|
|
|
| |
 |
Views
|
 |
|
| |
|
| Gulu's Blog: Cricket and honour go hand in hand for Pak |
| by Gulu Ezekiel |
| Oct 06, 2006 |
|
|
Pakistan cricket has been lurching from one crisis to
another ever since it made its bow in Test cricket in
1952. And most of the controversies have resolved
round the captaincy, including the very first Abdul
Hafeez Kardar.
It would not be possible to count the number of
captains Pakistan had in the 70s and 80s on the
fingers of two hands with only the imperious Imran
Khan commanding any sort of respect.
Even batting
legend Javed Miandad had a stormy term as captain with
many of the seniors threaten to revolt against him.
In the background of all this turmoil the reign of
Inzamam-ul-Haq, who took over from Waqar Younis after
the 2003 World Cup, looked to be a relatively trouble
free period, until that is the umpire Darrell Hair
issue.
But the fact that Inzi emerged in the eyes of
his fans as a martyr to the cause of national honour
helped to erase the memories of what was a disastrous
tour of England both on and off the field.
One cannot read the mind of Younis Khan and the
reasons for his shocking refusal to take up the
captaincy in the Champions Trophy in the forced
absence of Inzi. Once again though we are told there
is the question of izzat or honour involved.
Ironical that Mohammad Yousuf has now been handed the
reigns without a whimper. In his earlier avatar as
Yousuf Youhana, Imran Khan famously said he
lacked the 'character' to lead Pakistan!
|
|
|
|
|
More Views by Gulu Ezekiel
