Cricket hype

The hype created by pseudo-analysts about an unexpected victory in Kolkata was shattered after Pakistan was comprehensively beaten by India. Cricket may well be a game of uncertainties, yet hoping against hope and relying on a comparatively weak team is beyond logic. This should be discouraged.

Moreover, cricket in our country has always been marred by so many stigmas –be it an institution or a player. For example, during the last series with New Zealand, commentators were amazed at seeing Intikhab Alam accompanying our cricket team in an official capacity. It seems we cannot find a replacement to a man who played only four ODIs in which he scored 17 runs. How can the PCB justify giving big salaries to people like him?

Iftikhar Mirza

Islamabad

*****

After the dismal performance of our cricket team in the T20 Asia Cup and now in the World T20, especially against India, under the captaincy of Shahid Afridi and his performance as a player, everybody is wondering what will it take to convince him to call it a day. Shahid Afridi’s poor captaincy was a major reason for our defeat in Kolkata. His selection of the batting order and decision to face spinners himself before Hafeez and other steadier batsman was a very bad decision and caused Pakistan to lose quick wickets.

Shahid Afridi has been a source of pride for us in the past, but it is in his own interest and that of all his fans that he honourably announce his retirement from cricket now. The only silver lining in the dismal performance of our team was young Mohammad Amir’s bowling.

Zaheer Ahmed

Islamabad