The Pakistan Cricket Board President, Zaka Ashraf has put the resumption of international cricket at the top of his list of priorities. It seemed for a while that he had succeeded in doing just that. The Bangladesh Cricket Board had approved a two-game tour and the ICC had given what amounted to a special exemption– allowing non-neutral officials for the games. But there was a slip between the proverbial cup and the lip. The trip was abruptly postponed following a court order that set a four-week embargo on the national team’s plans. The decision is threatening to compromise the two limited-overs games that had been scheduled to take place in Lahore at the end of April.
The PCB was stunned by this bolt from the blue: “It is astonishing to note that a matter lacking any legal issue has been dragged in the court by petitioners who appear to have vested interest and want to jeopardise Pakistan-Bangladesh cricketing relations. It is extremely disturbing to note for the PCB and Pakistan cricket fans and world cricketing nations that such an adverse order has been passed to block a bilateral cricket series.” Apparently a Bangladeshi lawyer and a university teacher had gone to Dhaka High Court and attained an immediate four-week stay against their national team’s tour. Whether a High Court has nothing better to do than to decide whether a couple of cricket games have to be played or not is a million dollar question. Regardless, something in this whole affair is decidedly fishy and reeks of international cricket politics. Pakistan has not exactly covered itself in glory in cricketing affairs of late. The attack on the Sri Lankan team was horrifying. The match fixing nightmare of Salman Butt and company is still fresh in our memories. But then equally vivid are the cases of Azharuddin, Jadeja, Hansie Cronje and several other Indians and other nations. Match-fixing has been a global phenomenon with its epicenter being Mumbai. Pakistan is making a fresh effort to bring international cricket back to the country. Foolproof security is being guaranteed. Considerable progress has been made in curbing match-fixing. So why these apparent attempts at subversion? And by whom? We may not have to look very far for the answers. The Pakistan Cricket Board should try its best to pull off this tour. In case it does not take place, then Afghanistan, a team every bit as exciting as Bangladesh, should be invited to play in Pakistan.
Professional tennis moves to Europe: The professional tennis tour has moved to Europe after its American swing. The first Masters series is being played at Monte Carlo, a very popular venue and tournament. The red clay circuit will culminate in the French Open in end May followed by the grass court circuit and Wimbledon in end of June. This year the grass court circuit has a double bill, with the Olympics tennis event scheduled at Wimbledon only a couple of weeks after the Championships. It remains to be seen whether the pristine Wimbledon courts, battered and bruised by two weeks of pulverizing tennis, will be able to recover their grass before the Olympics. The organizers are confident and knowing their skill at grass technology, there should be no doubt that everything will be spic and span at SW19 in end July.
Meanwhile at Monte Carlo, Nadal and Djokovic are on course for their first meeting on clay this year. Nadal has lost seven straight to the Djoker and will be looking to make amends on a court where he has lost but one match in seven years. Andy Murray lost early to the big hitting Thomas Berdych and the question mark over his temperament for the big occasion is still there. Murray has, of late, started playing doubles with his brother Jamie in an attempt to improve his net game. This is a good move but it will take some time before any results are visible. Murray has realized that simple counterpunching might work against most players but the very best will expose his limitations and take his game apart.
Missing are Roger Federer and this year’s surprise package John Isner, the big serving giant from the USA. Both have taken time off to rest and prepare for the French Open. Isner has beaten all the top three this year and is proving to be surprisingly capable on the high bouncing clay. The ball sits up and rises into his hitting zone on clay, more so than on other courts and his kick serve takes the opponent completely out of position. Look for Isner to make serious inroads both at The French and at Wimbledon. He would also be a serious threat at the Olympics where he is hoping to play mixed doubles with Serena Williams.
For Roger Federer, this summer could be the last chance for an Olympic gold. He has a gold in doubles but the singles has eluded him, just one flaw in an otherwise unparalleled career. The surface is to his liking and he is playing as well as ever. The prospects are mouth watering. It was yet another quick exit for Aisam Qureshi and Julien Rojer at the Monte Carlo Championships. They were bundled out in straight sets by two Spaniards, Granollers and Marc Lopez. This is yet another in a series of early losses for Aisam and does not bode well for the summer season.
Little matter of subversion against Pakistan Cricket
