Influential lobby keen to sideline Mohammad Rizwan

[El Generico]

Shaoib Akhar is from Gulshan, karachi didnt you know? lol
Shaoib has been the most vocal critic of Sarfaraz calling him fat, brainless. Few years ago, Shaoib also criticized Sarfaraz that "Pakistan team is not North Nazimbad team."

Yeah I remember that , those comments were actually discriminatory but there was no uproar. In fact people actually blamed Sarfaraz iirc.

It seems like Karachi being blamed is a constant in Pakistan cricket.

Just look at this thread , we have Rizwan a cricketer from KPK being criticized in a show that is hosted by a guy from Islamabad and the main critic is the Pindi Express yet somehow Karachi is still blamed lol

 

[TabishNator]

This Akhtar interview pretty much proves Saj was absolutely correct. There are definitely some elements out there are will always want to sideline Rizwan even if he wins the World Cup for us.

 

[Farabi]

Two Karachi origin journalists
Two Karachi origin former players (both failures in their careers)
One Islamabad origin host
One Pindi origin former player

Thats the Anti rizwan lobby I can trace on media. These shameless lobbyists openly call for failed Sarfaraz to be included in team now that they can not be negative against worlds best Rizwan openly. These are also tryin their best to get confirmed con Sharjeel fixed at top in national side.

No one cared when Karachi's Sohail Khans career was being destroyed ... tells you how shameless these people are.

Add Wasim Akram to your Anti-Rizwan Karachi lobby/conspiracy theory.
He also came out this weekend saying "Rizwan is a make shift" opener and Pak can face trouble vs bigger teams."
This is such a strong Karachi Lobby with comments from Pindi express and now lahore express haha

 

[BunnyRabbit]

I don't think it's Karachi lobby or something but the lobby is pretty much made of the people who give and take favors from the media people and other big names. Shoaib Malik may well be a part of this as well. He is known to be close to a certain anchor known for being a nuisance. Rather than anti Rizwan, they may well be pro Sarfraz or pro Azam if anything. Not a Sarfraz hater by any means and I do think he handled his sacking from the national team quite maturely by not starting a verbal war in the media by giving nonsensical statements like Amir has been doing.

 

[Farabi]

There have been reports that Babar wants Sarfaraz in the squad and Babar deeply respects Sarfaraz for Sarfaraz's contributions to the team and to Babar's own development as a player. These reports are now being validated with Babar's tweet a few days ago:

"A man with the heart for Pakistan. Who taught us to have faith and deliver. To never give up and attack when the tides are against you. Happy Birthday to @SarfarazA_54 Bhai," Pakistan cricket team captain Babar Azam wished Sarfaraz on his birthday.

 

[sabre1486]

There have been reports that Babar wants Sarfaraz in the squad and Babar deeply respects Sarfaraz for Sarfaraz's contributions to the team and to Babar's own development as a player. These reports are now being validated with Babar's tweet a few days ago:

"A man with the heart for Pakistan. Who taught us to have faith and deliver. To never give up and attack when the tides are against you. Happy Birthday to @SarfarazA_54 Bhai," Pakistan cricket team captain Babar Azam wished Sarfaraz on his birthday.

look on pure merit - sarfaraz doesnt deserve a spot ahead of rizwan and that is ok.
It is i feel uncommon to return to the rank and file as seamlessly as sarfaraz has without throwing tantrums and being a team man overall - it deserves appreciation in an environment where we have the amir fiasco etc. I do not get this hate for sarfraz himself - he is clearly well respected by his teammates.

 

[MesonK]

The logic behind supporting Sarfraz by his fans is that he won Pakistan tournaments or whatever ..

Thing is, CT17 was the work of Hassan+Amir+Junaid constantly firing with the ball. Sarfaraz played one good inning and that is just it. Nothing else exceptional came from him in that tournament. I will literally turn this thread into a graveyard for Sarfraz fans

 

[MesonK]

look on pure merit - sarfaraz doesnt deserve a spot ahead of rizwan and that is ok.
It is i feel uncommon to return to the rank and file as seamlessly as sarfaraz has without throwing tantrums and being a team man overall - it deserves appreciation in an environment where we have the amir fiasco etc. I do not get this hate for sarfraz himself - he is clearly well respected by his teammates.

This respect comes from constant fear among players to be in gunsight of Sarfraz backing lobby which is diverse but most toxic members of this lobby ironically are from Karachi.

I will explain further, most media houses in Pakistan are Karachi based. I wont name anyone but one can imagine the influence by looking at two largest news networks of Pakistan, both are located in Karachi. Their owners, majority of the hosts, commentators are all from Karachi and have political connections. Those who are not from Karachi but work there have to adapt the same tone for making money. No one in the team wants to be targeted by these people by hurting Sarfraz's sentiments. Which is why you have constant butter polishing like comments being posted in Sarfraz's favor by his team mates. You would not see this brown nosing behavior towards someone more deserving like Azhar Ali who averages close to 45 with close to 7K test runs or towards Yasir Shah who will end his career with 300 test wickets ... But someone like Sarfraz with mighty averages like 16, 17, 28 in SENA is constantly being praised like he is Dhoni reborn.

You did not see this passion for Sohail Khan or Fawad Alam (both karachiites)

 

[MRSN]

This respect comes from constant fear among players to be in gunsight of Sarfraz backing lobby which is diverse but most toxic members of this lobby ironically are from Karachi.

I will explain further, most media houses in Pakistan are Karachi based. I wont name anyone but one can imagine the influence by looking at two largest news networks of Pakistan, both are located in Karachi. Their owners, majority of the hosts, commentators are all from Karachi and have political connections. Those who are not from Karachi but work there have to adapt the same tone for making money. No one in the team wants to be targeted by these people by hurting Sarfraz's sentiments. Which is why you have constant butter polishing like comments being posted in Sarfraz's favor by his team mates. You would not see this brown nosing behavior towards someone more deserving like Azhar Ali who averages close to 45 with close to 7K test runs or towards Yasir Shah who will end his career with 300 test wickets ... But someone like Sarfraz with mighty averages like 16, 17, 28 in SENA is constantly being praised like he is Dhoni reborn.

You did not see this passion for Sohail Khan or Fawad Alam (both karachiites)

You my friend know this game well. I have followed Pakistani media and sports journalists for last 15 years and this is exactly my observation as well. These people are powerful. They made S Malik cry when Malik wanted to stamp his authority in the team against their wishes. It was actually Malik who took on them and he was soon made to realize how powerful they are.

This is not a myth. Most of sports journalists and media lobby is from Karachi. It is also true that this lobby has certain favorites from Karachi. I mean look how blindly these guys made Khurrum Manzoor play for Pakistan despite his horrendous technique. They are backing Sarfraz despite his non existing batting these days and mediocre wk skills.

The problem with sub continental sports especially cricket is that here politics is greatly involved with cricket. Its not about who plays the best but who plays from their regions.

 

[El Generico]

This respect comes from constant fear among players to be in gunsight of Sarfraz backing lobby which is diverse but most toxic members of this lobby ironically are from Karachi.

I will explain further, most media houses in Pakistan are Karachi based. I wont name anyone but one can imagine the influence by looking at two largest news networks of Pakistan, both are located in Karachi. Their owners, majority of the hosts, commentators are all from Karachi and have political connections. Those who are not from Karachi but work there have to adapt the same tone for making money. No one in the team wants to be targeted by these people by hurting Sarfraz's sentiments. Which is why you have constant butter polishing like comments being posted in Sarfraz's favor by his team mates. You would not see this brown nosing behavior towards someone more deserving like Azhar Ali who averages close to 45 with close to 7K test runs or towards Yasir Shah who will end his career with 300 test wickets ... But someone like Sarfraz with mighty averages like 16, 17, 28 in SENA is constantly being praised like he is Dhoni reborn.

You did not see this passion for Sohail Khan or Fawad Alam (both karachites)

So this lobby is forcing Pakistan's all format captain and most popular play to make these statements? Lol I guess if he didn't make those comments then the powerful Karachi lobby would get Babar Azam dropped Dude even Imran Khan can't get Babar Azam dropped or hurt him in anyway.

Anyway I am gonna stop quoting you cause you seem to be convinced that this Karachi lobby is some mighty mafia despite clear evidence to the contrary and I don't think anything is going to change your view.

 

[El Generico]

You my friend know this game well. I have followed Pakistani media and sports journalists for last 15 years and this is exactly my observation as well. These people are powerful. They made S Malik cry when Malik wanted to stamp his authority in the team against their wishes. It was actually Malik who took on them and he was soon made to realize how powerful they are.

This is not a myth. Most of sports journalists and media lobby is from Karachi. It is also true that this lobby has certain favorites from Karachi. I mean look how blindly these guys made Khurrum Manzoor play for Pakistan despite his horrendous technique. They are backing Sarfraz despite his non existing batting these days and mediocre wk skills.

The problem with sub continental sports especially cricket is that here politics is greatly involved with cricket. Its not about who plays the best but who plays from their regions.

Khurram Manzoor List A Average :54.88. Number of ODIS played: 7

Ahmed Shahzad List A average: 44. Number of ODI matches: 81

Yeah man its crazy how these guys forced nearly 55 averaging Manzoor in the team for 7 matches.

We should have given more game to deserving guys like Shehzad and Akmal more of a go.

 

[Farabi]

This respect comes from constant fear among players to be in gunsight of Sarfraz backing lobby which is diverse but most toxic members of this lobby ironically are from Karachi.

I will explain further, most media houses in Pakistan are Karachi based. I wont name anyone but one can imagine the influence by looking at two largest news networks of Pakistan, both are located in Karachi. Their owners, majority of the hosts, commentators are all from Karachi and have political connections. Those who are not from Karachi but work there have to adapt the same tone for making money. No one in the team wants to be targeted by these people by hurting Sarfraz's sentiments. Which is why you have constant butter polishing like comments being posted in Sarfraz's favor by his team mates. You would not see this brown nosing behavior towards someone more deserving like Azhar Ali who averages close to 45 with close to 7K test runs or towards Yasir Shah who will end his career with 300 test wickets ... But someone like Sarfraz with mighty averages like 16, 17, 28 in SENA is constantly being praised like he is Dhoni reborn.

You did not see this passion for Sohail Khan or Fawad Alam (both karachiites)

But comments came from Salman Butt, Wasim Akram and Shoaib Akhtar, none of whom are Karachiites. Are they on Karachi Lobby payroll?

 

[Farabi]

Khurram Manzoor List A Average :54.88. Number of ODIS played: 7

Ahmed Shahzad List A average: 44. Number of ODI matches: 81

Yeah man its crazy how these guys forced nearly 55 averaging Manzoor in the team for 7 matches.

We should have given more game to deserving guys like Shehzad and Akmal more of a go.

Same comments were made about Fawad Alam to keep him out. Horrendous technique

 

[Farabi]

Same comments were made about Fawad Alam to keep him out. Horrendous technique

Khurram Manzoor is the Fawad Alam of ODIs. He was kept out for a "horrendous" technique despite outscoring batsmen with top quality techniques like Ahmed Shahzad.

Per Kamran Akmal, Misbah gave Ahsan Ali a couple of chances as an opener with 28 List A average, apparently because Misbah was in awe of Ahsan Ali's technique in the nets. Where is Ahsan Ali now, probably where Naseem shah is.

 

[shamaan]

Thiers no way sarfraz should be playing ahead of rizwan as a batter or as a keeper.he should not be part of the Pakistan squad.

 

[Farabi]

“I have supported Sharjeel Khan from the start. He is a match-winner and his batting has always helped Pakistan. Azam Khan is also a hard-hitter. However, the fitness standards should be the same for all players. I think these guys can represent Pakistan for a long time if they can focus on their fitness levels," said Afridi.

 

[Farabi]

Looks like Shahid and Yousuf are also part of the "karachi lobby".

“Sharjeel is an excellent power-hitter, who can give valuable starts to [the] Pakistan team. Every batsman requires some fine tuning and minor adjustments, which can improve his game,” Yousuf

 

[MesonK]

So this lobby is forcing Pakistan's all format captain and most popular play to make these statements? Lol I guess if he didn't make those comments then the powerful Karachi lobby would get Babar Azam dropped Dude even Imran Khan can't get Babar Azam dropped or hurt him in anyway.

Anyway I am gonna stop quoting you cause you seem to be convinced that this Karachi lobby is some mighty mafia despite clear evidence to the contrary and I don't think anything is going to change your view.

It does and if you have any brain you will understand it as well.

Pakistani team selections are heavily influenced by media (itself backed by corrupt mafias). Two major media groups of Pakistan, biggest by margin, have their HQs in Karachi. Their thickest majority of hosts, experts etc are also from Karachi so they back their own favorite sons of the city (not all though, Sarfaraz yes, Sohail Khan no). Rest of the crew, even if its not from Karachi has to forward the same line (e.g. Shoaib Akhtar, Mohammad Yusuf) to survive on these channels. I was watching a TV program during Eid and man ... a very famous host called out Sarfraz as LEGEND Sarfraz ... I mean cmon ... ROFL. How do you expect to survive in this environment as an expert ? you tag along the agenda and thats what people like Akhtar, Yusuf etc do. The very same channel would not call Azhar Ali with his close to &K test runs @44 or yasir Shah with his close to 300 wickets or even Fakhar Zaman for his giant innings but man ... Sarfraz with his 15, 16 like averages in SENA is what ? A Legend ?

Sarfraz has bad stats. So bad that I cant even post them here compared to Rizwan (and I do not want to humiliate a pakistani player) but how many experts in the media have the strength to say that and go against Sarfraz worshipping gang sitting in studios? no one does that because if you do that then you are gonna 1) kill your job chances 2) be on target of these same people.

1) Hafeez merely said Rizwan had to wait in his career and we had strings of programs against Hafeez despite the fact Hafeez was literally destroying bowling attacks at that time.

2) Rizwan is probably the best WK+batsman in the world right now but he is constantly being attacked so that convicted fixers and TTF Sarfraz can get back in ?

3) Famous incident, a female host was humiliated live by a Sarfraz worshipping stooge expert from Karachi just because she was trying to say Rizwan played good innings.

You want to live in denial ? then its your choice ... but for me my country is bigger than my city ... and I am a Karachiite, Half urdu speaking ... raised in central city.

 

[MesonK]

But comments came from Salman Butt, Wasim Akram and Shoaib Akhtar, none of whom are Karachiites. Are they on Karachi Lobby payroll?

they are .. they sit on same channels which are HQ'ed in Karachi, run by Karachi hosts, experts ... they are retired and need money from same media houses so whatever gets them the $ they will say it.

 

[El Generico]

It does and if you have any brain you will understand it as well.

Pakistani team selections are heavily influenced by media (itself backed by corrupt mafias). Two major media groups of Pakistan, biggest by margin, have their HQs in Karachi. Their thickest majority of hosts, experts etc are also from Karachi so they back their own favorite sons of the city (not all though, Sarfaraz yes, Sohail Khan no). Rest of the crew, even if its not from Karachi has to forward the same line (e.g. Shoaib Akhtar, Mohammad Yusuf) to survive on these channels. I was watching a TV program during Eid and man ... a very famous host called out Sarfraz as LEGEND Sarfraz ... I mean cmon ... ROFL. How do you expect to survive in this environment as an expert ? you tag along the agenda and thats what people like Akhtar, Yusuf etc do. The very same channel would not call Azhar Ali with his close to &K test runs @44 or yasir Shah with his close to 300 wickets or even Fakhar Zaman for his giant innings but man ... Sarfraz with his 15, 16 like averages in SENA is what ? A Legend ?

Sarfraz has bad stats. So bad that I cant even post them here compared to Rizwan (and I do not want to humiliate a pakistani player) but how many experts in the media have the strength to say that and go against Sarfraz worshipping gang sitting in studios? no one does that because if you do that then you are gonna 1) kill your job chances 2) be on target of these same people.

1) Hafeez merely said Rizwan had to wait in his career and we had strings of programs against Hafeez despite the fact Hafeez was literally destroying bowling attacks at that time.

2) Rizwan is probably the best WK+batsman in the world right now but he is constantly being attacked so that convicted fixers and TTF Sarfraz can get back in ?

3) Famous incident, a female host was humiliated live by a Sarfraz worshipping stooge expert from Karachi just because she was trying to say Rizwan played good innings.

You want to live in denial ? then its your choice ... but for me my country is bigger than my city ... and I am a Karachiite, Half urdu speaking ... raised in central city.

Look man if you think a "lobby" that couldn't get guys like Alam, Manzoor and Tabish in the team is strong enough to bully the most popular and influential player in Pakistan then like I said I can't argue with those delusions. Every media house in Pakistan can come together and they will be no threat to Babar Azam. His place is as secure as it can be. His and Hassan Ali's admiration for Sarfaraz seems genuine. Why is it so hard to believe that those guys respect their former captain?


but for me my country is bigger than my city ... and I am a Karachiite, Half urdu speaking ... raised in central city


Lol what's this suppose to imply? That rest of people in Karachi support their city over the country and you are someone special? It's pretty clear you have some prejudices that you are reflecting onto others( and being half of something does not mean you can't hold prejudices against that group) .

Anyways even on this thread, no Karachi posters has said that Sarfaraz should be in the team, the main issue is people building up some sort of imaginary mighty Karachi lobby. Sarfaraz may be backed by the media but Malik, Amir and Akmals are backed by the same media. Nothing to do with regions.

 

[Saj]

Lobbies have consisted in Pakistan cricket for almost its entirety, they are nothing new.

It's not just consigned to one city and anyone who believes that is being very simple.

Also you have to remember that these lobbies don't support all players from their respective city, it's just certain players who they are close to.

 

[MesonK]

Look man if you think a "lobby" that couldn't get guys like Alam, Manzoor and Tabish in the team is strong enough to bully the most popular and influential player in Pakistan then like I said I can't argue with those delusions. Every media house in Pakistan can come together and they will be no threat to Babar Azam. His place is as secure as it can be. His and Hassan Ali's admiration for Sarfaraz seems genuine. Why is it so hard to believe that those guys respect their former captain?

I said it OPENLY in my previous post that these mafias support selected players from Karachi. They have their own prejudice. Sohail Khan was dropped from team after 2015 WC and then after his brilliance in UK in 2017 but no one made any noise for him from same media houses in Karachi. These people who are so busy pushing Sarfraz in the team for last two three years that they did not even talk of Sohail Khan who is also from Karachi.

Babar Azam tweeting two praises does not change the fact that Sarfraz deserve to be in the team. His stats are like a joke compared to Rizwan. Not even at his prime he could compete what WK+Batsman package that Rizwan is. So if Babar Azam is trying to appease Sarfraz's backed media then it does not automatically mean that he should be in the squad ... destroying career of Rohail Nazir, Saud Shakeel and god knows who else.

Lol what's this suppose to imply? That rest of people in Karachi support their city over the country and you are someone special? It's pretty clear you have some prejudices that you are reflecting onto others( and being half of something does not mean you can't hold prejudices against that group) .

Newsflash for you ... not entire Karachi is going mad over Sarfraz. Even is Sarfraz is supported by 100 % of his respective ethnic group then it means he has support of like 50 % of cricket fans of Karachi (at best) as rest of the city is made from other ethnic groups. This ethnic card has been played many times before (Asif Mujtaba, Basit Ali, Over Aged Miandad in 1996) ...

And my prejudice is against people who reflect their political agendas in sports. Sarfraz is supported not for his game but for being "Apna" ... ironically no one called people like Fawad Alam, Sohail Khan, Saud Shakeel the same. Had Fawad Alam been given the time that Sarfraz got we today might have another Azhar Ali like or even better stats carrying master batsman in tests, but we settled on mediocrity.

Anyways even on this thread, no Karachi posters has said that Sarfaraz should be in the team, the main issue is people building up some sort of imaginary mighty Karachi lobby. Sarfaraz may be backed by the media but Malik, Amir and Akmals are backed by the same media. Nothing to do with regions.

So a mediocre player gets whole programs being done on him, being called LEGEND on tv for having 15, 16, 17 like averages in SENA ...

A female host is getting humiliated in name of him..

Biased journalists are trying to malign Rizwan to get him in ...

Purple patch Hafeez gets targeted for praising Rizwan ...

.... but yeah there is no lobby, its all natural, we should insult Purple Patch star players, kick out Best in the world Rizwan, humiliate respected unbiased hosts on TV, destroy Saud Shakeel and Rohail Nazirs career ... there is no lobby for Sarfraz right ... Keep living in denial man.

 

[MesonK]

Lobbies have consisted in Pakistan cricket for almost its entirety, they are nothing new.

It's not just consigned to one city and anyone who believes that is being very simple.

Also you have to remember that these lobbies don't support all players from their respective city, it's just certain players who they are close to.

Right

Sarfraz lobby is very similar to Lahori Model Town Gang tat dominated Pakistani cricket 2008-2015.

 

[Farabi]

Lobbies have consisted in Pakistan cricket for almost its entirety, they are nothing new.

It's not just consigned to one city and anyone who believes that is being very simple.

Also you have to remember that these lobbies don't support all players from their respective city, it's just certain players who they are close to.

If that is the case, then the right label is "personal connections" not "karachi lobby".
As [MENTION=146990]El Generico[/MENTION] has been repeating, if "Karachi Lobby" really existed, Karachi's best players would not have been sidelined.

 

[Saj]

If that is the case, then the right label is "personal connections" not "karachi lobby".
As [MENTION=146990]El Generico[/MENTION] has been repeating, if "Karachi Lobby" really existed, Karachi's best players would not have been sidelined.

You can call it what you want.

It doesn't say Karachi lobby in the OP or the thread title.

Anyone with any common sense knows that it's not restricted to Karachi.

 

[Farabi]

Right

Sarfraz lobby is very similar to Lahori Model Town Gang tat dominated Pakistani cricket 2008-2015.

I am glad that you have gone from "Karachi Lobby" to "Sarfaraz Lobby".

Outside of Sarfaraz's batting which left much to be desired, Sarfaraz landed a significant champions trophy title and no1 ranking for 2 years in T20s, so that should also be factored in for the support he receives.

If you really think that Babar tweeted in support of Sarfaraz under the influence of some imaginary karachi lobby, then I also rest my case.

 

[El Generico]

If that is the case, then the right label is "personal connections" not "karachi lobby".
As [MENTION=146990]El Generico[/MENTION] has been repeating, if "Karachi Lobby" really existed, Karachi's best players would not have been sidelined.

Exactly that’s what people like [MENTION=138806]MesonK[/MENTION] don’t get. If Sarfaraz has a lobby it is due to his personal connections with the media, not his city or ethnic group . Many people who are from the same “ethnicity “ as Sarfaraz have rotted away in domestics despite dominating.

 

[El Generico]

You can call it what you want.

It doesn't say Karachi lobby in the OP or the thread title.

Anyone with any common sense knows that it's not restricted to Karachi.

Lol Thank You for saying this. I know you didn’t imply that the lobby was Karachi based but unfortunately some posters twisted the OP and used it to further whatever weird agenda they have and made this entirely about Karachi.

 

[El Generico]

I






Newsflash for you ... not entire Karachi is going mad over Sarfraz. Even is Sarfraz is supported by 100 % of his respective ethnic group then it means he has support of like 50 % of cricket fans of Karachi (at best) as rest of the city is made from other ethnic groups. This ethnic card has been played many times before (Asif Mujtaba, Basit Ali, Over Aged Miandad in 1996) ...

And my prejudice is against people who reflect their political agendas in sports. Sarfraz is supported not for his game but for being "Apna" ... ironically no one called people like Fawad Alam, Sohail Khan, Saud Shakeel the same. Had Fawad Alam been given the time that Sarfraz got we today might have another Azhar Ali like or even better stats carrying master batsman in tests, but we settled on mediocrity.



So a mediocre player gets whole programs being done on him, being called LEGEND on tv for having 15, 16, 17 like averages in SENA ...

A female host is getting humiliated in name of him..

Biased journalists are trying to malign Rizwan to get him in ...

Purple patch Hafeez gets targeted for praising Rizwan ...

.... but yeah there is no lobby, its all natural, we should insult Purple Patch star players, kick out Best in the world Rizwan, humiliate respected unbiased hosts on TV, destroy Saud Shakeel and Rohail Nazirs career ... there is no lobby for Sarfraz right ... Keep living in denial man.

Not going to respond to most your essay as I think I have repeatedly already answered what you have said. And I have never argued that Sarfaraz deserves a place in the team or that he does not have a media group backing him.

But I just wanted to say that you need get over ethnicities. It’s 2021, even lobbies are driven by TV ratings, financial interests and mutual benefits, not many care about ethnicity anymore. It’s time to move on from that nonsense.

 

[Saj]

And now some of the same lobby is after Wasim Khan for standing up to them.

I mean how dare Wasim respond to them following a prolonged period of personal attacks by them.