Shoaibology Forget tomorrow, it’s all about the promise of today

Those expecting him to spend time drinking milk shakes and visiting libraries are doomed to a life of disappointment. Part head-hunter and part headline-grabber, he deals in yorkers and bumpers and pursues wickets with the zeal Casanova reserved for conquests.

In short he is a brigand, a Fred Trueman or a Dennis Lillee, a member of an honourable tradition that has proved effective over the years but whose members have not always been popular with authority. No one in their right mind expects those who charge to the crease like enraged bulls and hurl the ball down with every last ounce of strength otherwise to display the impeccable manners of the Edwardian drawing room.

It takes an unusual man to try his luck in this risky enterprise. What are its attractions? A batsman can play lovely strokes and seek the satisfaction of a scoring a hundred. A stumper is involved with every ball and can bat as he chooses. A spinner need trot in off a few steps whereupon something strange comes over the poets. A fast bowler must sweat upon tame pitches against protected batsmen before unhelpful umpires and with endless restrictions placed upon him. He sees batsmen let the ball pass, slowies lure fools to their doom, umpires shake their heads and must walk back to his mark and try again.

What makes them do it? The fear in the eyes of batsmen, the roar of the crowd and the glorious sight of a stump on its way to the wicket-keeper. Shoaib and chums are not to be put alongside the crafty and the acquisitive. They belong in a distinct group, men of extremes intent upon the spectacular. They can win a match in a spell, terrify tailenders and outrage critics before going into the night with more mayhem in mind. The idea that such men are going to be tame is fanciful. It is their wildness that makes them do it.

Shoaib needs to be understood. It is important to him that he cuts a dash and commands attention. Every fast bowler knows that his gift lasts as long as youth and could end this morning should a bone crack. As far as he is concerned it is now or never. Shoaib is not a fool and knows he will not be wanted once the threat has been reduced. Accordingly he does things on his own terms.

No point telling men like him it is a team game and that he must report at such a place at such a time. Who is going to take the wickets? Who is going to fill the ground? Who is going to take care of him when he slows down? At once he is flamboyant and insecure.

Shoaib is not an unsympathetic character. No hint of malice or meanness can be found within him He is too big for all that. Nor does he shirk. Of course he does swagger about but he has not often let his side down. Its just that everything with him is writ large. Even by the standards of fast bowlers, it must be admitted that he is wilful and erratic.. He has a stubbornstreak, too, and sometimes seems prepared to spite his face by cutting off his nose (though not, one suspects, his hair).

Doubtless captains and coaches find him difficult to handle but a way must be found because Shoaib has a precious gift. Naturally Bob Woolmer and his fitness assistants and so forth want to mould a team. Indeed they were appointed with this task in mind because Pakistan has often been weakened by wrangling and ill-discipline. Nevertheless some license must be given to the local tearaway. It is not as if Shoaib has been lolling about on a desert island.

Moreover the bowler could point out that the Pakistan Board does not take care of its players by providing secure contracts or appropriate rewards. To the contrary the PCB stands accused of encouraging the ‘‘every man for himself’’ policy. Whatever arguments are presented the fact remains that Pakistan and Shoaib need each other and the sooner common ground is found the better it will be for all concerned.

(Cricket News)