The Pakistani Spectator

Pakistan cricket and Politics have always remained in a familiar situation filled by intrigues, approvals,denials,removals and reinstatements. I had stopped thinking about Pakistan cricket’s politics after the exit of Yunus Khan but recent rumours,murmurs and denials coming  from Hobart have once again forced me to write on the issue.

There is no denying fact that Yunus Khan was forced out of the captaincy and the team due to powerful group comprising Shoaib Malik, Kamran Akmal, Mibah ul Haq, Salman Butt and Moulana Muhammad Yousaf. They also had backing of some junior players who wanted to keep their place in the team. After Yunus Khan’s exit, Moulana Sahib indicated that unity in the team would be his first priority. He was dead right and he has kept his words by keeping a unity within his group and showing full support and solidarity with Kamran Akmal. He has so far refused to drop him from the team and has indicated to wait till start of the match. The group is headed by Shoaib Malik and the statements emanating from Hobart and as heard from horse’s mouth Kamran Akmal has full support of the Lahore Group and had baking of Mr.Ijaz Butt as well as behind the scene events were involved in removal of Yunus Khan who was trying to become another Imran Khan.

Fate of Afridi as captain is also not clear as he is also a hot headed Pathan who can be problem for selection committee and Chairman any time in future. Another important character in Pakistan’s cricket is Javed Miandad without whom Pakistan’s cricket history is incomplete. He is bent upon serving Pakistan Cricket through MQM and as events are indicating he may be given some important assignment in PCB. He met with Federal Sports Minister Ijaz Jakhrani (Ex Federal Minister for Health) and discussed important cricketing affairs. Dr.Muhammad Ali Shah who happens to be KCCA President and MQM member besides ex-member of the PCB Governing body has also indicated that ‘talks’ with Javed Miandad are in final stages and he is willing to ’serve’ the nation and Pakistan Cricket. Anybody knows after his unceremonial exit from International Cricket, he landed in Brunei to coach Sultan’s son at hefty amount of fee. He then married his son to Dawood Ibrahim’s daughter and you would definitely remember her picture loaded with gold . There is no limit for Javed to make money as he has become a special ambassador for cricket in China and now wants to build some cricket stadiums there to ‘promote’ cricket. Chinese are known all over the world for their generosity and Miandad wants to be a beneficiary.

Now Kamran Akmal refusing to sit out and Yusuf supporting him has created an interesting situation not only within the team but also in PCB. Who will be ultimate winner? I believe Ijaz Butt as Yusuf would either tender resignation( looks impossible though) or removed after series loss in Australia. New Captain would definitely obey the Chairman, Selectors and COO. As far as Pakistan cricket is concerned we can safely say Long Live Pakistan Cricket.