The Power of the Pathan

Hey yaars,

I know most of you readers out there have little to no interest in cricket, yet enjoy my rants about the game. Which is why I'll indulge in a bit of a foray into my insight for the upcoming Twenty20 World Cup in South Africa.

Twenty20 is a new version of the game where matches are abbreviated to about 40% of a normal one-day international (ODI). Subsequently the games last about 3 hours, and many of the subtle chess-match intricacies are discarded in favour of big-hitting, high scoring encounters. This in theory, is a type of game tailored for the Pakistani and Asian cricketing philosophy, as we're all taught to "see ball, hit ball". And seriously, things can't get worse than St. Patrick's day this year...

It's bloody about time Pakistan shows up at a major international tournament and performs. "We" haven't since 1999, and it's not for lack of talent. There's usually some behind-the-scenes drama which undermines the team. This tournament may prove to be no exception, with the boys once again getting into trouble. Our mercurial and tempermental fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar got into a fight with teammate Mohammad Asif, with Shoaib hitting Asif with a bat. And while I really like Shoaib ("The Rawalpindi Express") when he's firing on all cylinders, I'm a bit glad that he got sent home, because I could totally see him ruining the team's chances.

I still think this might be the one tournament Pakistan has a definite chance to excel in, as they have the mercurial talent to potentially surprise a few teams. Inshallah (God Willing) I'm right!

On to the random rumblings...

- I admit it, I went off the deep end with football picks this week. Despite protestations from Vikings nuts Jamie and Steve (via MSN Messenger), I still thought the Falcons would come through on the Ewing Theory. I'm going to have to find a Lisa Simpson for some assistance

- This afternoon we all got an email from the Stadium OPs VP letting us know that the DVP would be closed in the evening. Why in the world would they close the Northbound DVP at 10 PM, on an evening where the Jays are playing the Yankees, with thousands of people set on using that route to get home? Luckily, I managed to high-tail it out of the Rogers Centre and gun it onto the entrance ramp at exactly 9:57 PM. Thankfully, this helped me get home at 10:17

- Big Ben is back! As I'm sure I've chronicled (but am too lazy to look up), Ben Roethlisberger had an off year last season, and understandably so (what with the motorcycle accident, concussions, appendectomy, etc.). With more control of the offense and a new coach, I'm expecting the 'Stillers to rock it this season.

- The Bears are what I thought they were! Sure they lost on Sunday, but they held the best player in the game to 25 yards of 17 rushes. I agree that they have an average to below-average offense, but when your defense can produce the way they do, the Bears always have a chance

- While originally I detested Randy Moss for his indifference in Oakland, I think I now understand it just a bit. Why? Because I think there are a few parallels with our situations. Now if only I had a massive contract and Patriots team to save me :P

- Can we all lay off Britney just for a bit? As much as I agree that her performance was terrible at the MTV awards, why am I the only one who thinks that the track was hot? It's been ingrained in my head all day! Now if only she stopped partying hard, put down her frozen margerita, and learned some new choreography, we'd all be singing her praises. OK, maybe not, but I still think everyone's being way too harsh on her!

- Kanye's right! How can he be snubbed TWO years in a row? Couldn't they even give him a token award for craziest sunglasses style?


Alright, the sandman's calling my name. I'm off to bed. Talk to y'all soon!