The crazy fans of the Pakistan team might be disappointed at the back-to-back pathetic performances of the team, first against archrival India and then lowly-rated Afghanistan in the ongoing Asia Cup matches in the UAE.

While India smashed hot favorites Pakistan easily by eight wickets, Afghanistan showed a tremendous resistance before losing the match by three wickets, thanks to some fighting batting by Imamul Haq, Babar Azam and Shoaib Malik. These performances by the team are not good welcome to new Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Ehsan Mani. No one was expecting such a pathetic performance from Pakistan on UAE pitches, where they have been playing international cricket for the last nine years. India came back to the UAE after a big gap of 14 years and in such background they were not being dubbed favourites against Pakistan.

Such results in the past have always raised the questions of match-fixing as bookies earn money through these unpredictable victories. Dubai is also considered one of the hubs of bookies, so people will raise questions on such unpredictable cricket.

Against Afghanistan, Pakistan failed to show its real muscles. Its bowlers failed to restrict Afghanistan to a low total as the Afghans posted a fighting 257 for six. Though Afghans defeated both Sri Lanka and Bangladesh in their pool matches, the strength of Pakistan was far better than Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. After bowling, Pakistani batsmen also limped to the target and saved the match with three wickets in the last over.

The finish was thrilling and either side had equal chance. However, Shoaib Malik came up to the expectations of the nation and fought well to save the pride of Pakistan by notching up 10 runs off last five balls.

Both India and Pakistan are again meeting on Sunday in the Super Four stage of the Asia Cup. Another defeat to Pakistan against India may diminish Pakistan’s chances to play the final. If Pakistan does not repeat the mistakes it did in its previous matches, it can delay its return flight.

Though the Pakistan team is strong, it has to give its 100 percent to come back to the event in a great style. In case of losing to India on Sunday, Pakistan will be depending on a victory against Bangladesh and Afghanistan’s defeat at the hands of India to earn a place in the final.

The Pakistan deaf cricket team is coming back on Sunday after winning a three-nation series in Bangladesh. India was the third country at the event, besides the hosts. Pakistan also defeated India twice by big margins and remained unbeaten throughout the tournament. The Pakistan deaf cricket team has better winning records as compared to their Pakistan national cricket team counterparts. It has won the World Cups many times besides remaining the super power of Asia. The PCB should increase funds for the deaf team to earn more victories for the country.

Last week, the Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) successfully hosted its first Under-15 National Cup. Sindh remained winners after beating Punjab in the hard fought final at the Punjab Stadium. It was a good decision by the Pakistan Football Federation to tap the talent at this age level.

Now around 40 best boys of this event have been picked to attend a training camp. Of them, a national team will be selected to play in the first South Asian Football Cup being held in Nepal in November. The final was thrilling as the decision was taken on penalty shootouts after both Punjab and Sindh remained equal at 2-2 during the regulation time. On penalty shootouts, Sindh proved more skillful than Punjab.

They converted four out of five while Punjab could capitalize on only one. Sindh won a Rs300,000 prize while Punjab pocketed Rs200,000. The best player of the tournament was declared Bismillah Khan, of Balochistan was declared the best player of the tournament, who also earned Rs40,000. Football is more popular in Sindh and Balochistan from other parts of Pakistan. FATA received the Fair Play Trophy. Islamabad, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir also fielded their teams.

Best coaches and trainers should be provided to the spotted talent. Ironically, in Pakistan at this age level, sports federations appoint lower level coaches and trainers who spoil the talent.

Finally, on the request of Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF), its Asian head body has cancelled the six-nation tournament to be held in Lahore next week. Junior teams of Bangladesh, Oman, Sri Lanka,Qatar, Afghanistan and Pakistan were to feature in the event.

Frankly, the PHF did not look serious to host the tournament, mainly because of the lack of experience of the current body of holding such events and also due to lack of funds. Also, the PHF was not given any funds from the federal government.

The new federal government of Imran Khan is likely to change the body to appoint its own blue-eyed persons as it did in the PCB. The prime minister is also the patron of the PHF.

Published in Dawn, September 23rd, 2018