BCCI President Srinivasan rejects accusations

Business tycoon and President of the Board of Control for Cricket in India N. Srinivasan has denied and rejected accusations that the Indian Cricket Board engages in censoring commentators employed by it.

The denial is a sequel to former Australian captain and TV Commentator in great demand Ian Chappell alleging that commentators must not criticize the Indian team selections, its opposition of the Decision Review System or speak on the Board's administrative matters.

Chappell who was apparently not in agreement with the rules laid down refused to do commentary on the on-going one-day series between India and Australia as he has not been allowed to comment freely.

Cutting edge lost

In Chappell's absence the cutting edge is lost in the commentary box. Replacing Chappell is former leg spinning great Shane Warne now settling down nicely to his new job and former dashing opening batsman Mathew Hayden. Hayden is new and trying hard to get his eye on his new wicket.

As we have always stated TV, radio commentators and journalists must not be muzzled. They must be allowed to comment freely as long as they don't step out of line and indulge in personal attacks, insult and humiliation.

During his time former England Captain and South African born Tony Greig was the king of commentators and was in great demand. Even during Greig's reign, Chappell was the only one who could challenge and match up to him.

Greig's unfortunate demise

But with Greig's unfortunate demise, Chappell took over the number one slot and was in great demand with his terrific reading of situations in the game and describing the deeds of a batsman, bowler or fielder.

While giving praise, Chappell did not hesitate to call a spade by its name and say things the way he saw them and take people to task when the occasion demanded. He was in great demand and viewers enjoyed his commentaries and analysis.

A great attribute in Chappell was that he has the courage to stand by his convictions. It was no different during his playing days and especially as captain. He was loved by his team mates because he always stood by them and batted for them.

Cannot match up to Chappell

Shane Warne and Mathew Hayden cannot match up to Chappell. TV viewers would have loved to hear the former 'stormy petrel' behind the mike.Without Chappell, the commentaries are not that exciting and listenable.

The Indian commentators are holding sway at the moment in the absence of Chappell. But unlike previously when they were held up as examples, they surprisingly seem to be showing their biase, which is sad.

But TV viewers need not be disappointed. Ian Chappell will be back in all his splendour and glory when the back to back Ashes series between Australia and England starts in November.

Misbah and Whatmore saved

The cry and demand by former Pakistani cricketing greats, led by former opening batsman and now TV Commentator Rameez Raja was that Pakistan Captain Misbah Ul Haq and coach Dav Whatmore be sacked and new men appointed.

This demand gathered momentum when Pakistan surprisingly lost a Test match to the lowly rated Zimbabwe in Zimbabwe in their previous tour to Mugabe country. They had earlier lost a Test series to South Africa.

But the Pakistan Cricket Board and its selectors stood by Misbah and Whatmore and allowed them reign against South Africa in the Test series now being played in the Gulf.

Make or break series

It was a make or break series for the twosome. Had they succumbed again it would have meant to have their necks on the chopping blocks. But Misbah with a century, helped by Manzoor with also a three figure score and mesmerizing spin by Ajmal saved their positions.

The Pakistanis who have previous experience playing in the Gulf were confident that they could bring down the high riding South Africans in conditions and wickets suiting them.

And they did just that. After bundling out the strong SA batting in the first innings and making a formidable score in reply, shot out the visitors again in the second innings thanks to some clever off spin/doosra bowling by Saeed Ajmal and coasted to an easy and satisfying victory by 7 wickets.

Lavishing praise

The team's critics who earlier launched a scathing attack, lost no time in doing an about turn and lavishing their praise on the manner in which Misbah led and how the team played as a cohesive unit which led to victory.

It is hoped that the Pakistanis will maintain this form and bring down the high riding South Africans who are the number one Test playing country in the world. The end of the Second Test will tell the story.

But what is inexplicable and an exercise in futility is the playing of only Two Test matches. Good if Pakistan was to win or draw the Test which will give them the series. The futility will be obvious if South Africa were to win the Second Test.

Sri Lankans starved of action

Come December and Sri Lanka whose cricketers are now starved of action will be visiting the Gulf to play Three Test matches in addition to Two Twenty20 games and Five One-day Internationals. Pity that Pakistan has been deprived of playing cricket at home for no fault of theirs.

With the Pakistanis savouring victory in the Gulf against South Africa came the news that Prime Minister and new Patron of the Pakistan Cricket Board Nawaz Sharif had dissolved the governing board of the Pakistan Cricket Board.

He has formed a five-member interim management committee to run cricket in the country until elections are held soon. The PCB's acting chairman is Najam Sethi, former Chairman Shahryar Khan, former greats Zaheer Abbas and Haroon Rashid and former team manager Naveed Cheema were appointed to the committee.

The dissolution was the outcome of an issue that began with the Islamabad High Court's judgement on a constitutional writ petition challenging the election of the previous Pakistan Cricket Board Chairman, Zaka Ashraf, who was then suspended and replaced temporarily by Sethi for 90-day term.

[email protected]