Good morning!
Bit of a late start today because there was a lot of reporting on the Bangladesh situation. It’s one of international cricket’s worst moments, but the media are stepping up. Best bit of sustained reporting since last year’s RCB parade IMO.
One article stood out over the weekend; not because of the article, but because of its reception. If you’re on Twitter, you’ll know what I’m referring to – Sarah Waris’ piece describing the different outcomes from India’s complaints about playing in Pakistan last year, and Bangladesh’s complaints about playing in India this year.
It’s not a particularly standout article; for the most part, it’s not even really anything but a recap of all the information on this Mustafissure saga. The last couple of paragraphs tend towards a sense of opinion, but it’s nothing hugely inflammatory – “anyone else notice India got their way both times?” It’s barely a novel take.
Sambit Bal decried the situation in a video, Sarthak Dev has a much more detailed (and opinionated) piece on the regional instability in cricket, Suresh Menon had a smaller (if not as good) story on the problem, Atif Azam and Ekush Tapadia provide nuanced articles from inside Bangladesh – and these are just from India & Bangladesh.
None of them got the hate Waris got.
But, Waris just happens to be a Muslim Indian. And by being objective in her take, she committed the horrible crime of not constantly proving to her rabid Hindutva brethren that she is an Indian first (which apparently means being anti-Muslim first). If she isn’t repeatedly and consistently proving her Indian-ness, the default stance is to assume she’s anti-Indian (i.e. anti-Hindu to these orange-utans).
Waris is a fine journalist and person, and has withstood far worse than anything a few Twitter trolls can throw at her. This little rant isn’t to protect or defend her in any way. She can do that for herself.
But, I was inspired by her piece. State the facts, then say the quiet (and obvious) part out loud. If you’re offended, that’s not really anyone’s problem but yours.
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🏏 Cricket Roundup: IND demolish NZ, SA20 and BBL winners, & Hope on WI.
📚 Best Features: Can ENG go all-youth for the 2027 Ashes?
🗞️ Quick News: Many Mustafissure updates, RCB’s bidders, & a new type of batting machine.
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Bangladesh won’t challenge the ICC’s decision on the World Cup, Scotland replaces them, Pakistan threaten to boycott, & Devendra Pandey on the ICC’s plan of sanctions for Pakistan if they threaten the cash cow of IND-PAK games.
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Atif Azam talks to ex-BCB Secretary Syed Ashraful Haque on BAN’s mis-steps, while Vijay Tagore has the details on BAN’s decision to withdraw.
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Ekush Tapader has the view from Bangladesh, Sarthak Dev on the breakdown in regional relations, & Sarah Waris has a recap of the situation.
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Venkat Ananth reports on the three major bidders looking to buy RCB.
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The PSL auction will be on February 11.
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Sarah Guiney details a new type of batting machine.
📺 A/V: Why full tosses get wickets.
That’s it for today!
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