ICC Champions Trophy 2013

Before the start of ICC Champions Trophy 2013, Pakistan Team was being considered as the strong contender for the title. But all expectations have proved wrong and all their efforts and plans went in vain. After losing their first match to West Indies by 2 wickets, Pakistan lost their 2^nd and 3^rd match to South Africa and arch-rivals India respectively and eliminated from the tournament with null performance. Senior batsmen like Shoaib Malik, Mohammad Hafeez, Kamran Akmal and Imran Farhat were seemed struggling throughout the event. Pakistan team didn’t manage to pass the total score of 170 runs in any match of the tournament.

Champions Trophy 2013 is being played in England and Wales. As the conditions are difficult for Pakistan, they had a training camp in Abbotabad with similar conditions as in England and Wales. They also played two One Day Internationals with Scotland and Ireland before Champions Trophy. But after all these efforts, the performance of our national team was very shameful. Bowlers did the fantastic job by limiting opponent teams to a small total however batting was totally flop. In all three group matches, only captain Misbah ul Haq and Nasir Jamshed were able to do job with the bat. Except both of them, whole batting line up of Pakistan was considered as totally flop.

Opener Imran Farhat Dismisal in ICC Champions Trophy

Captain Misbah ul Haq was very disappointed with his team’s performance. Keeping in mind he is the top scorer from Pakistan throughout the tournament.

“Disappointing performance again with the bat, the weather also played a part as it was difficult to get in and out so many times. In this sort of format, it is too short for the teams because you have one bad day at the start of the tournament; you are almost out of it,” said Misbah at the presentation ceremony.

Former cricketers and other sports journalists have also criticized Pakistan team on their performance. They said that either Pakistan team is lacking talent or skills or they have problems with confidence, temperament and self-belief. They made demand with to groom the youngster and bring big changes in the team. Wasim Akram said,

"I don't know if there is lack of ability in our players or there's some psychological problem, but drastic steps should be taken."

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5th February : Kashmir Solidarity Day

Kashmir Solidarity Day has been observed on 5^th February each year since 1990 in Pakistan as a protest against Indian control on part of Kashmir. It is a day dedicated to show Pakistan support and unity with the people of Indian occupied Kashmir, their ongoing freedom struggle and to pay homage to Kashmiri Martyrs who sacrificed their life struggling for the Kashmir’s freedom.

Beautiful Kashmir

               This day is observed by people throughout Pakistan and Azad Jammuand Kashmir (AJK). Kashmir Day was first proposed by Qazi Hussain Ahmed of Jamat e Islami in 1990 in Pakistan. Since then, there is always a public holiday in Pakistan on 5^th February. It is an internationally recognized day observed by the people, predominantly Kashmiris worldwide. Special prayers are offered for the liberation of Kashmir and protests are carried out against the Indian Oppression of Kashmir.

               Kashmir dispute is a core issue between Pakistan and India. It has led Pakistan to face three wars and have devoted a major portion of their national incomes to defense budgets. World leaders have stressed the need to resolve the Kashmir Dispute between India and Pakistan to avoid an eventuality that may cause a catastrophe in the region. The long standing Kashmir dispute is a threat to Peace and Stability of the region and it is a major of cause of continued tension between the south Asian nuclear powers.

               It is Pakistan views that the International Community and Governing Bodies should force India to stop shedding the blood of innocent Kashmiris. However, the international communities except China refuse to interfere in this conflict and maintain that this matter should be resolved bilaterally. Government attaches the great importance to peaceful and durable solution of this dispute in accordance with the United Nations resolution and aspirations of the people of occupied Kashmir.

Protest against Indian Oppression on Kashmir

               Kashmir Day has a particular importance to major political and religious political parties of both Pakistan and AJK. All political parties including coalition partners of government, religious parties, opinion leader and people from different societies organized different procession, rallies, conferences and long marches.. They also advocate the peaceful resolution of the Kashmir dispute. People use different slogans to support the Kashmiri’s struggle and to express solidarity with them.

               President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf, Prime Minister of AJK and President of AJK Abdul Majid would issue some special messages related to Kashmir. They will express solidarity with the people of occupied Kashmir. A convention will be held in Islamabad to pay a tribute to the Kashmir martyrs, who sacrificed their lives to get self-determination. The Prime Minister will also host a dinner in the honor of prominent Kashimiri leader of occupied Kashmir.

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ICC Women World Cup 2013: “Women Challenges Began”

WWC 13 logo

10^th ICC Women World Cup started today on 31 Jan 2013 hosted by India. India is hosting world cup for the 3^rd time. India has hosted the world cup in 1978 and 1997. The tournament will continue till 17 February 2013. This tournament will be a most important and central event in the women cricket calendar this year. Although the event is being held in India, but there is no such excitement like the men’s cricket.

               8 teams have qualified for the championship. Teams qualified for the tournament include England, Australia, West Indies, New Zealand, India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and South Africa. Teams have been divided into two groups A and B. Group A includes India, Sri Lanka, West Indies and England. Group B contains Pakistan, Australia, South Africa and New Zealand. Group A matches to be held at two grounds in Mumbai and Group B matches to be held in Cuttack. Each team in group will play other in a round-robin fashion.

Group A Captains with WWC Trophy

               Defending Champions England will defend its title this year. They are also declared favorite for this event. England has won the women world three times in 1973, 1993 and recently in 2009. Charlotte Edwards is leading English team. She is playing her fifth successive World Cup. England team is also featuring 8 players from the winning squad of 2009 World Cup.

“We are attracting loads of young girls who want to play the game. We have changed people’s perceptions about women’s cricket a lot. Hopefully this tournament will be another step in hammering that message home.”

said England’s captain Charlotte Taylor.

Charlotte Taylor with WWC Trophy

               

               Australia has won the Women World Cup five times. They will begin as favorite to qualify for Super Six from Group B. Group B also contains New Zealand which was winner of 2000 Women World Cup and runners up of 2009 World Cup.  Group A also includes  India which stood 3^rdand Sri Lanka stood 8^th in the last World Cup.

               India team leading by Mithali Raj is playing Kick-Off game of the tournament against West Indies. Tournament features the Best Batswoman Mithali Raj from the hosts India who is entering the tournament as no one batsman.  Also no 1 ODI bowlers in the ICC woman bowler rating Katherine Brunt is representing English side. She has named 76 ODI wickets to her name.

               Sana Mir is leading team Pakistan. Pakistan team has the experience of Sub Continental conditions which may help them in this event. Pakistan team is staying in the club house of Barabati stadium for security reason. Pakistan team is more worried about adapting the new ODI rules. Captain Sana Mir said:

“We have not played under the new rules where five players have to be inside the circle at all times and the use of new balls from both ends, we must get used to them before tournament starts”

Three teams will advance to Super Six round from each group and best two will qualify for the final, which will be played on 17 February.

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