Kamran Abbasi (cricinfo Pakistan blogger) is close to the team. He knows that the Pakistan media does tend to make a 'mountain out of a mole hill.'
The shambles that is Pakistan cricket has resurfaced again. Why is nothing straight forward in Pakistan? A small thing always gets scrutinised and exagerated by the media.
Most people who follow cricket on a regular basis will know how the last six months have seen Pakistan cricket turned upside down. First, the Darrell Hair situation then the failed dope tests and now this.
This time it involves Pakistan coach Bob Woolmer and Pace man Shoaib Akhtar. The incident occurred during the second test against South Africa in Port Elizabeth. Bob and Shaoib were seen having an altercation on the Pakistan team balcony. The incident was shown live on television. The incident was picked up and run in the Karachi newspaper, Dawn.
I feel that Mr Abbasi is correct, he touches on a very sensitive point and its important to keep grounded. Its a serious allegation made by Dawn (Karachi based newspaper) and they have no 'concrete' evidence to show.
Mr Abbasi has balanced views that is represented in a concise way. Mr Abbasi would say when somone is wrong and agree when someone is right. He calls it straight. I respect that. There are numberous comments on his blog. People respect his views and like to argue them.
Virtually all of the comments agree with Mr Abbasi. Bob Woolmer is not a racist! No doubt he's outspoken. Does that make him a racist? No.
There are other blogs avaliable in this section. There is the world cup squad and his thoughts on it. The recent series with South Africa.
Monday, 19 February 2007
world cup contenders
This weekend shocked the world of cricket. No its not another drugs story, no match-fixing and no prima donnas eclipsing the teams.
One event occurred. Australia knocked off the top of the ODI rankings for the first time in nearly 4 years.
On saturday February 17, New Zealand thrashed Australia, hence removing them from top spot. South Africa now 'rule the roost' after impressing against a weakened albeit poor Pakistan side.
So with the World Cup just around the corner who are the form teams.
Australia, the world champions, winners of the last two World Cups look indifferent. They have lost 4 in a row. It must be said that they were missing the injured trio of Brett Lee, Adam Gilchrist and captain Ricky Ponting. Three match winners on any given day. They are not the world beaters as in 2003. They always come good in pressure situations. They demolished England in The Ashes. A good bet to make it to the final.
South Africa, arguable favourites now, have a phonemenal team with quality all rounders and genuine match winners in Shaun Pollock, Jacques Kallis and even Graeme Smith and Hershelle Gibbs on form.
They are a good bet to qualify and get to the semi finals. They failed to qualify last time out. Surely it won't happen again.
Pakistan, the colossal underachievers need to perform. The whole country expects and the problem is that the team on paper is fantastic. The recent series in South Africa has again shown the batsmen vulnerable to short pitched bowling. In the Test series, the team performed well. The ODI's were the good, the bad and the ugly.
Always contenders especially if Shoaib Akhtar, Umar Gul and Mohammed Asif are all fit. One of the few teams who can challenge Australia.
New Zealand, the team who are on the up. After a disappointing CB Series they had a point to prove against Australia and haven't they just. Shane Bond is a very good bowler. An outside bet to reach the final. Expect anything and on their day they can beat anyone. I get the feeling that their batting could falter though often it could shine.
West Indies, the hosts, can be a decent bet though hosting countries rarely do well. The pressure is on and the expectation huge. Have shown that with Brian Lara, Chris Gayle, Shiv and the explosive Jerome Taylor can beat Australia. Lost to Australia in the ICC Champions trophy last year. Could be the dark horses for the world cup.
India, the 2003 finalists, whose fluctuating form causes concerns. Coming into good form now though are very patchy and indecisive about their team. Class players will get them through the group stages. Don't get expectations too high though. An outside bet to reach the semi's though out of the big teams they have the least chance of winning.
Sri Lanka, explosive batting first up with Sanath Jayasuriya. Spinning king Murali. Good captaincy by Mahela Jayawardene. This could be their year. Eleven years on from their first world cup trophy. This time they have a seriously good chance of making the semi's. The pace attack has Malinga and experience in Vaas.
A good bet to make the semi's. Outsiders to go all the way.
This world cup is wide open. The teams above have ambitions to win the world cup. The minnows: Canada, Kenya, Scotland, Ireland, Zimbabwe, Netherlands and Bermuda are there to make up the numbers.
One event occurred. Australia knocked off the top of the ODI rankings for the first time in nearly 4 years.
On saturday February 17, New Zealand thrashed Australia, hence removing them from top spot. South Africa now 'rule the roost' after impressing against a weakened albeit poor Pakistan side.
So with the World Cup just around the corner who are the form teams.
Australia, the world champions, winners of the last two World Cups look indifferent. They have lost 4 in a row. It must be said that they were missing the injured trio of Brett Lee, Adam Gilchrist and captain Ricky Ponting. Three match winners on any given day. They are not the world beaters as in 2003. They always come good in pressure situations. They demolished England in The Ashes. A good bet to make it to the final.
South Africa, arguable favourites now, have a phonemenal team with quality all rounders and genuine match winners in Shaun Pollock, Jacques Kallis and even Graeme Smith and Hershelle Gibbs on form.
They are a good bet to qualify and get to the semi finals. They failed to qualify last time out. Surely it won't happen again.
Pakistan, the colossal underachievers need to perform. The whole country expects and the problem is that the team on paper is fantastic. The recent series in South Africa has again shown the batsmen vulnerable to short pitched bowling. In the Test series, the team performed well. The ODI's were the good, the bad and the ugly.
Always contenders especially if Shoaib Akhtar, Umar Gul and Mohammed Asif are all fit. One of the few teams who can challenge Australia.
New Zealand, the team who are on the up. After a disappointing CB Series they had a point to prove against Australia and haven't they just. Shane Bond is a very good bowler. An outside bet to reach the final. Expect anything and on their day they can beat anyone. I get the feeling that their batting could falter though often it could shine.
West Indies, the hosts, can be a decent bet though hosting countries rarely do well. The pressure is on and the expectation huge. Have shown that with Brian Lara, Chris Gayle, Shiv and the explosive Jerome Taylor can beat Australia. Lost to Australia in the ICC Champions trophy last year. Could be the dark horses for the world cup.
India, the 2003 finalists, whose fluctuating form causes concerns. Coming into good form now though are very patchy and indecisive about their team. Class players will get them through the group stages. Don't get expectations too high though. An outside bet to reach the semi's though out of the big teams they have the least chance of winning.
Sri Lanka, explosive batting first up with Sanath Jayasuriya. Spinning king Murali. Good captaincy by Mahela Jayawardene. This could be their year. Eleven years on from their first world cup trophy. This time they have a seriously good chance of making the semi's. The pace attack has Malinga and experience in Vaas.
A good bet to make the semi's. Outsiders to go all the way.
This world cup is wide open. The teams above have ambitions to win the world cup. The minnows: Canada, Kenya, Scotland, Ireland, Zimbabwe, Netherlands and Bermuda are there to make up the numbers.
Monday, 12 February 2007
The forgotten genius
Roberto Baggio showing his pure skill and natural talent.
He was pure class. Much like Gazza but better!!
He was pure class. Much like Gazza but better!!
Web 2.0
What is Web 2.0? Web 2.0 is the advanced version of 1.0 and is very useful. This started in the fall of 2001 when the whole web crashed and businesses were ruined.
The concept of "web 2.0" begam with a conference brainstorming session between O'Reilly and MediaLive International. Dale Dougherty, web pioneer and O'Reilly were the people who started it.
Its interesting to state that web 2.0 has more than 9.5 million citations in google and offers links to several sites.
It offers the second generation web based services and is reliable.
Tim O'Reilly states "Web 2.0 is the business revolution in the computer industry caused by the move to the internet as platform, and an attempt to understand the rules for success on that new platform. Chief among those rules is this: Build applications that harness network effects to get better the more people use them.".
Web 2.0 does have criticism as Amazon had started this trend over ten years ago meaning its not so new for some people.
The concept of "web 2.0" begam with a conference brainstorming session between O'Reilly and MediaLive International. Dale Dougherty, web pioneer and O'Reilly were the people who started it.
Its interesting to state that web 2.0 has more than 9.5 million citations in google and offers links to several sites.
It offers the second generation web based services and is reliable.
Tim O'Reilly states "Web 2.0 is the business revolution in the computer industry caused by the move to the internet as platform, and an attempt to understand the rules for success on that new platform. Chief among those rules is this: Build applications that harness network effects to get better the more people use them.".
Web 2.0 does have criticism as Amazon had started this trend over ten years ago meaning its not so new for some people.
Monday, 5 February 2007
Boing Boing
Boing Boing is a web blog that is full of completely bonkers things and full of everything.
Its full of all the weird and wonderful things going on around the world. Its the kind of site that does tend to cater for everyone although younger children will enjoy it.
Its a good web blog and is rated number one on the web according to some sources.
A fun web blog that is updated regularly and is witty as well as being cool. I hate web blogs that are never updated it pisses me off. What's the point of setting one up if your not going to update it. This however has people who do update which allows you to enjoy the service. There are things that you never knew, things you knew and outrageous things you never wanted to know.
Overall a fun web blog to waste time reading when there is nothing else to do.
Its full of all the weird and wonderful things going on around the world. Its the kind of site that does tend to cater for everyone although younger children will enjoy it.
Its a good web blog and is rated number one on the web according to some sources.
A fun web blog that is updated regularly and is witty as well as being cool. I hate web blogs that are never updated it pisses me off. What's the point of setting one up if your not going to update it. This however has people who do update which allows you to enjoy the service. There are things that you never knew, things you knew and outrageous things you never wanted to know.
Overall a fun web blog to waste time reading when there is nothing else to do.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)