Antum navqi and passport

[sam_ahm]

Give him a chance and see how he goes and what he does to get accepted by Zimbabweans as their own. Remember Raza is 38, Ervine and Williams pretty much the same age... Zimbabwe needs some good players to take the team forward.

I mean just think about it, teams like USA are qualifying directly for World Cups and are hosting premier Franchise leagues (MLC), Afghanistan has surged ahead so far that they now consider playing Zimbabwe as below their level. Teams like Uganda are making a 20 team WC ahead of Zimbabwe... I know it's not fair AT ALL but I do understand the desperation of ZC... They needed Naqvi and Naqvi needed them... It was a win-win on the face of it.

If Naqvi can do things that get him to be accepted by the Zimbabwean public... Like Raza... Then we are all good.

[secretzimbo]

“His move has been viewed as a strategic investment in the country’s cricket future, with the player potentially inspiring younger generations and contributing to the development of the sport.”


Ya…..there’s nothing like a Belgian-born Australian Pakistani with deep pockets whos bought a passport to inspire kids from the Zimbabwean ghetto!

It's inspiring for border jumpers in every direction .
Let's see how Knackers goes in the National Anthem.
First guy in cricket to be handed his cap and his passport simultaneously.

It always amused me that Steve Kirby learnt and sang every word...in all three languages! This Naqvi shill better get learning.

[secretzimbo]

Like Raza.

Again, completely entirely different situation. Very unfair and just incorrect to suggest Raza's situation was the same.

[Googly]

Knackers can just hand out cash at every game like Grace used to.
Raza earned his status the hard way.
Look if he wins us a game most of us will be happy, we'll take anything.
What I'm infinitely curious about is how many opportunities he'll get if he doesn't do much. That's a low bar when you see how many goes others have had.
Ditto for Campbell and Bennett. Both have had pretty decent starts, but they're guests and expected to perform.

[Googly]

If the Indians do their homework on Knackers the sledging will be hard-core. He's quite a volatile dude as well.

[Googly]

If they could copy a French Belgian and Aussie accent he will be so f*@#ed

[andrea lanzoni]

To be honest I would take him. That is just my personal view though, purely because I want Zimbabwe to do well and I think he will strengthen the side.

He probably will strengthen the side. But then again there are literally of hundreds of cricketers around the world who would improve the side and would love an international career, but probably lack one of either;
a) the temerity to pop up in a random third world country seemingly plucked out of a hat and claim to be a patriot
b) the ability to spend many many many many tens of thousands of dollars paying off the corrupt passport office of said country

Good luck to him, I hope he does well.

Indeed what I'm wondering is .... why this Naqvi only?

If with some "elasticity" someone can get into a national squad, you may expect not cameos but several truly good players from subcontinent, England or even SA, who are just a bit short to enter in their highly competitive national squads, to "apply" for Zimbabwe.

Being the case you may invest in a Test nation and have chance to show up in the international arena.

If you succeed, even for few appearances, then you may hope a lucrative contract in one of the several T20 franchise around the world.
Invest in Zimbabwe, payback eleswhere.
I would expect a few dozens of other 'callous' Naqvis in the future.

[Pat_Bee]

Bros on pay to play don’t get chopped ever

[CholeZimbo]

“His move has been viewed as a strategic investment in the country’s cricket future, with the player potentially inspiring younger generations and contributing to the development of the sport.”


Ya…..there’s nothing like a Belgian-born Australian Pakistani with deep pockets whos bought a passport to inspire kids from the Zimbabwean ghetto!

It's inspiring for border jumpers in every direction .
Let's see how Knackers goes in the National Anthem.
First guy in cricket to be handed his cap and his passport simultaneously.

[TapsC2]

What would be interesting is if Naqvi bangs some big scores immediately and maybe even inspires a win against India. That’s a serious fan base. Pakistan heritage won’t help. It might not end well. I think it’s above board from an ICC perspective. A passport is all that matters in the end but it will spark some interest for sure.