Champions trophy dates shifted

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After England, South Africa, New Zealand, Australia and West Indies expressed fear over the security conditions in Pakistan, ICC decided to push back the event by a year. Good decision or bad decision? Irrelevant decision I would say.

Why? Because, Champions trophy never made sense to me, there is World cup which happens every four five years, there is T20 world cup which started just last year and yes there is a ICC Trophy through which two associate countries are selected for the world cup. So why is there a Champions Trophy?

The tournament which began in 1998, and was a big hit because of the shorter duration and the knock-out method of elimination. Now if that style is so cool, then why not get rid present system followed in cricket world cup and use this method there? ICC wouldn’t do that because they stand a chance of earning big-moolah from the tournament!

The only who people who have lost something because of the tournament are Pakistanis. This is not the first time Australia and other “western” cricketing powers have raised objection in playing in areas in the sub-continent. Australia refused to play in Sri Lanka during 96′ WC, they later on canceled a tour in Pak last year (or the year before that) and now they have successfully postponed a tournament which I suspect will happen next year either.

The main reason, Pakistan is still facing a threat of political instability in spite of Musharraf stepping down form his post of President. Now lets say things don’t improve, what then? Will they postpone the tournament indefinitely or would they want the tournament to be held in India? How safe is India, sure army is not going to do a coup-de-tat, but hey we do hear of a bomb explosion in some part of the country or the other. Even we are at war with terrorists every day, so why is Pakistan looked down upon while India is looked upto? Are we in good books just because we are the money minting machine of the ICC, or is there a more political reason to it?Michael Atherton agrees with me

No tears need be shed for the ICC Champions Trophy, a misnomer of a tournament conceived out of pure greed. Like most things with a solely monetary value, it is a worthless affair.

On the other hand Pakistan Cricket Board seems pretty okay with the decision

“We are naturally disappointed but in a way the postponement is a victory for us. Under these circumstances there were only two solutions: either to relocate the event to Sri Lanka or postpone it. “Had it been relocated it would have deprived us of the hosting rights,”

Chief operating officer Shafqat Naghmi said

This kinda response is very lame coming from one of the top guys of Pak cricket. Is organising the event all that maters? How about some self respect, would you let a few countries dominate which all tournaments are organised in your country? What would India have done if countries refused to tour India. I am sure we would have started a new tournament and provided solid entertainment for Indian viewers something on line of the recently concluded IPL.

Filed under: Cricket, People, Terrorism , Australia, Cricket, ICC Champions Trophy, India, International Cricket Council, pakistan, Pakistan Cricket Board, Pakistani, politics, South Africa, Sports, Sri Lanka, T20

Its over.. finally!

A Pakistani bowler playing for a team captain by an Australian pulls an Indian bowler from a team captained by the Indian T20 captain and DLF IPL league has its winners — finally.

What a ride it has been! This whole tournament it captured our imagination (so much that I stopped blogging.. hmm okay it wasn’t just because of IPL!)

Now getting back to my ‘actual’ blog

My bet (an actual bet for Rs 300) was on the Rajasthan Royals, underdogs for most part of the tournament except the finals may be. No particular reason but a ‘logic’ which all my friends refuse to call logic. It goes as follows. No one expected India to win the T20 world cup because we were a team of nobody. No big players, no expectations, for respect for the format, nothing! Next thing you know Indians are T20 champions. I found a similarity here. Rajasthan a team with hardly any ‘popular’ players save the charismatic Shane, the most underestimated team of he tournament. Laughing stock of all bloggers and most offline friends of mine and well they return to haunt other teams and laugh at all those who laughed at them. Warne must be enjoying it for sure!

On a lighter note, Bangalore was the only team that lived up to its expectations. They were criticized to be a test team and stuck to the name through out!

Deccan who seemed to be the strongest turned out to be the worst. Mumbai too had a similar story to say but they have the absence of Bhajji and Sachin during various stages to blame their defeat. Kolkatta started with a bang and finished with a kaboom (self-destruct one). Mohali hmm they tried and tried but never looked good enough. They were in news more because of a cry-baby Sreesanth and ‘huggable’ Preity. Chennai would been the champions if not for the Aussie exodus and yes Rajasthan who were expected to lose all matches won almost all. Not fair I say.

Everyones happy not even Dhoni looked sad. The only person crying at the end of the day (apart from Sreesanth that is) is Kapil Dev. Remember him? The guy who led India to their first world cup victory in ‘83? The guy who played PR for ICL–what did you say? What’s ICL? Hmm let me think.. Indian Crisis League? Am not sure I don’t remember actually!

PS: In case you didn’t notice Bangalore did have a presence at the finals. The match referee was none other than Javagal Srinath. Saving the face of Bengaluru I guess!

PPS: I heard Mallya is watching only F1 these days to get over the highs lows of IPL. He is also thinking of changing his team’s name to something that doesn’t resemble any of his other brands. At least their brand value won’t be affected!

PPPS: Apparently players are requesting Shah Rukh to send one of these sweet messages he used to send to his team through out the tournament, on a daily basis. Apparently they feel they (the messages) will motivate them to win next year.

PPPPS: The previous two were cooked up by me. If you wanna sue me I will declare bankruptcy. The joke will be on you then! =P

PPPPPS: Yes I copied this funda of PS, PPS, PPPS, PPPPS, PPPPPS from a letter Gandalf writes in Lord of the Rings! Tolkien’s not alive so he can’t sue me! =D

PPPPPPS: Now that reminds me. Remember the Rs 300 I mentioned at the beginning of the post. What do you reckon I do with it? Suggestions pls!

Pic credit: GULF NEWS and iclinfo.wordpress.com

Filed under: Bangalore, Cricket, India , 300, Bangalore, Cricket, India, IPL, Kapildev, Mallya, Rajasthan, Royals, Shane, T20, Warne

What should India do?

Insulted by Australians and made a clown out of by the umpires, should India continue with the series?

My heart wants India to quit the tour and return back home, but the cricket fan in me wants them to stay back and beat Australia in the game they invented and mastered. Playing dirty!

I really hope Ponting will get out on Bhajji bowling again (on the first ball hopefully) and that umpires will get their calls right!

PS: What if Jagmohan Dalmiya was heading the board? What would he have done? I think he would offered a finger salute to Australian board and ICC and asked for a rematch (like in gully cricket) or called the team back home!

Filed under: Cricket , Australia, burp, Cricket, India