Mr. Ten Percent enters Cricket
Shahid Afridi feels that the word 'Agent' is almost assured of claiming the top spot in the 'Top 10 hated words in World Cricket'. The word 'Twitter' is giving it a tough fight as per Kevin Pietersen. 'IPL' is a sure fire winner according to most of the 'puritanical' writers like Pradeep Magazine. But 'The Australian' believes that 'India' will win hands down and they seem almost as confident as Mazhar Majeed was about the 'no balls'.
The mention of Mazhar Majeed brings one back to the central theme of this post. The quintissential 'agent' brings to mind the image of a slimy, sleazeball with zero integrity and unreliable promises, the guy who will grease palms of corrupt officials thereby smoothening the rough path for a needy businessman. In India he will be typically wearing a safari suit, Raybans and chewing Paan Masala. The kohl in the eyes is optional. But this description applies to the generic term 'agent'. There are many agents who appear regularly on national Television, take part in highbrow discussions and even talk of propriety. In Washington they are called lobbyists. In India they are called 'intellectuals'.
From thousands of these 'agents', there arise a handful who reach the pinnacle of success. They have their fingers in all pies. Only a few amongst these elite agents have the gumption to boldly go where no man has ever gone. The crem del la creme of these get the honour to be named after their chosen profession. 'Mr. Ten Percent' is one of them. Not Cricket has caught hold of a photo of the said gentleman in Cricket.
Oops.. sorry this is an incorrect photograph. This is the respected Mr Asif Ali Zardari. 'Not cricket' meant to publish this photo appearing below
Yes! He indeed is our Mr. Ten percent. Or that's what his wards claim him to be. A free loader who gets commissions out of their hard earned money, makes them feel like sweat shop workers working for peanuts (Actually 9/10ths of a peanut). Nikey would be so proud of him.