Pakistan off the field and on

Interesting piece on the Guardian's blog asking "What if Zulqarnain Haider was right about corruption in Pakistan?" as he seems to have received zero support from any of his countrymen who consider him weak. I'm quite sceptical, but even I would give him more support than that.

I also love the fact that he gave his first press conference when he arrived in the UK from the back room of a Southall curry house!

Haider's actions no doubt were the latest in a string of difficult issues that have led to the Head of the Parliamentary Committee for Sports in Pakistan resigning, so that'll add just a little more turmoil on top of the existing turmoil. Pakistan are actually battling away against South Africa and gave the third Akmal brother, Adnan, a Test debut as keeper, but I'm not sure anyone worries about what happens on the field any more.

Haider sets up glorious un-retirement

There's been a recent tradition of retirements and comebacks in Pakistan cricket and it seems that Haider will be the latest after bizarrely retiring from international cricket yesterday. This of course allows him to be in cahoots with any bookmakers who allow bets on when he'll come out of retirement (that's a joke in case you're in doubt!).

I give it until about April until Haider unretires, following the likes of Yousuf and Afridi (and probably lots of others but I get confused over who has "retired" and who has been "banned").

Yesterday at the Test

Three observations:

1. Swann's ball to get Farhat out was spectacular - the perfect ball.

2. Broad needs to mature rapidly if he's to make the most of his ability - he's not a child anymore but continues to act like one on the pitch.

3. Zulqarnain needs a reality check. It was a good battling innings, but you don't react like that when you score 50, whatever the circumstances. That would have been over the top even for a hundred. Kissing the wicket is appropriate when you've broken the world record only!