Worth the watch

Much has been ado about the ICC Cricket World Cup being co-hosted in Dhaka, be it the promise and potential of the Tigers, the alleged preparedness of the Bangladesh Cricket Board (or lack thereof), the dramatic, last-minute makeover of our capital or the remarkable elusiveness of tickets. But a few matches into the championship, shall we shift focus to that which is truly most important? Ladies, a list of 2011's lookers.
Aside their charming good looks, Indian cricketers usher in a hefty female fan following due to the near-celebrity statuses they are catapulted to through a staggering number of advertisements. Skipper turned brand endorsement powerhouse MS Dhoni is probably in the front seat of this bandwagon but infectious smile as he may have, you had best turn down the volume every time he appears on screen. Lest he start to speak and…well…undo all the good that his smile did. Dhoni and fellow teammate Yuvraj Singh have been bitter rivals in more (Bollywood beauty chasing) ways than one, but the second common space they share is that of poster boys of India. Both men are not just good players but also easy on the eye. But while Dhoni's looks are more subtle, Yuvraj stands out more for his attitude and demeanour, be it with the dark glasses on the field of play or the suave suits he pulls off outside it. And if you have had enough of your Yuvrajs and Dhonis, new kid on the block Virat Kohli also packs heat, both with his expansive batting and in the looks department.
Neighbours Pakistan are perhaps, cricket-wise, going through their worst cycle in years but the frown lines seem to have provided a certain modishness to their captain Shahid Khan Afridi. Long a heartthrob of millions in the city (anyone remember the 'Marry me Afridi' posters?) Afridi's newfound 'elegance' (if that is not pushing it too far) will endear him to a few thousand more. Be prepared for more posters proclaiming their love. And ensuring that the Pakistan contingent is not under-represented Shoaib Akhtar too comes to the party despite his bulging eyes and not-so-cleverly-disguised balding forehead. With Shoaib the charm is more in his brash, boorish 'all or nothing' persona than in his actual looks.

Now New Zealand may have suffered a humbling defeat to Bangladesh at home late last year, but the hapless Kiwis more than compensated for their dismal showings with the constant appearance of Daniel Vettori. The Kiwi captain may not be 'smouldering hot' but he is good-looking in the subtle and sober way that would make any girl confident about taking him home to meet her parents. The exact opposite is true of England swing bowler James Anderson whose rock-star hair, three-day stubble and sharp, good looks mark him out as a trail-blazer or a rebel. Definitely not one to take home and perhaps the charm is there exactly. In his early days, the English press christened Anderson as the David Beckham of cricket, and while he may not be as all-encompassing-ly brilliant as the footballer, Anderson does run him close.

But none probably personify suave better than Chris Gayle. The West Indian captain is what every girl fantasises Caribbean men should be about. Steely physique, unsmiling demeanour, cornrows, glasses and the biggest party animal on the cricket scene. South African JP Duminy is not at Gayle's level yet but give him a few years and he might just get there, cricket-wise and attitude wise. With the name Jean-Paul you really can't go wrong.
It would be unfair to end an article about good-looking cricketers and not have any from Bangladesh. After all, our very own Alok Kapali was once voted amongst the three 'sexiest men' in the World Cup. Alas, poor form has seen Kapali axed from the national side but stepping in to fill his boots is none other than our captain Shakib Al Hassan. Again, Shakib may not boast chiseled model good looks but there is no denying that he is the quiet, subtle, and engaging boy-next-door who you can't help but feel attracted to. After all, he isn't the most eligible bachelor in the country for nothing.
Before we end, an honourable mention should go out to the men who will not grace the field but still be close to the cricket. Step forward Ravi Shastri, Wasim Akram and our own Athar Ali Khan. All three will make the commentary box a nicer place to be. And of course, no piece on good looking cricketers can ever be complete without a lovestruck nod at Imran Khan. The suave, classy, urbane, chic ex-World Cup winner turned politician has a grace about him that is unmistakable. For many, myself included, he was cricket's first real star and like any real good thing, Imran's appeal is timeless.