Under-19 World Cup

But this time it will be much much more

And a ripper it was - Pakistan winning in the ultimate over - a low scoring thriller which brought back the memories of the U-19 WC final 4 years back between these two teams. I expected Pakistan to win and they did. Now even if they lose in SF or finals - a warm welcome is rest assured. tis certainly could not have come at a better time. Even the coach Ijaz Ahmed was saying that he wants his boys slap them back hard on the snubbing of our stars in IPL auction!!

Your argument lacks weight mate. first and foremost - unavailability was not an issue. Pakistan players are free from any international assignments during the IPL. I don't buy the uncertainty point either because it was the governments of both India and Pakistan that gave and accepted clearance to Pakistan players. Even if we take your point that there was some uncertainty, then it should have been there at the time of including them in the auction list as well. there is no point oversimplifying things when they are obvious reasons to believe it was a conspiracy. Not that I always love to bring up conspiracy against India and IPL - but here it was for everybody to see.

You can't tell me that since nobody took the likes of Ganga, Elliott, Hughes, Trott and company, therefore Pakistan players snubbing was just right. Do you want to tell me that those who were bought were any better and more proven ion the format then Afridi, Gul or Ajmal? come on mate - accept things how they are. Just don't always go on to defend whatever right or wrong BCCI or IPL do.

Why talk about the first IPL mate. things change over the coarse of time. It was not only in the world T20 that afridi Gul or Ajjmal played well - they have consistently played well in this format. Track the records and statistics if you would want. Not even Modi gave this excuse that they did not pick them because there were better players around. Certainly there were other reasons which were more political.

Afridi would be one of the first names on anybody's T20 team wish-list, especially after his performances under pressure in the ICC World T20 semi-final and final.

I know this is subjective but we compiled our T20 team of the decade for our radio show and had Afridi as captain as well as picking Umar Gul and Sohail Tanvir.

Anyway, England and India, two sides which had been impressive in the U19 World Cup now out - I haven't seen much of the action but it seems that the West Indians are benefitting from having the likes of Creary, Brathwaite and even Holder, who have some experience of top-level cricket already.

Go ask Gilly now if you would - he would be dying to have him in his team.

As for the U-19 QF - I saw the games. Windies team looked really solid and look favorites to make it to the finals. I don't think Indians looked that good as they previously have in U-19 tournaments.

No arguing that not playing in the IPL will actually benefit Pakistan. You missed my point - I was not advocating that the participation in IPL would have benefited Pakistan a great deal. Was just emphasizing the point that it was unfair business and I stand by my argument.

they didn't came 8th because of Afridi. They had other players like Gilchrist and Gibbs. Laxman was responsible for that all. He was never a T20 player and captained the team. Gilchrist got a weaker team than Laxman and won the ipl.

I once learnt in school - there is no use banging you head on the wall.

Umar is 19 plus on paper so he is not eligible. Aamer certainly is but there is no point playing him there as he is involved with the senior team and also because he has nothing much to prove now going back to the U19 level. better give other guys the chance

Originally posted by zuhair_abbasi I once learnt in school - there is no use banging you head on the wall.

Thanks , Zuhair reminded me of something which I learnt even before I went to first grade.

Edited by MalhotraRaj84 - 23 January 2010 at 1:41pm

Originally posted by MalhotraRaj84 No one is saying they are bad players , but the point of fact is.Franchisee had their strategy and could take only 1-2 players.They did not want to take risk. It was just this, Media have blown it out of proportion.It's really silly to blame Modi,BCCI,IPL,Franchises or Politics for this.

Originally posted by mystery Originally posted by MalhotraRaj84 Umar Akmal and Aamir should have been taken , but Gul,Afridi and Ajmal I don't buy that.   When someone say that Rohit is one of the best batsmen he has seen than what that guy think does not matter to us.

and so many replies with my quote in each immediately after that is mysterious mate.