Who Is Calling The Shots In Kashmir?

‘Democracy, If And When It Suits Mr. Omar’

Gowhar Geelani

By: Gowhar Geelani

Perhaps it is the state’s worst-kept secret that politics of any kind is not allowed inside the University of Kashmir. Since past two decades the so-called mainstream politicians, perhaps deeply disturbed by the popularity of leaders belonging to the pro-resistance camp, have been pitching for “de-linking politics from academics”. In this very context, everything was done from ‘stick to carrot policy’ to ensure that the University remained apolitical during the turmoil years. The continued ban on the Student Union is a case in point. On the other hand, a handful of professors, lecturers and teachers who write for various newspapers in Kashmir limit themselves to issues pertaining to religion, morality, culture and literature only. And those who dare to write on the current affairs, politics and history of Kashmir can be counted on the finger tips. This needs no proof. But now we are hearing that the Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has launched his party’s first Student Union. Interesting.

“Dialogue, discussion and debate are the essence of democracy and need to be promoted for a healthy strong polity….,” Mr. Omar has been quoted having said so while interacting with the office bearers of newly founded Student’s wing of the National Conference [NCSU]. The fact remains that Mr. Omar won’t allow Geelanis, Mirwaizes and Maliks to visit the burnt Shrine, built in the memory of revered 11th century Sufi Saint Sheikh Syed Abdul Qadir Jeelani  [Dastageer Sahib], at Khanyar to express grief and show solidarity; he and his government place a blanket ban on their movement on Martyrs’ Day (13th July) and prevent them from paying tribute to martyrs who sacrificed their lives for the dawn of freedom (against Dogra autocracy in 1931); his administration places all major resistance leaders under house arrest, sometimes even on Fridays too, to disrupt their intended communication with the people of Kashmir, and then he is loud-mouthed about the 3 D’s; 'Dialogue, Discussion and Debate'. Mr. Omar should actually be talking about the real 3D’s: “Deceiving, Dillydallying and Dodging”. It would be naïve on part of the Omar Abdullah-led government to insult the intelligence and wisdom of the people of Kashmir. People are mature enough to understand his ‘Selective Democracy’!

If at all Mr. Omar is seriously genuine in what he is trying to make us believe in, the real test of his genuineness then lies in allowing the likes of Syed Ali Shah Geelani, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, Mohammad Yasin Malik, Shabir Shah and Nayeem Khan to visit all the Universities in the Kashmir Valley to launch membership drives for their respective amalgams and parties. His government should allow formation of Students’ Unions of Tehreek-i-Hurriyat, Hurriyat Conference (G), Awami Action Committee, Hurriyat Conference (M), Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front, J&K Democratic Freedom Party and J&K National Front, etc. We should be seeing pictures of garlanded youths photographed with Geelanis, Mirwaizes, Maliks, Shahs and Khans inside the Universities of Kashmir and Jammu. Only then shall people start believing in what otherwise only seem to be deceptive politics and theatrics of absurdity. At the moment it only means democracy for the selected few and advocates of status quo.

On a different wicket, the Indian Army has been focusing on ‘Heart is My Weapon’ doctrine. While analysing Kashmir and its people, Lt. Gen Syed Ata Hasnain, the former General Officer Commanding (GOC) at Srinagar-based 15th Corps, writes on southasianidea.com: “For far too long this concept [‘Heart is My Weapon’] has received lip service with reliance being on hard power – ‘Kick them in the pants and the hearts will follow’....The challenge thus is taking public stand on nominating ‘Hearts’ as the stated doctrine. This thus is an initiative which at the best of times is fraught with dangers of backfiring…The neglected intelligentsia, media and opinion makers were thus instrumental in building the right atmospherics through ‘intelligent integration’ as part of the solution.”

It is another matter that one more innocent youth Hilal Ahmad has allegedly been killed in cold blood by the 27-RR personnel at Aloosa in Bandipora, in North Kashmir. That said, the ‘Heart is My Weapon’ strategy seems to be ‘working wonders’ though, as the news about widespread condemnation over the killing of hapless Hilal is a page 7 item in one of the widely circulated dailies in the Kashmir Valley. This news fails to grab the space on the front page or even Page 2. Travesty of journalistic ethics and sensitivities.

What better proof of how the militarization of Kashmir could not only be justified but prolonged as well than the candid admissions by none other than Lt. Gen Syed Ata Hasnain himself in his long analysis of the Kashmiri minds. This is from the proverbial horse’s mouth: “….Kashmiris are hugely talented and grossly misunderstood people. They like ‘Taqrir’ [debate] to vent their feelings. Understanding these cultural sensitivities thus is crucial. Historically, in order to draw attention to their sufferings, they have tended to exaggerate them. This also needed to be understood by the ‘Dil Se’ forces with sensitivity. This needs to be channelized optimally in favour of hearts.” The Army commander further writes: “The heart of the strategy lay in winning the psychological operations by a mix of hard and soft techniques.” Talking about the turning point, moving from conflict stabilisation towards peace, Mr. Hasnain opines: “‘Awami Sunwais’,change in convoy timings, Jee Janab, Kashmir Premier League [cricket tournament], football and basketball tournaments, tours by youth to various parts of India and helping them engage in education and employment were the corner stones of the concept of ‘Heart is My Weapon’….In the networked environment of today, print media follows electronic media, which in turn follows cyberspace, a space that respects no boundaries. All three media, namely print, electronic and cyber were harnessed to achieve own objectives…”

And all this while, many would have been under the impression that a civilian government was in charge of the proceedings in Jammu and Kashmir. Thanks to candid army commander they'll now realise who actually calls the shots!

Feedback at gowhargeelani@gmail.com

Cricket Isn't Just A Sport In Kashmir

By: Gowhar Geelani

In the words of American athlete, Jesse Owens: “It was the summer of 1936. The Olympic Games were being held in Berlin. Adolf Hitler childishly insisted that his performers were members of a “master race,” nationalistic feelings were at an all-time high.” …. I was in for a surprise. When the time came for the long-jump trials, I was startled to see a tall boy hitting the pit at almost 26 feet (7.9 metres) on his practise leaps! He turned out to be a German named Luz Long.” …. I guessed that if Long won, it would add some new support to the Nazis' Aryan-superiority theory. After all, I am a Negro. A little hot under the collar about Hitler's ways, I determined to go out there and really show Der Führer and his master race who was superior and who wasn't.”

Owens then went on to win four gold medals in Berlin Olympics.

This is how it happened:

“Walking a few metres from the pit, I kicked disgustedly at the ground. Suddenly I felt a hand on my shoulder. I turned to look into the friendly blue eyes of the tall German long jumper. He had easily qualified for the finals on his first attempt. He offered me a firm handshake,” Owens wrote.

The conversation between the two amazing athletes:

''Jesse Owens, I'm Luz Long. I don't think we've met.'' He spoke English well, though with a German twist to it.

''Glad to meet you,'' I said. Then, trying to hide my nervousness, I added, ''How are you?''

''I'm fine. The question is: How are you?''

''What do you mean?'' I asked.

''Something must be eating you,'' he said – proud the way foreigners are when they've mastered a bit of American slang. ''You should be able to qualify with your eyes closed.''

''Believe me, I know it,'' I told him – and it felt good to say that to someone.

Leaving the long jump aside, let’s inspect the cricket turf when the traditional arch-rivals, India and Pakistan clash with each other.

'WAR MINUS THE SHOOTING'

Politics should not be mixed with sports. Cricket is just a game. After all, it is just sports. These are the “worn-out” phrases and sentences often repeated when our favourite cricket team loses; and the team we don’t want to see on top, wins. In Kashmir context, it is no secret which cricket team Kashmiris – most of them I mean – favour, cheer for, support and why.

Cricket is a sport. Sport is politics. Politics is sport. Cricket is politics. You can’t separate the two. If you think you can, you’re simply deceitful. Those who proudly claim to have graduated to another level and learnt the art of detaching cricket from the debate of “freedom/Azadi” are simply lying. Beware of them!

“I am always amazed when I hear people saying that sport creates goodwill between the nations, and that if only the common peoples of the world could meet one another at football or cricket, they would have no inclination to meet on the battlefield,” George Orwell wrote in his famous essay “The Sporting Spirit”.

When India defeated Pakistan in the semi-finals of the coveted cricket World Cup 2011, many Kashmiris were dejected and felt defeated too. India celebrated. Kashmir mourned.

India and Pakistan recently met in the Asia Cup 2012. India won. Kashmir’s streets, I’m told by some of my friends there, wore a deserted look. India celebrated. Kashmir felt a pang in heart.

When Pakistan were finally crowned as Asian Champions 2012, Kashmiris were joyous; they celebrated, they had their ‘Diwali’, they had their ‘Eid’, they burst fire-crackers. This is normal. This happens everytime Pakistan wins, everytime India loses. Or when India’s early exit from any big tournament is guaranteed.

India-Pakistan encounter in the middle of that 22-yard cricket strip is a “war minus the shooting”.

Kashmiris – more often than not – find some sound rationale to “politicize” this game of glorious uncertainties. A journalist friend argues: “When Indian media sells influx of tourists in Kashmir as an “indicator of normalcy” and a “good bye to freedom struggle”, why shouldn’t Kashmiris want India to lose a cricket match even if playing a minnow like Ireland?”

Why this passionate and unconditional love for team Pakistan?

“Simple: hatred for India,” feels another friend who works in the United Arab Emirates and is a cricket connoisseur. “This is how I’ve grown up, supporting Pakistan team. Their players entertain me, Miandad’s sixer at Sharjah, well, how can one forget that historic moment,” he adds.

In his late twenties, Faheem Jeelani, who’s trained as an engineer, feels proud of his “bond with Green”. Jeelani’s unconditional love for Pakistan cricket has a history.

“Nothing unites Kashmiri nation more than a Pakistan victory in cricket,” he writes in his blog. During the ’71 war, my father and his friend would stand atop the terrace in Jammu and shout slogans with Green flags waving, when a Pakistani Jet flew by – unmindful of the wrath from neighbours belonging to other faith,” he adds. The love and affection for Pakistan comes naturally to us [Kashmiris], we are fed upon it. Our stories are entwined with it – and the Stoics wouldn’t know why!”, he concludes.

'MIXING UP'

Kashmiris are in love with Pakistan cricket. Not because they see a political future of Kashmir with that country. It seems it is not because of religious reason either. Because then Kashmiris would have easily supported teams of Bangladesh and Afghanistan too. It appears that it is because they know favouring Pakistan would hurt India more. They shower praises on Pakistan team to injure India’s “ego” and make her realize that how much it hurts when she and her hawkish media “wickedly” mix up the issues of routine administration and matters of day-to-day governance with the larger and external dynamics of Kashmir dispute, by selling tourism, winter sports, and civic polls in Kashmir as an alternative to the promised “plebiscite”.

During cricket matches, especially when India and Pakistan play or India are defeated by England, Australia and South Africa, or even Bangladesh, a passionate activity is witnessed in the online debates. Social networking sites are abuzz with arguments and counter arguments.

There is passion. There is provocation. Points are made. Points are scored. There are arguments of history. There are arguments of statistics. There is power of argument. Yes, I tell you there is everything.

If an Indian fan boasts about Little Master’s world record of 100 international tons, a Kashmiri supporting Pakistan cricket argues about the fastest ball being bowled by ‘Rawalpindi Express’, quickest hundred scored by ‘Boom Boom’ Afridi in 37 balls, Wasim and Waqar being the all-time second and third highest-wicket takers respectively in limited overs’ cricket history.

An India fan reminds Kashmiris about Pakistan’s defeats at the hands of India in the world cup quarter-finals (1996), world cup semis (2011), and T20 final (2007), Kashmiris brag about the overall edge that Pakistan holds against India by winning 69 out of 121 ODIs played between the arch-rivals. Kashmiris also remind Indian fans about Javed Miandad’s famous sixer off Chetan Sharma’s last ball at Sharjah, Shoaib Akhtar disturbing the furniture of Dravid and Tendulkar in two successive deliveries at Eden Gardens, Saeed Anwar’s mammoth score of 194 against India in Chennai (1997), and famous victories in the Chennai test and Aaqib Javed’s hat-trick and seven wicket haul against India at Sharjah.

The arguments keep coming. So do the counter arguments. There’s no stopping.

Even some senior police officers stationed in Jammu and Kashmir update their Facebook status with “provocative” messages, sometimes only for fun though, in relation to Indo-Pak cricket, and otherwise too, with an attempt perhaps to either “seek attention” or “survey the Kashmiri minds”, or may be both.

When India recently chased down an improbable target of 330 against Pakistan in the Asia Cup 2012 league match, a senior police officer in Kashmir posted, “silence”, on a popular online group that debates cricket. Then he went on to write this on his own page: “Congrats team India. Well played. You have done it again”. The day Tendulkar scored his 100^th international ton, the same police officer wrote:

“I wonder what people have to say now. Sachin has silenced all the critics. Congrats.” This is the response he got:

“Scoring your 100^th century against Bangladesh in 147 balls is like trying to get laid with Victoria’s secret models for years and finally bedding Rakhi Sawant.” Oops!

On the 22^nd of March, the day when Pakistan were crowned as Asian Champions 2012, Inspector General Kashmir range S M Sahai chose to updates his Facebook status writing this “cheeky” message: “Sometimes Pakistan also should be happy.” Cricket isn’t apolitical as such in Kashmir. IG Kashmir, Mr Sahai got some befitting replies in the shape of comments on the thread that followed.

“I am the 1992 world cup winner. I am the 2009 T20 world champion. I am the last ball sixer at Sharjah. I ended the career of Kris Srikanth with that ferocious bouncer. I am the ‘Sultan of Swing’. I invented the reverse swing and the ‘Doosra’. I mastered the multiple hat-tricks. I am the ‘Cornered Tiger’. I am the fastest ball, the quickest hundred, the longest six, the shattered stumps at Eden Gardens, the highest individual score of 194 at Chennai, the 40-ball century at Kanpur. Now I am the Asian Champion 2012. I am the aggression. I am the passion. I am the unpredictable. I am Pakistan.”

'SYMBOL OF RESISTANCE'

Jesse Owens concluded his piece “My Greatest Olympic Prize” on a friendly note: “You can melt down all the gold medals and cups I have, and they wouldn't be a plating on the 24-carat friendship I felt for Luz Long at that moment. I realised then, too, that Luz was the epitome of what Pierre de Coubertin, founder of the modern Olympic Games, must have had in mind when he said,

''The important thing in the Olympic Games is not winning but taking part. The essential thing in life is not conquering but fighting well.'' Owens appreciated Luz Long’s friendship and held his newly-found German friend in high esteem, the debate in Kashmir, albeit, isn’t that uncomplicated.

There is a flipside as well. If India wins and the die-hard Indian fans jog your memory by showering accolades on Kohli’s magnificent hundred the other day in Asia Cup, Kashmiris shot back: “India did not ‘Kohlify’ for the finals.” Indian fans remind you about Kohli’s knock of 183 at Dhaka against Pakistan in a winning cause, Kashmiris find solace in their own creative ways, saying: “When Indians score centuries, they pump their fists in arrogance. When Pakistani batsmen score centuries, they bow their head in humility and kiss the soil.” That’s why Kashmiris love them. That’s why Kashmiris support them.

And even if no such reasons ever existed, they will still be cheering for Pakistan cricket.

Kashmiris say they detest “arrogance”. They are fond of “humility”.

Cricket may be a religion in India. In Kashmir, cricket is one of the many symbols of showing resentment towards India. It is one of the many symbols of resistance. Cricket is a sport in Kashmir. Cricket is politics in Kashmir.. It gives Kashmir a reason to hit back at India in whatever little way!

This is another matter two of my cousins are staunch supporters of Indian cricket team, as they have been out from Kashmir for more than a decade now when they were in their teens. But all my cousins refer to the duo as “mukhbirs” [informers], “renegades” and “traitors” in a friendly banter!

Gowhar Geelani is a Kashmiri journalist with international and national experience of more than a decade.

BEDI FAILS TO 'TURN' IT IN KASHMIR

JK boys lack hunger for win, need exposure: Bedi

'BEDI BULLIED BOYS': SOURCES

This ‘and’ between J&K is the problem!

By: Gowhar Geelani

A hapless cricket fan in Kashmir Valley is biting the dust. He’s pulling his hair out. Dejected! And, more importantly, is confronted with this rudimentary question: “Why doesn’t my State team win even a single match in Ranji competitions?” Unfortunately, there aren’t any ‘satisfactory’ answers coming. Because it’s no secret that the state cricket’s governing body – Jammu and Kashnir Cricket Association [JKCA] – remains a divided camp. The “internal squabbling”, communication gap and “ego fights” between various officials aren’t helping either. One doesn’t need to be a rocket scientist to understand that the budding talent in Kashmir is left to ruin in wilderness. This, however, is only one side of the story.

The reasons for J&K’s dismal show in the Vijay Hazare Trophy 2011-12 are plenty. This time too, J&K boys have failed to register even a single win in 5 matches they’ve featured in. Even the former India captain, Mr. Bishen Singh Bedi couldn’t ‘turn’ it in Kashmir! Much was expected from the head coach, but unfortunately nothing seems to have changed.

What has gone wrong?

“I’m shell-shocked. We should have easily won some of the games. We came so close to winning some, but couldn’t get over the line,” Mr. Bedi told me during our candid telephonic conversation.

Frankly, I’m a well-wisher of the team myself. I don’t intend to harm team’s interest in any way by focusing only on the negatives. And that’s why I’m trying to find some honest answers to some of the genuine questions which are troubling a cricketer inside me. I’ve watched some of these boys training hard; sweating and performing. I’ve played with some of them. I know what they’re capable of doing with the willow and red cherry in their hands. I know they aren’t getting what they actually deserve. In all fairness to the boys, they’re getting a raw deal.

Kashmir Valley’s pace sensation, Abid Nabi was not even in the squad. That gives you some idea about the selection criterion and the bizarre rationale behind it. How does one justify this move? It is absolutely unacceptable. Abid Nabi, sources say, was declared “unfit without going through the mandatory fitness test”. Amazing!

I don’t blame Mr. Bedi for this; because he’s the coach, not a selector. With Mr. Bedi at the helm, the team hasn’t won a single game in the last 15. These include the recent five 50 over games in the Vijay Hazare Trophy - North Zone, five First-class four-day games [Ranji Trophy Plate League – Group B] and five Twenty20 matches in Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy- North Zone.

The question is why?

“Well, I don’t have a magic wand, really. The hunger for winning seems to be missing in these boys.

It seems they’re satisfied with the scores of 20s and 30s for their own survival in the team. They just don’t have that attitude and the outlook to walk that extra mile and go over the line. A lot of that has to do with the culture, upbringing and their overall attitude towards the game,” Mr. Bedi opined. He, however, quickly added that the team needs to forget what has happened and look towards the future now. “What has happened has happened. We’ve to be positive. For the next season, we need to start preparing now. A lot needs to be changed; especially the outlook and attitude of these boys towards the game.” He further said that some of these boys seem to derive “satisfaction” very easily and hence “lack that killer instinct and hunger for more success”. “It is my desire to see them perform well. The boys need more exposure and should participate in tournaments outside the state to get used to the competitiveness,” he said.

Satisfaction, they say, is the death of desire. But how fair is this to blame hapless boys for everything? Do they have the same facilities and infrastructure enjoyed by the other teams? Do they get that pat on the back? Is there some respect shown to their mettle? The answer perhaps to all these questions is a big NO!

I, for one, was quietly thrilled when Mr. Bedi was appointed as the head coach of the team. I thought his rewarding international experience was surely going to help the team in more than one way. Or, so I thought! While representing India in 67 test matches, Mr. Bedi has claimed 266 scalps. This is no ordinary feat.

But it seems there are many serious problems confronting Jammu and Kashmir cricket, which are beyond repair; at least in the immediate future.

The wily slow left-arm orthodox bowler, Mr. Bedi, can’t help the pace battery of Kashmir much. A spin bowler has a different approach towards bowling. A spinner relies heavily on the guile; flight, turn, and the ‘demons’ in the track to go things his way. On the contrary, the fast bowlers thrive on aggression, speed, swing, seam movement and intent, which make things happen for them. Are we missing a trick or two here?

Jammu and Kashmir team has three splendid pacers in Abid Nabi, Samiullah Beigh and Sameer Ali. And how unfortunate this is to see that one among them [Abid] wasn’t even selected; another treated as a ‘passenger’ [Sameer] in the squad while the remaining one [Samiullah] dropped for the last two games because of non-cricketing and off-the-field reasons?

Out of 15 members selected, only six were from Kashmir Valley. To me, this is no less baffling. Doesn’t this suggest a visible bias in the selection process? Regarding this, the General Secretary of the JKCA, Mr. Ehsan Mirza had this much to say: “This question, I’m afraid, is for the chairman of the selection committee to answer?”

Sameer Ali, the 26-year-old right-arm medium-fast bowler from the summer capital Srinagar, has 42 wickets to his name in 31 games [First-class, List A and T20 all included] he’s played overall since his First-class debut in 2005. But for some strange reasons, Sameer is always made the scapegoat! Treated as a “passenger” in the squad during this tour, Sameer was ‘forced’ to warm the benches in some of the games after recovering from his injury. I was informed by Mr. Bedi that he had injured his side muscle during the tour. Well, then the question is where was the replacement? Why was an ‘injured’ player kept there in the squad?

To understand the reasons behind what exactly is bothering JK cricket, I asked Mr. Ehsan Mirza a very simple question: “Why wasn’t Abid Nabi picked? And if Sameer Ali had injured his muscle, according to Mr. Bedi, why wasn’t the replacement sent?” Like a true gentleman, Mr. Mirza said: “As the JKCA General Secretary, I did not receive any official communication in this regard from the coach or the support staff. A request has to come from them. If that was the case, we would have sent the necessary replacement.”

Fair enough.

But, this brings another question on the table? Isn’t there a serious “communication gap” between the high-profile head coach and the JKCA office bearers?

Mr. Mirza made one important point though. He said that the JKCA office bearers didn’t interfere one bit in the selection matters and gave absolute freedom to the coach and the selection committee to pick the squad. “No office bearer of the JKCA has anything to do with the selection. Mr. Bedi organized a two-and-a-half month long camp, we provided all the support and facilities, and the infrastructure, but we’re disappointed and surprised with the results.”

Yes, everyone should be. Me too.

Abid Nabi, another 26-year-old right-arm pacer from Sonwar in Srinagar, has played in the ‘rebel’ and now defunct Indian Cricket League [ICL] while representing Delhi Giants. Imagine, a bowler with 145 wickets in 71 games at the Ranji level wasn’t even part of the Jammu and Kashmir squad.

Samiullah Beigh, yet another right-arm speedster from Srinagar, has been trained by the Aussie great Dennis Keith Lillee at the prestigious MRF Pace Foundation in the city of Chennai. This Caribbean-style lanky fast bowler made his First-class debut in 2003-04 and has never looked back since. He has 135 wickets from 79 games. Not only this, he’s more than handy with the bat with 1241 runs, which include five half-centuries. But this worthy all-rounder was ‘forced’ to bat at number 8, 9 and even 10.

Credible sources confirm that Samiullah had a ‘discussion’ with Mr. Bedi over his batting slot, which annoyed the coach so much that the pace spearhead was ‘dropped’ for the last two games. And this despite the fact that Samiullah had taken three wickets in the first game against Delhi [52/3], including the key wicket of India international, Shikhar Dhawan in his second over. But, Mr. Bedi had an interesting answer: “Honestly, the guy didn’t bowl well.”

A gentle reminder to Mr. Bedi, it was Samiullah who had removed the world record holder in one day internationals, Virender Sehwag, in his very first over in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy in October last year at Rohtak. When you’ve a bowler of his calibre who bowls with such panache and has an uncanny knack of removing the top order batsmen like Sehwag, Yuvraj, Dhawan and Saurabh Tiwary ; well, you don’t drop him!

Mr. Bedi, on his part, refused to acknowledge that there has been any “incongruity” on regional grounds. However, the sources maintain that Kashmiri boys were “bullied” and “mistreated” for speaking against the apparent “injustices”.

I asked Mr. Mirza what was his take on this whole scenario. “Well, no one has told me about this so far. No one has come forward with a written complaint about the mistreatment meted out to our boys. But these are all important questions which have to be answered,” Mr. Mirza said.

When asked about why the cricket association wasn’t informed about Sameer’s injury during the tour, exclusion of genuine wicket-keeper Arshad Bhatt from first few games and batting order of two quality all-rounders in the team – Parvez Rassol and Samiullah Beigh – Mr. Mirza said: “I was in Delhi when Arshad Bhatt wasn’t selected in the playing XI. Mr. Bedi informed me that he wasn’t physically fit. And yes, if a genuine batsman like Parvez Rassol is made to bat at number 9, this has to be answered.”

According to the JKCA General Secretary, all these genuine questions will be asked and a detailed analysis of the tour is due. “We’ve asked for a detailed analysis and a comprehensive report of the entire tour from the coach,” Mr. Mirza added.

I was genuinely pleased with what Mr. Bedi had to say about the team Jammu and Kashmir. In his words, this “and” between “Jammu & Kashmir” is the “real problem”. “When this J&K becomes JK, things will improve for sure,” the former India captain hoped. But then the immediate question is: “where is the accountability and equality”? How can a team play without its real strength, which of course lies in the genuine pace bowling from Kashmir Valley?

It seemed to me as if no lessons have been learnt from the idiomatic expression, “horses for courses”. A dashing young opener like Adil Rishi was made to keep wickets in some of the games this tour, which had a drastic impact on his batting performance in the Vijay Hazare Trophy. This 23-year-old right-handed batsman had an aggregate of only 36 runs in five 50-over games. And this is the same boy, who was an instant hit in the First-class matches not long ago. Rishi had scored close to 400 runs in five Four-day games at an impressive average of 56.71 while scoring 88 twice and scores of 40 odd four times. Was there a deliberate attempt to tire him down with added responsibility of keeping wickets – not his main job – so that he doesn’t perform with the willow, which is his main strength?

Parvez Rassol – another youngster and right-handed middle-order batsman from South Kashmir’s Bijbehara region, batted as low as number 9 in one match against Punjab. But the gutsy cricketer scored an undefeated fifty [51*] in the same match, which the team eventually lost by 19 runs as he ran out of partners. He has a First-class century and five fifties in the List A 50-over matches. And even then, he was forced to bat at number 9. If this isn’t bizarre, what is?

I’ve played this game myself. I understand this game to a very large extent. I understand its various nuances and facets. I’ve been watching international cricket for more than two decades now. I write about this game. I analyze it. But when it comes to cricket in Jammu and Kashmir, I’m reminded of the internal bickering in the pathetic Pakistan Cricket Board. I fail to understand the rationale behind selecting a 33-year-old middle-of-the-road player, who debuted in 2000-01 and whose highest score in the List A 50-over games in the past 11 years has been 22; with an overall mediocre average of 9.75? There is a problem. A big problem.

This season, it seems, nothing has gone right for Jammu and Kashmir team. Inside sources maintain that there was “huge discrepancy” in the team selection, “ill-treatment” meted out to players belonging to Kashmir Valley and “unthinkable bias” in finalizing the playing-XI for all games during the disastrous tour.

The team led by the 30-year-old Hardeep Singh, an average batsman himself, had only 6 players from Kashmir Valley. “This is a crying shame,” said an insider pleading anonymity. There is credible evidence, according to the reliable sources, that suggests that the team’s head coach, Mr. Bedi played a “partisan” role throughout the tumultuous tour for “personal reasons”.

How unjustified is the fact that Mr Bedi ensured that only three players from Kashmir Valley were part of the playing XI in match one against Delhi; four in the second game against Services, five against Punjab in the third game, only three again in the fourth and fifth game against Himachal Pradesh and Haryana respectively?

The question that is staring us in the face again is: Why?

Indeed, there is no dearth of talent in Jammu & Kashmir. But, there is certainly the lack of will; and reluctance to instigate the much needed changes in the team composition. Without a whisker of a doubt, there is dearth of professionals with an eagle eye who could recognize the talent; encourage talented players, believe in their abilities, back them, inject confidence in them, and then, do everything possible to nurture and groom that talent properly without any prejudices, and with sincerity have a clear vision. Injecting youthful energy is pretty okay, but games are won by a judicious blend of experience and youth! These are very basics.

I concur with some of the points made by Mr. Bedi. For instance, the team players need the necessary infrastructure, competitive atmosphere, and their outlook needs to change and that the boys should aim for excellence; not mediocrity! But then, the coach, the selection committee members and the office bearers need to sit in front of the mirror; introspect, and then ask themselves: “Have we been fair to the boys?”

Gowhar Geelani is a professional journalist with more than a decade-long national and international experience. Passion for the game of glorious uncertainties runs through his veins like blood!

ICC's Selective 'fixing' Of Blame To ArrestSpot-fixing In Cricket

By: Gowhar Geelani
These days it is quite fashionable to indulge in Pakistan bashing. It [the bashing exercise] pays in more than one way. It also gives you a few certificates for free: “liberal, well educated, modern-thinking, an enlightened and a secular person.” If any Pakistani national is charged for rash driving in Dubai, breaking a traffic signal in Berlin, crossing the speed limit in Tokyo, fighting inside a London nightclub, or, found drunk in the streets of Damascus after a verbal brawl there with a native, we have a ready-made argument from the "enlightened" class: "No wonder the culprit belongs to Pakistan. Their country, I'm sorry, is in a terrible mess. A failed state, you know! It is a safe sanctuary for the 'terrorists' of Taliban, Al-Qaeda and many other 'dangerous' terror outfits." All evidence heard, verdict pronounced and hence the case dismissed.

After the recent spot-fixing scandal in the game of cricket, this distinguished enlightened class have to add one more sentence to their favourite argument: "Pakistanis even cheat in cricket, that's so pathetic!"

We all know that rest of the world is crime proof, morally upright, and corruption free in all matters; social, political, and in sports as well! Ahh!!

Cricket –described by many as a gentleman's game, has once again been brought into disrepute; thanks to Pakistan's 'talented and tainted' trio of Salman Butt, Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Amir.

To be brutally honest, the true fans of this great sport shouldn't feel sorry about the sentences handed down in Southwark Crown Court, London, on the morning of the 3rd November, but given Amir's younger age it is but natural to feel a touch sad for him.

Imran Khan –the man who led Pakistan to coveted World Cup victory in 1992, too feels sad for Mohammad Amir.

"It is a painful decision. Amir is in such an age where he is vulnerable. When the President of the country is corrupt to the core; is also the patron of the PCB, the sportsmen think and feel when the President can get away with it; they too can. But in the long term, the judgement could serve in the interest of the game. Fixing has tarnished the image of Pakistan and the game of cricket; feel sorry for the cricketers and their family," Khan told the media channels.

Like few others, I also feel for the families of these three cricketers-turned-culprits, who admitted that they conspired to cheat; bowled three pre-determined no balls, and accepted corrupt payments for executing the wicked plan of spot-fixing. What these three players have done is shameful, filthy and sordid. No doubt. One must not forget that crime never pays; sooner or later a criminal has to pay, so the trio too has paid.

However, the menace and nuisance of the match-fixing and spot-fixing in cricket doesn't start and end with this latest episode involving Butt, Asif and Amir.

Cricket is also known as the game of glorious uncertainties. For all the good reasons, this great game is full of surprises on the field; but for all the bad reasons it has thrown many a surprises off the field as well.

I, for one, do not suggest for a moment that the sentences handed down by a Britain Court are harsh. A precedent needed to be set. And I'm glad that it has been. The guilty players needed to be punished. Salman Butt –the former Pakistan skipper and by far a better English speaker than his contemporary team mates, has been sentenced to two years and six months in jail for his main role in the spot-fixing case; Mohammad Asif has got one-year jail sentence and Mohammad Amir six months. Mazhar Majeed, the players' agent and fixer, has been sentenced to two years and eight months in jail. Young Amir, however, has been sent to a young offenders' detention centre, not to jail.

All done and dusted.

On the personal front, I'll indeed be missing Salman's cracking cover drives, his gutsy cuts through the point region, wristy flicks, graceful glances, and all his shots that have been so pleasing on the eye. I'll certainly be missing Asif's astonishing accuracy with the ball, his in-swingers, the out-swingers and that very mean economy rate resembling McGrath’s. I'll of course be missing Amir's positive attitude towards the game, his nippy action, bouncers, outgoing deliveries with the left-arm angle and then that surprise ball that comes in to the right handed batsman. It is a huge loss to the world of cricket.

I am mourning that loss!

But, all of this is only one aspect of this menace of match-fixing in cricket. The role of the International Cricket Council [ICC] –cricket's governing body, is questionable on more than one count.

When it comes to take a stance against the stronger and richer cricketing nations such as Australia, India and England, the ICC acts like a "dead horse". It's Anti-Corruption and Security Unit [ACSU] –meant to check and arrest the match-fixing in cricket, is a "toothless tiger". Even England's test skipper, Andrew Strauss, believes so.

"...I still think the ICC could be doing a lot more than they are doing. Unfortunately, the anti-corruption unit is a pretty toothless tiger. They can't get into the real depth of it all because they haven't got the resources available to them. I don't hold it against them; they're doing the best job they possibly can. They can't do sting operations like the ‘News of the World,’ they can't infiltrate these betting networks. They've tried their best," Strauss told ESPNcricinfo.

But every law –howsoever holy, justified, draconian or laughable, is automatically applicable to the weaker and poorer cricketing nations; such as Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, and Zimbabwe. But when it comes to the richer nations, their hegemony and arrogance become laws! If the Indian cricket board, the BCCI, refuses to accept the Umpires Decision Review System [UDRS], the ICC gratefully obliges. When the BCCI babus speak, the ICC helmsmen listen with respect and surrender in fear! Would the ICC dare to take cudgels with the mighty, powerful and the rich BCCI?

Had some Indian, Aussie or English players been involved in the spot-fixing, would the ICC have had guts to slap bans up to five years or more, as the governing body of cricket did against the three Pakistani players? The answer, undoubtedly, is NO.

The spot-fixing and match-fixing exists in cricket even now. There are heightened fears that the players of many high-profile countries might be involved in this corrupt practice of making huge bucks the easy way. But, the ICC doesn't have the belly to raise a finger of suspicion towards them for obvious reasons.

The public memory, unfortunately, is short-lived. Let's not forget the history of match-fixing in the game of cricket that many of us love so much and follow passionately.

Former India captain and match-fixer, Mohammad Azhar-ud-Din, is sitting comfortably in India's Parliament today. Yes, a life ban was slapped on him, but the respect for the match fixer is so much that he was overwhelmingly voted to the Parliament. Ajay Jadeja, a 'co-fixer', is voicing his expert views on the game of cricket on a private television channel. At one time, Jadeja was accused and perceived guilty of fixing the game he once used to play. Marlon Samuels of West Indies too was found involved in fixing and today he’s on India’s tour playing for his country. Former South Africa skipper, Hansie Cronje admitted to match fixing and later died in a mysterious plane crash. It was Azhar who had introduced Hansie Cronje to the world of fixing!

Azhar-ud-Din, Ajay Jadeja, Sharma, H Gibbs, H Williams, Tim May, M Waugh, M Samuels, Salim Malik; and many more cricketers were accused to be involved in the corrupt practices of match fixing in one or the other way. But no one seems to be talking about them anymore, because the intended target is obviously one nation.
Now many ex-cricketers, especially from India, are talking so loudly about morals and ethics in the game of cricket, as if match-fixing and spot-fixing started and ended with Salman Butt, Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Amir...!!!

Those who want to know where the financial nerve centre of the match fixing is; how did this menace start and spread, and how was it exposed, should definitely read the “Outlook” Issue of June 11, 1997.

[…The Indians, if you believed the buzz, don't lose matches; they simply tank them. Go by the buzz, and greed, commerce seem to be the main operatives. In last year's Titan Cup [1996] finals between India and South Africa, the police say the turnover of bookies in Mumbai alone was well over Rs 43 crore. … Suddenly, no match seems to be above suspicion. Amazingly, not even some of the best known names in Indian cricket are spared. In the course of its reporting, Outlook kept hearing some names with alarming regularity, including those of Mohammed Azharuddin, Ajay Jadeja, Nayan Mongia and former India manager Ajit Wadekar. Pakistan's Aamir Sohail had spoken to Outlook (April 9, 1997), saying "two Indian players" had approached him during the '94 Singer Cup in Sri Lanka to "fix" a one dayer. "I told them they'd come to the wrong guy," he had said. The accusation is lent credence by Manoj Prabhakar's testimonial. Wadekar, then, had dismissed Sohail's allegation. Indeed, in the two months that Outlook chased the story, anybody who's somebody in Indian cricket admitted match-fixing was on, but were unwilling to go on record.] Outlook, June 11, 1997 Issue.

Selective fixing of blame will not cure the disease of match fixing and spot-fixing!

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Gowhar Geelani is a Kashmiri journalist with more than a decade-long professional experience at the national as well as international level.