By Darwaish

I think this should not be difficult but lets see. Can you identify what this is? Where? And what is that in the background?

Adil Najam

The announcement that Shoaib Malik has been named the new Pakistan captian to replace Inzimam after the team’s disastrous World Cup performance, was not a surprise since this had been rumored for a few days.

However, the choice is an interesting one. He is young (25 years old) and will be leading much more senior players (e.g., Abdul Razzaq and Mohammad Yousuf). He has relatively little Test experience (18 Tests). He has courted controversy with his bowling action (but had surgery to ‘take care’ of the problem). On the other hand, at his best Shoaib is an absolute treat. His four sixes in an over against Kallis has to be one of the most enthralling cricket performances ever.

Adil Najam

Rumors of a ‘deal’ between PPP leader Benazir Bhutto and Gen. Pervez Musharraf have been rife for a long time. All indications now suggest that a deal of some sort has, in fact, been reached.

The ferocity with which the rumors are being denied – with obvious insincerity – suggests that something is afoot. The question is, exactly what.

There is little utility, it seems to us, to indulge any further in the speculation than people already are. The much more important question is what – if anything – will such a deal mean for Pakistan and for democracy in Pakistan.