Dada's Test XI since 1992

Allright, since there is not much action going on in the ODI XI debate, I am bravely going to pen down my best test eleven since 1992. And, offcourse no surprises, it has a shade over 60% of aussies in it (all 7 played at one time).

Test XI since 1992:
Matthew Hayden
Justin Langer
Ricky Ponting
Brian Lara
Steve Waugh (C)
Adam Gilchrist
Shane Warne
Wasim Akram
Curtly Ambrose
Muttiah Muralitharan
Glenn McGrath

So, what do you all think?

My ODI 11

Now that the WC is over and there is nothing much happening in Pakistan cricket, I have decided to write about a more general topic. This is perhaps a more debatable topic and almost every reader will have a difference of opinion. This is my best one day 11 since the time I started following cricket (1992). I did watch a few games before then and have seen a few on tape, but I have stuck to choosing among the players whom I have followed for most of their careers. Hence no Imran Khan, no Viv Richards. Also, in the batting line up I have chosen players in the position they have played most of their careers in. So, I had to make some tough choices and could not include both Brian Lara and Ricky Ponting in this team. Finally, some other individuals have been left out because they have not played enough games (eg Kevin P Michael Hussey and Shane Bond)So, here it is:

Dada's One Day XI since 1992:
Sachin Tendulkar
Adam Gilchrist
Brian Lara
Aravinda DeSilva
Inzamam-ul-Haq
Michael Bevan
Wasim Akram
Curtly Ambrose
Saqlain Mustaq
Waqar Younis
Glen McGrath

The Prince of Port-of-Spain, The Champion of Cricket.

Brian Charles Lara’s decision of quitting from the ODI format of the game must have brought sadness to all the cricket lovers around the globe. The left hander played for 17 years entertaining crowds from different countries while he amassed 10,354 runs at 40.60 with 19 hundreds and 63 half-centuries. In the period he played cricket there was no other individual who played with more flair, class and style. Lara was also recently named the best batsman of his generation by an elite panel which included John Wright, Ian Chappell, Tony Greig and Ravi Shastri.

By taking this decision Lara proved that it is not only his elegant batting that makes him unique, but also his attitude and selflessness that separates him from the rest of the pack. After a couple of disappointing series Lara was quick to identify that his “game is over” and decided to step back and create room for a younger, hungrier and by far a lesser talented West Indian to make a break in to the team, just like how he did 17 years ago.

To this day any team playing against a depleted West Indies would know that the game is not over till the master is at the crease. Even today the name of Brian Charles Lara would terrorize a bowler and the captain of the opposition. This decision of his would be a relief to most of the teams as they know that the only man who could single handedly change the entire complexion of the game while leaving the opposition helplessly struck in awe has decided to leave the arena.

I am a Pakistani fan, and that is natural because I come from that part of the world. I am also a Brain Lara fan, which is also natural because I love this game. Any cricket follower irrespective of his/her origin loves to watch Lara play. Such is the class of this man. And just like how Lara would walk any time he knew he has knicked the ball, he exits the scene with highest grace.

PS: We may be lucky and get a couple more Lara games. This is also a correction to my previous posting about the chances of WI, ENG and BD going through. If SA looses their games against England and NZ; WI wins both their games with good run rate, WI still could make it.