skip to main |
skip to sidebar
The Oval prepares for the battle between Pakistan and India today.
While adrenaline often takes its place as the 12th man for such encounters, there might even be a 13th today, in the form of ill-memories that some Pakistan players, and fans likewise, will carry on to the field.
Little under three years ago, Pakistan’s then-captain Inzamam-ul-Haq forfeited their fourth and final Test against England after being accused, but later cleared, of ball tampering. While the PCB wrangles on, refusing to bury the past and contest MCC-endorsed result against them, Steve Elworthy, ICC World Twenty20 2009 tournament director, hopes the showdown will live up to its hype with no sour feelings on display.
‘Obviously, it’s a fantastic match and sets off the tournament really well,’ Elworthy told Dawn on the eve of the repeat of the 2007 Twenty20 final. ‘From a planning point of view, this is what we were aiming for; reliving national rivalry and attracting a huge following, unique to any world event.
‘What happened in 2006 was very unfortunate from the fans’ point of view but we need to look ahead to what will be an incredibly good match. They are both playing incredible Twenty20 cricket and who knows they could meet again as the tournament progresses.’
While both teams lost their opening warm-up matches on Monday, with a poor turnout at Lord’s and Trent Bridge, this particular warm-up has witnessed the biggest demand for tickets. With an expected full-house this afternoon, security – for fans and players – remains a talking point, especially with recent matches involving either team in England culminating in pitch invasions.
‘Well, you plan to expect the worst,’ Elworthy, who was also tournament director for the inaugural World Twenty20, said. ‘Security is always a concern and something we take very seriously. We have a very experienced security team and have measures in place to ensure it’s a safe and secure event. We are fully aware of what has happened in the past and we are not going into it with our eyes closed.’
The Oval, with its recently-installed floodlights and pulled-in boundary ropes, will witness close to 24,000 spectators providing India a last chance to regroup before commencing their title defence. For Pakistan, however, it will be a first shot at avenging the defeat in the 2007 final and doing well in a tournament that will, according to Younis Khan, bring hope and cheer for their fans.
© Faras Ghani 2009
Published in DAWN newspaper June 2, 2009
Faras Ghani, a Pakistani journalist, has contributed this special post to Line and Length on the need for the Pakistan Cricket Board to wake up to their slack security.
How can Ijaz Butt, chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board, defend the security measures – not the security officials – in his country when he didn't see what I saw? While I wasn't in Lahore for the aborted second Test, I was in Karachi for the first where security seemed to become toned down as the match progressed.
Although security officials still outnumbered spectators, there was an air of complacency. From day two, I could see no snipers stationed atop the water towers, body searches became faint touches and most personnel positioned to search belongings would smile and wave you on.
See, I'm a cricket freak. Not an enthusiast, but a freak for only a freak would dismiss all safety concerns, defy the financial gloom and fly across the continents to spend the last drops of his holiday allowance watching Pakistan take on Sri Lanka at home in their first Tes
t for 14 months. Even the most fervent of followers queried my love for such a dour encounter, but as I told them: it could be the last series to be played in Pakistan. Little did I realise how true that prediction might be.
SecurityThe dullness of the Karachi Test allowed me to wander about the stadium with my camera. While not questioning the desire, and the right, of officials to be photographed, the sheer numbers hassling me for one became rather worrying. Being complimented for looking nice with a red tee failed to ease my worries and nor did the number of napping police officials in the stands.
I had to go through three checks from the gates to my destination but the whole act seemed superficial. Inside, perhaps fully confident in their colleagues' abilities on the gates, security officials seemed more interested in watching Younis Khan crawl to a world record, pleading for photos of them to be printed on the front pages or sharing a cigarette than keeping a watchful eye on spectator behaviour, especially in the backdrop of the prevailing law and order situation. Some even rested in bunches under the shade outside, surrounded by leftover biryani and the sense of false security.
After Lahore's debacle – deemed the farewell to international cricket in Pakistan by my good friend Hafsa Adil – how can we expect tours in six to nine months after this? Step out and smell the teabag and powered milk chai Butt sahab.
© Faras Ghani 2009
Published on The Times Online Mar 13, 2009.
FOUR hundred and seventy-five days. That is how long it has been since Karachi last witnessed Test cricket. So when Pakistan took on Sri Lanka in the first Test at the National Stadium last Saturday (21), big things and big crowds were expected.
After all, it was Pakistan’s first Test since December 2007 and the visitors possessedthe twin spin threat of Muttiah Muralitharan and Ajantha Mendis.
The first day bore an uncanny resemblance to the Karachi Test in October 2007 against South Africa – a limited and inexperienced home bowling attack struggling against a talented and experienced opposition at the crease. But as the day, and the match progressed, cheers and applause became scarce. Security officials outnumbered spectators. Phone conversations and light naps, often a rare sight at National Stadium, became the order of the day.
The days that followed witnessed world and individual records, dubious decisions, dropped catches, elegant strokeplay and even daily prize draws to encourage public interest. All of them failed, despite the free entry, as the heat and poor facilities at the stadium kept enthusiasts away.
“Watching cricket here [at the National Stadium] is a nightmare,” said Afzaal Khan, a student. “We can understand the security procedures but not being allowed to bring food and drinks inside the stadium cannot be justified.”
The opposition, according to those fans who turned up, was also a deciding factor. Since this series is no comparison to a crossborder duel, it was understandable why the stands remained vacant. Even the Sunday bazaar (market) witnesses a greater following, despite it being a repeated affair, perhaps because it has something of interest for all those who visit.
“If it was India playing Pakistan, I would have gladly suffered through the heat, hugely overpriced food, atrocious toilet facilities and the great mission that is entering the stand due to the numerous security checks,” said Kamal, who had opted to stay away.
Younis Khan, Pakistan’s captain, touched upon the same issue while blaming the unsporting pitch for the lack of interest. “Test cricket gets boring if we play on such wickets. If we play on such tracks then it’s not a surprise why people are staying away,” he said.
But Khan enjoyed batting on the lifeless pitch, scoring a careerbest score of 306 not out (when EE went to press), becoming only the third Pakistani batsman to make a triple century.
Some supporters blamed the absence of star attractions including Shahid Afridi, Shoaib Akhtar, Mohammad Yousuf and Mohammad Asif for the low turnout. “It is encouraging to see Pakistan invest in youth and opt to include them in the playing 11,” said supporter Iqbal. “However, these youngsters will not bring the excitement that Sho aib and Afridi bring when they are in the middle. So unless we see some excitement on the field, we will be watching the match at home or at work.”
The few who did make the journey said they were mostly unsatisfied. “It has been a waste, a total waste and I will make sure I don’t attend any more cricket if the pitches remain the same,” said frustrated spectator Asma. “To go through all the trouble that I did, and to witness such dull action... I think it is truly shameful on the cricket board’s part and no wonder people are staying away.”
So as the shadows invaded the protected zone on the pitch, I sat there pondering my decision to travel such a long way for my love of cricket. Maybe the locals were right after all.
© Faras Ghani 2009.
Published in Eastern Eye Feb 27, 2009.
© Faras Ghani 2009.
Published in Eastern Eye Feb 27, 2009.
