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A Pakistan Loss & a Tale of Threes
By Tabrez Janjua for Stani Army in Pakistan Cricket
70 ViewsChasing just 128, Pakistan allowed Australia to bowl three maidens in their 20 overs; played three stupid shots when in good positions themselves; and ended up falling short by three runs. I can’t help but think that had Australia been chasing that target, they would have got there cruising with the loss of just one or two wickets.
So what was the Pakistani mindset from the beginning? Well it was one ‘hero’ after the other. Each buffoon of a batsmen that followed the previous one thought that a few quick boundaries here and the game would be over. But boundaries come with high risks attached, risks Pakistan did absolutely not need to take with a target like that. Not just once, but on many occasions throughout that innings they could have held themselves back and have gotten home comfortably.
After smiling about the recent security breach, Pakistan continued with their niceties by gifting three maidens (two wrapped in wickets) to Australia and effectively turning a chase of 6.4 per over into 7.5 an over.
The three shots I was not impressed with were those of Fawad, Rana and Gul. Admittedly, two of them are all-rounders and one is a bowler but the fact is all three were in at a time when they could see the situation the match was in, and all three could have taken us to the finishing line with singles. Fawad was probably trying to do just that but his shot was
The Pakistan players with their IQs displayed on the back of their shirts
something not even a school boy would be proud of. The Rana dismissal has to be looked into. I want to know why he missed the ball by a metre after facing a maiden the previous over. He is much better than that. As for Gul, with each ball he missed, a flashing “single” sign should have been going off in his head. But it seems with our players, not only is nobody at home, the lights aren’t on either.
We’ve shown glimpses of our talent throughout the tour but if there was one thing I’d put our losses down to, it would be the stupidity of our players. How good would we be if our cricketers showed a bit of intelligence and doggedness?
There are just two positives Pakistan can take away from this tour. One is the fact that there was not a series of Twenty20s, or they would have been whitewashed in that too. The other, they have found that one thing they have long been searching for, consistency. Nine matches and no wins, you cannot get more consistent than that.
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February 6th, 2010 at 2:37 am
“Nine matches and no wins, you cannot get more consistent than that.” hahaha
That sums up the whole series.
February 6th, 2010 at 2:45 am
Wasim
Tasmania are rubbish though. They only drew against us in the tour match!
February 6th, 2010 at 3:04 am
Hahaha
Ofcourse they were rubbish. Today we also lost to Bangladesh in T20 in South Asian games. Probably the last 1.5 month have been the darkest in Pakistan cricket’s history.
The president has asked the sports ministry to suggest three names for PCB chairman.
One of them will definitely be Miandad.
Ejaz Butt definitely has to go but Miandad is no angel either what has he done so far except drawing a huge salary and just issuing statements. Oh I forgot he pushed the selection of his nephew.
February 6th, 2010 at 10:56 am
Disappointed, guys. I thought you were gonna take this one.
And yes, Tasmania are rubbish
February 6th, 2010 at 1:00 pm
I was hoping that the Pakistan team would get up and win, but it was an excellent game. Exciting bowling and fielding from both sides, very high quality.
February 6th, 2010 at 5:19 pm
Wayward bunch of guys playing in a group, without any batting plan. Nine losses in a row, will they ever learn? I doubt it. Not a single guy had the winning attitude. They did not have any preparation for the game, they did not work out who to hit and when to hit. Nana Naveed had played against Shaun Tait in Australian domestic T20 competition while Shahid Afridi played with him, did they learn anything? NO ! but Aussies must have worked out all about our players.
February 6th, 2010 at 6:10 pm
Wasim
Any idea how the sports ministry has viewed Miandad recently? I hope he is not one of them otherwise it’ll be the beginning of another of those cycles we have previously spoken of.
Miandad pushing for the selection of his nephew? Never! He would never do such a thing
Sid
Thanks! Tasmania are rubbish and we drew against them. That makes us? Here Sid, take this salt, I have this wound over here I’d like you to rub it in
Lou
I really don’t think we deserved anything. We may have bowled and fielded well this time but the next time this happens is a long way away. The batting was predictably awful. I know Mohammad Yousuf highlighted the weakness in our batsmen in not being able to occupy the crease in the longer form, but they can’t even do it in twenty20 cricket.
Ehsen
Your first point is spot on as is your last. The English teams use ipods to play videos of the opposition, we probably have a room with a chalk board where the chalk has run out and no one has bothered replacing it. Do you think someone would have asked Rana’s or Afridid’s input; or do you think they would have indeed gave it themselves, having played there recently? I doubt it. It is just a part of the stupidity I mentioned above.
February 6th, 2010 at 6:30 pm
Stani
Miandad has been meeting Jhakarani and Dasti regularly in the last meeting somebody even proposed the name of Miandad as the new chairman. The cat will be out of the bag in next few days when the sports ministry will make it’s recommendation to the president about the new candidates.
Stani if you look at the Australian batting they also collapsed in the T20 match. As you pointed out earlier I think Fawad, Rana and Umar Gul should have played more sensibly. Pakistan should have won this match because they weathered the early storm and were 98/4.
As regards planning or scouting I think the support staff is responsible for that, Intikhab Alam should go before anyone else.
With the exception of Butt nobody averaged over 40.Imagine our batsmen turned Hauritz into a hero. The fielding was horrible, the bowlers were the only saving grace but the performance of Umar Gul has dipped nobody could reverse the ball and often the bowling strategy was too negative.
I think the coach has to take a fair share of the blame for not improving the fielding and batting during the last year.
February 6th, 2010 at 6:33 pm
Ehsen
Nana Naved:) That was a good one.
February 6th, 2010 at 8:42 pm
Reasons why we lost ODI series :
1) MoYo captain. Shocking.
2) YK and MOYO not scoring which was rare.
3) Rana Naved unperforming with the bat
4) No Imran Nazir. Need a counter attack opener.
5) Ajmal slightly losing his form in terms of run rate and pressure appliance.
6) Brilliance of Australia, the best side in the world by a mile !!
On the whole, the Australian tour was overly embarrassing. Its time for Ijaz Butt and co to go !!
February 6th, 2010 at 8:45 pm
The T20 was a cracker. Kamran Akmal rocked the MCG. We should have easily won it TBH.
BTW Stani did u hear Mark Nicholas commentary when Fawad Alam did that stunning run out. He said :”Fawad Alam, the sound alarm” in such a high pitched tone
February 6th, 2010 at 9:00 pm
Ijaz Ahmed, Future National Coach ?
This is why I feel he can be : ………………………………………
1) He puts a lot of emphasis and attention on fielding, a clear weakness and drawback for the senior side. If they are going to do well against top sides, this is an area where Pakistan need to improve in order to improve their chances in the future. Ijaz himself was an outstanding fielder.
2) He is an all-rounder. Genuinely all rounders are effective coaches because they know what it’s like in each aspect and therefore can help in each and every area.
3) He has been successful with the junior U19 side in the recently concluded world cup.
4) Waqar/ Inti will inevitably have the sack following the side’s dismal performance in Australia. Therefore, this role is a vacancy and I personally feel Ijaz will be a great individual to fulfil this duty in the future. He is willing to take the job on.
5) He was a member of the victorious 1992 world cup winning side. He knows what it’s like when Pakistan cricket was at its peak of brilliance.
6) Foreign coaches simply don’t work with the exception of the great and late Bob Woolmer who rapidly progressed Pakistan cricket during his time incharge. But on the whole, its creates communication difficulty and visa problems, adapting to the culture, political controversy etc. Therefore, a foreign coach is not the option and way forward. We need to stick to a domestic coach and I personally feel Ijaz is the best one available. Alternatively, former wicketkeeper and Lahore Badshahs coach Moin Khan.
7) Young. 41 years of age. We need a young coach who can actually train with the team and be pro-active.
__________________
February 6th, 2010 at 9:37 pm
Maza
Only two people from Pakistan are good enough to coach the national team. Mudassar Nazar and Rashid Latif.
February 7th, 2010 at 1:54 am
Wasim
I agree that Latif is probably the best of the Pakistanis to take over. The probably he has is he is seen as a whistle-blower, which in any organisation/area of work, scares people (especially those that are corrupt) so they stay away from them.
I would still like to go foreign for our coach but appoint someone more high profile and stricter than Geoff Lawson; who did try his best.
Maz
I agree with you that Australia are still the best in the world. I’m not saying that because we got thrashed, but no one has the will to win that they have. They are also more skilled than people thought they’d be, and give them credit for, after losing the likes of Warne, McGrath, Gilchrist, Hayden.
I didn’t get to catch the first innings I’m afraid. I heard Rana bowled an awesome delivery for his wicket?
Wasn’t Ijaz Ahmed implicated in match fixing too? Correct me if I’m wrong but I thought he was. I think you listed a few problems a foreign coach would have but I think they are relatively trivial if we get a strong character. The problems our domestic coaches have are far worse in my view.
Moin Khan is a wife beater so I will never back him, sorry Maz.
February 7th, 2010 at 3:38 pm
Was, give me some reasons as to why those gentlemen will be good coaches ?
Stani, that Rana Naved slower ball was a peach. He has the best deception and courage to bowl that delivery in international cricket. I also missed the game but caught the quick snappy highlights. Asif is not a T20 bowler in my view. I doubt the will going to UAE anyway due to obvious past reasons. It shall be a good contest with England, they have some good players like Morgan, Collingwood etc. I don’t think their squad has been announced though or neither has ours !
I just realised Imran Nazir went all the way to Australia to get run out ! This is a “LOL.
February 7th, 2010 at 3:53 pm
Maz
Mudassar when he was incharge of the Academy he prepared Aamer and Umar Akmal both players admitted that if it was not for him they would not be there where they are right now. I know Wasim Akram likes to take credit for Aamer after holding a camp in academy for a few days but that is not correct. On top of that Muddassar has vast experience and has never been involved in dirty politics or power struggle.
Rashid Latif
His integrity is beyond any doubt, he is doing a great job through his academy in Karachi most of the players who come from karachi come through his academy and he has done all of this on his own.
If that doesn’t make him qualified then what will/
February 7th, 2010 at 4:19 pm
Ok Wasim, some good arguments there.
But I am in the view that we still need academy coaches to help facilitate and develop the talents of the upcoming generations. I feel those two gentlemen are doing a good job as they are. Keep them at it !
But surely u are aware that coaching a national side has much more pressure, complexity, responsibility and willingness. The other arguments is do we even need a coach at international level as Shane Warne has mentioned and outburst in the past. Do coaches really need to get so technically involved at this highest level ? Well the answer is no, but with Pakistan they do because our techniques and pathways can be very inaccurate/deceptive. Like how on Earth did Abdur Rauf play international cricket ?
February 7th, 2010 at 4:28 pm
Batsmen can be made to look like demons with their domestic records on flat pancake turfs they get fed on but at away venues they plunder miserably due to the vast contrast of conditions and challenge levels. Therefore, a coach will be valuable here.
Alternatively, Shouldn’t we be importing some artificial grass or something in order to make records sound more reliable and have a more insightful indication of one’s ability and how they may fare playing in the Western countries or something of that sort ? Won’t that help ? Has it been tried ? Surely something has got to be done ?
February 7th, 2010 at 4:33 pm
Stani: Correct me if I’m wrong but I thought he was. I think you listed a few problems a foreign coach would have but I think they are relatively trivial if we get a strong character. The problems our domestic coaches have are far worse in my view.
Take Geoff Lawson for example. Top guy but he never took the role seriously and all he ever did was bring the Rawalpindi Actor back to the fame and provide some tips for our fast bowlers. Never progressed Pakistan cricket. A foolish appointment but logical sacking. But under this high political climate I doubt many if any coach foreign coach is willing to coach Pakistan unfortunately.
February 7th, 2010 at 6:44 pm
Maz
There are too many things wrong with the technique and temprament of our national players if their was professional coaching available in our domestic structure then I would have said Ok we don’t need a coach at national level. You can’t just pick raw talent from the street and allow them to learn at job.
Both Muddassar and Rashid Latif have vast experience, Muddassar is coaching at ICC’s academy right now.
Latif is not a totally uncontroversial person but Muddasar is, Latif in the past has issued jingoistic statements against certain players but most of the times he is right he is passionate and has the skills.
Muddassar can coach the senior team and the Academy should be handed over to Latif.
Players like Khurram, Fawad, Aamer and Umar Akmal still require help we can either watch them mature into mediocre players or we can polish their skills with some help and make them future stars.
Also there are several young players like Mohammad Talha and Sohail Khan who have not been helped so far the level of their game is stuck at one level. The emerging players like Naved Yasin and Asad Shafiq they do have talent but are they ready for international cricket? Without proper coaching they will also fail.
February 7th, 2010 at 9:56 pm
Maz
He should have been in the ODI team though; crazy decision. I also do not believe Asif….not that he is not a t20 bowler, but he doesn’t need to bother with it. I mean he is a fine classical seamer, better at t20 than many, but with what we have and his class, he should just give it a miss. But it’s the lure of the leagues isn’t it!
Yes, I feel for Nazir
“Do coaches really need to get so technically involved at this highest level ? Well the answer is no, but with Pakistan they do”….Absolutely agree. Until our game changes from grass roots and domestic leagues, we will need a coach at international level.
Geoff Lawson was hardly given a fair crack of the whip Maz.
February 8th, 2010 at 1:03 am
Asif’s econ rate was 7.5 which was close to his career econ rate in T20′s it’s not bad considering that he is fast bowler and bowls during power plays. Many other fast bowlers have a much higher econ rate than him.
It was a low scoring match and may be just because of that we feel that he should have done better but if you take into account Pakistan’s batting standard it can make any bowler look good.
We should not compare Asif’s stats against Shaun Tait or Nannes.
February 8th, 2010 at 1:58 am
Wasim
His quality is undoubted. My position would be that he simply doesn’t need to play t20. Obviously if we were short on bowlers, then we can go to him (provided the game’s not in Dubai:)). The other good thing would be that it will free up a t20 place for us to try someone young/new. Maybe someone else can come in and do what Aamer did in the t20 World Cup. It may even help in us shifting our priorities to Tests and 50 over ODIs which we desperately need to do.
February 8th, 2010 at 3:07 am
Stani,
I am commenting for the first time in your site although I used to read your articles on a regular basis.
As a genuine cricket lover, I would dearly like to see Pakistan somehow get rid of the current woes and return as one of the pillars in world cricket as was the case during the 90′s and early 00′s. I was a great fan of their fast bowlers at that time and especially loved the sight of Waqar Younis steaming in to bowl with his long run up.
Coming back to the topic, even though it was a forgettable tour for the Pakistan team, they had some individual brilliance right through the tour. Mohammed Asif was outstanding in the tests as was Aamer, Umar Akmal showed the world why he is a rare talent in all forms of the game (although he would have liked couple of big scores under his belt), Salman Butt was consistent in the ODIs….
So the youngsters seemed OK, but when you have your seniors (Yousuf, Younis, Malik…) not performing collectively, that is a big issue. Younis was appalling in the ODIs and clearly was rusty. As someone pointed out above, Imran Nazir should have played all the ODIs.
February 8th, 2010 at 4:09 am
Baiju
Welcome mate.
How dare you read and not comment!
Pillars? We’re more like pillocks at the moment. I think we were very lucky to witness that Waqar/Wasim era and it’s made everything else seem poor in comparison. I think in sport, sometimes when we’re in a certain time, we don’t appreciate the human brilliance we are seeing on display. I think that was the case over the Wasim/Waqar era. It is similar to what is happening with tennis right now. We are very lucky to be witnessing Roger Federer at his prime…potentially the greatest (along with Ali) sportsman ever.
I agree we had some individual brilliance on this Australian tour but that just makes the feeling of not coming out with anything much, much worse.
Wasim (above) has mentioned before that it’s time for a mini clear-out and that a new team should be built around the youngsters. The more the likes of Younis, Malik and Misbah fail, the more I begin to agree with him.
Nazir not being in the ODI team was just crazy. He could decide the game in the first 8 overs so why not have that potential there?
February 9th, 2010 at 12:41 pm
Stani, you know I try hard to keep offending you? Behold my success
I always say Tas are rubbish, it can’t be helped – I’m a west aussie. We are more rubbish than anyone in domestic cricket, but I’m in total denial.
February 9th, 2010 at 12:52 pm
Sid
Ahh denial, mankind’s greatest achievement. I must admit to indulging in some of that myself; my football team’s West Ham.
February 9th, 2010 at 7:12 pm
“I must admit to indulging in some of that myself; my football team’s West Ham”.
Cool I m a gunner
February 9th, 2010 at 7:12 pm
Ijaz Ahmed is coach afterall for the UAE series
February 9th, 2010 at 7:15 pm
Match fixer or not, we shall forgive people for their sinful actions in the past. He wasn’t the only one involved in the scandals ,but more importantly what stands out for me is that Ijaz knows how to take Pakistan cricket forward with his innovation, credentials and experience. I wish him all the best !!
February 9th, 2010 at 7:16 pm
The team that has been announced for the T20s really sucks btw.
No Rana or Kami
February 9th, 2010 at 7:50 pm
Maz
Ooo, you shouldn’t have told me that you’re a Gunner. I’m going to have to ban you now Maz
I will give Ijaz a chance because I’m not sure of his coaching credentials so cannot judge. I do hope he is one of the new, innovative coaches that can take us forward, harnessing the latest research, technology and training methods.
I was thinking that about the team too Maz. The thing is, if we want change from the old guard, we’re going to have to go through this phase where the team looks weak/unexciting on paper, but produces (hopefully) on the pitch.
….Gunner….honestly! [nods head side to side]
COYI!!!
February 9th, 2010 at 10:46 pm
@TJ mines Liverpool and I’m married to a Boltonian. Denial is rife in this household.
February 10th, 2010 at 12:01 am
Sid
Ooof! I thought I had it bad doohoohahaha!
February 10th, 2010 at 6:07 pm
Stani, U know Ravi Bopara went to your school ? Plz tell me a bit more about him ? Was he always good or interested in cricket from an early and how was he academically and disciplinarily ?
Never knew u were a football fan as well Stani:D You will hate me even more when I say that my friends, family all support the Hammers and yet I am a Gunner ! But like many, football is not our or my primary game/sport. There are very few Asian footballers at the top level or in local club sides for that matter. It’s not in our genes ! Although football remains the world’s leading sport, I feel cricket undoubtedly is the ball game which requires the most complexity, temperament and skill to play successfully. Football is easy and fundamental to follow and undertake and thats why more young people go for it rather than cricket. Also, less equipment involved which helps economically. Many more football pitches than cricket pitches in UK so facilities and clubs are come in abundance. Very few in any people know about cricket happenings in UK unfortunately unless the Ashes at home is in process !!
February 10th, 2010 at 6:10 pm
“Cricket Meri aur Pakistanis Ki Jaan”-(How is your urdu Stani ?, I’m sure Wasim and co will understand what I’ve said at least if you haven’t !)
February 10th, 2010 at 6:17 pm
Maz
It’s ok Maz…not as good as my Punjabi though! But I understood exactly what you wrote….you emotional so-and-so
February 10th, 2010 at 6:52 pm
Maz
Yes, we went to the same school. You just want all the dirty stuff on him don’t you? I’m not News of The World Maz! He was a year or two below us but I knew him through his brother who was in my class. Both were very talented at cricket. I did play against his brother when we had moved onto separate secondary schools. At that age, the immediate thing you notice is that they’re very difficult to get out.
Their father used to collect them after school with their cricket gear and they used to go train at Essex and with Nasser Hussain’s father. As with most young stars, it’s important to get the support of their parents and it was obvious their father fully backed them.
Don’t tell anyone Maz but I’m more football crazy than I am cricket crazy. Just getting ready to go to tonight’s game with Birmingham….and it’s snowing! I will always be a Hammer! And your family know what they are doing…you on the other hand seem confused but I’m sure you support West Ham deep down
What I love about cricket is the different skills involved. We do play it amongst our mates as we do with football but as you know, football is much easier to organise because you need less players (5 a-side) and as you said, less equipment.
February 10th, 2010 at 8:06 pm
Is “TJ” and “Stani Army” two different people ? Sorry, just confused
So you Stani are around 26/27
?
Just a little fact for you. I have played under 19 county cricket in the past and hope to do so again soon. Wasim, already knows I think ! But I have put cricket a side these days.
Apparently on the note that PCB allow him, Shoaib Akhtar will be playing in my league this year ! I might be playing against him. Any tips ? He wants match practise prior to the busy Pakistani summer and therefore has decided to play in my league which is a reasonably high standard.
Yes I know all about that cricket school stani owned by Joe Hussain. He was a great coach.
Anyway do you mind if I ask what you do for a living ? If you don’t wish to reveal you can always email me.
You sound like Mushy when you said that you liked football more than cricket. The guy absolutely adores the sport. When he was at Sussex his love grew considerably. I am totally against cricketers doing football as a way of exercising and training, even for health and fitness. You don’t see other sportsmen playing other sports before matches do you ?
February 11th, 2010 at 5:23 pm
Maz
Yes, it’s one and the same person. I use ‘Stani Army’ on other sites and also here when I haven’t signed in. When I sign in you get the ‘TJ…’.
And why is my age so important?
Do I seem older or younger than 26/27?
Wow, why did you stop playing? I would love to play but not sure how to get involved at the moment. Maybe have to contact a local club side or something. Who did you play for?
Tips for Shoaib; show him some pictures of girls, that will distract him. Seriously, you a batsman? Play back in the crease, with no extravagant movements and play late as possible. This way you will be able to cope with the pace and not be caught out by the slower ball.
Yes, it was run by Joe Hussain. Mushy does love footy. I remember when he was playing over here for Sussex and Rana, I think it was, was in the same side and they had a kick-ups competition on Sky. It was jokes!
How can you be against cricketers playing football? They do it because they know it’s the best sport
It really is the best way to keep fit, I know for a fact 
February 12th, 2010 at 6:12 pm
What’s going on with your lot? Yousif is blaming “one player” for problems but is not saying who it is … is it Kamran Akmal? What other reason could there be for him getting dropped?
February 12th, 2010 at 11:12 pm
Sid
It’s not Kamran Akmal it is Malik.
February 13th, 2010 at 3:08 pm
Sid
Maybe it was Ponting? He was on player that has been a big problem
Wasim
What did Malik do? I really thought these two had sorted it out.
February 14th, 2010 at 1:27 am
Stani
I thought so too, but if the manager,coach and captain all are accusing Malik then there must be some truth to the rumours, but Yousaf and Akmal brothers have a lot of explaining to do for the Sydney test they cannot just blame it on Malik he was not even playing in the first two test matches. And if you have noticed Yousaf has distanced himself from the Akmal brothers, a clear case of everyone for himself.
February 14th, 2010 at 5:10 pm
Wasim
How on earth does anyone even begin to mend a situation like this? Maybe the only possible solution is to axe players for a considerable period of time so that they learn their lesson. These childish games are good for no one.