- Joined
- Mar 19, 2015
- Runs
- 15,745
Thanks to [MENTION=93712]MenInG[/MENTION] for your fantastic answers to some great questions! Fascinating read, please enjoy:
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PakPassion.net: What's with the name MenInG and what brought you to PakPassion in the first place?
MenInG: So, when I stumbled upon an interesting site where the upcoming Pakistan versus India series in 2003 was being discussed, I had a few minutes to decide on a nick name – thought carefully/hard (for 1 minute) and chose MenInGreen – which later morphed into MIG and then onto MenInG. By the way my Avatar was done to give me a comical version of a hard military man persona – I think it had the desired effect.
PakPassion.net: What is your favorite India-Pakistan match of all time?
MenInG: In 1978, the 3rd Test between Pakistan and India was in progress and the game was in its final day. My father, usually a busy man, decided to take my sister and I to this game. This was my first ‘live’ game and also became my most favourite and cherished game forever! What I saw that day was Sunil Gavaskar’s obdurate stand, Imran Khan’s splendour, Asif Iqbal and Javed Miandad’s batting prowess which have stayed etched in my mind forever. But there was one part of the game which I will ALWAYS remember. The game was tense as Pakistan were chasing a tough target, so emotions were running high amongst the spectators. A young man sitting next to me decide to throw a 'mota' orange at the great Kapil Dev who was fielding in front of our stand. The orange hit him hard on the back of his thigh and broke up, splattering his trousers. Kapil turned and looked back at our stand. And the only person he saw (and suspected) was me! I froze, and he said some words which in those days of my childhood I had not heard before and turned away. I was in tears and shouting – Kapil it wasn’t me, but he had made his mind. Hopefully one day when I see him, I will explain my side of the story and ask for his forgiveness!
PakPassion.net: How far do you think Pakistan will progress in the upcoming T20 World Cup?
MenInG: I am very confident that we will get to the semi-finals. I really do feel we have the firepower (read match-winners) to get to that point given our resources and also given the hit and giggle format we are talking about, where just a few good balls in an innings (batting or bowling) can change the complexion of the game totally. I don’t think we can get to the final but then I didn’t think much of the Pakistan side in the Champions Trophy in 2017 as well and look where that got us!
PakPassion.net: Do you think Pakistan realistically has any chance to host ICC events in near future?
MenInG: We just need to stop doing own-goals such as the PSL 6 COVID-19 fiasco. Apart from that, the security situation in Pakistan is as normal as it will ever be. There should be no concerns regarding security in Pakistan and given the new and very conciliatory noises between India and Pakistan, we could well find a willing supporter across Wagah which could tilt things in our favour. So, the answer to this question is that I am cautiously optimistic that we can pull off a T20 World Cup in the not-so-distant future. When in the future is anyone’s guess?
PakPassion.net: You have been to India, which is your favorite destination in India and why?
MenInG: I have been to India once and was totally taken aback by how similar it was to Pakistan in so many ways (especially people and the food!). I visited Bangalore and Hyderabad and was impressed by what we already know of India. They work hard and are polite – even when they found out I was originally from Pakistan! Bangalore specifically felt so much like Lahore – probably due to the Cantonment feeling of some parts of the city. Of course, I was devastated that I could not visit the M Chinnaswamy but I did see a lot of the very distinctive red clay all over the place so was content with that!
PakPassion.net: If you had a super-power to do anything, what is one thing you would change about Pakistan?
MenInG: I always feel that our older generation failed us by teaching us to take short cuts to success or achieving any goal, instead of instilling the value of hard-work or idea of due process to achieve those aims. As a result, my generation grew up thinking it was OK to bribe, cajole others to do your work and Pakistan is now in a state that it’s in now. If I had a super-power, I would magically make all of us become advocates of doing the right thing; So many of our issues could be resolved overnight if this happened!
PakPassion.net: Who is your favorite Indian cricketer of all time and why?
MenInG: I will go by my Old-School standards of excellent skills embellished by good behaviour and choose Sunil Gavaskar and Kapil Dev as the 2 players who apart from their excellent records were/are perfect gentlemen. They are a credit to their country and to the game we all love. Players like Virat Kohli belong to the Twitter/Insta/Snapchat generation and don’t interest me beyond what they can do with the bat or ball which is good but not what inspires me.
PakPassion.net: Who is best cricketer out of Virat Kohli, AB de Villiers, Kevin Pietersen and Sir Viv Richards?
MenInG: Virat Kohli is the current flavor of the month but there was something about Sir Viv Richards when he walked onto the field and took his guard. Chewing his gum, surveying the field for places he could score without a problem – all that was part of the Viv-Swagger that I adored and feared as an opposing fan. To me he will always be head and shoulders above all other batsmen.
PakPassion.net: When Indians troll Pakistan like no tomorrow when Pakistan is doing badly, how do you stop yourself from letting any rising resentment from spilling over to the way you judge the Indian team or Indians in general?
MenInG: Tricky question! But the answer from our point of view is very simple. Our philosophy at PakPassion is that you can state your view but don’t cross any lines of decency and don’t put down people in the same way you wouldn’t if you met someone face to face. If people go overboard, we step in. I also know that people are passionate about the game and the teams they support so they will say stuff which they wouldn’t ordinarily do, so we make allowances for that. Does what I see on PP written about Pakistan raise my Blood Pressure? Hell yes! But it will never affect how I and my fellow mods deal with our esteemed posters.
PakPassion.net: How has PakPassion evolved over the years and what are the future plans?
MenInG: We are pretty much the same! We still believe that its Cricket which unites so many people around the globe and whilst new trends and fads such as Facebook/Twitter etc will come/go or stay, PakPassion’s unique value of a place where you have time and space to write your views and debate them will stay until end of time! We are always making changes behind the scenes but we still feel that too much change is also not necessary and PP in its current form is serving Cricket fans around the globe in pretty much the same way it has done since its inception.
PakPassion.net: If you're made the PCB Chairman/CE, what steps would you take to bring back Pakistan cricket into the top echelons of World Cricket?
MenInG: I would get my legal guys to sort out contracts with players and employees to make sure all this leak drama is dealt with and stopped. I would also start putting down some ground rules for media so they understand that they are stakeholders of the game as well and it’s NOT right to throw unfounded allegations at the PCB. Also, I would make sure that allegations against the organization are investigated and issues fixed – instead of burying heads in sand type strategy which is the case now. The rest is up to the experts – former players and people who actually know the ground situation. They can take whatever actions necessary to reform the game but their appointments need to be carefully vetted – much like they have in congressional hearings in the US when officials are appointed.
PakPassion.net: Has your faith in humanity been affected in any way since your affiliation with PakPassion?
MenInG: On the contrary, PakPassion has renewed my hope in humanity's ability to get along with each other despite differences! I am a firm believer that just like we co-exist in real life, we can do the same in our internet life. And if we as moderators of this forum can play a small part in facilitating that dialogue – well all power to us!
But there are some disappointments over the years with some individuals who we considered our brothers and who violated our trust in them. For example, we have had some who accepted prizes from us from a volunteer organization like ours and instead of thanking us, deemed it OK to insult us and our families a few days later. That part still hurts and I suppose is more a reflection on their character rather than any weakness in our ability to judge people. Then you have some who think it’s fine to abuse us on other platforms and still be welcomed on PakPassion, which again shows their character. But as they say, each to their own!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PakPassion.net: What's with the name MenInG and what brought you to PakPassion in the first place?
MenInG: So, when I stumbled upon an interesting site where the upcoming Pakistan versus India series in 2003 was being discussed, I had a few minutes to decide on a nick name – thought carefully/hard (for 1 minute) and chose MenInGreen – which later morphed into MIG and then onto MenInG. By the way my Avatar was done to give me a comical version of a hard military man persona – I think it had the desired effect.
PakPassion.net: What is your favorite India-Pakistan match of all time?
MenInG: In 1978, the 3rd Test between Pakistan and India was in progress and the game was in its final day. My father, usually a busy man, decided to take my sister and I to this game. This was my first ‘live’ game and also became my most favourite and cherished game forever! What I saw that day was Sunil Gavaskar’s obdurate stand, Imran Khan’s splendour, Asif Iqbal and Javed Miandad’s batting prowess which have stayed etched in my mind forever. But there was one part of the game which I will ALWAYS remember. The game was tense as Pakistan were chasing a tough target, so emotions were running high amongst the spectators. A young man sitting next to me decide to throw a 'mota' orange at the great Kapil Dev who was fielding in front of our stand. The orange hit him hard on the back of his thigh and broke up, splattering his trousers. Kapil turned and looked back at our stand. And the only person he saw (and suspected) was me! I froze, and he said some words which in those days of my childhood I had not heard before and turned away. I was in tears and shouting – Kapil it wasn’t me, but he had made his mind. Hopefully one day when I see him, I will explain my side of the story and ask for his forgiveness!
PakPassion.net: How far do you think Pakistan will progress in the upcoming T20 World Cup?
MenInG: I am very confident that we will get to the semi-finals. I really do feel we have the firepower (read match-winners) to get to that point given our resources and also given the hit and giggle format we are talking about, where just a few good balls in an innings (batting or bowling) can change the complexion of the game totally. I don’t think we can get to the final but then I didn’t think much of the Pakistan side in the Champions Trophy in 2017 as well and look where that got us!
PakPassion.net: Do you think Pakistan realistically has any chance to host ICC events in near future?
MenInG: We just need to stop doing own-goals such as the PSL 6 COVID-19 fiasco. Apart from that, the security situation in Pakistan is as normal as it will ever be. There should be no concerns regarding security in Pakistan and given the new and very conciliatory noises between India and Pakistan, we could well find a willing supporter across Wagah which could tilt things in our favour. So, the answer to this question is that I am cautiously optimistic that we can pull off a T20 World Cup in the not-so-distant future. When in the future is anyone’s guess?
PakPassion.net: You have been to India, which is your favorite destination in India and why?
MenInG: I have been to India once and was totally taken aback by how similar it was to Pakistan in so many ways (especially people and the food!). I visited Bangalore and Hyderabad and was impressed by what we already know of India. They work hard and are polite – even when they found out I was originally from Pakistan! Bangalore specifically felt so much like Lahore – probably due to the Cantonment feeling of some parts of the city. Of course, I was devastated that I could not visit the M Chinnaswamy but I did see a lot of the very distinctive red clay all over the place so was content with that!
PakPassion.net: If you had a super-power to do anything, what is one thing you would change about Pakistan?
MenInG: I always feel that our older generation failed us by teaching us to take short cuts to success or achieving any goal, instead of instilling the value of hard-work or idea of due process to achieve those aims. As a result, my generation grew up thinking it was OK to bribe, cajole others to do your work and Pakistan is now in a state that it’s in now. If I had a super-power, I would magically make all of us become advocates of doing the right thing; So many of our issues could be resolved overnight if this happened!
PakPassion.net: Who is your favorite Indian cricketer of all time and why?
MenInG: I will go by my Old-School standards of excellent skills embellished by good behaviour and choose Sunil Gavaskar and Kapil Dev as the 2 players who apart from their excellent records were/are perfect gentlemen. They are a credit to their country and to the game we all love. Players like Virat Kohli belong to the Twitter/Insta/Snapchat generation and don’t interest me beyond what they can do with the bat or ball which is good but not what inspires me.
PakPassion.net: Who is best cricketer out of Virat Kohli, AB de Villiers, Kevin Pietersen and Sir Viv Richards?
MenInG: Virat Kohli is the current flavor of the month but there was something about Sir Viv Richards when he walked onto the field and took his guard. Chewing his gum, surveying the field for places he could score without a problem – all that was part of the Viv-Swagger that I adored and feared as an opposing fan. To me he will always be head and shoulders above all other batsmen.
PakPassion.net: When Indians troll Pakistan like no tomorrow when Pakistan is doing badly, how do you stop yourself from letting any rising resentment from spilling over to the way you judge the Indian team or Indians in general?
MenInG: Tricky question! But the answer from our point of view is very simple. Our philosophy at PakPassion is that you can state your view but don’t cross any lines of decency and don’t put down people in the same way you wouldn’t if you met someone face to face. If people go overboard, we step in. I also know that people are passionate about the game and the teams they support so they will say stuff which they wouldn’t ordinarily do, so we make allowances for that. Does what I see on PP written about Pakistan raise my Blood Pressure? Hell yes! But it will never affect how I and my fellow mods deal with our esteemed posters.
PakPassion.net: How has PakPassion evolved over the years and what are the future plans?
MenInG: We are pretty much the same! We still believe that its Cricket which unites so many people around the globe and whilst new trends and fads such as Facebook/Twitter etc will come/go or stay, PakPassion’s unique value of a place where you have time and space to write your views and debate them will stay until end of time! We are always making changes behind the scenes but we still feel that too much change is also not necessary and PP in its current form is serving Cricket fans around the globe in pretty much the same way it has done since its inception.
PakPassion.net: If you're made the PCB Chairman/CE, what steps would you take to bring back Pakistan cricket into the top echelons of World Cricket?
MenInG: I would get my legal guys to sort out contracts with players and employees to make sure all this leak drama is dealt with and stopped. I would also start putting down some ground rules for media so they understand that they are stakeholders of the game as well and it’s NOT right to throw unfounded allegations at the PCB. Also, I would make sure that allegations against the organization are investigated and issues fixed – instead of burying heads in sand type strategy which is the case now. The rest is up to the experts – former players and people who actually know the ground situation. They can take whatever actions necessary to reform the game but their appointments need to be carefully vetted – much like they have in congressional hearings in the US when officials are appointed.
PakPassion.net: Has your faith in humanity been affected in any way since your affiliation with PakPassion?
MenInG: On the contrary, PakPassion has renewed my hope in humanity's ability to get along with each other despite differences! I am a firm believer that just like we co-exist in real life, we can do the same in our internet life. And if we as moderators of this forum can play a small part in facilitating that dialogue – well all power to us!
But there are some disappointments over the years with some individuals who we considered our brothers and who violated our trust in them. For example, we have had some who accepted prizes from us from a volunteer organization like ours and instead of thanking us, deemed it OK to insult us and our families a few days later. That part still hurts and I suppose is more a reflection on their character rather than any weakness in our ability to judge people. Then you have some who think it’s fine to abuse us on other platforms and still be welcomed on PakPassion, which again shows their character. But as they say, each to their own!
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so lots of knowledge to share.
F
