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Pakistan’s Problems Are Catching
By TJ for Stani Army in Pakistan Cricket
Something is going on with Pakistan’s catching. Having dropped seven in one Test against New Zealand, here against the Australians, they’ve started where they left off. The first dropped catch, which flew to Umar Akmal, was travelling at pace but should have been grasped at this level. The second, a superb, mesmerizing doosra from Saeed Ajmal to Shane Watson was even easier, dropped by Misbah at slip after taking a touch off the keeper’s gloves.
Catching's not easy when you can't see properly
It is a serious issue and Pakistan are beginning to pay the price for not taking these chances. Though they do have their new fielding and bowling coach Waqar Younis with them, it may have been better to have asked an optician to have accompanied the team to Australia. I think an eyesight test now has to be a must for each player, seriously.
You have to feel for the bowlers. Not only do dropped catches give the batsmen extra chances but they demoralise the bowlers and put the rest of the field under pressure. What a start to 17 year old Aamer’s first Test in Australia it would have been had Akmal held onto that catch? The last team in the world you should be giving opportunities to are the Australians. Katich was on 8* when he was drooped, Watson on 43*, they went on to make 98 and 93 respectively. It would not be too early to suggest that those two drops look to already have cost Pakistan the Test with Australia now in such a commanding position.
Having had my first real look at Abdur Rauf, I have to say I’m really disappointed and am quite shocked that he was picked over Sami, even more shocked that even an out of form Umar Gul was dropped for him. Rauf, a big strapping lad was just bowling apologies. He needs to put his back into it instead of bowling 6 sorrys an over. Shane Warne said on commentary that he was “just putting it up there” and I would have to agree. Even an out of form Umar Gul would have been much more useful than him with more pace and variation. There is still some way to go in the match so I do hope Rauf improves and proves me wrong.
One side issue which did disappoint me was the snide remark of commentator and big Pakistan fan (ahem) Mark Nicholas. When speaking about Mohammad Aamer, Nicholas remarked “if he is 17”. I do not dispute there have been age related issues with Pakistan players in the past but if Mark Nicholas cannot see that Mohammad Aamer is 17, he should join the Pakistan players for an eye test..
As for team Pakistan, they may rule the world when it comes to twenty20 cricket, but they’re not exactly the best when it comes to 20/20 vision.
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December 27th, 2009 at 8:03 am
I am really disappointed by those drop catches, if they had been taken Pakistan could have easily set up a tune for the tour now they are forced to play catching game.
And we are serioulsy short of at least 1 or 2 striking bowlers, we will miss Umar and Danish a lot in boxing day test.
December 27th, 2009 at 3:48 pm
“Rauf, a big strapping lad was just bowling apologies. He needs to put his back into it instead of bowling 6 sorrys an over.”
That is one of the best descriptions of mediocre bowling I have ever read.
December 27th, 2009 at 5:52 pm
All we had was bowling and the team mangement by changing the bowling combination tipped the balance in Australia’s favor, Australian batting was never as fragile as the Kiwis we needed a better performance from the bowlers and the fielders but the inclusion of Rauf and Ajmal in the team messed up the bowling combination.
To be very honest Asif and Aamer looked mediocre at times.
They will quickly have to adjust to the conditions or else it is going to be a complete white wash.
December 27th, 2009 at 7:41 pm
Reverse
It shows you the weaknesses in our team that when we have 4 bowlers and 7 batsmen, we look a bowler light. On the other hand, when we 5 bowlers and 6 batsmen, we look a batsman light. Generally, I don’t blame our bowlers though as it has very rarely been their fault, even in the past. Our batsmen need to take more responsibility for their contributions.
Vim
O stop it! People will think I paid you….again. Honestly, I can’t take all the credit though as without Abdur Rauf, that thought process would not have been possible.
Wasim
The problem is that our batsmen never do much to help them out anyway. If you look at the conditions and ask the question who has performed worst, our batsmen or bowlers? Then the answer would have to be batsmen Wasim. I did feel for the bowlers because along with not being able to trust their batsmen, they can’t even trust their fielders to hold onto catches.
I agree, people say the Aussies are weak but their batting line up looks as strong as ever to me and that’s no exaggeration.
December 27th, 2009 at 10:40 pm
Stani
I think we are missing a genuine all rounder, Australia has three in their side. And if we waste too batting spots with players like Faisal Iqbal and Misbah(who is totally out of form) then what else we can expect. Bowling was our strength and we weakened it by playing Rauf and due to the mysterious Kaneria injury.
But to be very honest I wasn’t impressed with Asif and Aamer, if Watson can reverse the ball so could have Asif but if you look at the replays of Asif’s bowling the final whip in his action which gives him extra speed and seam movement off the pitch was missing. Aamer on the first day was bowling on the stumps but he never attacked the body of the batsmen like the Australian bowlers did. If you look at the field placement for Nathan Hauritz you will notice that he had too close in fielders but Yousaf never gave Ajmal any close in fielder may be 1 for a few overs he never backed his bowlers and went on the defensive too early.
You are right Australia’s batting is much better than the Kiwis, after looking at the performance of our bowlers I wonder if they will be able to take 10 wickets in any innings in this series.
December 28th, 2009 at 2:43 am
Wasim
I cannot for the life of me understand what Faisal Iqbal is doing playing a Test for Pakistan against Australia.
Your reverse swing point is exactly the reason I would have picked Gul, even if he was in bad form. Aamer or Asif have never used reverse well. The first time Ajmal came on, the commentators were quite confused at the field placings for him. It was strange because bringing him on was an attacking move but then he gives him a defensive field?!
Unless we get an extremely favourable pitch, I agree we will not get 10 wickets especially with just 4 bowlers.
So you think Kaneria was dropped?
December 28th, 2009 at 2:53 am
Stani
I suspect there is quota system in place for the players. Remember Ajmal played the first test in New Zealand and the last two were played by Kaneria same thing will happen over here. As regards his finger the team mangement said just a day before that Kaneria is fine, besides even if his finger was injured remember Obrion, as long as it wasn’t fractured he could have played.
December 28th, 2009 at 8:04 am
Hats off to this genious quota system, I mean how the hell can you adjust a plyer quota ta the expense of a test match. Absolutly stunning from PCB.
I agree with this that we need a good bowling allrounder who can bat a bit and a bit means better then Faisal and Imran Farhat and party of course. Aamer may be one but he is more of a bowler and we can’t afford of putting extra burden on him. We need some one like Razzaq with abit of test match temprament in batting. Plus a batting all rounder will also surve us better as then we can get rid of these good for nothing batsmen.
All talks on or god bowling attack before series and look how we _______ it with some damn policies great !!
December 28th, 2009 at 4:54 pm
Wasim, Reverse
I think in Kanerias case, spinning would have been more difficult compared to O’Brien who bowls pace. If there is a quota system then it’s outrageous. This isn’t a family game in the local park. I don’t want to believe there is, but with Faisal Iqbal getting a place in the side, any thing’s possible. If Kaneria doesn’t play the next game then there’s something wrong because he didn’t break his finger so should have recovered reasonably by now.
December 28th, 2009 at 8:30 pm
Pakistan’s chances of saving this test are difficult but not impossible. Shane Warne and Bill Lawry raised an interesting point during the commentary stints that Pakistan shouldn’t get too bogged down or muted in their approach because it’s not their natural flare. I agree with this. Firstly you shouldn’t do something which is too unnatural but more importantly Pakistan should keep playing their shorts and keep the scoreboard ticking over regularly because then the pressure is released which should naturally make it easier for one to stay at the wicket and occupy the crease which is the overall goal. However, if the batsmen are too muted in their approach the bowlers tend to develop into a dominant rhythmical mood which makes a dismissal more likely. So Pakistan shouldn’t go into a nut shell and play how they would naturally but obviously don’t do anything stupid or out of proportion because that is the last thing which is required. Someone needs to play a champion knock. Who will it be if anyone?
But above all good to see Pakistan showing some fight and magic on the field today, that’s what we want to see on a more regular basis during the series. I adored that counter attack from Umar this morning. He has immediately created an impression down under. He has immense talent at a tender age and in my enlightened opinion could become the next Ponting or Tendulkar. His determination and positiveness is truly admirable and his career is only in its infancy.
December 28th, 2009 at 8:30 pm
The Channel 9 coverage is HQ as are there commentators.
December 29th, 2009 at 12:06 am
Completely agree with you Maza.
Stani
He is not a finger spinner he is wrist spinner, he got considerable rest after the third test in New Zealand so whatever injury he must have sustained must have healed. The team mangement just a day before the match were confident that he will play and they were contemplating to play two spinners in this match.
I don’t want to say it but whenever the team mangement unnecessarily underutilizes their resources we usually lose.
We could have survived without Kaneria but not playing Gul and Sami and continuing with Faisal Iqbal was a bit beyond my comprehension.
December 29th, 2009 at 3:39 am
Maz
I don’t think we played in the 1st innings of the match. We were in awe of the Australians, clearly aware that we were playing a Test in Australia. Only in the second part of the match did we begin to play without fear. We can easily challenge the Australians but we didn’t in the first innings.
Wasim
Yes of course but fingers are still involved in wrist spin in grasping the ball.If you have a bruised, jarred or broken finger, this becomes very difficult especially when he’d have been bowling long spells.
He did get rest after New Zealand but this is a new injury which occurred in the nets when they were in Australia, just a few days before the game. I’m not sure if you read the reports.
December 29th, 2009 at 5:13 am
Stani
I know he got hit again on the same hand in the nets but then again the same reports in the media declared him fully fit just a day before the match, the whole management was giving statements just a day before the match that Pakistan is contemplating to play two spinners, nobody mentioned at that stage that he is nursing an injury. Fingers are involved in any type of bowling my point was that if it was just a swollen finger he could still have played there are so many injections available which can reduce swelling and kill the pain.
December 29th, 2009 at 11:21 am
I am curious to know if Ricky Ponting regrets the early declaration. The thought of a Pakistani victory must be a scare ringing through the brain cell of the Aussie skipper overnight. The pitch is still good enough for batting and hasn’t deteriorated a great deal but ultimately the approach and positive intent didn’t really allow Australia to dominate their superior situation. Pakistan have shown determination and fight today which is a positive to take away into the next match regardless of what happens on the final day. I said it before the series that a victory would be a bonus. Hard fought action , moments of brilliance and positive intent should be our ultimate vision against the Aussies and Pakistan have shown many colourful glimpses of that is this test match.
If Pakistan pull off the further 252 runs required that would be heroic and historic. But that should be their goal. They should go for it. A draw is not going to happen. Pak have to go out there and build partnerships, play their shots and put up a real fight which is what they did today. They shouldn’t be put off by the mammoth requirement as records and there to be broken.
However, having said that all , Pakistan’s batting can collapse like a pack of domino cards. But as an optimist I back Pakistan to achieve the target. What drama that would be.
December 29th, 2009 at 5:56 pm
Me too being Optimist looking at a rare victory by a run chase of over 400 in a test match and that too by Pakistan which makes it VIP as it happens only in gazillion years.
Back to reality, I think first session will decide 80% of the fate of the match, if this pair survives they will add 100 odd runs as there intents are very positive in this inning, reducing target to 152 with 7 wickets in hand which look pretty get able in two sessions. If couple of wickets fell, it will be a hell of task to survive for two sessions or reach target resulting a possible defeat.
So I am already loving to watch tomorrow’s game which will be the only day of this I will be able to watch
December 29th, 2009 at 6:31 pm
In order to win or save this match either Umar Akmal or Yousaf will have to bat till end and score a big 100.
The Australian bowlers will use all the negative bowling tactics to keep the flow of runs in check. Yousaf and Akmal will have to ensure that they do not lose their wickets till lunch.
Anything is possible both these batsmen can bat long and also keep the score board ticking.
December 29th, 2009 at 11:15 pm
Wasim
Comments that come from our camp are always ill thought-out and naive. There was a chance that Kaneria could play but what was the point of the management coming out in the open and saying he’s injured his finger? It’s silly. Had he then been fit to start, being our main spinner, the Australians would have just targeted his hand as soon as he came into bat.
The thing with injections is that they do not treat the underlying problem and are just a temporary fix. He may have been able to play with some but only at the risk of making it worse. I wouldn’t have taken that risk especially if he had a chance of returning for the second Test.
Maz
He’s certainly made the match interesting. Did he underestimate our batsmen? Well I guess we will find out by the end of today. I think it will make him attack harder earlier on. As you rightly say, we may collapse in typical fashion and Ponting will be proved correct then.
Reverse
You certainly picked the right day! I do hope they don’t collapse and at least make a fight of it. I agree, the first session will be very important. The main thing is that we mustn’t think long term, not even session by session. We need to go 10 overs at a time because run rate is the one thing we certainly should not be worrying about.
Wasim, Maz, Reverse
Ideally, we would have liked maybe one less wicket down.I think this is the critical partnership. I agree with Wasim we need centuries from either these two or one close to a century and one a big one. Both are capable. I think they should start slow, frustrate and tire the Australian bowling attack and make Ponting try things. We should not think too much about victory but just aim for tea with as many wickets in hand as possible. If we get there, it will be interesting. Just hope Asif is not facing if we need 2 off the last ball
December 29th, 2009 at 11:35 pm
Hey don’t blame Asif we have others worse, Abdur Rauf is having a hell of a match and as he was frigthend of the ball in 1st inning if he is out their in 2 runs of last over he is very capable of making it the best over of test cricket, hats off to his selection in such an important test match.
This probably was being most optimistic thing ever by team management, well I guess I am getting a better know how of being optimistic then them as I am blogging about it
December 29th, 2009 at 11:36 pm
Stani
Our four main batsmen are still there, I think if the Umar Akmal eliminates his high risk shots at least until lunch and plays the ball just on merit then we will be in good shape.
December 30th, 2009 at 1:14 am
Game over in sixty seconds:))
I couldn’t even get settled in my chair and we lost two wickets. Damn our team sucks.
December 30th, 2009 at 2:00 am
Wasim
Settled? I didn’t even make it to my chair!!! How stupid are we for believing? Ah well, they’re bloody tough those Australians.
December 30th, 2009 at 2:18 am
Well first two wickets were due to those great deliveries in first over of the day batsman’s footwork is always a bit bubbly and is facing such a line, length and angle it is bound o happen. Misbah had to face a good first ball and is gone even before settling down. So I would say it may be only 20% batsman fault but after that it was out of Pakistan’s reach even to draw.
But if you play like Kamran Akmal you probably don’t deserve to survive for the day, how stupid was that walk down the pitch?
December 30th, 2009 at 2:26 am
Reverse
Perfectly summed up. Akmal did not have to be that aggressive. When he was in, there was still a chance so why on earth was he playing like a maniac?
December 30th, 2009 at 12:12 pm
Reasons why we lost this test:
1) Drop catches on day one. This put us on the back foot and was influential in the difference in margin between the two sides.
2) Pakistan’s tail not “wagging”.
3) Simply the brilliance of Mitchell Johnson, Shane Watson and Nathan Hauritz. Just were too good for us at the end of the day.
But then again there were some positive signs:
1) Aamer bagging the 5 for in the second innings. This was a record and personal best.
2) Umar Akmal’s 50 in the first innings. His intent throughout was promising.
3) Kamran Akmal’s batting. He was looking in splendid touch and played some wonderful shots. His day may come soon.
December 30th, 2009 at 4:21 pm
Maz
Agree with most points but Kamran Akmal should hang his head. He’s one of the most experienced in that side, his second innings dismissal was mindless. Not one of those Australians gave away their wicket that cheaply even when they were in a position to do so. Unless we bat with the same grit and determination, we’re never going to attain that consistency in performance.
December 30th, 2009 at 4:40 pm
That consistency? That consistency is not in our blood our culture our freaking minds Stani so forget it but a little consistency will not hurt us right?
Last time any consistency was shown by them specially batsmen was Yousuf’s 1700 runs in a year, he isn’t looking in that flow after that. I guess he is getting back to that day be day but still may not be able to achieve that. But half of that flow in this series will do great for us.
December 30th, 2009 at 8:46 pm
Reverse
That’s the problem. If we had that, we would be the best in the world. Still, we shouldn’t be put off striving for it.
December 30th, 2009 at 11:13 pm
Lets be honest, Ameer is not 17 he is atleast 19.
December 31st, 2009 at 1:16 am
Pakiman
Welcome. I assume you’re going by looks right? I’m not sure….sometimes he seems younger than 19. If you look at his mannerisms the way he conducts himself, the cheeky grin and the fact he doesn’t get caught up in the sledging or staring battles with batsmen, tends to indicate someone more teen than near adult. I guess, until there is other evidence, we will just have to go with 17. At least we can agree he is a teenager though which still makes his talent and achievements amazing whatever the likes of Nicholas try to insinuate.
December 31st, 2009 at 1:34 am
Pakiman, You are clearly caught by the stupid propaganda by commentators and western writers. They have made a habit of writing or calling him 17 year old Aamer rather then only Aamer, they never miss a single time to use his age with his name and that too in a teasing way specially when he performs and produce 151 km/h deliveries which only Kemar Roach a giant was able to produce recently.
I noticed this first time in NZ series those commentators were worse ever I haven’t heard such biased commentary in my life. At start I thought they are inspired by his talent but the tone was teasing. They also think he isn’t 17 and it has been mentioned quite a few times now.
But even if he is not 17 he can’t be more then 19 and still his talent is amazing for a 19 year old too. They can’t produce a single talent like this at such age and they envy that. But I think we should better be concentrate and appreciate his talent not his age specially as Pakistanis.
So don’t worry about age enjoy the talent and a rising Wasim Akram like.