Will Hawkes: Pakistan's exclusion from IPL gives domestic T20 a real shot in the arm

[pia786]

http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/c...-2312545.html?

County Focus: The Pakistani players bring excitement and a much-needed hint of uncertainty to an English game that is still too often characterised by conservatism

Wednesday, 13 July 2011

It's not often that India does England a cricketing favour these days. The latest indignity suffered by the English at the hands of the game's seemingly omnipotent money makers was the announcement that counties would have to pre-qualify for the Champions League, unlike their Indian, Australian and South African counterparts. But actually, India – or perhaps we should say the Indian Premier League's intransigence – has given the English game a serious boost this season.

That's because the IPL, for reasons that are easily guessed at, does not feature any Pakistani players. Given the talent that that country generates – it is no exaggeration to say that Pakistan is the cricketing equivalent of Argentina in football – this is a remarkable state of affairs, one that has persisted for three years. And while you can only have sympathy for those young Pakistanis who would shine in the IPL, it's happy news for the 18 county clubs, who can afford to bring in some really high-class talent.

A quick look at those Pakistanis playing in the Friends Life t20 confirms that to be the case. Pakistan can boast the three top wicket takers in international Twenty20 cricket, and they're all playing in our domestic Twenty20 competition. There's the former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi (53 international wickets) at Hampshire, Umar Gul (47) at Sussex and Saeed Ajmal (43) at Worcestershire. Who says the county game can no longer attract the top international talent?

And there are others beside, including 21-year-old Junaid Khan at Lancashire, Wahab Riaz and the evergreen Azhar Mahmood at Kent and Yasir Arafat, who has packed a lot of Twenty20 success into his 29 years, at Surrey. What these players bring is excitement and a much-needed hint of uncertainty to an English game that is still too often characterised by diffidence and conservatism. The presence of many of them near the top of this season's Twenty20 averages – Ajmal has taken his 16 wickets at the barely believable average of 9.62 – should be no surprise.

Pakistanis have, of course, been a part of the fabric of the domestic game for as long as overseas players have been on the county treadmill. The likes of Asif Iqbal (Kent), Imran Khan (Sussex) and Wasim Akram (Lancashire) remain revered figures at their clubs, their feats as cherished as any achieved by homegrown stars. But they played when county cricket boasted most of the top players; Pakistani cricketers shine even brighter in a domestic game where even England's own stars are seen all too rarely.

Their success in our Twenty20 competition is also a reminder of what the international game has endured while Pakistan has been in limbo, forced to play home games outside their own country. Big cricket is suffering at the moment, with too many bore draws; witness the dismal end to proceedings during India's recent series in the Caribbean, when the captains shook on a draw with an exciting finish still possible. The game is badly in need of thrills at the moment, and Pakistan have frequently provided them.

For now, there are some unique talents playing in county cricket. The situation as it is will surely not persist: whatever the political problems in the subcontinent, the likes of Afridi and Ajmal would inevitably improve the IPL. Certainly, Pakistanis are keen to be allowed access. "It is high time the Pakistani cricketers get a place in the IPL. We have no problems playing in India as we have just played a World Cup semi-final there," said Afridi earlier this year. County fans should enjoy it while they can.

[lipton]

Hindustan zindabad!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Free Hit]

ipl's loss.

but i would still love to see our players in IPL

[in_cutter]

Originally Posted by Free Hit but i would still love to see our players in IPL

No thanks!

Pakistani's always rock in County cricket.

[Afridirocks]

i rather see our playes play in friends life t20 and big bash then ipl

but if ipl give proper respect to our players then i have no problem with our players playing cricket there just like they did in season 1 and it will increase the quality of cricket as pakistani crickekters are considered best in t20 version

[KingKhanWC]

Spot on article. I love the comparison with Argentian footballers.

India has taken the route of politics ahead of sports which was the most idiotic thing to do in terms of getting the full potential of their product but it;s their loss. It's heartining to see so many counties signing up Pakistan players and for them to be producing, long may it continue year after year.

[Down2Earth]

no thanks, our players in the Ipl will only make more money for the indians.

[enigmatic_stani]

Originally Posted by Down2Earth no thanks, our players in the Ipl will only make more money for the indians.

On the flip side the players would benefit hugely financially meaning less chance of their heads being turned by offers of spot fixing etc. Don't underestimate just how much less Pak players earn than the Indians,English and Aussies. Still no excuse for cheating mind you.

[Saqs]

Well written and an interesting viewpoint.

Check out Ajmal's average!

[Solid Snake]

Playing in England compared to the roads of the sub continent will probably be better in the long run, will be good exposure to different types of conditions.

EDIT: and Australia if you consider the Big Bash

[the SHA]

In the longrun quality will always come out on top, even against hyper capitalised prejudice.

Well done to the Pak players making their mark in England (for good reasons!)

[Saqs]

Originally Posted by Solid Snake Playing in England compared to the roads of the sub continent will probably be better in the long run, will be good exposure to different types of conditions. EDIT: and Australia if you consider the Big Bash

Point.

[Prince_Pathan]

awesome article

true

they improve any match and make it watchable

have srilankan and indian friends watching the friends life t20 only for pak players lol

[CricketCrazee]

Great article, but I think not all those pakistanis wil not get into our team... Afridi? Azhar mahmood? I am not sure if junaid is certainty for pak t20 side as well?

That will be our loss!

[Saad Hasan]

Pakistani batsmen need to be playing here as well...

[what ho]

Given the talent that that country generates – it is no exaggeration to say that Pakistan is the cricketing equivalent of Argentina in football – this is a remarkable state of affairs, one that has persisted for three years.

Utter rot. The Saffers are the Argentina of cricket. Given the number of them around in the counties and, fortunately, our team!

[ash 68]

who needs the IPL? Well done to the boys playing here at the moment.

English conditions are far greater challenge than the flat tracks of IPL andif India wants to exclude the best players of T20/ODi cricket then its their loss.

[ash 68]

Originally Posted by what ho Utter rot. The Saffers are the Argentina of cricket. Given the number of them around in the counties and, fortunately, our team!

cmon what ho for sheer entertainment you cant beat a Pak player

[1137moiz]

I personally find Rana and Abdul Razzaq the most entertaining of the bunch, with Wahab/Afridi/Mahmood a close second. Haven't seen much of the rest, but I am following their performances on the net

Nice article, btw.

[1137moiz]

Originally Posted by what ho Utter rot. The Saffers are the Argentina of cricket. Given the number of them around in the counties and, fortunately, our team!

I actually agree with this.

[SG]

andif India wants to exclude the best players of T20/ODi cricket then its their loss.

lol at the delusion.

Best players in T20s/ODIs and still not the world champs?

I know reality hurts but its strictly Pak players' loss to be not playing in IPL and not vice versa. As them what won't they do to be part of IPL. Why go further, just ask Afridi how dearly he misses IPL.

[ash 68]

Originally Posted by SG lol at the delusion. Best players in T20s/ODIs and still not the world champs? I know reality hurts but its strictly Pak players' loss to be not playing in IPL and not vice versa. As them what won't they do to be part of IPL. Why go further, just ask Afridi how dearly he misses IPL.

aww such small heart

[1137moiz]

Khair MashaAllah I';m just glad we have an outlet to showcase our playas skills positively

[Aces Middle East]

Salam All,

Excellent article.

Its finally good to read from non-Pakistani sources our boys getting the credit they deserve. A lot of hard work and effort goes into negotiating, securing and then placing the player at a county these days.

Believe it or not there is still the stigma of Pakistani players being a risk to a county as the club have to approach any potential signing as a business case as well as a cricketing point of view, the latter which is positively answered in an instant.

Once these hurdles are over come and the player is at the club Aces role then becomes less and its the responsibility of the player to play hard, train hard, be professional and above all make people enjoy your cricket.

Mashallah all the boy's we have placed (Afridi, Gul, Ajmal & Razzaq) have been amazing in their work effort, which has in no small way reaped rewards for the club and themselves and in a longer term view will reward other Pakistani players who are now starting to come into the spotlight.

It also is seen positively in other leagues around the world, Australia, South Africa & Sri Lanka and our boys are much sought after.

Gone are the days when the majority of well known cricket clubs globally looked on Pakistani players as a risk and that change in mindset is due to the players, for that we must thank them.

Aces will always push our players into the best leagues in the world for the benefit of the player, club and for Pakistanis in General.

Aces

[cricketfanfirst]

Hi Aces Middle East:

What are the reasons for counties not signing in young Pakistani batsmen(Such as Umar Akmal)?. He is a talented batsmen and a county stint would give him good exposure to testing english conditions. I think a good stint in english county would help in his temperament as you would need to build innings in testing conditions and that would help him immensely.

Is there any specific reason for english counties showing reluctance to sign the pakistani batsmen?

Thanks.

[SG]

Isn't it the other way round? I think I heard somewhere that its UA who is not interested in going to county cricket. Still, knowing him to be a top T20 bat, he could've and should've played in this tourney/

[Mobashir]

We have very good T20 players, but really not more than 4-5 players will be selected in IPL, the competition for spots is much tougher there. And I personally don't want our players to play in IPL.

I am really happy so many pakistanis are playing in the friends T20, especially young players like Junaid and Wahab, they will learn a lot about the game and will also make good money.

UInfortunately our own T20 league hasn't got enough money for our star players to play in it, that will be good if we can have a better T20 tournament.

[Aces Middle East]

Originally Posted by cricketfanfirst Hi Aces Middle East: What are the reasons for counties not signing in young Pakistani batsmen(Such as Umar Akmal)?. He is a talented batsmen and a county stint would give him good exposure to testing english conditions. I think a good stint in english county would help in his temperament as you would need to build innings in testing conditions and that would help him immensely. Is there any specific reason for english counties showing reluctance to sign the pakistani batsmen? Thanks.

Hi,

We don't feel that English counties are staying away from Pakistani batsmen but their stance is two fold.

Firstly there is an abundance of batsmen in the English game so the first aspect for any team is to bring in an overseas player that you cannot fulfill yourself, for example it is very rare that you will see any English county or any other foreign club choose a wicket keeper as their foreign player as they would have 2 or possibly 3 of their own, unless of course the said player was exceptional i.e. Gilchrist.

Secondly Pakistan has over the years produced on a factory belt World Class bowlers and All-Rounders and these are the players that lack in the English game.

Indeed All-Rounders are unique and have that X factor to win matches single handed.

Also if you look at the players in the English county this season except for Junaid and to some extent Wahab, the players have been on the International scene for some time and have proven their value.

Players such as Umar Akmal, Asad Shafiq, Ahmed Shezad & Shahzaib Hassan will get their time and if they continue to show promise and make headlines for the right reasons they will be noticed by teams in the International leagues.


Hope this answers your question.

Aces

[Blitz]

Originally Posted by cricketfanfirst Hi Aces Middle East: What are the reasons for counties not signing in young Pakistani batsmen(Such as Umar Akmal)?. He is a talented batsmen and a county stint would give him good exposure to testing english conditions. I think a good stint in english county would help in his temperament as you would need to build innings in testing conditions and that would help him immensely. Is there any specific reason for english counties showing reluctance to sign the pakistani batsmen? Thanks.

Counties don't really like signing batsmen. Theres a limit. Of 2. It used to be 1.

If you can have a Pakistani bowler, why waste a spot on a batsman instead?


Also its T20. Unlike previously thought, its a bowlers game. Anyone can whack the ball out of the stadium. No one in England can bowl a yorker. Pakistani's are born with it.

[ManHOOS]

Originally Posted by Afridirocks i rather see our playes play in friends life t20 and big bash then ipl but if ipl give proper respect to our players then i have no problem with our players playing cricket there just like they did in season 1 and it will increase the quality of cricket as pakistani crickekters are considered best in t20 version

This

ATM Discrimination to our players is hurting cricket fans...

[ManHOOS]

Our Awais Zia is better than Murli Vijay

[Blitz]

We all know the ICLs most popular team was the Lahore guys. Sold out matches!!


Pakistani players are easily comparable to Brazil or Argentina in football. The flair, the skills, the charisma.

I guess no quote can better describe Pakistani players:

“No great genius has ever existed without some touch of madness.”