Congrats, Sachin!
When Charles Coventry was hovering in the 180s against Bangladesh, I voiced my fear that Saeed Anwar’s record seemed in danger of being broken. In response, a friend said, “Bah! Don’t get too attached to records, it’s a sign of mediocrity.” While it was some consolation that Coventry didn’t actually break the record – he equalled it – the gloss was still removed from that proud feeling that my countryman held the world record for the highest individual ODI score. That too, one of the finest left-handed batsmen of his time, and there’s no hiding the fact that his feat was made extra-special owing to the fact that he scored the runs against India.
Once again, as Sachin Tendulkar reached 150 against South Africa, my fellow sports fan at Dawn.com and I gave each other nervous, knowing looks. He said that whenever Tendulkar reaches 150 (he has done it on no less than three previous occasions!), he starts getting anxious.
We stopped working when Tendulkar got to 160 and started calling and texting friends to inform them that Saeed bhai’s record was under threat from the master-blaster. And as he reached 180, with almost eight overs to spare, we had resigned ourselves to the fact that Tendulkar was on his way to another record.
So when he did it, there was nothing left to do but stand up and applaud the monstrous effort. I mean, if there is anyone who deserves to hold the record, it’s Tendulkar. I’d rather have Tendulkar break Anwar’s record than any other batsman, especially if that batsman is an Indian. How would I have felt, for example, if Sourav Ganguly had done it? (Apologies to Indian fans, but that guy was really annoying). Or, for that matter, would my feelings have been as bittersweet if Coventry had actually broken the record?
The fact that Tendulkar smashed his way past Anwar’s grand total against a highly respected South African side – albeit on a cemented Gwalior pitch where the Protean bowlers averaged eight short-pitched deliveries per over – made the accomplishment even more commendable. I even found myself getting mad at M.S. Dhoni for taking most of the strike after Tendulkar had crossed 194, reducing his chances of making a double ton. Who makes 200 runs in an ODI, anyway?
Watching Tendulkar break Anwar’s record was surreal. It was also heartbreaking at times. But most of all, it was fantastic! Really, Sachin ala re bhaiya!
Hafsa Adil is a sports writer for Dawn.com.
Hafsa
Tags: Sachin
Cricket Revolution In-game
Feb 11, 2010 Sports
Cricket Revolution is a multiplayer cricket sports action title for the PC. With single and multiplayer game modes, local and global tournaments, and challenging AI opponents that learn from your every move, Cricket Revolution is a cricket gaming experience unlike any other! Get into your gear and get ready for global cricket competition in your bid to dominate the online leaderboards!
Cricket Revolution is a cricket game meant for the cricket fan and the developers make no bones from the get-go about their seriousness in revolutionizing the market. The problem is, does this game try too hard to be taken seriously?
From the days of Brian Lara Cricket on the Sega Mega Drive, cricket games haven’t evolved much. Cricket Revolution challenges our prevalent notions of what a cricket game should be and provides the gamer with a realistic playing experience as well as access to a healthy multiplayer community.
Tags: cricket, cricket games, Cricket Revolution, India, Pakistan, video games
The international press’ take on Afridi’s ‘chomp’
Feb 2, 2010 Sports
“Shahid Afridi shocked us all when he took a couple of momentary breaks from sanity to chow down on the white ball like a mule on an apple in the final One-day International between Australia and Pakistan. It was some of the most bizarre footage I have ever seen from a game of cricket,” writes Michael Slater. -Video grab
News, comments and features from the international press on Afridi’s ‘bite’ and Khalid Latif’s take-down.
Australia
Shaun Tait says ball-tampering ‘probably’ prevalent
“It probably goes on, but I have never seen it with my own eyes,” Tait said.
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/shaun-tait-says-ball-tampering-probably-prevalent/story-e6frf9if-1225826097060
Nannes rejects Afridi ball tamper claims
“Twenty20 paceman Dirk Nannes has rejected Shahid Afridi’s claims on ball tampering and insists bowlers can be effective without breaking cricket’s laws.”
http://news.theage.com.au/breaking-news-sport/nannes-rejects-afridi-ball-tamper-claims-20100202-narn.html
I would have walked over tackle: Ponting
“In the wake of the pitch invasion at the WACA Ground on Sunday night in which a spectator crash-tackled Khalid Latif, Australian captain Ricky Ponting said he would have led a walk-off if he had been in the shoes of Pakistan skipper Shahid Afridi.”
http://www.theage.com.au/sport/cricket/i-would-have-walked-over-tackle-ponting-20100201-n8wx.html
Pakistan calls for barriers, alcohol ban
“Pakistan Sports Minister Aijaz Hussein Jakhrani has urged Cricket Australia to set up barriers at grounds and ban alcohol following the tackle by a spectator on Khalid Latif in Perth on Sunday night.”
http://www.theage.com.au/sport/cricket/pakistan-calls-for-barriers-alcohol-ban-20100201-n8×6.html
Australian cricketers must be messengers of peace in tackling racism
“Australia needs to start addressing the real issues. Indian students killed in Melbourne, Pakistanis assaulted on the field in Perth, blazing headlines around the world, a nation’s reputation dragged into the mud, and never mind that the PM is fluent in Mandarin and that many settlers from Africa and the Punjab and elsewhere are as happy as mankind can be. It cannot continue, in cricket or outside.”
http://www.theage.com.au/sport/cricket/australian-cricketers-must-be-messengers-of-peace-in-tackling-racism-20100201-n8×3.html
Shahid Afridi’s cheating defence: everyone does it
“Aerodynamic experts who have conducted wind tunnel tests on swing bowling told The Australian yesterday the easiest way to gain reverse swing is to disturb the quarter seam close to the main seam. If the narrow seam is lifted by something like a player’s teeth or fingernail it will reverse.”
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/sport/shahid-afridis-cheating-defence-everyone-does-it/story-e6frg7mf-1225825697588
Ricky Ponting laughs off Afridi’s ball-biting actions
“I think he himself must have realised when they changed the ball, he had actually been caught in the act.”
http://www.perthnow.com.au/sport/ricky-ponting-laughs-off-afridis-ball-biting-actions/story-e6frg1wu-1225825613401
Afridi a self-confessed ball tamperer
“The game and its rules are changing. You should be allowed to tamper with the ball after the 30th or 40th over.”
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/cricket/afridi-a-self-confessed-ball-tamperer/story-e6frey50-1225825723561
Afridi’s ball-munching madness
“Shahid Afridi shocked us all when he took a couple of momentary breaks from sanity to chow down on the white ball like a mule on an apple in the final One-day International between Australia and Pakistan. It was some of the most bizarre footage I have ever seen from a game of cricket,” writes Michael Slater.
http://wwos.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=1007094
India
Experts for legalising ball tampering to even bat and ball contest
“When all that (ball-tampering) first came out and the ball was reversing … People were saying hang on, we can’t have that. We can’t have the ball swinging around after fifty overs. Well, why not? Why can’t we do that?” Fox Sports quotes former Australian bowler Brendon Julian, as saying.”
http://in.news.yahoo.com/139/20100202/926/tsp-experts-for-legalising-ball-tamperin.html
Afridi needs to explain, says Graeme Smith
“It was strange. Maybe he didn’t appreciate the lunch that was given in Australia,” joked Smith, before turning serious.”
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/top-stories/Afridi-needs-to-explain-says-Graeme-Smith/articleshow/5525713.cms
Bitegate: Afridi comment sparks backlash
“Madness and Shahid Afridi are usually inseparable, but could it be that the now-banned Pakistan skipper’s byte is worse than his bite?”
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/top-stories/Bitegate-Afridi-comment-sparks-backlash/articleshow/5525662.cms
England
When cricket plays true
“But then this was Shahid Afridi, found in the thesaurus under words such as “mercurial” and “temperamental”. You can now add “nuts”.”
http://www.timeslive.co.za/opinion/columnists/article287251.ece
Afridi tucks in
“There must have been a bet, or perhaps he was drunk. Those are the only explanations I can think of for the most extraordinarily stupid action near the end of today’s final ODI between Australia and Pakistan.”
http://timesonline.typepad.com/line_and_length/2010/01/afridi-tucks-in.html
Shahid Afridi: Time to legalise ball tampering?
“Shahid Afridi added another chapter to an eventful career by chewing on a cricket ball in the middle of a one day game. He has been widely condemned, but is it time to think the unthinkable and legalise ball tampering?”
http://betting.betfair.com/cricket/bat-and-ball/cricket-betting-time-to-legalise-ball-tampering-010210.html
PICTURE SPECIAL: Australian fan who rugby tackled Pakistan’s Khalid Latif banned from cricket for life but fined just £277
“The actions of 37-year-old Yangebup man David James Fraser in running onto the WACA in yesterday’s fifth one-day international and tackling Latif to the ground made a mockery of the ground’s security and dented the WACA’s reputation.”
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/cricket/article-1247646/Australian-fan-rugby-tackled-Pakistans-Khalid-Latif-banned-cricket-life-fined-just-277–picture-special.html
Tags: Afridi, ball tempring
