Zaheer among Wisden Cricketers of the Year 2008

Cricket’s most overrated and certainly the most insignificant annual award is out again. Zaheer Khan, Ian Bell, Ryan Sidebottom, Ottis Gibson and Shivnarine Chanderpaul are named the Cricketers of the Year 2008 by the Wisden Cricketers' Almanack.

Their influence on the past English season is supposed to be the lone criterion for the award but I have a sneaking suspicion that this time the reasons were different altogether. Let’s take it case-by-case.

Zaheer Khan: He actually got the award for his break-up with Isha Sharvani. Sick and tired of footing the bills of the tantrum-throwing WAGs of the English team, the ECB requested Wisden guys to discourage the growing trend among youngsters to date wannabe actresses and fringe models. The message was loud and clear -- dump the girl, get the gong.

Ian Bell: Sharing initials with Ian Botham is reason enough, thought the Wisden eggheads.

Ottis Gibson: For taking up England bowling coach’s role and agreeing to cricket’s own Mission Impossible of mending Steve Harmison.

Shivnarine Chanderpaul: For his dogged endorsement of the beneath-the-eyes-anti-glare patches.

Ryan Sidebottom: Well, the unique juxtaposition of his paradoxical surname was a clincher for the guy.

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