanageable. Shoaib is a classic case.

“The problem is that we won’t play ball. His is the voice of protest”
Are you being sarcastic?

``we won’t play ball``
we like to play ball but
I think ``he`` won`t play ball.

“He is the voice of protest! “
Half the time he has no idea what he is talking about! People write interviews for him. I hope you are not naïve to accept him on the face value.

Re: # 1

``I barely know the names of 5 or 6 members of India`s own cricket team. Never mind Pakistan`s team. Haven`t seen a full cricket match for last 3-4 years although its on TV all the time.``

Yet u`re telling us about Akthar`s recall value and what not...hehehe!
Ill probably count myself as upper middle or lower upper class but i do know all the averages and statistics for current and past players.

Cricket aint ur subject avenger, so dont talk about it!

Actually Akhtar is the only pakistani player with a high recall value...rest of the team is rather mediocre . None of them are even worth a mention. I dont sense too much excitement in India over this series. Most people have found other interests - Formula-1 racing and English Premier League for instance.

So cricket basically has to fight for attention now. Only the lower classes (the johnny-come-latelys) are still crazy about cricket.

Take me - when I was a kid I used to know the average , highest score , number of 100s , wickets ..every meaningless stat cricket can conjure ..of every cricketer on the planet. But then they began to show European football matches live on TV and brought to our homes a far more exciting sport....and today I barely know the names of 5 or 6 members of India`s own cricket team. Never mind Pakistan`s team. Haven`t seen a full cricket match for last 3-4 years although its on TV all the time. And trust me - most upper class people in urban India have lost interest in cricket.