This is not the first time that Shoaib is running in trouble from the Authorities, he is got a History of it. Shoaib Akhtar is one such player who can perform and deliver under crucial junctures according to his wish. After the retirement of Wasim Akram and Waquar Younis, Pakistan’s pace attack was solely dependent on Shoaib Akhtar. Probably this factor got into Shoaib’s mind and he picked up attitude problem among his Team mates as well as the PCB Authorities.

When Pakistan was touring India, on one occasion Shoaib Akhtar injured himself and despite the request of the captain Inzamam-ul-Haq to stay in the Ground and bowl, he walked out of the ground. Akhtar ran into many more controversies which is similar to this. Because of his bad attitude he is now picked up a five year ban from representing his country.

IPL backed by BCCI had employed the Rawalpindi Express to play for the League Matches. Akhtar was supposed to represent Kolkatta “Knight Riders” but now that is subject to a question mark. PCB’s decision has spoiled his contract with IPL. IPL has now said clearly unless or other he gets a clearance from the PCB, he cannot represent to play in the League.

No matter who you are or what you do, right attitude is required every where to excel in Sports as well as in practical Life.

India won the Toss and elected to bat first. Sachin Tendulkar and Robin Uthappa made a strong start for the Indian Team. Aussie’s thirst for wicket was fulfilled when Uthappa got out in 30 runs. Yet again, Sachin missed his ODI century when he was in nineties. Yuvraj Singh was aggressive since start. He scored 38 runs outta 38 balls (2 fours & 2 sixes). Dhoni made a decent contribution by scoring 36 runs. India set a winning target of 259 runs to Aussies.

Aussies made a stumbling start by loosing their 3 early wickets to Praveen Kumar. Hayden and Symonds stayed and made a good partnership. Pathan was little bit expensive as he was in the previous match. It was Harbhajan Singh who broke the strong partnership between Hayden and Symonds.

Although the game was initially favorable to Team India, at the later part of the game it was a tough contest and really an interesting Match to watch until the last over.

India won the Second Final Cricket match by 9 runs and claimed the Commonwealth Bank Series (Australia). Praveen Kumar (India) was declared the Man of the Match and the Player of the Series went to NW Bracken (Australia).

Australia won the Toss and elected to bat first. Aussies lost their 3 early wickets before crossing 25 runs. Hayden did a good job by scoring 82 runs out of 88 balls. The Indian bowler – Ishanth Sharma had to leave the field due to an inflammation on his finger. Most of the Indian bowlers did perform well in exception to Pathan who was really expensive. Australia scored 239 in 50 overs, setting a winning target of 240 to India.

Sachin played an excellent Innings and paved the way for India’s victory. He scored 117 not out. On the other hand, Rohit Sharma made 66 to his contribution. Gautham Gambhir who had been performing well in this Series, was run out at 3 runs. Atlast Dhoni, the Indian captain joined with Sachin to reach the target. He made 15 runs out of 12 balls. Indian reached the target in 45.5 overs. Sachin was declared the “Man of the Match”

Gilchrist is one of a few Gentlemen who play the game in a rightful manner. He is well known for walking, if Gilly feels that he is out, he won’t wait for the Umpire’s decision. He will walk towards the pavilion with right spirit. Same applies when he keeps wicket as a wicket Keeper, he won’t appeal unnecessarily.

Many Matches can be taken as example for his Goodwill. Adam Gilchrist considers campaigning India in the year 2004 (when he was the captain) as an Achievement in his Life in which Australia won the series by 2-1.

Ongoing Common Wealth Tri-series is his last Tour as an Australian cricketer. It is long and challenging Tour for Gilly. Cricket lovers would like to see a Farewell Innings from him.

The Leading Australian Cricketers have been announcing their Retirement from International Cricket. First it was the “Spin Legend” – Shane Warne. In a due course Glenn McGrath (the Pigeon) announced his retirement. Now it is the term of Adam Gilchrist (Gilly).

Pigeon’s absence was backed by brilliance of Bret Lee but absence of Shane Warne has left hollow in the Spin Attack of Aussies, so will be the absence of Adam Gilchrist (Gilly).

The inexperienced Indian middle order was exposed to the strong Bowling attack of the Australians. Bret Lee bowled gem of a spell and bagged 5 wickets to his tally, backed by fellow team mates. Australians restricted India to a meager 194 in an already Rain Interrupted game.

In reply to this small total, Australians had a decent start but Indian Bowling was equally strong. Sreesanth picked up the wicket of Adam Gilchrist and Rick Pointing. Adam Gilchrist adjusted himself as “Out” after he edged one from Sreesanth to Dhoni. Umpire declined to call it “Out” but Adam Gilchrist walked out with right spirit.

As Rain started to pour in, the match was called off and two points were given to both Australia and India.

The Indian Team Captain M.S. Dhoni must work on his strategy to improve the performance of India’s middle order at the absence of experienced campaigners or if experienced Campaigners fail in a match or so. The young players who are included in the Team must take the Initiative and must lead the team to a secure position.

The New Faces who are included in the One Day squad must use this opportunity to prove their Talent and must adapt to the new environment. This is the learning curve for these players.

These gentlemen have consistently performed in the previous Matches. They have proved age is not a barrier to their performance. They have rescued Team India from a very crucial circumstance. These are experienced campaigners whose portfolio is a must for a winning combination. Excluding them from the One day Series is pressing alarm signal amidst the Team.

India at this junction needs the support of the Majestic-Three (Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid and Saurav Ganguly). Fortunately Tendulkar is selected in the one day squad. Exclusion of senior players will send wrong signals not only to the senior player but also to the budding players who are groomed for the future Indian Cricket Team.

The Tri-Series is against veteran Teams like Australia and Sri Lanka. The young players who are currently selected in the squad require better temperament while playing against quality bowling attack. The services of Saurav and Dravid are required to face quality bowling attack

On the other hand, this is the right opportunity for the much youngster to prove themselves and their talent to the Selectors. The youngsters are occupying the vacuum of the classy players. The new players must stand up to the name of these veterans and must lead the Indian Team towards success!

1. M.S. Dhoni (captain)
2. Sachin Tendulkar
3. Yuvraj Singh
4. Virender Sehwag
5. Dinesh Karthik
6. Robin Uthappa
7. Gautam Gambhir
8. Suresh Raina
9. Rohit Sharma
10. Irfan Pathan
11. Praveen Kumar
12. R.P. Singh
13. Ishant Sharma
14. S. Sreesanth
15. Harbhajan Singh
16. Piyush Chawla

First ODI – Jan 21: Karachi (day/night)

Second ODI – Jan 24: Hyderabad

Third ODI – Jan 27: Multan (day/night)

Fourth ODI – Jan 30: Faisalabad (day/night)

Fifth ODI – Feb 2: Sheikhupura

It seems that they have been told to prove their fitness in the domestic cricket due to their fitness issues in the recently held Indian Tour.

Pakistan Selectors have picked 3 new faces in the ODI against Zimbabwe, namely Nasir Jamshed, Samiullah Niazi and Kamran Hussain.

The first ODI match between Pakistan and Zimbabwe will be held in Karachi (Pakistan).

Team players (Pakistan) for the first ODI

• Shoaib Malik (captain)
• Younis Khan
• Salman Butt
• Mohammad Yousuf
• Misbah-ul-Haq
• Yasir Arafat
• Shahid Afridi
• Sohail Tanvir
• Sarfaraz Ahmed
• Nasir Jamshed
• Rao Iftikhar
• Fawad Alam
• Kamran Hussain
• Samiullah Niazi
• Kamran Akmal.

ODI Squad (Zimbabwe)

• Prosper Utseya (capt)
• Gary Brent
• Chamu Chibhabha
• Elton Chigumbura
• Keith Dabengwa
• Timycen Maruma
• Hamilton Masakadza
• Stuart Matsikenyeri
• Chris Mpofu
• Tawanda Mupariwa
• Ray Price
• Vusi Sibanda
• Tatenda Taibu
• Brendon Taylor
• Sean Williams.
• Robin Brown (coach)

This is a well carved psychological procedure to disintegrate spirit of the opponent team. Some of the best and successful teams stick to this procedure.

In the olden days West-Indies’ bowlers intimidated the batsman with their perfect line and speed which was a night mare to Legendary Batsmen. As the game went on, New Champions evolved. The new ways of Sledging came up. The players started to play with their words which triggered emotion all around the mind of the Player resulting in Loss of concentration. War of words turned out to be best medicine at hour crises.

At this Hour, war of words has reached a stage where players pass on profanity at their counterpart in the field, as well as off the field. This trend has come up as a Bad precedence and is directing the game in the bad light.

Cricketers must play the game in right spirit and must restrain from exchanging profanity or racist remark with their counterpart.

ICC must act immediately and must debar the players who exchange profanity or racist remark with their counterpart in the name of Sledging (“Mental Disintegration”)