I don't know if it I am too jingoistic about it, but for as long as I can recall, if ever anything has given me close to the same pleasure (and at times, even more) as an Indian win, it has always been about seeing a Pakistani and/or Australian team lose.
Which is why, I never knew I would write an article with such a heading, as I do for this one's, today.
As it turns out, this is exactly how events of the cricketing world and emotions within me, have panned out.
So here I am - happily sharing how good it felt to see the Pakistan cricket team take the mickey out of a completely outplayed English outfit.
As anyone who has followed the world of Test cricket in the recent past would testify, we have seen the #1 Test team in the world being pummeled into submission on foreign soil, twice within a span of 6 months.
India began their England tour of July-August 2011 as the numero uno team in Test cricket, after having also attained a high of a World Cup triumph earlier in the year.
As we all know by now, by the time that England tour ended, we were not only stripped of our #1 Test status, but were simply stomped upon, in the absence of even a semblance of fight from us.
Ofcourse, it's another matter that this current Australian tour has proved to be equally disastrous for our Test team and its superstars.
At least we had been #1 in Test for about a couple of years - since December 2009.
No Monopoly
By all means, this Paki win shows India's already depleted ranking is now under even more threat, but I am still happy. Why?
Because it means that an England, Australia or South Africa would not think they have a monopoly over the world rankings and would have to earn it by proving themselves everywhere, just like India, Pakistan need to.
Respect Asian Conditions Too
I had written earlier, about why England would be considered a truly worthy #1 team only after seeing their results on Asian tracks and conditions. As it stands, after just one tour of such conditions, the much-vaunted England team stands exposed, without any excuses to offer.
Well done, Strauss
I must also credit Andrew Strauss for the way he has made an honest and dispassionate prelim-assess of how things stand and the tasks on his plate.
Sample this: ""We can't ignore this result and just say it's an aberration," Strauss said. "That would not help us. This was an eye-opener and a wake-up call and with two more tours on the subcontinent coming up, things won't get easier. We have to be up for this challenge."
It is this approach, straightforwardness, vision and clarity that all those who run any form of cricket in general, (and particularly, Indian cricket) must also emulate.
Field Wide Open for Top-Draw Competitive Cricket
Another reason why I have been happy about the Pakistani win is because it makes for a very open and interesting contest for the top position in Indian cricket.
5 teams - England, India, Pakistan, Australia, and South Africa are within 10 points of each other, vying for the 2011-12 #1 rank by the end of March.
Ofcourse, India would not reach that position, for they do not play their next Test till September 2012. However, the very fact that with all these countries are so close, not to forget a resurgent New Zealand (who recently beat Australia in Australia) and the perennial dark horses - Sri Lanka, Test contests definitely seem to have ample room to make for some engrossing and competitive cricket among so many countries.
I believe it's never good for the game if only one team dominates (oh, I would very conveniently make an exception to this statement in case of an Indian dominance!). So with Pakistan winning, it's nice to see so many teams basically on an even keel, and never beating their chests off after winning only on home soil.
Let the games and foreign wins begin...
May the most competitive tourist win!!
Which is why, I never knew I would write an article with such a heading, as I do for this one's, today.
As it turns out, this is exactly how events of the cricketing world and emotions within me, have panned out.
So here I am - happily sharing how good it felt to see the Pakistan cricket team take the mickey out of a completely outplayed English outfit.
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| Never knew I would enjoy watching a Pakistani huddle one day! Image: courtesy Cricinfo |
India began their England tour of July-August 2011 as the numero uno team in Test cricket, after having also attained a high of a World Cup triumph earlier in the year.
As we all know by now, by the time that England tour ended, we were not only stripped of our #1 Test status, but were simply stomped upon, in the absence of even a semblance of fight from us.
Ofcourse, it's another matter that this current Australian tour has proved to be equally disastrous for our Test team and its superstars.
At least we had been #1 in Test for about a couple of years - since December 2009.
No Monopoly
By all means, this Paki win shows India's already depleted ranking is now under even more threat, but I am still happy. Why?
Because it means that an England, Australia or South Africa would not think they have a monopoly over the world rankings and would have to earn it by proving themselves everywhere, just like India, Pakistan need to.
Respect Asian Conditions Too
I had written earlier, about why England would be considered a truly worthy #1 team only after seeing their results on Asian tracks and conditions. As it stands, after just one tour of such conditions, the much-vaunted England team stands exposed, without any excuses to offer.
Well done, Strauss
I must also credit Andrew Strauss for the way he has made an honest and dispassionate prelim-assess of how things stand and the tasks on his plate.
Sample this: ""We can't ignore this result and just say it's an aberration," Strauss said. "That would not help us. This was an eye-opener and a wake-up call and with two more tours on the subcontinent coming up, things won't get easier. We have to be up for this challenge."
It is this approach, straightforwardness, vision and clarity that all those who run any form of cricket in general, (and particularly, Indian cricket) must also emulate.
Field Wide Open for Top-Draw Competitive Cricket
Another reason why I have been happy about the Pakistani win is because it makes for a very open and interesting contest for the top position in Indian cricket.
5 teams - England, India, Pakistan, Australia, and South Africa are within 10 points of each other, vying for the 2011-12 #1 rank by the end of March.
Ofcourse, India would not reach that position, for they do not play their next Test till September 2012. However, the very fact that with all these countries are so close, not to forget a resurgent New Zealand (who recently beat Australia in Australia) and the perennial dark horses - Sri Lanka, Test contests definitely seem to have ample room to make for some engrossing and competitive cricket among so many countries.
I believe it's never good for the game if only one team dominates (oh, I would very conveniently make an exception to this statement in case of an Indian dominance!). So with Pakistan winning, it's nice to see so many teams basically on an even keel, and never beating their chests off after winning only on home soil.
Let the games and foreign wins begin...
May the most competitive tourist win!!
