Political Asylum

A top legal team from the Dublin firm Seamus Paddy and Paddy (leading firm of immigration solicitors - no win no fee)has flown out to Jamaica.

They will be offering legal advice on claiming political asylum in the Republic of Ireland to the Pakistani cricket team.

Bob Woolmer rip

Today I learnt the tragic news that Bob Woolmer, the Pakistani cricket coach passed away. This is shocking news and I'm deeply saddened to hear this, for me a passionate Pakistani cricket supporter the whole weekend has been a very sad affair. Firstly the loss to Ireland and early exit from the 2007 world cup, and now the death of Bob Woolmer.

I met Bob in a hotel lobby in Islamabad in December 2005, and although he was checking out and about to board a flight he was very courteous to offer me an opportunity to take some photos with him. I will treasure these images very dearly as in my opinion Bob was an excellent coach who tried his best to guide a volatile Pakistani side that were capable of great things but tended to excel in underachieving. He will be deeply missed by the cricketing world.

Reading Bob’s web site it quotes

Yesterday is history
Tomorrow is a mystery
Today is the present – a gift to make the most of

How true these wise words echo, “Today” is a gift so treasure and cherish the moment.

Finally as Pakistan start to rebuild their side after this abysmal world cup performance, I hope they will learn from the unrivalled passion and professionalism displayed by Bob Woolmer. A native Englishman, he admired the incredible talent on display in the Pakistan camp and worked extremely hard to harness it.

Dark day for Pakistani cricket, Golden day for the Irish

Watching Pakistan put up a poor and pathetic performance against part timers Ireland has made me feel physically sick.

I've been eating bar after bar of chocolate to let the sweet taste of confectionary overcome the bitter taste of defeat as I witness my cricket team lose another game, and what makes this so difficult to acknowledge is the opposition and nature of the game the Pakistanis have been playing over recent times.

This is only the world cup, a tournament held every four years and after the disastrous performance of the last campaign in South Africa when Pakistan were sent packing after the first round it seems the team have learnt nothing.

With my calorie intake in the last thirty minutes exceeding the total runs Pakistan have scored throughout this tournament, I am signing off to consume some more chocolate and alleviate the emotional pain driven by the poor cricket.

Officially I’m now taking up golf and I suggest the current Pakistan cricket team, management & PCB all resign their positions as they are all disastrous at their jobs.

Well played to the Irish.

Basant

The Basant festival has recently taken place in Pakistan. With thousands of kites flying and performing dog fights across the Lahore skyline, this provides a really colourful sperctre…but at what price?

I mean something is seriously wrong if you’re using kite strings coated in glass so that you can have kite fights and bring down other kites ? Where’s the fun if the string gets caught around some innocent victims neck ?

And what about the latest metal reinforced wires short-circuiting the electricity supplies and cause power outages as well as electrocuting the unsuspecting victims.

Then there’s cases of kids falling off rooftops whilst engrossed in their kite flying. Come on guys sort it out, can we please have less fatalities during the festival.

Anyway for the desi’s in the UK, I’m planning our very own British Basant Festival in a local park. So get your kites ready and leave comments if you’re interested.

No glass coated or metal reinforced wires !