WHILE presenting cricket commentary during the ongoing Pakistan Super League (PSL) series, it is noticed that the two regular commentators, Ramiz Raja and Bazid Khan, appear to be in the narrow habit of ethnically profiling some players, saying so-and-so is a ‘Pathan’.

They should be made to realise that they are on air worldwide and the world does not know or care about one’s ethnicity but only admires one’s performance in the sports arena. Would it not be more reasonable and respectable if the commentators just mentioned the country of origin or the city of birth of the players?

Bazid Khan surely is a humble man by all means, but his lazy drawling comments sound inaudible to the ears. With all the money and glamour thrown into the event, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) could have easily managed a more prolific local cricket commentator, unless, of course, they have their favourites.

Syed Rayaz Medhi
Karachi

(2)

SOME foreign players have refused to come to Pakistan and play in the PSL matches, though they were bound by signed contract to play in Pakistan.They include Shane Watson, Kevin Pietersen, Eoin Morgan, Dwane Smith and many others.

This clearly shows that they are not interested in reviving international cricket in Pakistan. It further shows that they are interested only in earning dollars by playing the PSL in the UAE and not in Pakistan.

It is time for the Pakistan Cricket Board and the PSL franchise owners to seriously think about not selecting such players in next year’s PSL draft, as they have this time violated their signed contract.

No matter how big an international player he is, he should not be selected in draft by any PSL franchise owner if he refuses to come to Pakistan. The prestige of the PCB and the PSL should be higher than any other consideration. Once made, the decision will help the PCB and the PSL in the long run.

Abdul Samad Samo
Karachi

Published in Dawn, March 22nd, 2018

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