Al Mayadeen – October 12, 2024
Iran to support Lebanon, Resistance after war: Ghalibaf - Exclusive
The Speaker of the Iranian Parliament underlines that Iran will not abandon Lebanon and would firmly stand by its side against "Israel".
Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad BagherGhalibaf commented on a widely circulated image of him piloting a plane to Lebanon, stating, "Yes, I mentioned that I piloted the plane during my trip to Lebanon. In fact, we wanted to emphasize that we follow our dear leader's example, who led Friday prayers despite enemy threats, with a strong presence from our proud people who are always in the arena."
In an exclusive interview with Al Mayadeen, Ghalibaf continued, "It was natural when we came here that I piloted the plane myself. We came to Lebanon, and it was a pleasure to be among our brothers and the Lebanese people, inspecting the damaged areas."
The Israeli occupation had previously threatened against any Iranian aircraft landing in the Beirut International Airport in light of the ongoing aggression on Lebanon. When asked about said threats, Ghalibaf said, "We do not fear the enemy, and we carried out this mission in accordance with international laws. We have no fear of coming here."
Asked about a potential Israeli attack and the likelihood of the war escalating, Ghalibaf remarked, "We have stated many times that we do not wish to expand the scope of the war. We have not desired, nor will we desire, to expand the war. But we will certainly respond to any attack or violation."
"We will respond with strength and in a noticeable and appropriate manner. This was clearly demonstrated previously, and I hope this response serves as a lesson to our enemies," the Iranian parliament speaker said.
Regarding the scale of Iran's response in the event of an Israeli attack, Ghalibaf emphasized, "We do not understand what it means to respond within certain limits or frameworks."
"We will definitely retaliate against any attack on our country, and we will not leave any assault unanswered. However, as you saw in [Operation] True Promise 2, our response targeted only military, intelligence, security, and terrorist sites, and of course, our response was purely military," he said.
On the rumors surrounding Quds Force Commander General EsmailQaani's health, Ghalibaf reassured, "He is in good health, continuing his duties, and the rumors spread about him are false and malicious."
The top Iranian official also warned countries that might support or open their airspace and land to the Israeli occupation, saying, "We have repeatedly said that the airspace and lands of neighboring countries should not be used as a launchpad for attacks on our country. If this happens, our response will be clear and natural—any place from which an attack on our country is launched will certainly be targeted."
He expressed confidence that regional neighbors would adhere to this stance, as they have in the past, adding, "We have peaceful relations with all countries in the region."
Regarding the Iranian people's consensus on supporting their allies, the Iranian Speaker emphasized, "There is a consensus on this matter, as you have seen in our reactions. We have a united front in supporting the Lebanese and Palestinian people, extending humanitarian aid to them in the face of the hardships they endure."
"Our people, along with the Islamic nations, are providing both material and humanitarian support to the Lebanese and Palestinian people," he sttressed.
On Iran's support for the Resistance in Lebanon, especially after the war, Ghalibaf concluded, "It is natural for us to contribute to rebuilding the infrastructure and damaged areas. We will offer support, and Islamic countries will also play a role."
Ghalibaf affirmed that this unity remains strong in Iran and among the Islamic World, adding that "the resistance and the Axis of Resistance continue to receive attention, as they always have."
Iran to help Lebanon reel in from war
The leader of the Iranian Red Crescent Society (IRCS) has announced plans to open a new hospital to treat Lebanese displaced due to the ongoing Israeli aggression on the country.
PirhosseinKolivand, speaking on Saturday, referred to the Iranian field hospital, which was targeted by "Israel" on Thursday, revealing the fully equipped institution had no patients at the time of the incident.
"Fortunately, no patients had been admitted when the attack occurred," Kolivand stated.
Kolivand reiterated the IRCS' steadfast commitment to delivering humanitarian help to Lebanon, vowing to establish another hospital to assist victims in Lebanon.
He also revealed the massive amount of medical, food, and biological supplies that were completely destroyed in the strike, describing that "Even the Red Crescent ambulances stationed at the hospital were set ablaze.”
Kolivand denounced the bombing, calling it a "crime against humanity," and emphasized that "even medical facilities are protected under international law during war."
Despite the casualties, Kolivand pledged that humanitarian operations would continue, citing that a new hospital facility was being equipped 40 km away from the previous location.
Kolivand also emphasized the vital needs of the Lebanese people, highlighting the need for both monetary and non-monetary assistance.
Al Mayadeen – October 12, 2024
Iraq Resistance attacks Israeli sites in occupied Golan Heights, Eilat
The Islamic Resistance in Iraq continues its operations against the Israeli occupation, carrying out drone strikes on occupied Umm al-Rashrash and the occupied Golan Heights.
The Islamic Resistance in Iraq carried out numerous operations on Saturday against Israeli military sites in occupied territories, stressing that the operations were in support of the people of Lebanon and Gaza as they come under severe bombardment from "Israel".
In a continuation of its resistance against the Israeli occupation and in support of the people of Palestine and Lebanon, the Islamic Resistance in Iraq carried out four operations, targeting Israeli-occupied areas in response to the massacres committed by the Israeli regime against civilians, including children, women, and the elderly, the Resistance said in a statement.
One operation took place in Umm al-Rashrash (Eilat), a city under Israeli occupation, where the Islamic Resistance fighters launched a drone attack on two targets in the area.
In another operation, also using drones, the Islamic Resistance targeted a vital location in the occupied Golan Heights, the third attack of the day against Israeli positions in the occupied Syrian territory, as Iraqi Resistance fighters intensified their operations in response to the continued violence perpetrated by the occupation in the region.
Earlier in the day, the Islamic Resistance in Iraq confirmed their continued support for the Palestinian and Lebanese people by launching two drone strikes on vital targets in the occupied Golan Heights, in two separate operations.
The Islamic Resistance stressed that their operations against enemy positions would "continue at an escalating pace," underscoring their commitment to targeting key strongholds of the Israeli occupation.
Resistance bombards US-occupied gas field in Syria
According to Al Mayadeen's sources, Resistance factions in Syria, last night, targeted the US-occupied Conoco gas facility in northern DeirEzzor with two rocket-propelled grenades (RPG).
In response, US occupation forces stationed at the occupied Syrian gas facility launched missiles toward the Saker Island area, also located in northern DeirEzzor.
Reports indicate that the US aggression that followed did not cause any damage. This marks the fourth consecutive day of US occupation strikes on the northern outskirts of DeirEzzor in Syria.
Mahathir urges Muslim states to unite against Israeli genocide in Gaza
By Abdus Sattar Ghazali
Turkey hosted a three-day conference, titled "Palestine: The Linchpin of Civilization Renaissance" from October 5 to 7, to discuss Operation Al-Aqsa Flood, examining regional and international orders, its impacts, implications and future directions in the context of Israel's ongoing war in Gaza.
The conference also addressed several critical issues, including the moral and intellectual state of Western civilization, the role of Arab countries amid the ongoing Gaza war and the broader context of Palestine and the Islamic world.
Former Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad, told the conference that we should condemn the Muslims who are complicit in Israeli genocide of Palestinians in Gaza. He was apparently referring to the UAE, Bahrain, Morocco and Sudan who have established relations with Israel in recent years and declined to sever ties with Israel for genocide of Palestinians.
Israeli brutal war on Gaza over the past year has exposed the Jewish state’s “deceit” and highlights the continuing struggle of Palestinians for a homeland, he said adding: The events that have unfolded since October 7 have seen the "collapse of the Israeli narrative and the world's realization of Zionist deceit.”
“October 7 marks a significant day as Palestinians resolved to send a message to the world that they are determined to liberate their land after their cause was nearly forgotten amidst the sustained blockade, expanding settlements, attacks on Al Aqsa Mosque, the Judaization of Jerusalem, and the imposition of apartheid policies on all Palestinians.”
The conference brought together experts, political leaders, and activists to explore the consequences of Israel’s continued war, which has claimed the lives of over 42,000 Palestinians, mostly women and children, and displaced nearly the entire population of Gaza.
Mahathir praised South Africa's decision to take Israel to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) for charges of genocide.
“South Africa’s historic stand at the ICJ is an important step toward holding Israel accountable for its actions,” he said. However, he lamented the "disunity of Muslims and the weakness of our nations," criticizing their inability to respond forcefully to Israel’s aggression.
"The genocide committed by Israel is endorsed and supported by the US and their Western allies," he added, expressing his condemnation of those backing Israel's military offensives against Gaza, Lebanon, and Iran.
“If anyone had doubts, the US intervention in Iran’s retaliation against Israel proved that the Israelis or Zionists rule the world by proxy."
Mahathir concluded his remarks by calling on the global Muslim community to unite against Israel’s actions, urging: "The least we can do while we feel helpless is to condemn Israel, the US, and their Western allies, as well as Muslims who are complicit in their crimes against humanity."
The Arab Response
Since the beginning of Israeli aggression, the Arab and Muslim countries have not taken any practical steps to stop genocide of Palestinians. They have only given statements condemning Israel for the genocide.
What was the response of the US client Arab governments to Israeli genocide? It is best reflected in the failure of the Arab countries to hold a summit on Gaza genocide in November 2023.
There was a demand to cut off relations with Israel. Arab countries refused to do so and even the summit agenda was not agreed. Rather holding the summit the Arab countries decided to cancel the summit and merge it with the summit of Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC).
The New Arab quoted the Al-Araby Al-Jadeed as reporting that four "influential countries" in the Arab League had prevented the adoption of proposals that carry concrete measures against Israel, while they proposed more vague non-committal clauses.[1]
The divisive clauses are believed to have included prohibiting the use of US and other military bases in Arab countries to supply Israel with weapons and ammunition; freezing Arab diplomatic, economic, security, and military relations with Israel; and threats to leverage oil and Arab economic capabilities to apply pressure and halt the ongoing aggression.[2]
Libya also proposed that the final statement of the conference should include a joint statement in support of the right of the Palestinian people to resist the Israeli occupation. These measures were proposed and endorsed by 11 Arab countries of the 22-member body, including Palestine, Syria, Algeria, Tunisia, Iraq, Lebanon, Kuwait, Qatar, Oman, Libya and Yemen. The four countries who voted against and those who abstained were not disclosed. The disagreement led to the merging of the summits of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and the Arab League.[3]
Not surprising, commenting of the cancellation of the Arab summit, Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu said: I say to the Arab leaders, if you want to preserve your interests, you must do one thing... Remain silent! [4]
Netanyahu was referring to benefits Arab countries get from the United States for maintaining relations with Israel. For example, since 1978, when Egypt signed Camp David Accords with Israel, the United States has provided Egypt with more than $50 billion in military aid and $30 billion in economic assistance, according to the State Department. [5]
On May 16, 2024, an Arab summit was held in Bahrain. The summit made it clear that Hamas will not have a role in the future. The final declaration of the summit said that “the Palestine Liberation Organization is the only legitimate representative of the Palestinian people,” ignoring Hamas and all other movements in Palestine. At the same time, the statement also called on “all Palestinian factions to join under the umbrella of the Liberation Organization.” [6]
References
[1] The New Arab – November 11, 2023
[2] Ibid.
[3] Ibid.
[4] Iran Press November 13, 2023
[5] Washington Post September 14, 2023
[6] The National News May 16, 2024
Do political parties understand the depth of the Bangladesh Revolution?
Mawdudur Rahman and Habib Siddiqui
The students and the common people of Bangladesh dared to do something in 36 days of July-August that was considered simply impossible by most area experts just days before August 5. They said ‘enough is enough’ to an old order that insulted their humanity, robbed their dignity and imagined their citadel of power simply impenetrable. They refused to bow down to a murderous regime that knew no bounds to its cruelty and plunder of the country. They were ready to sacrifice their precious lives for the greater good of the nation. And what a sacrifice they made! More than a thousand died, and countless others injured.
Abu Sayeed, a student from Begum Rokeya University, a Rokeya University student, was killed by Hasina’s police on July 16. An image is worth a thousand words. It was Abu Sayeed’s image, standing with a stick in his hand, which standing with his open arms, facing heavily guarded police, captured in a video, that ultimately became the signature statement of this revolution. Within seconds of being shot by a bullet, Abu Sayeed stood up even as the sounds of more shots rang out. He collapsed a few minutes later and was martyred.. His unprovoked murder opened the floodgate of revolution for others to join in. A protesting female student said, "I will not go back. The police are behind me and victory is in front of me. I'm going forward to win or I'm going to die." Anas, a school student, wrote a letter to his mother before going to participate in the revolution. Each word written in his notebook is like a protest of fire and deep feeling. He, too, was killed by police firing. 
Bangladeshi nation will never forget all these martyrs. Their stories would be shared and retold in school textbooks. They will be the conscience of the nation for ages. Their immense sacrifices cannot be compared with those of the past movements both in quantity and quality. They defeated a tyrant, the worst that Bangladesh is ever endured. Naturally, what is a gain for Bangladeshis is perceived today as a loss for Modi’s India, which had hitherto gained disproportionately from Hasina’s policy of appeasement. Her benefactors are shocked and are spreading lies to smear the revolution. Far from the malicious claims of the Hindutvadi press in next-door India and their agents in-houseT, the student protesters were joined by the old and the young, male and female, Muslims and non-Muslims, rich and poor alike. It was not an ‘Islamist’ movement. It was a people’s movement for an irreversible change. Period! The sooner they learn it the better the chances for mending the fences.
And yet, some political parties, like esp. the the BNP, have a different outlook. Their party members have promptly replaced the Awami League extortionists, goons and thugs and taken taken control of college canteens, intercity transport, ferry terminals, hawker markets, and even waste collections. Obviously, they want to occupy the centers of corruption for illegal gains score goals in thean empty field.
Do these political party bosses or membersies understand the depth of this revolution? Why did people rise up? Do they want to be ruled by another corrupt regime? Apparently, they don’t understand.
If they had understood the crux of the message of the revolution, they would not have called public meetings asking for a quick election. Their priority should, instead, be to present their economic and social plans for transformation of a new nation meeting the aspirations of the people, especially 70 million youths of Bangladesh who alone bore the burden of revolution. The ‘new Bangladesh’ doesn't need the stinking old politics of the bygone days.
This revolution is unique in so many ways. It is a revolution in the digital age that is rooted in meta-modernist philosophy. The old political leadership with its moribund appeal and bankrupt philosophy are irrelevant in this agenda. As Professor Yunus, the Chief Advisor to the Interim Government, has rightly said, 'Now is the era of a new generation'.
Meta-modernism is the cultural philosophy of the digital age, coined by Mas’udZavarzadeh in 1975, to describe an emerging cultural trend in American literature. Since then, the term has become popular and is often discussed on the internet. In the American context, if modernism is associated with the Age of Radio or ‘make it new’, post-modernism is the Age of Television (1945-2005) or skepticism and moral relativism, and meta-modernism is the Age of the Internet or more balanced worldview. As one analyst puts it, we went from modernism — “Make it new!” Let’s shape History! – to postmodernism — everything sucks! Nothing really matters! — to meta-modernism – maybe things are not this black-and-white, maybe there’s a middle ground.
Meta-modernist thinkers are outside the framework of modernism and post-modernism. They perceive the present world around them as a threat to their very existence. They work with pragmatic idealism and have no grand narrative thinking or any orthodox certainties. In other words, they try to strike a balance between all of this. They recognize that they have to face the problems of the society, and they cannot work for everyone unless they face problems directly.
Arguably, all the activities of Bangladeshi revolutionists including their wall posters, followed a framework of Meta-Modernism. It is understood that the new Bangladesh is defined in a new ideology. Student revolutionaries have said that our ideology is reflected through the language we use. The basis of the new ideology is language. It is a revolution of change from the cultural context of fascist imperialist language to the practical language of the people. In other words, new ideals will be reflected through language. We can use a few examples to illustrate how language can be the bearer of the ideals of the new Bangladesh. Non-discrimination is an ideology. If it is to be applied everywhere, then we must treat every individual respectfully, which would require stopping using terms like ‘Tui’ (you) while speaking with one’s employees and subordinates at all organizational levels. Everyone is equal in society.
It would be wrong to think that this people’s revolution was all about a change of government. Its victory is unlike 1947 and 1971. In both those cases, there was a change of government without any structural change. As a result, the incoming government followed imperialist practices of exploitation left behind by the British. Subsequent governments turned the country into a failed democracy, in order to control, exploit and subjugate its citizens. The police were used as an enabling force to subjugate the citizens, while the legislature and judiciary worked as the rubber stamps to sustain the total control of the government. This evil social system has corrupted the mindset and behavior of our people. An immoral society was formed with no fear of accountability, whose driving force was unfathomed greed and mantra -- the ‘rule and exploitation by repression’. Government employees saw themselves as bosses and not as public servants. They thrived upon corruption at all levels. And in that process, they committed the twin evil of crime against their very nafs and the society at large that raised them.
Nothing good can come out of a decaying system without a thorough cleanup of corrupt people with man deranged and mentality, norms and values behaviors.
There are now two competing ideologies in front of Bangladesh – one of decaying fascism that wants to resurface under old leadership and the other is the young leadership of equality and morality, new and leadership. As the revolution demonstrated, the ‘New Bangladesh’ does not approve like fascist-supporting leaning corrupt institutions. to resurface. It desires craves for a corruption-free new society. It is for paradigm shift – a transformational change for the better.
The Chief Advisor and Student Coordinators have leaders clearly highlighted the ideals of New Bangladesh through their speeches and interviews. Dr. Yunus said, ‘We are all one nation’. This is a clarion call to establish a holistic change in society. Such a radical change in society requires a change in values. A change in values lies in the change in public ideology, which requires a dedicated leader and a revivalist. 
The new Bangladesh is not the old Bangladesh with a new cover. It demands a change in the fundamental values of human behavior, actions, and beliefs. These include structural changes, personal changes, expectations, and experiences.
To understand the ideology of this change, one has to listen carefully to the speech of MahfuzAlam, the ‘thinker’ of the movement. Five points can be deduced from his recent talks: (1) unity, (2) 'language is their of inspiration', (3) group leadership, (4) so-called they are children of time, and that (5) they are not a slave to traditional thinking. His views reflect today's meta-modernism, which is beyond post-modernism.
For any transformational change to succeed, the change agents must own it, direct it, and ultimately excel in it. Most change initiatives, however, fail unless these are crafted meticulously with a clear vision and mission statement with long-term strategic and short-term tactical objectives clearly laid out by its architects or visionaries. A change in mindset and behavior top-down is critical to the success of the program. Leaders must inspire and walk the talk. The desired goals cannot be achieved with half-hearted leaders and those who are either hostile or resistant to change. We think that this revolution of holistic change can benefit from the revolutionary approaches adopted in China and Cuba that were also led by youths. They owned the revolution and ran the government with dedicated cadre of volunteers. They did not allow it to be hijacked by charlatans and reactionaries. We see some of these characteristics in the minds and mission of the Bangladeshi revolutionaries.
It is, however, difficult for people to change habits. There is inertia or ‘resistance to change’, which may be due to personal or political reasons. Personal reasons may include fear of loss of control, loss of power, threats to jobs and positions, loss of benefits, fear of learning new skills, and fear of the unknown. Everyone likes to stay within their comfort zone. We create our own identity based on our skills, experience, and training we have acquired over many years, and our assumptions and expectations, which are consistent with the framework within which we operate. (Political reasons need to be added or the entire passage along personal reasons need to be omitted.) However, people do learn to adapt. In this regard, think about how we adopted new technology in business, education, or industry; how hard it was to change in the beginning. It was very difficult to bring everyone to a consensus to implement an innovation in the chain of work.
Bottom line, bringing a change of the old habits, values and culture in a society will not be an easy task. But it is doable. This revolution has presented an opportunity to change the destiny of Bangladesh as never before. Through their sacrifice, Bangladeshis have demonstrated that they want to move forward.
The meta-modernist youths of Bangladesh have come to lead and move forward; they will not go back to the old ways. Their message is clear: if you do not join us, the country will not wait for you. If older generations do not adopt this view of change, we fear further instability, whose outcome will not be pleasant.
If the vanguards of the old political systems want to remain relevant, they need to rethink, reevaluate, reinvent and reposition themselves as servant-leaders and reformulate their agenda in line with the aspirations of the revolution. The sooner the better.
Already there are ominous signs. With student volunteers pulled away, and the nonchalant attitude of the returning police in traffic control, the life of commuters has become miserable. Not all the police members have reported back to duty for a plethora of reasons. They need to be immediately replaced or replenished by new recruits drawn from the revolutionaries who value this revolution and are mindful of its goals. Otherwise, the interim government would be blamed for failing to put the country on the right track. It does not need permission from the BNP or any political party in this noble task. They need the support of the people, the revolutionaries who desired a change for the better.
About the authors: Dr. MawdudurRahman, Professor Emeritus, Suffolk University, Boston, USA. He can be contacted at: mrahman@suffolk.edu. Dr. Habib Siddiqui is a peace and human rights activists. His latest book – ‘Bangladesh: a polarized and divided nation?’ is available in the Amazon.com. Both are members of the steering committee of EshoDeshGori – Let’s Build Bangladesh.
Dawn Karachi – October 12, 2024
Thousands turn up as PTM jirga begins in Jamrud
Ibrahim Shinwari
KHYBER: The first day of the Pashtun Tahaffuz Movement’s Pashtun Qaumi Jirga passed off peacefully here on Friday, with organisers anticipating a larger turnout for the second day of the three-day event.
Thousands of people attended the jirga in the daytime but the number dropped in the evening.
Amid confusion about the jirga due to the previous police actions and the federal government’s ban on the rights movement, the event began on Friday in Jamrud tehsil here following an “agreement” between the provincial government and PTM late on Thursday.
A government statement revealed that the jirga would be hosted by it under the supervision of Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur, but neither foreign flags would be allowed to be hoisted at the jirga’s venue nor would PTM members shout any slogans against the state and its institutions, especially the Army and the Constitution.
The agreement came after a lengthymeeting between the CM-headed government team and ManzoorPashteen-led PTM leadership in Jamrud on Thursday night at the residence of local PTI leader Ameer Mohammad.
The statement added that Ali Amin Gandapur assured the PTM delegation that he would lay all demands of the jirga before the federal government as it was his top priority to restore peace in the province.
As the jirga began at its designated venue on Friday, participants complained about poor arrangements by the PTM volunteers.
While ManzoorPashteen was not seen all through the day, delegates from across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and parts of Balochistan struggled to find a suitable place for themselves at the event and remained unaware of the first day’s agenda due to the “clueless” PTM activists.
The PTM had announced that separate enclosures would be established for delegates coming in from far-off areas. However, the crackdown on event organisers made it difficult for organisers to arrange tents and other goods for the event.
“Majority of participants on the first day of jirga were just onlookers, mostly youth who showed up just to see what was happening there without being aware of the actual purpose of the event,” resident Khiyal Mat Shah told Dawn.
He said thousands of people came to the jirga but necessary arrangements and facilities for them were missing.
“PTM volunteers, too, were confused about how to handle the situation as they’re given permission to properly hold the meeting late on Thursday night,” he said.
Mr Shah said the jirga’s site was not only covered in dust and uneven but it was also “a bit far off” from the main Peshawar-Torkham Highway, with a large number of aspiring participants finding it difficult to locate the venue on their own.
Sajid Ali, another young participant, said that there was no proper sound system, while delegates and political parties’ representatives held their own “corner meetings” to keep themselves busy in the absence of proper seating arrangements and separate enclosures.
He added that though the provincial government had pledged to arrange 5,000 tents for the event along with the sound systemanduninterruptedpower supply, those pledges were unfulfilled until Friday evening.
“I believethat the PTM madewrong estimates about the number of participants on the opening day of the jirga, so there was chaos and confusion, withasizablenumber of attendees returning to their homes before sunset,” he told Dawn.
The participant said that the first day of the jirga was lost to disorder due to poor arrangements and the absence of the top PTM leadership.
The attendees included relatives of missing persons. Members of displaced families also showed up and complained they had long been awaiting compensationfor damaged properties.
However, the day went well for those who established temporaryfood and drink stalls wearing the typical PTM caps.
Several political leaders, including ANP’s MianIftikharHussain, Shah HussainYousafzai, PTI’s AsadQaisar and Umar Ayub, National Democratic Movement’s AfrasiabKhattak, and BushraGohar also attended the jirga.
https://www.dawn.com/news/1864609/thousands-turn-up-as-ptm-jirga-begins-in-jamrud
Pakistan Cricket Has Reached Its Nadir
Syed Rifaquat Ali
Defeat after defeat. And Pakistan's legendary cricketers ----Imran Khan, Zameer Abbas, Jaded Miandad, Wasim Akram, Saeed Anwar, Inzemam-ul-Haq, Waqar Younis, Saqlain Mushtaq etc---are witness to this ugly scenario.
Pakistan CricBoard (PCB) Chairman, Mohsin Naqvi, is groping in dark to find a solution to resurrect Pakistan cricket.
To be honest, in the first place, Mohsin Naqvi should resign. He is the Interior Minister of Pakistan and is facing a tough time to bring peace to a country of 24 crore people who are fed up with political upheaval which is ruining the country's economy. PCB Chairman is a full time job and Mohsin Naqvi cannot afford to take it lightly.
It is disgusting to note that PCB hires a foreign coach, paying a fat salary in dollars, and yet the net result is nought, and the position is status quo. The team continues to stomach defeat after defeat and the players are a confused lot.
Holding meeting after meeting to stem the rot is no panacea to pull the team out of the woods. And changing the selection committee or coaches, or for that matter, the players will never pay rich dividends. The only way to recapture the glorious days of the past, is to entrust the team to one or two Pakistan legendary cricketers like, Javed Miandad or Wasim Akram, and the scenario will change and Pakistan will bounce back to the winning ways.
I have played first class cricket myself and watched great players and their techniques for about half a century. And I sincerely feel that great players like Babar Azam is not abreast of the fundamental principle of oming behind the ball rather than playing away from the ball. India's legendary opening batsman, the late S.Mushtaq Ali, whom the cricketing world salutes, once told me that a batsman must come behind the ball, particularly when it is new, else he is likely to snick if it swings a bit more.
Similarly, Abdullah should know that when negotiating a new ball, the pad and bat should leave no gap. Another drawback with Pakistan batsm is that they prefer to play the ball in the air and get caught. Don Bradman writes in his book that never play the ball in the air and you will never get caught. Another shortcoming I noticed in Pakistan's opening batsmen is that they play from the crease.
They should rather play about a foot away from the crease to negate the swing. Playing with just one regular spinner in a Test match is foolish. No team in the world plays a Test match with one spinner.
Lastly, Pakistan players aught to train long hours to rectify their mistakes rather than attending meetings of no consequence. A professional approach is required to train the team like the teams train in Australia and England, and for this harder than humanly possible training is required instead of exchanging ideas in meetings where even those who have not played cricket put forth their viewpoints unnecessarily.
Syed Rifaquat Ali is JoA correspondent in Sydney
