The Canvas

The scientific approach tells man that statistical analysis of situations and conditions would give you a better estimate of future results based on past records. Or sometimes known as probability.

But since education is on a miserable low in our country, we do not believe in science, or the scientific approach even in important decision making - rather base it more on hearsay, opinions and prejudices.

Adil Najam’s All Things Pakistan, aka Pakistaniat.com, shares with us a small statistical round up of Pakistan’s top 10 most used bowlers. The post that mention the following statistics features Shahid Afridi and how he has surpassed Shoaib Akhtar and Abdur Razzaq in the number of balls he has bowled. Here are the statistics, thanks to ATP:

Legend:

• w: Wickets
• b: Balls
• sr: Strike Rate

Shahid Afridi had his moment of glory a few days back in an ODI with India where he hit a six on the last bowl of the match and won Pakistan the match. Not only that he won over the hearts of all and sundry. Its this small spikes of performance from him that he puts on, otherwise he is a very mediocre and average cricketer. We remember him only because of his fastest XYZ scores, thats it. He is not a match winner, he has a low composure in high pressure situations, he cannot play with the team, he has no leadership qualities even after 10 years of playing in the national team, plus he has a poorer balling statistic than Shoaib Akhtar… Which brings me to my second point.

Statistically, Shoaib Akhtar should be our first choice bowler, since Razzaq called it quits recently but is back again, and a part from Azhar Mahmood, all of the rest of the chumps have retired, aged and or taken up newer careers.

I won’t be surprised however if PCB has some sort of favorite bowler amongst the two. Like any other organization in Pakistan, nepotism, favoritism, rivalries etc. will exist and I feel Shoaib’s antics have been used as a tool against him to keep him out of the team. Additionally he joined the Indian Premier League recently for which he was fined and banned from playing for the national team.

Is that a reason good enough to keep a player out of the national team, where he can intimidate the opposing side than any bowler in the world with his pace and accuracy. Who he hangs out with what he does, where he goes, etc. He has better discipline record than our former fatty, cry baby captain Inzamam ul Haq, and the likes, except for the one incident with Afridi he had where Mohammad Asif got beat up. Which brings to my third point.

PCB thinks they are a policing agency and should ban and lock up players at their will even if they see no clear evidence of malice or intent in an attack. Backed up by poor investigations and interrogations, their case becomes poorer. Things like inter-team fights always take place. Two of the greatest examples come from the West Ham Football Club, where today Lee Bowyer, Keryon Dyer, and Craig Bellamy play together. The first two known for fighting on the pitch while playing on the same team, and the last known for being hit by a golf club on the eve of a Champion’s League match against Barcelona by Riise of Liverpool FC, or something like that. The next day the former scored a goal off an assist from the latter!

Both of these players were fined, but not removed from the team, as done with everyone else. Even Mike Tyson was pardoned and let to fight again after his audacious bite at Holy Field’s ear.

I won’t even go towards the marketability of a player’s image to tell you what should be preferred and what not.

The cricket team’s long run of poor results has to end and the change has to come from within PCB who are bigoted about their ideas and plans, and don’t see the light in the fact that no matter how rude or ill tempered their player may be, statistical performance means jack to them; running the risk of losing every tournament they enter.

I just wish Shoaib Akhtar gets to sign some huge ass movies in India with the cricket cheques to give a big F U to all of us (just like Adnan Sami) and tell us that our decisions have emotion written all over them which then demand professional response from those selected.