Ref: LETTER TO EDITOR Date: January 11, 2000
HIJACK AT THE GABBA
I spent a better part of Monday evening focussing on ZeeNews to hear the comments of the Vajpayee's mouthpiece Mr Mishra and the ZeeNews combo on Pakistan's nail-biting, thumb-chewing (as commentator Iftikhar Ahmad used to put it) victory over India at the Gabba. I presumed that the analysis would go something like this:
"The victory was another blatant attempt by Pakistan to hijack Indian interests and that there was substantial evidence that it was a sinister ISI plot to undermine India and create disturbances and havoc in the sub-continent. Moreover, after the penultimate ball, Waqar Yunus got a signal from the Pakistani camp to create a diversion and bring about a short pause in the game. This was done to allow the ISI operative to get on the field disguised as a Pakistani reserve and aim a miniature hi-tech invisible laser beam on the mind of the Indian bowler to distort his concentration to bowl the last ball erratically, thus paving the upset victory. Therefore, the Indian government has called upon ICC to declare the Pakistan team as terrorists and to ban the team from playing in the international arena. Furthermore, Saqlain Mushtaq and Waqar Yunus should be declared persona non grata in all cricket-playing countries. The sports goods suppliers should announce sanctions against the Pakistani team and that none of them should sell bats, ball, and pads to this team."
I was also waiting for leading Indian commentators and ex-players, like Kapil Dev, Manoj Prabakhar, et al, to analyze the situation on ZeeNews and tell the world the atrocities committed on the cricket field by the Pakistani team, such as, how it is hazardous to the lives of the spectators because of the sixes hit directly in the stands. I was also waiting for the ZeeNews anchorpersons to show a computerized display of the last moments, especially the last two balls, and how this evil plan was put in action and executed. Alas, there are some good commentators in India who call a spade a spade. Sunil Gavaskhar is one such guy. He saluted the Pakistan team with the gusto and sincerity that the Pak eleven so rightly deserved. Mishra can wait for another day.
Sincerely: MIKE BAXTER