Can it be the much needed reset?

Now field hockey is not synonymous with glitz and glamour in many regions its been played. Over the years what used to be a primarily asian dominant sport of flair in 80’s and 90’s growing up , has dissolved for a better word into a european game .Some of the changes have tried to make it different from a sport of 2 halves of 35 minutes with quarters of 15 replacing it. The penalty shoot out also has changed. No longer the strokes are used but an ice hockey version of a running motions are attempted.

The branding of the sport is such that Champions Trophy an annual tourney of six best teams originating in Pakistan has also ended . An asian offshoot of it ,the Asian champions trophy, started in 2011 as teams in Asia expanded the game.Now in its 8th edition, it travelled upto north eastern mongolian borders of China in Hulunbuir. In addition to the hosts, defending champs India , Korea, Japan , Malaysia and Pakistan took part.

The Pakistani team who had won this tourney on three previous occasions had found recent decade quite daunting in terms of even reaching world tourney. With no particaption in the pro league ,the olympic and world cup non qualifications meant tourneys like these take on added importance.They faced challenges not only with India but Japan and Korea. They haven’t had much success with either of them as recently.

The favourites India eased into three quick wins. Pakistan on the other hand had leads in all their group games. They lost leads versus Malaysia and Korea for 2-2 draws. In the game vs Japan, they finally preserved the lead in a painful 4th quarter which they struggled to hold onto.They took a 2-1 win.They were much stronger against the hosts and marched into the semis with a convincing 4-1 win.

India eased their way to wins in all games and this theme continued all throughout minus their game with Pakistan. Although I expected a thrashing or somewhat similar scoreline from asian games in Hangzhou last year when they won 10-2, it was almost the opposite. Pakistan started well and attacked. They scored first as well. The pace and momentum changed as India used its initial penalty corners to good effect.They took a 2-1 lead at the half. The second half was superb Pakistan lost two of its men to penalties losing nearly 15 minutes of action. Still the defence was good and denied any goals in the shorthandedness. Both teams ended with 10 men. India prevailed but a great display of valour shown by the Greenshirts. It was India ‘s toughest test by far.

In the knockouts though, Greenshirts met their match. China not to be subdued with a home crowd backing took the lead and weren’t affected by the leveller. Not able to capitalise , the game went into the a shootout. Pakistan missed all the attempts and played the worst shootout ever. India managed to win the semi vs korea to advance to the final where they were able to out manoeuvre the hosts 1-0 to defend their crown.

In the bronze medal game, however, they played well. Korea took the lead. Pakistan struck back with a plethora of goal in third quarter and led Korea again 3-2. It ended 5-2 as both Hannan and Sufyan bagged two goals each. The attacking was obvious. It was the second time in the tourney that Pakistan reversed the korean lead within seconds.

For the Greenshirts, another blown semifinal. It wasn’t really news but they could have played better the cluthc moments. Thats what tourneys come down to. Those clutch moments. When you Penalty corners dont materialise and your shootouts are weak, it will result in falling back in the tide.

As for the positives, Tahir Zaman’s induction has helped the team. Hannan Shahid and Sufiyan Khan alongside Ahmad Nadeem were excellent throughout. Hannan bagging the emerging player of the tourney last year now had a six goal tourney. Nadeem had 4 goals of his.

For the reset to happen though, Pakistan need to be better than this. Their youngsters are good but willl need grooming.Their penalty corners have to improve. Their shoot outs also look a lot to be desired for as they have been found wanting at this.The discipline at times with penalties is another factor as time in the sinbin can be costly for defence. Having said that, it was good to see a fresh breath of their flair in field hockey.

WT20 2024 : Early reflections !

In an era where every year is an ICC event of some sort , the WT20 has now come to the North America this year in 2024. Format wise there are 4 groups of 20 teams, the most ever for a WT20. This includes pre tourney seeded teams who if advance will determine two Super 8 groups.Then the top 2 from each group play semis. Who would have thought that seedings would have helped decide one team’s matches all till the final !Yes, its the World t20 folks again from USA and West Indies as joint hosts. USA are playing only because they are hosting rather than qualifying formally.And Yes Economics dictates the motive behind seedings as its TV run era.

USA and Canada who played the first cricket international in 1844 in New York , kicked off the tourney with the highest scoring match to date in Dallas’s Grand Prairie stadium in a night game in Group A. Aaron Jones of barbadian descent led them to a fine win with his 94 off 40 balls. At Providence , Windies escaped an early embarrassment against Papua New Guinea with Roston Chase lietrally helping out with the ball and bat in the short win. Uganda, Afghanistan and New Zealand make up the rest of Group C. Uganda losing their opener by a huge margin to the Afghans scoring 58 only.

One of the early buzz for this tourney has been the new hybrid pitch made espcially for New York. The Adelaide made pitch curated in Florida and made especially for the Nassau County Cricket Stadium in Long Island has received a lot of stick.The venue itself was developed in 4 months. The two paced pitch and the poor sandy outfield right in the middle of what used to be Eisenhower Park ,is speculated to be the flagship US venue for marketing purpose. This PR move so far didn’t too much for cricketing credential. In a Group C opener, Sri Lanka were all out for 77 vs South Africa. Ireland made only 96 vs India. Both were easy wins for the chasing sides. Canada fared better in their win against Ireland managing 137 , a win of 12 runs.

This venue is also scheduled to host June 9 game between India and Pakistan the big money spinner for ICC.However, concerns have been raised about the pitch’s safety as notably by Andy Flower’s statement.It seems the hybrid pitch will take time to settle. The outfield might be another matter still. Both teams are in group A with hosts USA, Canada and Ireland.

Speaking of Pakistan, in group A , the 2009 champs and last tourney’s runner up had the worst start possible in Dallas. With a roasting hot 10.30 am start in the Texas heat, Pakistan succumbed to early wickets before posting a 159 which was considered a low total on that flat track. At one stage even 159 was looking unlikely. The hosts were cruising at one stage and even at 111/3 were poised to win in regulation.Then the nerves of the newcomer to cricket struck which led to a mini comeback. However Haris Rauf couldn’t defend 15 in the final over which gave us the second super over of this WT20. USA dominated that with Iftikhar and Shadab unable to chase 19 to win. Pakistani batting has always been fragile but their non existent middle order alongside lack of a quality spinner will become the achilles heel. The result sent the Pakistani diaspora into sheer chaos as can be expected. Pakistan ‘s preparation in the build up and the turmoil off the field for several months can only be described as “sheer buffoonery” that was evident at the CWC2023 as well. They are a shadow of the team they were as compared to the last two T20 cups.

The first super over of the tourney was between Oman and Namibia, a group B clash in Bridgetown. Another low encounter where both teams were tied at 109. David Wiese , the perennial T20 leaguer showed his all round experience defending the super over target at Bridgetown. Australia and England sqaure off in bridgetown clash in this group. Aussies began with some stutter but overpowered Oman behind Marcus Stoinis. The rains had plans for Scotland – England as the former stormed to 90/0 in 10 overs before the heavens opened and the match was abandoned.

In Group C ,Afghanistan is showing the rest of the Asian teams how to compete at this level. First they performed at CWC2023 where they finished 6th only due to run rate with wins against England, Pakistan Sri lanka and the Netherlands.Fazalhaq Farooqi has provided the two best spells in his first two games with 5/9 and 4/17 respectively.Afghans gave Kiwis a first match scare dismissing them for 75 after posting 159. Rehmanullah Gurbaz again led a century stand for the second match in the row and tops the early scoring charts, likewise Fazal heads the bowing with his 9 scalps.

Netherlands who caused a surprise beating South Africa in 2022 and 2023 cups led off with an easy win over Nepal at Dallas chasing 106. They are in group D and face South Africa in what is deemed as “Group of Death”. They clash in New York as well on June 8 hours before Aussies and the Poms in Bridgetown. The other teams being Sri Lanka and Bangladesh .At the same venue ,Bangladesh also started their campaign with a low scoring chase in which they scraped through win over Lanka chasing 125.Richad Hussain for Bangladesh started off his cup with a 3/22 start, part of instigating the Lankan collapse.

Its a small sample size to gauge from but Afghans have started well in WT20 . Their body language on the field is vastly different to yesteryears. India were clinIcal but the Irish are struggling. The defending champs England have yet to be tested. As far as the associates are concerned, USA and Canada have produced shock wins. With more matches on the weekend to spice up around the India – Pakistan encounter, New York and the World gets ready for more WT20 !

Stay tuned to the SWYT channel for more !

Return of the Djoker : Melbourne 2023

It has been a while since he played in Australia. It has been a while since he has been allowed in the country.The covid 19 and its vaccine situation affair in 2022 left a bitter taste for the Australian open singles champ who has won 9 titles in Melbourne .situation It has been quite difficult justification of not having a vaccine and be allowed to play or visit the shore s down under where there has been a tight control over letting in any nationals from outside the island continent.

After all the hue and cry and the slow relaxation of global covid crisis , The Australian authorities finally admitted Novak Djokovic into the country. He hadn’t played New York due to the covid vaccine issue so had a mixed 2022 where he only won Wimbledon and that too didn’t carry and ATP points on the allowance of another global issue – Russians.All the inactivity would have made him anything but a firm favourite but that where the buck stops and Novak logic starts.

On the courts, he is still nimble, quick and as agile as anyone could be . Never threatened by the young brigade , he was always on the charge.Apart from the second round match where he lost one set , he went on a rampage taking out every opponent fairly quickly.He dropped 5 games in round 4 , 7 in quarters and 8 in semis , against Alex Di Minaur and Andrey Rublev and Tommy Paul in the semis. Whilst seeds tumbled else where in heaps, he quietly carried on his end of the draw, taking care of business and most of the time light work of it.

With top seed defending champion Rafael Nadal ousted alongside second seed Casper Ruud in round 2, 2022 runner up Andrei Medvedev in Round 3 and Felix Auger Aliassime in Round 4, it never looked like any of the big guns were going to threat and became quite an anti climactic Aussie open for a few reasons. The eighth seed and up and coming American sensation, Taylor Fritz bowed out in the second round as well. and the hometown rebel and defending doubles champ Nick Kyrgios withdrew even before he hit a ball.This was the first slam since Roger Federer announced his much anticipated retirement as well. The defending US open champ Carlos Alcaraz didn’t pay due to injury.

Stefanos Tsitsipas his finals opponent was made to work especially in round 4 in a match versus Jannik Sinner. His semifinal opponent , Karen Khachanov also took him to four sets. He started the final with a jitter as well seemingly struggling to hold his nerves. It was appearing as if it was his first final in Melbourne . Three times a semifinalist here including two on the run in 2021 and 2022, Stefanos tried here to ensue his form.

It was a tough ask. Noel was too string and ahead of the game. He is usally lights out in tie breakers and it showed,. Tsitsipas at his best took him to twi tie breaks but had not much left in either one of them to cause much sweat to the nine time champ.Djokovic was smooth and took the final in straight sets not troubling the TV organisers much .This was his grand slam tying 22nd singles crown which takes him level with Rafael Nadal. It was his 10th Australian open , a haul that started back in 2008 ,15 years ago at the Rod Laver Arena. The Great Rod Laver was ever present at this final to witness.

In doing so, Novak Djokovic also secured the world no 1 ranking as well which was up for grabs between him and Tsitsipas. It sets up an interesting rest of the year where his admittance to the grand slam tourneys would no longer be objectionable. Let the on court play be the best judge !

Comebacker : Back with a Bang !

In the recently concluded series New Zealand made their long awaited return to Pakistani shores after 2003 One day series, nearly 19 years ago.They had left prematurely before a ball was bowled last September on the eve of the Rawalpindi leg of one day internationals in a security controversy that sparked some ripples. Karachi, ” the city of lights ” was the scene of the test series considering daylight is plenty even in January.

The painful 3-0 home loss to England meant that some changes were to be anticipated. An adhoc selection committee under the newly nominated PCB chief Najam Sethi meant some players were to be included in the host’s squad. The only player that wasn’t used in the entire english series was also given the gloves for this series following Mohammad Rizwan’s constant failures.The reserve wicket keeper was none other then ex Pakistan skipper. Sarfaraz Ahmad.

In the growing nature of world cricket , having multiple wicket keepers is a norm. Jonny Bairstow and Jos Buttler play in 11 for England. Tom Latham and Tom Blundell play for kiwis and even in other formats , Ishant Kishan and Rishabh Pant have played for India. In Pakistan, the concept was used when Moin Khan played in 90’s a test with Rashid Latif keeping wickets. But lately, Pakistan seemed to be playing archaic era cricket where the concept of having a reserve keeper in the squad is frowned upon, let along having both in the playing eleven.

Sarfaraz has had a chequered few years since oustre as skipper in 2019 following the home defeat to Sri Lanka in the T20’s. Usually in Pakistan , the skippering ouster leads to all format exclusion and subsequent end to their international careers.The COVID 19 pandemic regimen of increasing squad numbers however led to a need for second wicket keeper at all costs.That meant for the test squad, Sarfaraz was still the most experienced choice, Under Babar Azam, he toured everywhere in the last three and half years including home campaigns but never got a chance to play in the 11.

Sarfaraz is nicknamed as “Saifi ” or “Taptaan “as a parody of “Kaptaan” , Urdu for captain. He skippered the last ICC trophy pak won in 2017 as well as the last ODI world cup in 2019.He comes from humble surroundings of urban karachi, a place called buffer zone. His father used to own a store but died when Sarfraz was young. He was the victorius skipper of the 2006 under 19 world cup and at the age of 20 , found himself playing in one of the biggest series of the time , this time against India again in Jaipur 2007. It was a dead rubber and he didn’t get to bat and didnt get a chance until the notoroius 2010 series in Australia where he earned a test cap in another dead rubber, the Hobart test.

He really burst onto the regular scene in 2014 when he scored a few good scores in January test series against Sri Lanka, the last innings in a series drawing fourth innings of 48 off 46.The following year , he was included finally after excessive pressure on Misbah and Waqar Younis in the world cup and that famous March 7 innings versus South africa in Eden Park.The rest as they say is history.

In Karachi , his hometown , he had the honour of finally playing on home soil. This was his incidentally his 50th test.He didnt let down even though very few came to attend both the tests.He scored an inspiring 86 in the first innings with the skipper who knocked 161. He then followed it up with 53 in a much needed innings that played a part to guiding Pakistan to safety. The next test was no different. Pakistan and New Zealand exchanged 400 plus scores with another target set for the final day, 319.

Sarfaraz had danger lurking at 80-5 on the final morning.he then involved hismefl in two key partnerships . Firstly its was with Saud Shakeel, simply the breakout player of the whole home season. Next up, Agha Salman added a much more pacier stand that almost took the hosts to within 46 of the total at six down. Sarfaraz scored his fifth century in the context of the chase and sealed his return. He was 9th down in the ensuing chase. It seemed once Pakistan lost Salman , they had their cause abandoned and finished 15 runs adrift in the end in a high scoring draw.

Sarfaraz couldn’t have asked for a better series.His overall tally of 335 runs at at an average of 83.75 set a record for a Pakistani wicketkeeper scoring in less than 3 test series.This ensured Pakistan drew the series with New Zealand which in essence due to poor planning and defensive mindsets they should have won. Sarfaraz has a lot of work to be done behind the wickets though fumbling chances for catches and stumpings but the cause to play even if it means as a specialist batsman should now be clear to all in PCB.

Whitewashed !

It had been 17 years. England hadn’t toured on Pakistani soil since 2005. Two sides who have become very different since that era.Both have gone to become WorldT20 champs since but England repeated that feat only weeks before arriving in Pakistan. Pakistan had beaten England twice in their relocated home series of 2012 ( a 3-0 whitewash ) and in 2015, both in UAE.England had only two wins away from home against the Greenshirts in 1961 and 2000 before this series.

You would think the odds would be in the home team’s favour but they were far from it. Earlier in the year, Pakistan lost to Australia despite a series of dead tracks made at home.With two flattening draws, some last test heroics and brave tactics by Pat Cummins got the Greenshirts a final day target as a bait.They capitulated and lost by over a 100 runs.

Ben Stokes their English counterpart had similar feelings going into the opening Rawalpindi test on day 4. He braved the benign surface to launch an offensive in the second innings with 343 tasked as a target for the hosts to take the lead. It paid off . For a time when Pakistan were 269/5 and 84 runs in sight of the total, it looked they might have the game. Just like Lahore earlier in this year though they lost five wickets for 9 runs and England had their win on a surface that looked like even 10 days won’t yield a result based on the high 1st innings scores. Ollie Robinson starred with 4 second innings wickets.

In Multan, England again scored briskly but only to be dismissed within 52 overs for 281. Abrar Ahmad on debut took 7.Pakistan were at one stage cruising with 142-2. Babar Azam and Saud Shakeel (who had a surreal breakthrough series ) were comfortable until the evident collapse of 8/60 ended with Pakistan well short and another 79 run lead conceded.England capitalised and scored 275 setting the scene for another 350 plus chase. Pakistan at one stage being 290/5 with Mohammad Nawaz and Saud again at the crease just 65 adrift of the target. Unfortunately both went quickly.Mark Wood took four and the hosts succumbed to 26 run loss. England had won the series on Pak soil. Harry Brook ‘s second innings century took centre stage.

With pride to play for in Karachi as well as Azhar Ali ‘s final test match appearance in the renamed National Bank Cricket Arena,Pakistan won the toss and batted for a change. Their 304 never looked enough though. England took a 50 run lead. Harry Brook had another ton. Abrar and Nauman Ali, the two spinners who took the new ball took 4 each. In the second innings, the hosts were 164/3 at one stage with you know who, Babar and Saud. This time an 18 yr old debutant Rehan Ahmad produced a huge third day evening spell taking a five for on debut.Pakistan again collapsed in a 7/72 fall this time to set a target of just 166. Its considered poor in these lands especially on day 3 Karachi pitch. England knocked off 112 off those on the same evening for the loss of two wickets in 17 overs. They completed the whitewash early on fourth morning needing only 11.1 overs.Ben Duckett who also had a good series scored a brisk 78 ball 82 in the chase.

Pakistan had never been whitewashed at home since 1952 when they entered the test arena.They had clearly not been doing well losing 4 straight home tests in two series. They were clueless on the ill prepared wickets and their bowling hardly had a punch.Rawalpindi had received a second de merit point in nine months for such a poor wicket. There was time lost on all days in Multan and Pindi due to light issues but England’s Bazball approach ensured they got the runs fast enough to yield two results.In Karachi, the hosts just didn’t press their advantage enough both times with the bat and succumbed to spin easily.They hardly looked like taking 20 wickets and with loads of time left, it was a debacle not only in terms of score lines but of a timid mindset that was exposed. They had several debutants but none in the fast bowling department came close to even a performance, It was if they had a team stripped of quicks all series.

England on the other hand starred in all departments. Harry Brook had a better series than anyone else and took the honours handsdown. Jimmy Anderson, Ollie Robinson and Mark Wood starred as well. Jack Leach was their leading spinner and wicket taker.The Barmy Army was in full voice throughout the series trumpeting “Dil Dil Pakistan ” in all the venues cheering the whitewash.Pakistan fans were few and far between as if they had lost the appetite for watching any tests regardless of return of this format from UAE.Babar Azam’s captaincy and the Greenshirts themselves didn’t have much left to offer and both would have to change pretty soon for their upcoming homestand against New Zealand.

The Cup of Eastern Dreams !

Qatar had the honour of hosting the first ever world cup on middle eastern shores this November as well as the first ever in a northern hemisphere’s winter. It had been 20 years since a non European team had won the cup. On that occasion also in Asia, Brazil won. Could the hosts match up in hospitality ?

In 1986, Argentina had become world champions again on the two feet of the world’s best footballer and arguably of all time – Diego Armando Maradona. It was a dream run.His goals were incredible and unbelievable in that and every footballing era even to this day. Sadly 2022 World Cup was the first world cup since his death. Could the drought end ?

Coming into this years cup, Argentina’s unbeaten run was amazing.It stood at 36 games. They were ranked in the top 3. Brazil and France could only defy them on paper as pre world cup favourites. La Albaceleste had always a great following and thousands of miles away from Plaza de Mayo, Beonus Aires where their home fan base accumulated for the national games, they had plenty of voices cheering them on.For one Lionel Messi , it was a medal that had always eluded him.

Their road wasn’t easy as first up the Green Falcons of Saudi Arabia got them on the ropes. Within minutes in the second half first Saleh Al Shehri and then an absolute cracker by Salem Al Dowsari that could only be defined by the arabic commentary ” Innaha Junoonia” – Its insanity ! The brace had ripple effects not only in Beonus Aires but in Doha and in Riyadh where a national holiday was marked as Saudi Arabia priduced the biggest win of its footballing history ! 2-1 vs Argentina ! Losail went into pandemonium !

How does one react after that? They were dazed. Messi and his men next met Mexico and till long periods didn’t look like in any hurry.This time they cracked the second half better. Messi first and then the emerging player of the tourney, Enzo Fernandez nailed the three points. Poland were up next and by this time Argentines were discovering their suave. They throughly dominated the Poles. 2-0 looked euphemistic. How Poles survived that entourage to make it to last 16 was also an enigma .

Though Australia in the last 16 scored a late goal, Messi and Julian Alvarez’s strikes were too much to overcome.Argentina found themselves against one of their great rivals, Netherlands in the quarters. They started well and by the time Messi launched another penalty to make it to 2-0, only 17 minutes remained. However the super sub Wout Weghorst pinched two goals, the second off the last kick of the regulation to force extra time.Argentina held their nerve in the spot kicks. Emmy Martinez held through.

Coming into the last four was something Argentina had last done in 2014. the year they lost in an extra time final.This time there were no penalty kicks to force as they were throughly in control.Typically a Messi penalty gave them a lead. Julian Alvarez had two more to add in second and they were off to Losail again for another final.At least there was no Germany this time.They had lost their last two to them in 1990 and 2014.

As expected, France had prevailed from the other end, taking apart Poland 3-1, England 2-1 and the surprise package of the tourney , Morocco 2-0 in semis.The Atlas Lions were the toast of Qatar with wins over Belgium, Spain in the last 16 and Portugal in the quarters.Salma Rachid would sing all night until the next world cup now I guess. Qatar and the Arab world was all painted in red of “Al Maghrebia “. The French would finally get the better of them opening their defence devoid of key players and in a slow winding semifinal that they are used to pick their chances to plot the win. “Asood al Atlas” won many hearts though !

The Final was essentially everything minus France for 81 minutes.Argentina totally dominated (Messi had scored on a doubtful penalty but Angel Di Maria’ s presence showed in the super second )and were 2-0 en route what looked like an easy win until a careless penalty was conceded. Kylian Mbappe the leading scorer with Messi until now , scored off the spot and within a minute nailed a finish to make it 2-2.Argentina stood stunned, the earth taken beneath their feet. Game on !

What ensued next was a thriller. Messi gave Argentines another lead in the extra time only for Mbappe to come back via another spot kick. He had scored a hat trick, the first since Geoff Hurst in a World Cup final. Messi had scored in every round , the first since Jairzinho in 1970. He had broken the appearance record as well for world cups and scored 13 goals. It was the first final ever with a 3-3 scoreline. Penalty kicks again.

Enter Emmy Martinez- he saved off Kingsley Coman and Aurelian Tchouameni hit wide. Argentina went perfect with Gonzalo Monteil netting the winning kick. Emmy won the Golden Glove as a despondent Kylian Mbappe landed the Golden Boot.For all his efforts and in a bid to re live Diego in 1986, Lionel Messi finally won the gold medal and in doing so also won the Golden Ball again. Argentina were champs for the third time after 36 years in waiting !

Qatar welcomed the world in high spirits and pitched the perfect World Cup. The ceremonies were traditional .The organisation was world class and so was the football. One didn’t have to travel much. There were many great goals to re live and Laeeb was superb as well.They had sailed through with flying colours despite the national team not making it to the playoffs. Shukran ya Qatar !

End of a Golden Era !

London – On a Friday night in late September, One wouldn’t associate a doubles match to be eagerly watched. Except when the doubles involve Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal.The event is known to the world as “Laver Cup ” which is best dubbed an exhibition team event between Team Europe and Team World.The Cup this year in particular was the setting scene for Roger’s final farewell to his professional tennis career.His last singles match was a quarterfinal loss to Herbert Hurkacz in Wimbledon 2021.

Roger’s illustrious tennis career stems back to when “Pistol” Pete Sampras ruled tennis.As a junior who had won Wimbledon in 1998, he burst into fame beating Pete in 4th round of Wimbledon 2001. It was a famous Wimbledon which had Goran Ivanisevic crowned as the winner in the twilight of his career on a Monday finish . Little did we know that in two years, Roger would be lifting the first of his 8 Wimbledons and going onto win 20 grand slam wins.Pete retired after winning his 14th grand slam in New York in September 2002. When he announced it suddenly, it seemed tennis might not be the same as his rivalry with Andre Agassi drew to a close.

Roger had an exemplary and unique style. He would be a perfect blend to the serve of volley style of Pete and baseline strength of Andre. He would be relaxed during the games yet emotional in moments of triumph.He would become the overwhelming crowd favourite and was set to dominate men’s tennis with his own array of brilliant stroke play.

The tennis sensation from Basel, would go onto clean up most of the slams in 2004 and it seemed that the next tennis rivalry of his would have Andy Roddick attached to him. Roddick replaced Sampras as the 2003 US open champion however that would be his only slam. Federer’s main rival would come in 2005 when a teenager called Rafael Nadal burst into the scene on a surface where Roger was found to most vulnerable – clay.

Together, they became the no 1 rivalry of the sport sharing many finals in major events and slams. The 2007 and 2008 Wimbeldon finals were soon to raise the bar very high for the sport. The 2009 Australian open similarly became a pivotal moment in their rivalry only to be matched up by a similar 2017 Melbourne finale which Roger won to end a 5 year hiatus in grand slams. It was his 18th slam. Along the way Roger won every major slam inclusive of the 2009 French Open,his only success in Paris against Robin Soderling.

Roger was at home throughout at Wimbeldon . He won it 8 times,the last of which came in 2017.His last ever grand slam final was also Wimbledon in 2019 -against Novak Djokovic, he was almost home as he had match point at one moment . Djokovic won the final set tie break after the two tied at 12 -12. Roger had a huge rivalry with Novak as well and together with Rafa form the big 3 of GOAT’s in the current and modern era having won 20, 21,and 22 slams respectively.

On this Friday night though , they all were on the same side and all three became emotional as they knew an era was coming to an end. Novak was on sidelines as he watched Roger play out his final ever match with long time rival and friend, Rafa.Rafa had made the trip to London for the farewell game alone.It was against Francis Tiafoe and Jack Sock, a doubles specialist. Though the latter won in a closely contested match tiebreak after 1 set all, the whole limelight was on Roger’s swan song.

What followed in the aftermath was an emotional soap opera that can just be described by the viral pictures of Roger in front of his family or him with Rafa together as Ellie Goulding ( There wasn’t any role for her or the songs she sang in any reference to the night , by the way ) took stage.The stage was always Roger’s on this night . Novak and Rafa bot became emotional as it dawned on many ,the golden era of tennis is finally nearing its end.

Apart from the tears shed , in the pre tourney conference ,there were many moments to reflect. He gave a great press conference. There are so many memories of many great moments the fans will cherish.He was one of the greatest sporting entertainers of all times.I hope he won’t be a stranger to tennis which according to his statements is reassuring.From the tennis court, Roger, we will miss you and hope that in some capacity, we see you soon. Thank you for the memories.

Tour Diaries: Galle times !

Apart from traditional red ball cricket being played in the British Isles in the middle of the year, Sri Lanka has hosted for the last few decades theor own home series and have added a tropical touch to the test scene.In spite of political and financial hardships this year post COVID, they have managed to host cricket again.The long sought tour by the Australian which recently ended with an enterprising share of the series at 1-1 with a huge win at Galle has in a way re invigorated their test squad.

Pakistan came in July seeking a points boost for their world test championship hopes.They were a bit casual as they usually are coming to expect an easy win against the Lankans.Mind you, the Lankan test side who toured in late 2019 were primarily a B side.The Greenshirts, notorius for not doing their homework and under preparing in their bench strength would have enjoyed day one in Galle, where both the tests were hosted.

They had Lankans at 133/8 before the tail kicked with Dinesh Chandimal’s 76. Pakistan wrapped them up at 222 before themselves dissolving into disarray at 112/8. It was only due to their skipper Babar Azam who played extraordinarily with the tail scoring 119 to get them to 218. Prabath Jayasuriya continued his form from the back end of the Aussie series with a five for.Second time around, Sri Lankans batted better. Kusal Mendis scored 76 and Chandimal had an unbeaten 94 to set the visitors a tall target of 342.It wouldn’t have been hard to assume that the Greenshirts would collapse and despite a 100 plus run stand between Abdullah Shafique and Babar Azam ,there were still some chills sent down when Jayasuriya dismissed the Pakistan skipper at 205/3 , still 137 adrift.Abdullah the youngster held his cool to guide them to a historic one chasing this big a target since the massive 382 in Pallekele in 2015.

Not long after, Galle hosted the second test. Sri Lanka on this occasion set up a good opening stand of 92 and Chandimal scoring a third fifty in a row pushed them to 378.The visitors though couldn’t reciprocate as they dropped Azhar Ali in favour of bringing Fawad Alam.Nauman Ali provided the extra spin incentive as Shaheen had to rest due to injury.The Lankans held them to 119/5 in an utter chaos of a top order. Though the new Agha Salman scored a 62 to take the visitors to 231, it was a tall lead.Ramesh Mendis had taken five.

Dhananjaya De silva recently struck with Covid came back with a bang and despite the top order being restricted to 117/5 at one point , he nailed down a huge innings of 109 given the conditions. Yasir Shah brought back into this tour , Nauman Ali and mohammad Nawaz were all at sea in spin as Lankan accelerated fast with 3.91 rate in their secodn to post 360 and a 508 run target. This was near impossible.

The Greenshirts’ hunt for a possible draw started alright. They ended the 4th day at 89/1 in search of waiving the defeat with help of weather.But that never came.They lost wickets very quick in a flurry on the final morning and by lunch had lost Imam, Rizwan,Fawad and Agha by 188. It was a matter fo time when Prabath took the crucial wicket of the skipper for 81 to send Lankans on their way. Pakistan bowled out in the post lunch session for 261. Prabath claimed another five for for to claim 17 scalps and the player of the series award. Mendis supported him with a four for in this innings. Dhananjaya de silva for his huge innings was named man of the match.The series like the Australian one ended 1-1 and there was lot to reflect for the visitors in Galle.Sri Lanka solidified its position at No 3 on the table whilst Pakistan dropped to no 5.

Do Pakistani batsmen know how to play spin ? Is there a bench and if there isn’t is that intentional ? Will Saud Shakeel and Shan Masood ever come off that bench ? Has Hassan Ali reached the end of his second stint in his comeback ? Is there a need for the reserve wicket keeper now to come in the test format ? Is the time up for Azhar Ali ? These and many more queries are being showered in the aftermath and the pressure of not achieving a tests series win this year will continue to haunt until the autumn when England tour Pakistani mainland for the first time after 2005. Only time will tell whether they will address their test shortcomings.

Fall of the King / Rise of the Legend

India has for a long time in the last decade dominated test cricket. They have done well in one day version as well although failing to go past the semifinals in the last two editions after winning it at home in 2011. A major reason for their rise has been attributed to the success of one of the most powerful batsmen and captains in the last few decades. It would be an understatement not to label him as the King of Indian cricket. Virat Kohli is that king and that larger than life character which has been the rock of the side for over a decade now.Even Bollywood played second fiddle to him.

However that is where the dilemma lies. His form as a batsman has deteriorated in both red and white ball formats to the point in which his much favoured T20 stats are taking a hit.He finds himself in a very odd position where he is no longer the skipper of any of the Indian nationals squads.The latest stepping down after the Centurion Park test in south Africa following the close series loss was a huge changing point. Why is he losing his form is a question that no one in the cricketing world has been able to answer.

If Kane Williamson, Joe Root and Steve Smith fail in a series its forgiven in some but Virat’s decline in form has been somewhat of an enigma. In 2014 he sufferred from what is clearly an established depressive episode which he overcame and did well to counter. He left in a planned exit from the covid bubble to attend his daughter’s birth at a point when India were bundled out for 36 , their lowest test score in Adelaide on the Australia tour of 2020 -21.India went on to win the test series despite being in all sorts of personnel crises under the captaincy of Ajinkya Rahane.

The blue eyed boy of Indian cricket and nicknamed Cheeku has been well known for many years for an unmatchable work ethic on fitness and diet and maintaining as strict regime.He has been proponent of this for a long time and it has shown in the many feats he has accomplished.In 2018 he had a record 11 hundreds in a calendar across formats which was second only to the legendary Sachin Tendulkar.

Virat’s journey is one of great inspiration. He was dropped at state level in the eleventh hour under 14 match over preferential treatment. His father was offerred to pay for him getting a place in the cricket side during his early years but he refused.Since then he has never lost belief in merit. After the loss of his dad in 2006,he played a state game a day later. He climbed the ranks of cricket in youth, national and international level on his own ability. When he opened in Dambulla as a 19 year old in 2008, many knew he had talent but will he ever achieve greatness.It was a team that had the likes of Tendulkar, Dravid, Ganguly, Laxman, Yuvraj, Kumble and Mahendra Singh Dhoni skippering the limited format squads having been crowned the inaugural world champs a year earlier.

In December 2014 when Dhoni left the captaincy at the end of the Boxing day test, Kohli’s era of captaincy was ushered in a bit prematurely for some but he responded with a huge 147 at the Sydney test.He had a fanstastic Aussie tour in both formats churning hundreds at will.This would be marked as the barometer of success in modern day but for a subcontinent player there is one more prize which is bigger. The moment he scored that 183 against Pakistan in the Asia Cup at Mirpur chasing 330 in March 2012, he achieved the ultimate glory innings. Rohit Sharma scored a 68 and even Sachin scored a fifty, but both of those were mere after thoughts in context of what Virat displayed. He had conquered a major frontier. Its a shame that he hasn’t played the Greenshirts in a single test till now despite playing 102 tests to date. In October 2021 in Dubai when playing them last in the World cup, he top scored with a 57 still maintaining his good record against the arch rivals (especially in world cups), albeit in a heavy defeat which led to questions being asked.

Over the last decade, we have come to see only one side of his career. On the field you will always see the aggressive Kohli ,with that fighting tiger like attitude but when you listen to him in interviews, you will appreciate that great banter that he has to offer typical of a Delhi guy.He has matured to becoming a true family man.The advice he has to offer in terms of maintaining diet and fitness, on social media, mental health and developing Indian cricket with infusion of youth is invaluable.

There is a lot that he can offer for the world of cricket still even if he is not stats crunching like he has been.Is the lack of IPL title or a test world championship missing from his CV ? I think these are breadcrumbs from a guy who has given so much to the sport. The “channey bhaturay” of Rajouri gardens can still wait for when he finally hangs up his boots.

If this is the termed as his “twilight” , which is still unlikely in this era of long careers,at 33 ,then the legend has already begun.

The Opening Strike !

It was the most scenic of backgrounds in the east midlands on a sunny June afternoon.The Trent bridge test match between England and New Zealand was progressing to day 3. Just a few miles away in West Bridgford across the Nottingham Sailing club, NODFA (National Overseas Doctors Family Association) had organised a friendly 35 overs a side game between its cricket team, the Avengers and Sheffield Warriors at the Nottinghamians Rugby Club.

This was Sheffield Warriors’ debut as a hard ball team.Primarily, they are a group of overseas medics who had come together in Parkwood academy, Sheffield in 2019 playing tape ball.They tasted tournament success in that format under their belt from a year ago in a tournament held in Walsall. This though was uncharted territory for them as a team.NODFA chief Kashif Chauhan termed it as a start of “long and prosperous” relationship between NODFA and SHAPD (Sheffield Healthcare Association by Pakistani Doctors) of whom Sheffield Warriors are the affiliate team.

The hosts won the toss and on a surprisingly green wicket,stand in captain Danish Hanif opted to bat on a pitch with prevailing windy conditions that offered a lot of swing to the bowlers.The sailors won’t have minded the breeze.Sheffield started off waywardly in the first over conceding 10 runs but then soon got to grips with the surface which offered them assistance.Sarmad Masood the opening strike bowler for Warriors became the main proponent taking the first two wickets cheaply en route to a 4/28 haul. Zeeshan Hasan provided good assistance to Sarmad in the opening 4 over spell from the other end. Sarmad’s third wicket was scorcher,an in swinger which was unplayable.

Umair Naseem took the fourth wicket dismissing Danish,the skipper and the hosts found themselves 4 down at the drinks break.Enter Faisal Baig, a character straight out of Mushtaq Ahmad’s world of cracking jokes and keeping the team banter up. His first ball was a long hop hit for a 4.The second was a rank googly bamboozling Manik Tikoo who inside edged it onto his leg stump.The leggie had struck gold.He took another bowled and at six down NODFA were losing their tracks.Salman Rashid and Saghir Hussain bowled useful spells gaining a wicket and at one stage the hosts were 104/8.For the hosts M Yasir top scored with 42 ,opening the innings.Asad Maqbool scored 25.

A well established 8^th wkt stand provided some comfort and they were able to post 153 on the board. Yousuf Rahman finishing the innings in 33^rd over.This was defendable given the state of the pitch.

In reply for NODFA,Kashif Chauhan, their veteran attack bowler opened the new ball. He was accurate and deadly from ball one and caused the Warriors front line a lot of discomfort. He took a wicket on his 4^th ball, a plumb leg before. Manik Tikoo shared the new ball and in his opening over then removed the Warriors skipper Adeel Rauf with another 4^th ball off stump line beauty that the first slip easily obliged. In his second over Kashif then bowled Ahsan Shaikh. Suddenly, the first three Sheffield batsmen were back in the hut scoring ducks each.3 down at 3.

Onto the crease comes Yousuf Rahman,a Rotherham based middle order batsman who loves to play with the aggression from the start.He paced his innings nicely and guided Salman Rashid on the opposite end. Salman unlike his tape ball exploits, went for Misbah like toil.He played doggedly staying at the wicket defending.Yousuf on the other hand had found his flow. With Kashif’s opening burst of 5 overs negotiated, the back up bowling failed to capitalise.A chance came to Manik with a caught and bowled but with that spill, Yousuf got a life and rolled with it.There was no stopping him now.

The two put on a match winning stand of 141 accumulating runs and taking charge of the slower bowlers after setting in. Yousuf ran out for sublime 68. Salman stayed till the end despite a loss of another wicket, which was Kashif ‘s 3^rd of the day to guide Warriors ship had sailed safely from troubled waters.Sheffield Warriors had won by 5 wickets by the the 25^th over but the match was much closer than it suggests.Cricket was the winner. Warriors’ skipper Adeel Rauf praised the strong bowling lineup as well as Salman and Yousuf’s mammoth stand as the decisive factor accounting for the win.

It was a lovely atmosphere with NODFA hosting. Both teams are keen to renew the contest soon.A second match is scheduled for July 2 at the same ground.

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