CRY PAKISTAN: From Jay Shah touchdown in Brisbane to Gukesh D winning Chess World Championship, obsessed Pakistan cannot digest it

Add as a preferred source on Google

Pakistan can be good cheerleaders, selectively. When news broke out on Wednesday night the FIFA had awarded the 2034 World Cup to Saudi Arabia, they clapped and cheered. Everyone knows football in Pakistan is a poor sport and they can compete with India in terms of mediocrity.

Over a long period of time, Pakistan has been receiving financial support from several Arab countries. Since most of it is spent on terror factories and not on development, some have stopped giving loans/alms to Pakistan. Surely, they will get nothing from the Saudis vis a vis the FIFA World Cup. Impossible.

Contrast this sharply with the reaction from the Pakistan media and its tool kits in operation the moment ICC Chairman Jay Shah landed in Brisbane on Friday. No, Jay Shah has not gone for just the third Test in the BGT Series starting on Saturday but to meet the organisers of the Brisbane 2032 Olympics.

Tears started flowing down the cheeks of the Pakistanis as they know Jay Shah is destined for big things. Pakistan's lament is why the ICC boss is not giving time to the Champions Trophy imbroglio.

Hang on, with cricket set to re-enter the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles, it is imperative Jay Shah has talks with Brisbane so that the sport can stay in the Olympic programme. For those not well-versed with how the Olympics dynamics work and even traditional sporting disciplines have to keep fighting to stay in the mix, this exercise from the ICC boss is very timely.

Perhaps, Pakistan would not even know, boxing is fighting form oxygen and whether it will be part of the LA Olympics is uncertain. The sport of boxing has been riddled with several controversies, scoring being one, where, again, there was a Pakistan crook involved - Anwar Chowdhry.

Despite the changes, there has been corruption and there is a massive tussle on as to which faction in boxing gets recognised. So, if boxing can get punched out of the Olympics, it makes great sense for the ICC to speak and discuss cricket's future in Brisbane.

The timing is great from the Junior Shah, son of Indian Union Home Minister Amit Shah. Jay will also get to catch some of the action at the Gabba, starting Saturday.

Pakistan has heartburn, unable to digest Jay Shah in Brisbane. They are obsessed with the Champions Trophy 2025. It's almost like deafening silence on the tournament, whether will it be held or not. Most important, will Pakistan even be relevant for the Champions Trophy.

Yes, the ICC sees the Champions Trophy as a key property but that can be hosted even without the tantrums of Pakistan where former cricketers have started speaking the same lingo of dons and a worse specie. Why does Rashid Latif, after his distasteful words which stirred up a controversy now have to go onto the back-foot. Pakistan is a state in decay, and the terror links are hurting.

If all this was not enough, there was more egg on face for Pakistan on Thursday when Jason Gillespie, a coach hired by the PCB, had a bust-up and refused to fly out and join the squad in South Africa. Working with the PCB is hard, nay impossible.

There is interference at every level and the PCB is broke. It cannot pay salaries. They do not have funds to pay the coaches. Both Gillespie and Gary Kirsten had been hired as coaches by the PCB in April. Kirsten was the first to drop out, he had smelt the coffee.

Gillespie, too, refused to fly out and has given interviews as well. Interference, selection and more from the PCB, Gillespie did the right thing to call it quits. This is how the world looks at PCB. So, why, then, would the ICC deal with PCB in all fairness. It cannot be trusted and needless demands and frothing at the mouth has led to the ICC slipping into silent mode.

Worse, on Thursday, when Gukesh D emerged FIDE World Champion, there was trolling from Pakistan as to why Chennai and South India produces chess champions and not North India. Pakistan does not know in India there is no North-South or East-West divide. Gukesh is a national treasure and has earned praise from one all, across party lines.

How will Pakistan appreciate this, no chance! They can only fantastise on Champions Trophy and keep weeping. Heart burn and jealousy, Pakistan needs antacids right now. Well done, Jay Shah Sir and Gukesh to make Pak cringe, cry.