Another exciting match
The Pakistan versus South Africa International Cricket Council (ICC) Cricket World Cup match was a thriller on Saturday (‘Sarfraz plays the saviour’, Gulf News, March 8). Pakistan has started quite slowly in this World Cup, probably like the earlier one, which they won more than 20 years ago in 1992. The spirit of challenge and teamwork is evident. They started off very well in the first 15 to 20 overs, however, they lost control during the middle overs and towards the end. The team could have achieved a target of 300 plus in the allotted 50 overs! Even though there was minor stoppage due to rain, they still could have achieved this target. Setting a target of just 232 for a mighty team like South Africa, left a lot to be desired. South Africa, on the other hand, has always been on the back foot when it comes to the Duckworth-Lewis method of calculations during rains. I still remember, back when Gary Kirsten was their captain against England, and they had to get 22 runs in one ball during a crucial World Cup encounter. This again happened on Saturday, and, instead of chasing a target of 222, they had to chase ten extra runs due to the calculation. South Africa unexpectedly lost the match even though their captain, the ever-reliable AB de Villiers, played like a champion. ‘Expect the unexpected’ is what we have seen in some matches this year.
From Mr Balaji Bhushan
UAE
No fear of losing
The words of the official 1992 Cricket World Cup song are still fresh in our minds. The cornered tigers of Imran Khan gave Pakistan their biggest ever sports victory 23 years ago. On Saturday, Misbah-ul-Haq’s men seemed to be going in a similar direction. Team Pakistan’s stunning victory against South Africa has given the boys the belief they badly needed. The players have gained momentum and now they need to stay focused and determined. Our strong batting line-up, led by the skipper is capable of chasing any target and an outstanding pace attack can defend any score, too! We need the experience of Younus Khan and Shahid Afridi to click and an athletic effort on the field, to grab any victory. All the best to the team. The skipper should tell his players a simple rule, which Khan believed in: enter the field with the determination to win and not with the fear of losing.
From Ms Khaula Shahbaz Rao
Dubai
Wise decision making
Kudos to Pakistan’s captain and his team for bouncing back in this World Cup. After the first two losses, not to mention a lot of unwanted controversy, the team was completely demoralised and no one gave even a semblance of an opportunity for them to qualify for the quarter finals. But, the captain led from the front and won three crucial encounters, including the one against South Africa. I feel the rain and the Duckworth-Lewis calculation is chasing the South African team and turning out to be a real nemesis. In fact, it was a wise decision for Pakistan to bring in a regular keeper who excelled both in the front and the back, as well as the experienced Younus Khan. Anyway, like in the year 1992, Pakistan has bounced back and who knows what will happen next! It might even be a repeat of the 1992 results.
From Mr N. Mahadevan
Dubai
Improving minnows
With the Cricket World Cup well underway in Australia, we are seeing brilliant performances from the so-called minnow teams. On Saturday, we witnessed Ireland’s victory over an established Test playing nation, Zimbabwe. Ireland has been performing well in the past three World Cup tournaments and we should also not forget the Kenyan team’s performances in the past. Then again, there is Afghanistan, which lacks experience, but given the right exposure, could become one of the more formidable teams in the ICC arena. However, my question is — why has the ICC not arranged these minnow teams to play a series of One Day International matches with established teams? The ICC should start immediately after this tournament. They must schedule matches throughout the year and allow the minnow teams to play at least five matches with all the established teams. This way, they will gain immense experience and cricket would develop, too. We only see minnows during World Cup cricket and after that, they are forgotten until the next event. Where does the ICC invest its money and what does it do to improve these so-called minnows?
From Mr Shabir Zain Al Deen
UAE
Hard work
I feel that positive discrimination is unnecessary, as there are many thriving women in our society who have battled against all adversities and have come up in life on their own (‘Facebook debate: Positive discrimination’, Gulf News, March 8). For example, the filmmaker Amal Al Agroobi is an Emirati who has worked hard. Moreover, I feel that every woman should have the thirst to pursue a dream or passion despite the circumstances. God will reward them for their faithfulness and hard work.
From Mr Thomson George
UAE
Making it happen
On March 8, the world celebrated women: our mothers who deserve to be celebrated every day, the wife who is the foundation of the family and the community, the compassionate sister and the beautiful daughter who decorates the house with her spirit (‘National strategy to empower Emirati women launched’, Gulf News, March 8). Women are also work colleagues, involved in institutions and nation-building. Women are half of the global community. I believe in absolute equality between men and women. God does not distinguish between men and women because God is right and just. I want to salute women this week for providing so much love to the world and to working women everywhere – tormented by the struggle, but patient to make it happen. I salute the women in every role and position in society, wherever and whenever. I extend my heartfelt congratulations to all women - mothers, sisters, friends, daughters and spouses.
From Mr Mohammad Al Hajeri
Al Ain
Changing attitudes
For International Women’s Day, many people have championed women and their rights, but the fact remains that there is a lot left to be done. Crimes against women take place every day at an alarming rate. Rape, female foeticide and harassment of women continue to haunt the world.
If change has to take place, there are three arenas where it is most needed. Children should be taught to respect women while in school. Parents should treat their children equally and treat each other with respect. Boys need to be taught to treat girls equally and girls to view themselves as equal counterparts. If boys are taught to respectfully treat women as equals and girls realise their potential, then narrow-minded views about the roles of women and their objectification will slowly become obsolete.
We need to see legislation of laws to protect the rights of women and the strict execution of these laws. We need to see the portrayal of women in the media and literature as unique people with amazing capabilities and not just mere objects that can be misused. Women are human beings who are capable of doing anything. But, most importantly, the change needs to begin in our attitude and behaviour towards them in our daily lives. At the bus stop, at school, at home, in the workplace and in our thoughts.
From Ms Aisha Eapen
UAE
Quick recovery
The Hollywood mega-star, Harrison Ford, was injured when his vintage plane suffered engine failure and crash-landed on a golf course outside Los Angeles (‘Harrison Ford praised for crash landing’, Gulf News, March 8). The 72-year-old Indiana Jones and Star Wars actor suffered multiple gashes to his head and was left bleeding after the crash. He was injured and admitted to a hospital, where he received medical care. The injuries sustained weren’t life threatening, luckily. The aircraft clipped trees only yards from houses! The injuries were described as fair and moderate - according to a hospital spokesman. As an ardent fan of Ford, I wish him a speedy recovery.
From Mr Sunny Joseph
Kerala, India
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