There is a whole piece of British history involved behind the 19th century nursery rhyme of ‘Humpty Dumpty’ … “Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall / Humpty Dumpty had a great fall / all the King’s horses and all the King’s men could not put Humpty Dumpty together again …”

There are various versions of this quatrain and several theories. One states that Richard III, the humpbacked king of England who was defeated at Bosworth Field in 1485 was in fact Humpty Dumpty.

As this piece is neither about English nursery rhymes nor British history I will not go into further details and theories. Except that the much debated and discussed debacle which was the India-Pakistan series is the cricket’s Humpty Dumpty. The series had such a fall that all whispering efforts, arrogance, insults, discussions, parleys, hopes, aspirations, fears and parties be they from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), International Cricket Council (ICC), Task Force, or meetings at Ufa, Paris, Bangkok, Islamabad, Lahore have not been able to put our Humpty Dumpty of cricket together again. Sad, sorry, unfortunate … even laughable!

The boards on either side may not feel like giving up on it but it’s about time we forget about the India-Pakistan cricket series and turn our attention to the Pakistan Super League

Mismanaged from the signing of the MOU (why not a contract?) to the unlimited pointless trips to India and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Even the man in the street, the common cricket fan, is fed up. Because of the MOU neither side is willing to call off the series lest they violate the terms of the MOU and face litigation and have damages awarded against them. However, on December 31, 2015, if I am not mistaken, the MOU runs out and then both parties are, as they say, back to square one. It will be what has been described as “much ado about nothing…” or a saga full of sound and fury signifying nothing. The PCB, it is obvious, had no Plan B, which was being bandied around, nor any preparations to proceed legally against the BCCI.

The real purpose of the bending over backwards efforts and offering the other cheek to insults was because the PCB was seeking money which its counterparts in India were hell bent on depriving them of getting although it was from the television rights of Ten Sports and not from the brimming coffers of the BCCI. They were just playing dog in the manger. Giles Clarke’s assistance was sought and he did make a halfhearted attempt including a telephone call. The Indians gave him the proverbial cold shoulder. The media briefing which the PCB chairman said would be addressed “within the next day or two by Clarke” is still awaited; and that was a month ago. Neither Clarke nor any other member of his ICC Task Force has ever visited Pakistan. This is owing to the apathy and lack of interest of the PCB who have no will and plan to bring international cricket back to Pakistan. It involves too much hard work which we are not used to having had an easy and cushy course since the last decade.

On the contrary they are shifting Pakistan’s domestic event (PSL) to the UAE. Some wags say that it would not be long before domestic events like the prestigious Quaid-e-Azam Trophy is also taken off shore for the sake of convenience to the PCB.

The one silver lining in this gloomy atmosphere is that Mr Najam Sethi has kept his promise and with dint of sheer hard work and untiring personal interest and involvement has succeeded in putting his baby, PSL, on the rails. It is prayed and hoped that, even though it is being played in foreign fields, it will have an auspicious beginning and return to Pakistan sooner than later now that the security situation throughout the country, thanks to the efforts, of the armed forces and other authorities are more than satisfactory.

All that the PCB/PSL need is courage, confidence, and a strong lobby and our stadia will once again be bursting at the seams with spectators watching both domestic and international cricket at their REAL home. More information is required to fully comprehend the nitty gritty of PSL but a few points stand out. All icon players should have been Pakistanis. Mentors have been introduced. Imran Khan Niazi (yes the PTI Chief) has been picked by Peshawar; similarly Younis Khan deserved to be a mentor; maybe of Quetta; Shoaib Akhtar of Islamabad; Javed Miandad of Karachi; and Waqar Younis of Islamabad so that he could tie up with his pace twin Wasim Akram who is their director. Remember it is our (Pakistan’s) league. We welcome guests at premier prices from foreign countries but they supplement our efforts not overwhelm them.

Meanwhile, the five teams from Islamabad, Quetta, Peshawar, Lahore and Karachi should have had more local players than they have at the moment — Quetta for example have only Bismillah Khan as a local. Other teams could have been streamlined as well. Also imagine the costs and hassle of any ordinary Pakistani cricket fan desirous of watching the PSL — fare, boarding and lodging, days off from schools, colleges, work and businesses, match tickets, etc. But we must overlook these minor matters as this is a good beginning and I am sure if handled properly it will be hugely successful now and in the future.

A hot topic in cricket these days is the inclusion or not of Mohammad Amir (why no mention of the best swing bowler we have had Mohammad Asif; and a fine opening batsman and ex-captain Salman Butt ??). Many cricketers, experts and analysts have given their opinion; some have even revised their verdicts. Why is the PCB hierarchy especially the chairman over keen about Amir only (why not the other two?). In December alone he has made five statements about Amir. Months earlier he had made the pronouncement that as long as he was chairman Amir and the errants would not play for Pakistan. As expected there was resistance from senior players, and once again the chairman used strong arm tactics to have these players mellow their stance. Human memory is short and the chairman’s seems shorter.

My humble opinion on this has remained unchanged throughout, and as stated in the PCB constitution for such offenses, it is zero tolerance. I feel sorry for these talented youngsters but they knew where the line was drawn and not to cross it. They did; and must suffer the consequences. They should have been banned for life, and an example set for future cricketers to deter from such heinous acts which bring shame to family and country. To those who want them back (some only talk of Amir) I say, “I may disagree with what you say but until death I will respect your right to say it.” However, I would like to leave one scenario for their consideration to consider coolly and calmly. And that is from non-cricketing businesses. Suppose there is a very efficient manager in a business/bank/trade owned by you and he embezzles RsXX million; is caught, arrested, indicted, convicted and sentenced, for say three years, in gaol. Will you take him back on the same position or even any other if he wants to return?

Similar cases can happen in national armed forces, police, government, private and public companies; will the employers take back such errant employees? Before the case of the errant three causes more confusion and chaos it must be closed once and for all. Also remember the adage that if you are old enough to commit a crime you are old enough to be punished for it. These three have committed crimes involving moral turpitude and convicted and sentenced.

Yasir Shah’s suspension by the ICC under the doping laws has come as an unfortunate bombshell. In this connection, the PCB have a very comprehensive programme and here prima facie Yasir seems to be at fault rather than any slip up on part of the PCB doctors. The medicine used although for blood pressure can also act as a masking agent for steroids taken for muscle enhancement. We wish and pray that his explanation is handled well and is acceptable although in the light of the recent Kusal Perera case it seems difficult. Let us hope for the best.

Published in Dawn, Sunday Magazine, January 3rd, 2016