The Magician and the 800th Spell

Since the dawn of cricket the many people had step foot inside the field but some have made history by creating unforgettable feats , memorable moments with their unique skills, ability to triumph in difficult situations and some are destined to achieve greatness while others have a never ending desire, determination to reach the top of the mountain have made them icons, legends and match winners in the game. when people talk about the greats or legends of the past they normally associated with the like’s of Sir Garfield Sobers, Sir Don Bradman, Wes Hall, Clive Lloyd, Andy Roberts Viv Richards, Desmond Haynes, Gordon Greenidge, Michael Holding, Malcom Marshal Riche Richardson, Brian Charles Lara Sunil Gavaskar, Hanif Muhammad, Javed Miandad, Douglas Jardine, Jim Laker, Ian Botham, David Gower, Geoffrey Boycott, Zaheer Abbass, Imran Khan, Fazal Mahmood, Wasim Akram, Waqar Younus, Inzamam-ul-Haq, Mushtaq Muhammad, Abdul Qadir, Richie Benaud, Bob Simpson, Allan Border, Dean Jones, Chappell Brother’s , Rod Marsh , Dennis Lillee, Glen McGrath , Steve Waugh, Shane Warne, Ricky Pointing, Adam Gilchrist , Sir Richard Hadlee, Martin Crowe, Graeme Pollock, Barry Richards, Mike Procter, Shaun Pollock, Allan Donald, Sanath Jayasuriya, Arvinda de Silva, Chaminda Vaas & the Spin king Muttiah Muralitharan.

In pursuit of becoming the absolute best it requires a Herculean effort, resolute hard work and a bit of spin magic to turn the ball on any surface whether grass or glass. Born 17 April 1972 in Kandy, Sri Lanka he was often identified as Murali by his team members. Averaging over six wickets per Test, Muralitharan is one of the most successful bowlers in the game. He took the wicket of Gautam Gambhir on 5 February 2009 in Colombo; to surpass Wasim Akram's ODI record of 502 wickets. Muralitharan became the highest wicket-taker in Test cricket when he overtook the previous record-holder Shane Warne on 3 December 2007 in the longer version of the game. Muralitharan had previously held the record when he surpassed Courtney Walsh's 519 wickets in 2004. But he suffered a shoulder injury later that year and was then overtaken by Warne.

Murali 's earlier career was full of drama and controversy his bowling action was penalized and put under the hammer from the ICC umpires & cricket officials. In effort to clear his name he reluctantly agreed to conduct bio mechanics tests in a non- match condition. The infamous Muralitharan doosra was put in to question in 2004. The delivery exceeded ICC the elbow extension limit of 9 degrees was five degrees being the limit for spinners at that time. After wards there was an official research which exposed that 99% blowers had exceeded the elbow flexibility law. ICC then made amendments to allow all bowlers in 2005. Muralitharan doosra was then fell into the allowed limit.

In Feb, 2009 he became the highest wicket taker in both forms of the game he probably may retire after the 2011 world cup. He once issued a statement quoting I am fit in my body and mind I am enjoying my cricket and want to play more. But after the world cup, there is nothing for me to achieve in the game. The world cup should mark end of my career. Muralitharan announced his retirement from Test cricket before the first Test against India at Galle which commenced on 18 July 2010.Muralitharan made history on Thursday, July 22 2010 when reached his 800th wicket of Pragyan Ojha to become the sole player till now to achieve this land mark.

This also ends the age of spin rivalry of Warne, Murali, and Kumble. Spin dominance is over from the world of cricket. The king bows down to the people and earns their respect, Love which he has gained thought out the world from his supporters. A true king, an icon, a legend the king of spinners Muttiah Muralitharan.

BOOM BOOM BUMED OUT

BOOM BOOM BUMED OUT

After math of the first test of Pakistan battling against Australia which Pakistan crumbled at the home of cricket lords due to a miserable batting performance. Minutes after the match Shahid Afridi immediately reveled his departure from the test arena. Not only was his decision premature but looked as though it was primarily intended on the out come of the match. The news wasn’t a pleasant one for his team mates as the were demoralize after the result & expecting support from there captain which was badly required but instead, it wasn’t to be as he left them bamboozled & mind boggled leaving his team to pick up the pieces only for themselves.

Shahid wasn’t reluctant nor over ambitious or pushy to be apart of the line for test matches because previously he stated that his style of play is not suited for test cricket. Before the series  even went under way,  he was named captain for all formats the decision involving the Pakistan cricket board chairman Ijaz Butt as it was evident that his choice to make Afridi Captain was neither effective nor it did justified his selection. Irony of it all as everyone had to bear witness not only defeat but it also brought disgrace, & shame to the name of the country. Similar sort of situation arrived which involved Pakistan former captain Younus as he announce his retirement after lifting T20 World cup trophy left the team high & dry.

The captaincy has changed places in the last 12 months starting from the resignation of Younus khan with allegations of causing disrepute to the game and disagreements with team members. Shortly after wards Mohammad Yusuf was the captain for the Australian tour which Pakistan suffered one the worst humiliating defeats ever. Which opened Pandora Box , Mohammad Yusuf was also was accused of the same charges like the ones which involved his predecessor Younus khan. Shahid then became the captain for all formats of the game in succession the third one in a row before retiring making Salman butt the forth one in line for captaincy.       

Pull the rabbit out of the hat has been Pakistan’s tradition in the past bizarre incidents’ un explainable team selections, player’s been banned or suspended are mysteriously given second chances in abundance. Some times one feels as there are doubles standard established within, maintained to protect & liberate whenever it is needed for a player who can use it or abuse power. Certainly words can’t describe as to how the system works with Pakistan cricket board specially when selecting a person to lead the national side who un desirably or impatiently can think before reacting to sensitive matters which needs conscious, clear, sensible approach before making critical & crucial decisions.

If we go back in time when Shahid played a matching wining innings in Chennai where he showed maturity & temperament in his batting that led his team to victory. His innings was instrumental which proved to the world that he had the ability & patience to play the waiting game with success. Given the responsibility of captaincy people had high expectations from him as he brings flair and energy in his approach to every aspect of the game. In reality if one is a captain he should respond to the pressure, react according to the situation

 with determination & adversity not to choose the escape route when people are counting on you.  

Sadly but surely this ends his journey in test matches where Pakistan is struggling the most where there are no world renowned player in the batting dept where once  the likes of the great Inzamam-ul-haq, Mohammad Yusuf and Younus khan have played with they had great success in the past. Shahid Afridi’s departure caused a gloomy & dark state where he was a ray of hope which now leaves uncertainty & doubt in the Pakistani contingent. Now Salman butt is latest edition to the saga of being named as Pakistan team’s captain let us hope that his stint of captaincy can prove to be career making spell rather making it any career ending story.

      

Pakistan the true wonder of the world

Disturbing as it may sound the reality may never be comforting nor can it vanquish or conceal the truth which is inevitable. In our country where we have to live with the fact that we have to bear the constant & the un-relenting in justice, corruption, terrorism, tax evasion, regional / political un rest religious activists, poverty, inflation, rise in price of commodities & a sinking economy which are branches of countless predicaments which are leisurely dissecting us from the core of our existence. One can easily become a pessimist in this kind of situation which is quiet gloomy and un apparent as much to how diversify & mystical it can be but evident as it may be heard or sounded, the words can explain nor identify the true meaning of anguish agony misery which is inflicted through meddlesome commotions from foreign contributions of aka uncle Sam with there innumerable drone attacks in the different area of Baluchistan in the northern area of Pakistan or black water flood invading the streets. The only Islamic atomic power is a major threat to the Nazi beleaguered refugees (the Israelis) moreover notoriously un-recognized since their fêted invasion on Palestine.

Not to forget the Indians with their (raw) skirmishing gifts circulated amongst the people which can be witness through the brutally dismantle life less corpses put on air with a ruthless cutthroat visual spectacle of with an echoing /disturbing background commotion of epic proportions which can be seen repetitively through the eyes of extraordinarily celebrated media colossal alleged or accuse by some to have mysterious connections & pecuniary contributions made via a global (War terrorist) super power inducing to assemble some sought-after scheme to sabotage & assert there control in the region.