We’ll only enjoy cricket after we set up structures
Pakistan cricketer Sahid Afridi (3R) celebrates with his teammates after winning the sixth match of the Asia Cup one-day cricket tournament between India and Pakistan at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Dhaka on March 2, 2014. AFP PHOTO/Munir uz ZAMAN
What you need to know:
- By Sunday, with all the teams having played two matches each, Sri Lanka were at the summit of the log with eight points, followed by Pakistan with five and India with four points, the same number as Afghanistan.
On Saturday, Pakistan lost to South Africa in the finals of the Under 19 World Cup in Dubai after being bowled out for less than 150, a target which was not easy to defend considering that the South Africans are on form.
Even though the trophy went to South Africa, who were making their third appearance in the finals of the tournament, Pakistan selectors are sure that they have players who will ease their way in to the senior team who were playing India yesterday in the third match of the Asia Cup in Bangladesh.
Just a sec! The Asia Cup hosts were beaten by the cricketing world’s new kids on the crease, Afghanistan and they are at the bottom of the five-nation log after being beaten by Pakistan, my Pakistan too.
Same number
By Sunday, with all the teams having played two matches each, Sri Lanka were at the summit of the log with eight points, followed by Pakistan with five and India with four points, the same number as Afghanistan.
Ideally, the nations which participated in the U19 World Cup have few worries when it comes to selecting players for their senior teams because the young men displayed mastery of the game, and proved that they are ready for bigger cricketing stages.
Their respective coaches and boards must be pretty elated at their performances, and must also be happy with themselves for putting up structures that can produce future champions or players who will gradually replace retiring ones.
IMPOSSIBLE TO PULL
Such a feat is not impossible to pull off. Ideally, it is not impossible even for Kenya to have such structures, but there must be a willingness, selfless efforts by officials who are keen to leave legacies or are just interested in promoting the game of cricket.
The problem with Kenya is that there is too much unwillingness, and those who are charged with working toward promoting the game are more interested in working at cross-purposes, engaging in side shows and blaming all and sundry.
When all that will end, there will be progress. But before then, Kenyans should be resigned to their fate.
