Monday 30 August 2010

But Why?

Pakistani cricketers leave me confused. They are, on natural talent, probably the best team in the world. And yet, their cricketers indulge in some of the most brainless behaviour you can ever see. Take Shoaib Akhtar. A brilliant natural talent, a sight to see when on form, and yet he had to go take performance enhancing drugs. Ditto Mohammad Asif. Easily one of the best pace bowlers in the world right now, and he goes and takes drugs. I don't get it. What is it that these people are trying to improve? Their speed? Swing? What exactly is the point!?
I can understand if someone mediocre like Munaf Patel decides to take performance enhancing drugs (and he hasn't, I hope). What is the justification for taking illegal drugs when you're already SO DAMN GOOD!?

And that brings me to Mohammad Amir. All of 17. Already heralded as the next great pace bowler. And then you see him indulging in spot fixing. Again, why? It's not like he is (was?) a struggling nobody who couldn't be sure of his place on the team. He was probably the first automatic selection before every match. Why risk all that for some money?

I find it very perplexing. I feel sad that the match I thought was such a brilliant marquee for the game was fixed (if even in bits). Pakistan produces such an abundance of natural talent... if only they'd think a bit, the world would be better for it.

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

To quote the tenth grade Kumar Bharati English text:
"Talent in itself is not enough to make a sportsman. It has to be constantly nurtured by perseverance and the right attitude".

I think that throughout the history of Pakistan, right from its inception, their people have proved they have one of the (if not The) worst attitude in the world.
This is a natural outcome.
If any cricketer has to get into trouble for unlawful activities, its not at all surprising that he will be from the worst of the rouge nations.

greySith said...

What perplexes me is that they're not cutting any corners. It's one thing (not acceptable, but at least justifiable) to gain something easily. What are the gains here? They put so much at risk - Mohammad Amir, if guilty, will probably never play cricket again. And that's a terribly sad thing.

This is not poor attitude, it's sheer brainlessness.

trekkergirl said...

This will shed some light on it.

http://www.indianexpress.com/news/why-cross-the-line/675581/

greySith said...

There is still no justification. It was a stupid thing to do. He is much too good. It's one thing when you're not sure of your talent, but when the whole world is singing praises, why risk it?

It's just brainless behaviour.