Congrats T20 Pakistan

For the country torn by terrorism and internal turmoil,victory at the T20 world cup comes as a great moral booster. Congrats Pakistan.

The Hindu editorial writes (23 June 2009)

Pakistan’s triumph in the second ICC World Twenty20, aside from being richly deserved, expressed the essence of sport, its wondrous capacity to upset conventional calculations. But it was more than that, a redemption moment. Caught in the crossfire of global politics and terrorism, the country’s cricketers had become the unwanted of the cricket world. They entered the tournament undercooked. There was little in their early performances to suggest a campaign so uplifting, so transforming that many Pakistanis see it as bigger than the triumph in the 1992 World Cup. The fear that the country would be marginalised was real — it would have intensified had the side bowed out early. But sport offers those looking for salvation every opportunity, often investing them with the ability and the nerve needed. So although Younis Khan’s men were defeated by England (which despite inventing the format has never come close to mastering it), they found a way of making the semi-finals. Pakistan, traditionally, is at its most dangerous in the knockout stages of a tournament, for it is a side nearly impossible to arrest once possessed of momentum.

The team’s transformation, in many ways, was epitomised by Shahid Afridi, its talisman. He had failed with the bat early in the tournament, justifying his place in the side with his canny, under-rated bowling. Recognising the moment, as big-game players do, he asked to be promoted in the semi-final and promptly turned in a match winning half-century. In the final, he was mature, calm-headed, and clinical without compromising on his mercurial talent — everything that can be said of Pakistan in the title clash. Sri Lanka’s brave cricketers, led magnificently by Kumar Sangakkara, must not be forgotten, however. Victims of a heinous terror attack outside the Gadaffi Stadium in Lahore earlier this year, they overcame mental and physical scars to emerge the best side of the tournament before the final. The Sri Lankans play a brand of bright, vibrant, inventive cricket, and it was no surprise that the innovation of the tournament, an outrageous stroke over the wicketkeeper, was supplied by Tillakaratne Dilshan, who was justly adjudged Player of the Tournament. Pakistan and Sri Lanka might appear tied together after the incidents in Lahore, but it was no coincidence that the finalists were the sides with the best bowling attacks of the tournament. In the event, it was Afridi & Co. who lit up London, and in so doing lifted the spirit of a struggling nation. The cricket world is unlikely any time soon to heed Younis Khan’s impassioned plea to visit and play Pakistan, but the triumph has resuscitated cricket in the strife-torn land.

Rude boys of cricket

Too many victories give arrogance. This is what the Australian cricket team has demonstrated to the world. Without exhibiting an inch of sportsmanship, Ricky Ponting’s men were atrocious on the field. They were keen to win by hook or crook. Just to break their own record of sixteen consecutive test match wins, the Aussies were pulling false victories. Collectively they have brought shame to their country and cricket. Unfortunately the umpires were aiding this uncharacteristic quality of cricketers.
The Sydney cricket test was a true testimony to the growing rudeness in the Australian team. Ponting and his teammates displayed a below standard aggressiveness on the field. They terrified the umpires to give out when it was not. If it was by accident fans and cricket lovers would have forgotten as an error. But it was reenacted often. This really triggered unrest among the game watchers. Surprisingly the Australian public and cricket commentators have out rightly condemned this dubious distinction.
In the last series in India, the Aussie team members led by the captain shoved BCCI president and the union cabinet minister, Sharad Pawar on stage. It was the magnanimity of Pawar which let off the arrogant Aussie team. Unfortunately this did not impact them positively. Without learning from the past mistakes, the team Australia continues to behave badly on and off the field.
The Wankhede episode in Mumbai where Andrew Symonds was mocked through monkey posturing by some indecent fans set the ball rolling for Aussie revenge. To stop this expected trouble, the Indian law enforcement swiftly initiated actions against the racist postures and comments of the few Indian fans. This had sent a strong message that the Indians are against racist remarks and actions.
On the contrary to the popular anticipations, the Australian cricket watchers conducted gently and watched the game in true spirit. It was the players who initiated the ugly turn of the much celebrated tour and series.
John Bertrand of the Sport Australian Hall of Fame wants his countrymen to give back the moral compass in the cricket. He thinks that they had gone too far in arrogance. According to the Reuters, Bertrand has slammed his own cricketers.
The Daily Telegraph says
Footy legend Ron Barassi said Australia should be the world leader in all aspects of the game.

"I'm very concerned the word unsportsmanlike is being thrown around in relation to the cricket, and there is a fine line between arrogance and confidence," he said.

"It concerns me that the Australians are regularly being referred to as being arrogant and because it is mentioned so often, you begin to wonder."

Kevin Bartlett, another AFL legend, said he defined bad sportsmanship as not showing respect to your opponents.

"You don't treat them with contempt, you treat them with respect -- and I didn't see that from the Aussies," he said.

Australia's national netball coach Jill McIntosh said the Aussies were a "little arrogant".

"It worries me that the Australian cricket teams of recent times have been called the worst sledgers in the game. Why don't they just rely on their skills?" she said.

"They don't need to sledge. They are an incredibly skilled team."
While exposing the Australian cricket team it is important to send few advices to the Indian side. The men in blue deserve accolades for maintaining decency and decorum despite the umpires wreaking injustice on the team. It is a happy scence to see the entire team standing behind Harbhajan Singh who is accused of racist remarks against Symonds. The BCCI continues to exhibit late responses to the players’ problems. It requires to put its house in order. Till then the team India suffers because of too much of politics and too less of professionalism in the board management.