This series is a happy farse, Pakistan should have been ahead, but this is not part of a deal where everyone must be kept happy. The ICC,BCCI,& PCB have realised that this series is a bigger cash cow than the World Cup, so they are happy. The Sponsors are happy because they are getting great milage and increased sales for their products.Why else would they agree to pay 3 times the rates that they paid during the World Cup. The media (both print and electronics)is happy because they are raking in the money from the advertisers.Ten Sports will also make money, only they had hoped to have made a killing. Former cricketers dare not say a word, they know exactly what is happening.But who wants to give up a great post retirement career with plenty of travel, glamour and good money.Some of them who had pretty ordinary careers are now super stars. Governments of both countries are happy because it is showing them in good light. Players are happy inspite of the hectic schedule, they are getting paid 50% more than last year for their endorsements. Last but not the least people to people contact has improved relations between the countries. The next game will be a tie!
Hi I am a bit perplexed by the timing of this piece. Just when the whole of India is upbeat and focussed on the next match, you lead up with such a piece? Was that meant to convey wistfulness? or fond rememberance? Either way makes no sense for me. The nub was that the piece was very bland in any other thing except just a commentry on a pak win over India. If this had a purpose I failed to find it. Do let me know in case you have one. Regards DJ
If we look at the History and figures of matches between India and pakistan, I guess nobody would have any doubt as who is the best team. I can challenge the claims that pak had better batsman than India. I never doubt the brilliance of Imran Khan and a few others who had performrd consistently.Imran is one of the most respected and greatest player of cricket history but if You want to say that players like Afridi and Ijaz ahmed were good players then I would ask for an apology because I do not agree with this anymore. Afridi has a horrible one day record with horrible batting style and Ijaz ahmed didnot last very long in the history of cricket. And I do not remember afridi and Ijaz performing well everytime against india. The day when they performed might be a fluke. Indian bowling is weak and that I admit. But If you want to say that on that particular match Pak thrashed india and that made Ijaz and Afridi good batsman then I could not help you. I remember many occassion when India thrashed Shoaib Akhtar and whoever came in their way. Now it's the time when before India and pak match it's pakistan who is under pressure because now everyone is Tendulkar and performing consistently
I cannot get the reason for this article? It is some sort of attempt by the author to generate some sort of appearance to be a neutral supporter during the Indo-Pak series. Or maybe rediff is trying to me more open........whatever that means. I am sure there are more better encounters to be narrated in cricket, but it is pitiful that the author has such a morbid taste.
If author is there in Pakistan currently, he should go and pay his respects to Ijaz by kneeling down and touching his feet.Give us a break! Ijaz was an ordinary player who was exposed umpteen times by genuine quicks. With Indian attack of Ganguly,Kulkarni and Kuruvilla, anybody could have clobbered India on that day. That hardly makes this match mentionable/reportable after 7 years.
