Cricket: Afridi is Our Future

Don’t write him off as a dumb cricketer. He has a fantastic cricketing brain. As a baller and on the field. And he is seasoned. 12 years. He’s the most experienced player on Pakistan team right now.

Phoenix In Green

Just as I had swept ODI cricket, specially Pakistan cricket under the rug of ancient "feel good" memories, the Pakistan and West Indies match turns out to be a smasher and a half.

Will we ever learn?

The wise men of PCB and their cronies as usual, has started a smear campaign against the outgoing Chairman, Dr. Nasim Ashraf and “his” men who were asked to leave PCB.

Off With Test Cricket's Head

Allen Stanford, mention this name around puritan English cricket fans and you would probably get the equivalent of a mental wedgie these days.

Twenty 20 Cricket

Will twenty-20 cricket kill the ‘gentleman’s sport’ or is it going to be its savior!

The Unravelling of Project Snow

It is interesting to see the dynamics between the members of of Project Snow during the recent fracas downunder. And the cry about the great game of cricket from this old guard!

Pakistan, Welcome to Hyderabad

It was here (Niaz Stadium) that Imran Khan tore through the Indian Test batting line-up in 1983 with 8-23, and famously denied Miandad his triple hundred by declaring the innings.

Shoaib Malik at the cross-roads

Pakistan has let go of another impressive record that they held for almost three decades - that of not losing a test series in India. The series was lost, as was the pride...

The Slow, Castration of Pakistani Cricket

When asked if this draw was a moral victory for the Pakistanis Kumble remarked "When you struggle to pick up five wickets in both innings, that's no moral victory to me."

Is this the worst Pakistan team ever?

They have been successful in erasing 24 years of winning record of Pakistan cricket team in India.

Tribute to a Giant

Inzimam-ul-Haq, a glorius 17 year career, at the heart of Pakistan’s middle order. He has the most half-centuries, centuries and the second highest test runs by a Pakistani.

Of Taufel, Howard And An Apology

Same day that Simon Taufel expressed disappointment with his decision, another Australian, PM John Howard, ruled out an apology to the Indian doctor Mohammad Haneef

Javed Miandad : My Man Friday

For a person who enjoys the status of living legend to appear on a commercial television and rave and rant like an imbecile is unbecoming of a gentleman and a cricketer of his stature.

Bad Vibes

One should, at all costs, try not to enrage an intelligent man with authority and if one has to, it should be by the expression of one’s stupidity and not by the display of one’s intelligence

India and the Cricket World Cup

Although in audience reach Cricket World Cup does not match football but in passions, racial overtones , money making and cheating it is like a heady sports cocktail, brewed since Greek Olympic games and Roman gladiator combats.

Thank You Bob, Thanks Inzi!

He’s a colossal in his own right and we need to send him away in a grand fashion on our own terms and especially in a capacity Pakistani ground. We must learn how to bid farewell to our sporting heroes.

Commercialized Sports

The days of feeling empowered over defeating former colonial masters are gone. That is a small satisfaction and it cannot compensate for our lowly performance in many fields.

A Collective Failure to Fail

Each loss brought with it claims ranging from match-fixing and biased umpiring to the lack of divine providence. We never lost all these years. We were simply made to finish second by forces that conspired against us.

The Day We Killed Bob Woolmer

Bob Woolmer’s demise has to be Pakistan’s largest blemish in cricket. I want to tell the tale straight from the heart of his biggest fan.

Why We’re Shocked

So now that we’re the first team to be dumped out, ‘logic’ would dictate that we’re among the worst, and that is a bitter pill to swallow, indeed.

Raiwind IX

During a talk show hosted by former Pakistani cricket captain, Rameez Raja, Inzimam-ul-Haq suggested that along with the usual cricket training, cricketers should also be given “deeni taleem” (religious education).

World Cup 2007: A Legacy To Be Left Behind

Australia, South Africa, England are the main contenders in my opinion, with Pakistan being as unpredictable as ever,and after a year which has seen a lot controversy for the team, will remain a dark horse.

Soul Atrophy

Teams in any sport can be as good or as bad as the countries, societies and institutions they represent.

Pataudi’s Plight : The game of religious stereo typing

If Pataudi were to grow a beard and appear for photographs wearing a skull cap at the doorstep of a mosque, would he have become a better Muslim?

Pakistan: Cricket World Cup

As a one day player, Inzammam appeared past his prime in 2002 Cup. This time, he will be past utility. As the world cup proceeds, many would wonder why he is around in the first place.

Don’t Cry for me Rawalpindi

They each carry a sports bag and wore crisp new white shirts with the letters “Under 19” engraved on the left side.

All the King’s Men

Cricket, it seems, is no longer a gentleman’s game. It is neither played by gentlemen nor managed by people who believed in fair play and sportsmanship.

Indian cricket: present and future

India has finally achieved the impossible (at least till now) , their first series win on foreign soil after 35 long years.

The Pakistani Fast Bowling Enigma

When a Pakistani team can go to Australia and get 20 opposing wickets in every test match, only then can we truly say that this is a world class team with the best available talent.

Taj a Mirage

I saw a group of young artisans. They looked timid and frightened, their head bent down trying to concentrate on their work, but at the same time wanting to communicate with the onlookers

US-India Relations in Danger After an Attempt on the President's life!

So news is that Bush Mian may visit cricket games on his tour to India and Pakistan - what if - just what if the following were true?

One Dayers and All

India is a good side, and they have world class players. But, in terms of maturity and settlement into their roles they are still very young. This Indian one day team is where the Pakistan team was a couple of years ago

Pak vs Ind, 3rd Test in Karachi, Day 3 - A Tale of 2 Y’s

Pakistan vs. India, Third Test Jan 29 2006, Day 1 - Dispatch

Searing Pace, Scintillating Swing and a budding Pillar make for a great cricketing day

Karachi Back in Business

Cricket teams were wary of Karachi after the 2002 bomb blasts. But now the melting pot of Pakistan is back on the international cricket map

Sixers From The Past!

Shaid Afridi scored a century with Sachin's bat and Saeed Anwar made history using a Chennai willow.

Shortlived Promise

Two innings by a young batsman stand out in memory whenever I think of Hyderabad cricket. The first was a fearless century against a West Indies pace attack consisting of Malcolm Marshall, Vanburn Holder and Sylvester Clarke. The second one was another hu

An Interview with a Pakistani Fan

A transcript of a conversation that took place between renowned social scientist and associate professor of Sociology at Punjab University, Dr. Mutazalzaluzzaman Tarar Wattamaar, and the chairman of Anjuman-e-Tuhafazz-e-Fanayaan-e-Pakistani-Cricket (Organ

The Genius of a Giant

A look at Inzi - the gentle giant rose several notches to emerge as a true leader of men ..

Mystery Ball called “Doosra”

The story goes that when Saqlain was perfecting this delivery in the nets, Javed Miandad who was the Pakistani coach at that time used to prompt Saqlain to bowl this ball by calling it 'doosra.'

Exhilarating Cricket Series

This series between India and Pakistan had many great moments which will be cherished by supporters of both nations for a long time.

Hell’s Angel

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.

Let’s Play Cricket

In the last series, India won on the field, Pakistan off it, but cricket emerged as the real victor.

The Glory of Pakistan Cricket

If you pick the top 10 performers of every season, run them through the national cricket academy, and select the best among them to play for the country, that we can bring our infamous gori, oops “glory”, back from those darned Brits.

Muttiah Muralitharan

With a career boasting of 527 Test wickets, the highest wickets in Test matches, and 366 ODI scalps, Muttiah Muralitharan is no ordinary wizard with the ball.

Innocent Until Proven Guilty

Having taken a lot of flak for what he believes is not his fault, Ramiz Raja comes out all guns blazing.

Youhana Set to Score Triple Century Against Exhausted Indian Attack

Tomorrow unfolds the final chapter in the tense and absorbing historic first ever test match in over 2000 years of human history on Multani soil between India and Pakistan ending on the 1st of April.

Let Cricket Inspire India and Pakistan

Politics, by its nature, is just the opposite of Cricket. Stalwarts of the art of politics, old and new, are at one that it’s not a craft for gentlemen.

Peaceful Strokes

India wins the test series and Pakistan the one day series ...

The Complexities of Playing With India

The stories are folklore, the moments are legion. And they are different from the two sides of the border. In India, they haven’t stopped talking about the four victories over Pakistan in World Cup matches, so far a perfect record.

Top of the World - Part II

Imran by this time was 39 years old, and I was 35. We were among the oldest players in the tournament. We were also the most experienced in World Cup terms: Imran and I were the only two players in the entire competition who had played in each of the prev

Top of the World

Javed Miandad is one of the greatest cricketers to have played the game. Loved and admired across the world he is best known for his never-say-die attitude. Saad Shafqat, a Chowk alumnus wrote The Cutting Edge with Miandad earlier this year. It is with th

Who will be the next PCB Chief

If Musharraf is still interested in appointing another general as PCB Chief, why not to appoint Imran Khan as Corps Commander Lahore? To me both cases are identical.

Rashid Latif’s Abeyance From One Day Cricket

The very assumption that all those who play cricket will mysteriously adhere to the traditions developed in old merry England is the cause of most of these problems.

Wasim Akram: A Tribute

Voted Number 1 by Wisden in the list of the Top 100 ODI bowlers in history.

Our Inzee Bhai

Author is frustrated by the 'Aanda' given by Inzee Bhai in Karachi test against Bangladesh.

Reconstruction or Destruction?

There is trouble in the paradise; the hot air balloon that took off in Sharjah is losing its air. A hurriedly put together team of “bits and pieces” players is making a mockery of the game and is alienating every serious cricket follower.

Where is Imran Nazir?

Rashid Latif was crowned the new chief of our men yielding willow and leather.

My Critique of Lt. Gen. Tauqir Zia’s Article

Critique of the PCB chairman’s article.

Who Will be World Champion of Cricket ?

India has a good chance to list the worldcup.

Au Revoir Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka’s exit from the world cup and Arvinda’s last game.

The Cream Rises to the Top

That is why they play the game

As the crow Flies

Kenya’s awesome performance in the world cup 2003.

Misery Loves Company

The points carry over system is a flawed idea

Flannelled Clucks

Just take a look at the cricketers from the two teams. They showed us that it could be done.

Catches win Matches

Catches win Matches

World Cup 2003 (Updated): (Cricket, of course!)

Now that the foremost Cricket tourney is ON, folks on Chowk cant help but succumb to reality and pragmatism.

Pakistan is the Master of its Destiny

Bring on the Indians!

Strategy and Pakistan’s Fortunes

Can Pakistan make it to the World Cup final?

Clueless Pakistan Team vs. Professional Aussies

Humiliation of Pakistani team by a determined Australian team.

Mighty Lara is Back With a Bang !!

Analysis of the South Africa and West Indies match on Feb 9th 2003

Pakistan Team for the World Cup 2003

Will the experiment work as it did for the Oakland Raiders

I Hate Ashley Giles

I was one of the balls that were used during the series

Cricket and the Clash of Cymbals

If you think that cricket is all about a bunch of men flourishing a phallic symbol and toying with a ball, then you are mistaken.

Stump Fight at the OK Headingley

Maybe one day Asians across cricket grounds will be careful in crossing the line between fun and rowdy behaviour

Waqar Inspires His Team For The Final

Pakistan vs England ,Natwest Trophy, June 17, 2001

Demolition Derby

England vs Australia Natwest Trophy Game 5, June 14th 2001

What’s Wrong with Pakistani Cricket

The Pakistan team doesn’t play cricket; it rolls a dice

Don

The Don is no more ...

Back to the Game

English xenophobia and arrogance and an enormous chip on the Pakistani shoulder

Desi Olympics 2000

1.3 billion people, 2 bronze medals

SA Media’s Bout of Measles

South African cricket, and indeed world sports, will get over Cronje

Its only because I am a Muslim

his religious identity cannot be again a motive for prosecution

Sword of Damocles Hanging over Waqar Younis

Waqar Younis is being put under undue pressure

His Master’s Voice

The PCB has been the bane of Pakistan cricket due to people like Majid and Burki

The Day of the Bowler

Looking ahead to the 400-400 club

Pakistan Vs India, Carlton & United Series, January 25th, 2000

For Pakistan to become a championship team, they will have to win on their bad days

Pakistan vs Australia at MCG, January 22nd, 2000

When two equally balanced teams collide in great playing conditions, the result is a great match flowing back and forth

Pakistan vs India at Hobart, 21st of January, 2000

The tournament is now between Pakistan and Australia

The Never-Say-Die Pakistanis

Money made on betting against Pakistan in the World Cup final 50,000 pounds. Beating the World Champions in their own back yard ... priceless!

No Laughing Matter

Hail Hitler, my friends, the superior race still lives on

Ten Deliveries of the Millenium

The best balls of the millenium

The Man they Called Mum&Dad

A tribute to a legend

The World Cup Final and Beyond

Boy that was humiliating! I get up at 0100, biked 8 miles to watch my team and they don’t even put up an effort

The World Cup Final 1999 - A Preview

The time has come. Two teams, one objective, one outcome. So near and yet so far

Semi Final of the World Cup 1999

The stage was set

Preview of the Semi Finals of the 1999 Cricket World Cup

Pakistan has been the most unpredictable side in the tournament

For Cricket Lovers Only!

Keep your hands off the trophy. Sir...!

Match Report: Pakistan vs South Africa

South Africa won their 13th straight against Pakistan

11 Men and a Ball

For those who have missed the point so far let me state it clearly and unequivocally: Cricket retards male intelligence

12th Man Reports

How to rough up opposing quadrants of a ball

It is All About Heart and Desire!

It is time. It is time to decide the world champions of one-day cricket

The Men, the Myths and the Legends!

The Cricket World Cup is here -- Watch, Listen and Enjoy!

The Coca-Cola Cup Final at Sharjah

OK, so we won, what’s the big deal!

India and Pakistan at Sharjah

A review of the initial encounter of the Coca Cola Cup

Cricket as a National Religion

cricket is a religion, and the only one that is not sectarian but national

The Countdown Begins

Onwards to Lords, ye believer!

Asian Test Championship

Pakistan, India, Eden Garden, Calcutta, 95000 fans, Asian Test Championship - Are you ready?

The Battle at Delhi, 1999

Preview and daily reports for the second test match

Match Report on First Test Match at Chennai

Read and discuss the daily match reports

Sunrise at Sydney

The second coming of Pakistan cricket.

My Satanic Verses: Sachin as Gibreel

In the London of my reawakened imagination, it is Sachin Tendulkar who takes on the image of Rushdie’s Archangel Gibreel

The Pakistan India War 1999

Preview to the rumble in Chennai

The Street Fighter

Is there such a thing as over-glorifying Miandad?

Akram Retires Amid Scandal

Match-fixing scandal engulfs Pakistan Cricket as a legend steps down and arrest warrants fly.

There is Still Time

Dismal one-day performances by Pakistan mandate changes before the World Cup

Lonesome Warrior

Viv Richards was once asked who would he like to see bat for him, if his (Richard’s) life was on the line? Raising his brow and chewing his gum even more intensely, he replied, Miandad.

Apples and Oranges

This list is as pure a bunch of hokum as you will ever see. Even if there was no name attached to this list, I would have rated the author two biscuits short of a picnic.

Faded Innocence

The first poem at the Leafy Glade Inn takes a melancholy look at the future of a joyful present.

No Petals Please, We Are Pakistani

A mathematical requiem for Javed Miandad.

Top 5 of Fifty years

Mr. Khan lists his choices for the top five Pakistani Cricketers since the beginning of Pakistan Standard Time; and the top slot goes to a fast bowler.