PAKISTAN IS IN A DEEP CRISIS

ODI games in 2023 and was chosen the Player of the Series against New Zealand. Besides individual brilliance, the series wins over the Lankans and the Kiwis have showcased the might of Indian batting. The team has repeatedly knocked up 300 plus scores batting first and fans were thrilled to see the two established superstars Rohit and Virat regain their midas touch too. But the discovery of young superstarsShubhman Gill and Ishan Kishan - is the cherry on Indian winnings. The team’s attacking template has been set by the team management and both the batsmen fit into that mindset comfortably. Shubman’s phenomenal successes in recent matches has only confirmed his class and pedigree as a very special batsman. With Rishabh Pant ousted for a few months due to his road accident, Ishan Kishan is now a vital cog in his absence as a keeper-batsman for the team though many would like to see Sanju Samson also being given a fair run in the team to prove his credentials. So stunning has been the Indian batting display that there is now a strong competition for the number 4 slot between Shreyas Iyer and Suryamkumar Yadav. KL Rahul recovered some touch which nudged him ahead of Kishan in the middle order as he can be an alternative wicket keep- akistan finds itself in a financial mess primarily due to the government’s reluctance to carry out structural economic reforms and curb wasteful expenditure. It is now out with a begging bowl beseeching the US and International Monetary Fund for a bailout package as it is unable to pay its international debts.

Pakistan is seeking US intervention for IMF lending terms to be made easier. With inflation at 25 percent and one dollar being equal to 225 Pakistani rupees and tough IMF conditions could make it worse for people across the border. Pakistan’s instalment of funding is held up since September 2022 as the IMF is reviewing if the terms of loan

Team India has done just that by kicking off 2023 in grand style by clean sweeps in the two ODI series against Sri Lanka and New Zealand respectively. The wins have catapulted India to the top of the ODI rankings surpassing England – and as they are already World No 1 in T20s er too. While Shreyas Iyer was out from the New Zealand series due to injury, Suryakumar wasted his chances. With his recent success, he is a huge crowd favourite and to reaffirm the faith that the fans have in him, Surya needs to discover a special gear for the ODIs as he seems stuck in playing T20 style even in the longer 50-over format.

Though India’s wins look mighty impressive, the bowling remains a bit of a concern. Lanka nearly chased down a 350 plus score in one game after having lost the top order cheaply and more recently, New Zealand almost came up trumps in the first match of the series and lost by barely 12 runs despite India’s mammoth 350 plus target. At one point, they were 6 wickets down needing 200

Pakistan finds itself in a financial mess primarily due to the govt’s reluctance to carry out structural economic reforms and curb wasteful expenditure. It is now out with a begging bowl beseeching the US and IMF for a bailout package as it is unable to pay its international debts agreement had been met.

The severity of the problem gets accentuated by the looming general elections later this year. Shehbaz Sharif has promised harsh measures to revive the economy which may backfire for him and his government in the elections. Some of the measures are up- plus runs but the fact that they managed to reach so close reflects the weakness of the Indian bowling pack to close out games.

It’s not gloom and doom story for the bowling line up, however, as there have been several ticks in the right direction too. One bright spot has been the rise of Mohammad Siraj who was penetrative in most spells. His form has taken him to the number 1 position in ODI world rankings. Also, the revival of Kuldeep Yadav in the white ball format has been a talking point. He has taken wickets in the crucial middle overs, a huge shortcoming in the last two T20 World Cups where India lost vital games without picking up a single wicket.

Kuldeep’s success also points out the importance of wrist spinners in the game. They provide an attacking option for the captain during middle overs to pick up wickets. As such, not only Yuzvendra Chahal, even Ravi Bishnoi needs to be given more chances to prove their mettle.

In July 2023, it will be a decade since Team India won any ICC trophy. If excelling in bilateral series and rising to number 1 in the ODI format is any indication, the Men in Blue now look ready to grab ICC glory that has eluded them for many years!

THE VIEWS EXPRESSED BY THE AUTHOR ARE PERSONAL ward revision of the price of electricity and natural gas, paying 15 percent less salary to MPs, doing away with discretionary spending by MPs and intelligence agencies, ban on purchase of luxury vehicles and foreign travel. These measures, if implemented, could mean a vote against the government. Cutting discretionary funds of intelligence agencies will have a different repercussion for which the Sharif government may not be prepared. The medicine is bitter and the dosage large, but to get out of the morass Pakistan has no alternative as given its precarious situation it can’t even dream of a misadventure against India. If it reins in the fundamentalists India too can help.

The BJP is poised to win a third general election under the leadership of Modi. This crude attempt at tarnishing Modi’s image has in fact damaged BBC’s reputation instead. The once famous broadcaster should ask if the documentary has served its intended purpose other than causing a brief strife.

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