Well the Twenty20 Champions couldn’t even manage that in the first innings of the 2nd Test against Sri Lanka in Colombo.
Having snatched defeat from the jaws of victory in the 1st Test, today’s batting performance must have left Pakistan’s coaching staff seething. I suppose this would have been mainly to save their own skins as what ever they would have told the players in between the last Test and this one, quite clearly has not worked. It is difficult for the coaching staff to have much effect whilst a match is on going yet in between matches is where they must have an influence. But with four ducks and just three double figure scores (the highest being 39), it seems as if the Pakistani players did not come into this match with a single thought of what had transpired in the last.
Another change to the opening pair saw Fawad Alam come in for Salman Butt. Many had asked for Fawad’s inclusion yet he could only manage 16 runs having being sent in to open which was something he had never done before in an international game. This decision seemed even more bizarre than when Alam was asked to bowl the very important 15th over of the T20 semi-final having not bowled at all in the tournament previously. Sure, Fawad would have been asked if he would like to open today but as a youngster desperate to play for your country, you just say yes, whether its opening or coming in last.
In reality, this was a blatant admission that the squad selection was completely wrong with Butt and Manzoor the only two openers in the squad. With Butt’s poor form coming into the series, it was even more surprising they only selected two specialist openers.
One positive was the innings of Shoaib Malik who had been coming in for some criticism recently. Apart from being one of our best fielders, a decent containing bowler, I think he is very important to our middle order. He remained not out today, scoring 39 having stayed at the crease for more than two hours whilst looking as if he was batting on the same pitch as the Sri Lankans did. His team mates however, did their level best to make a decent pitch seem like it was covered in land mines.
What makes it worse is that Cricinfo has decided to let the jingoistic Sidharth Monga cover the game, and he cannot control himself at the best of times let alone when Pakistan are having a shocker.
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July 12th, 2009 at 5:50 pm
Forget an international game, Fawad Alam has never opened in at any level.. not domestic, not U19, never..
July 13th, 2009 at 6:20 am
I agree with almost every thing you wrote.
I think it was a disgrace that none of the seniors raised their hand to open the innings.
Why Manzoor was not dropped? Probably Salman as a member of the senior mafia new what was going to happen, probably that is why both him and Razzak opted out.
As regards Fawad it was completely unfair to make him open, but then again it was a blessing in disguise for both him and his jingoistic fans they will have an excuse. But did anybody noticed his footwork?
I have been saying it all along Butt and Manzoor were wrong choices for the opening spot and WTF is Faisal Iqbal doing in the team why couldn’t we select a backup opener in his place.
July 13th, 2009 at 7:08 am
Wasim,
Salman and Razzaq did not opt out.. what makes you say that? Razzaq is not a test player.. he should not have been in the squad to begin with, I don’t know what he is doing there..
I would have dropped Khurram in place of Salman if one opener HAD to go, but YK said that Salman was dropped because he had to pay for that stupid shot he played in the previous test.. YK said Salman was short on confidence so we dropped him.
I also thinks its unfair to term Fawad’s fans as “jingoistic”… it has only been his performance that has led to me and others talk him up.. Fawad has been the best batsman in Pakistan’s domestic circuit for 5 years now… the stats are there for all to see.. its not jingoism that is promoting him.. its him and his performances. Simple.
I agree about a reserve opener.. there should have been one in the squad.. but not at Faisal Iqbal’s expense.. take a look at Faisal’s recent test performances.. he has done well for Pak.
July 13th, 2009 at 8:53 am
Q
What about YK’s own stupid shots, what about Khuraam Manzoor’s inability to last a few overs?
YK says a lot of things, I don’t believe in every thing he says, it’s not set in stone. What would you say if Salman comes back in this series.
As regards Jingoism I already told you my comments were not directed toward you know which people I am talking about.
They have only one agenda and that is getting Malik, Akmal and Misbah axed from the team.
As regards Razzak you are completley wrong he is far better player than Fawad and Malik.
You need to look at Fawad’s last 15 innings then tell me how well he has done for Pakistan.
July 13th, 2009 at 9:04 am
I agree that Younis has not done well.. nor has Khurram..
But Younis is the best batsman Pakistan has.. he will come good.. he got a 313 2 tests ago.. Khurram is playing his 3rd test.. he’s in the team cos he was the best opener in Pakistan for the last 2 seasons.. give him time..
Razzaq better than Fawad and Malik? In what way? I completely disagree… Razzak was never a test player.
Which 15 innings of Fawad?
July 13th, 2009 at 11:01 am
First of all, I would like to say that this is just demonstration of how wrong the selectors have got the squad. In regards to Razzaq, even if he is not suited to Tests, he would have been more than useful in this situation. So he’ll have to bat a bit slower but if we still got a 30-40 out of him, this would have been good. His bowling would then not be affected by whether it’s a Test or ODI. I would say that Razzaq is better than Fawad but Malik would have the edge on both in this form of the game.
As for Fawad; he has a lot of fans and potential as he has quite clearly demonstrated in domestic cricket. Geoff Lawson liked him too, he was always in and around the squad. But, he has had a fair number of chances at International level and has not made a massive impression. I think our domestic leagues are just too poor to go by. We hear of all these superstar youngsters, Rauf etc, they come into the team and do nothing. Only Aamer has had any effect from a whole bunch that have gone before.
As for Fawad’s shuffle; the coaching staff/captain should have known about his technique better than anyone. I feel sorry he was put in that position as it may now jeopardise his future chances. Extravangant movement is not suited to opening batsmen so he should have been brought in lower down. We can’t expect him to change his style in an instance. I like him but with our current options, he would not get in my team. His bowling is too average and batting neither here nor there. His fielding is excellent but that alone would never get anyone in.
Akmal and Younis should have raised their hand to open. They could have played out the new ball easily. It’s not like Sri Lanka had a very fast opening bowler. So far, captain Younis has more marks in bad than good for me.
As for Khurrum, why did we have to change from Jamshed a while back in the first place? I’m not a big fan of Faisal Iqbal, someone whose Pakistan career has been maintained just because of his relations. Asim Kamal was never given the same chances as this guy.
Keep up the discussion guys, it’s been a interesting read. If we learn something from each others views then all the better
July 13th, 2009 at 12:41 pm
Stani,
you say “But, he has had a fair number of chances at International level and has not made a massive impression.”
Can you tell me the fair number of chances Fawad Alam has had at international level? I don’t recall any. This is his first.
“As for Khurrum, why did we have to change from Jamshed a while back in the first place?”
We didn’t. Jamshed was always played in ODIs.. he was never a test prospect.. Khurram was always the test opener..
July 13th, 2009 at 1:48 pm
Q,
In regards to Fawad, I’m not talking Test matches but international cricket. I would say he has had a fair amount of one day chances in which he hasn’t made a massive impression. This is fair I think. Don’t get me wrong, he is good back up and will improve but he’s not good enough to force anyone out at this point in my opinion.
Same with Jamshed, I was talking openers in general and not just Test cricket. You cannot argue that Jamshed showed more than enough to be able to open in Test matches right? He just looked the part so I don’t know why the selectors have to make changes for the sake of making changes. Maybe they are trying to justify their jobs….a job which can be quite easily done, and done better, by the captain, vice captain and coach.
July 13th, 2009 at 2:08 pm
i have done so stani !
July 13th, 2009 at 2:17 pm
Cool Maz. I’ve re-sent it.
July 13th, 2009 at 2:37 pm
Stani,
About Fawad’s ODI chances.. he batted at 7 or 8.. one can hardly make an impression batting at that number.. I’m sure he would have done better if he was given more consistent chances at 5 or 6.. despite that if u look at his ODI stats his average is huge.. and thats because he has remained not out in most of his innings.. wat more could he have done batting at the end of the innings?
Fawad has been on the bench and part of the squad for 2 years now.. and the reason why he has not had a consistent run is because of what you say, that he could not force anyone out of the team..
I think now that thinking is changing.. I believe he can..
As for Khurram / Jamshed..
During last year, when Pakistan played only ODIs, they tried 3 openers – Jamshed, Khurram, and Khalid Latif…
From what I saw it was apparent that Jamshed was the ODI player with the smash bang type of game, while Khurram was the test one…
When Pakistan played their first test this year, it was Khurram who made his debut…
Then when Pakistan went to Dubai for the Aus ODIs, it was Jamshed who was in the squad.
That made it clear to me that Younis, selectors, etc were thinking along the same lines – Khurram for tests, Jamshed for ODIs..
Jamshed got injured in Dubai, Pakistan has not played ODIs since then.. I guess he will be back for the ODIs against SL unless Pak stick with Shehzad who replaced Jamshed in Dubai.
July 13th, 2009 at 3:26 pm
Q,
In his 9 innings he has come in an average position of 6.4 in the batting order and this includes coming in at 5 on three of the nine occasions. This is more than fair. He has only batted 8 once and 9 once. His average is 78 as you rightly say because of him staying not out. The problem is what he’s been doing while he’s been not out. So I think he could have done more especially since 6 of the 9 innings were against either Zimbabwe, Bangladesh or Hong Kong.
I know stats are not everything which is why my first opinions of him originated purely from just watching him. Whilst doing that, he did not catch my eye. This doesn’t mean we chuck him out of course.
As for Jamshed. He looked technically good and his strike rate is not as such to suggest he is only suited to ODIs. What’s the need to change openers for Tests? I would be happy with him or Shehzad. They should try them for Tests.
July 13th, 2009 at 3:32 pm
Irrespective of where he batted Stani, Fawad came to the crease at the end of the innings and he did as much as he could.. hence the inflated average of 78.. a proper chance would have meant a proper consistent run at 5 or 6.. he never got that..
As for the openers.. I agree, there’s no reason why Jamshed or Ahmed cannot do well at test level.. I believe Ahmed has a lot of promise.. but the selectors and Younis went for Khurram because he was the most successful opener in domestic cricket.. my only point is that if they have then he deserved a proper chance..
July 13th, 2009 at 3:45 pm
We have not had a decent opener since Saeed Anwar. From what I can remember he averaged roughly 40 in both forms of the game.
Fawad has done well today, but will he be a one in 15-20 innings player like we have seen with our openers since Saeed’s departure? I hope not, he has bite and attitude so that may see him through…but I won’t be holding my breath.
July 13th, 2009 at 5:39 pm
Q,
That’s fair enough, now that Khurram is in, he deserves a run. Let’s hope he takes it. I think Shehzad is good enough for Tests and ODIs and still 17 right? Very promising.
Jack,
This bite and attitude of Fawad’s is, and I’m sure Q will agree, very un-Pakistani like. Maybe it’s what we need but definitely lower down 4,5,6. If he can sort his technique out then he would be a good no.3 to have. Come in after the loss of a wicket and stay at the crease not out and play a dogged knock until the end.
July 14th, 2009 at 5:11 am
Stani
The thing which impressed me the most about Fawad is his determination and the way he worked the ball around to score his 100. The wicket has become too easy but still not many Pak players have the patience, determination and the attitude to stay on the wicket although quite a few players in the team and in the reserves have a wider stroke range and better technique than Fawad but I think he will have a better future just because of his attitude, I hope he retains this attitude.
As regards the openers I think Nasir Jamshed was the best prospect he did well in every format the pentangular cup in which Fawad scored 800+ runs Nasir also scored 800 + runs so he can’t be labelled as just an ODI player,both Nasir and Khurram have contrasting playing styles, Nasir is more like Hayden where as Khurram and Ahmed Shahzad are defensive players, out of these two Shahzad has better technique but Khurram has more patience and seems a more smarter cricketer, Shahzad is a bit too arrogant but does not have that range of strokes to support his arrogance.If he learns to play within his limitiations like Fawad he can be a good option.
Butt should be dumped for an extended period. Pakistan has invested a lot in him but he still displays the same weaknesses which he was displaying four years ago.
I think its too early to judge any of these players it’s good that Fawad got a chance and it’s even better that he performed and grabbed the opportunity with both hands. He has been an instant star and Pakistan team needs some new stars to increase the international worth of the team, but I think we should leave him alone and let him grow and cement his place in the team exaggerated praises can turn him into another Sohail tanvir.Lets just wait and watch.
July 14th, 2009 at 5:33 am
I think one thing which has not been discussed much amongst the blogging community is Younis Khan’s decision to bat first especially when he knew that pitch is going to assist fast bowlers on the first day and also when he knew he was playing a make shift opener.
July 14th, 2009 at 9:35 am
Wasim,
His attitude is most un-pakistani like. Maybe it’s been developed because he has been kept on the side lines for so long, making hik hungrier. Maybe we should do this with more of our youngsters instead of thrusting them into the limelight and giving them a chance so easily. Something which no other nation in world cricket does. Do they get complacent? I don’t know.
I just hope the other players can pick up Fawad’s attitude and take a leaf out of his book. But knowing them, they’ll be thinking ‘what can this rookie teach me?’. We should never close ourself off from learning from anyone, old or young, good or bad.
I liked Jamshed also, and Shehzad did not look bad either; he is still young. I agree about Salman Butt.
Younis is beginning to earn a reputation of making some terribly bad decisions. They’re not even small ones, something captains do every game and can be forgiven for. He makes potentially game costing ones.