Comments on: Pakistan Are Back…

By: Maza786

Maza786 — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 18:39:45 +0000

Pakistan dismal tour ended on a high with 3 consecutive victories. Although the joyfulness appeared in vain, Pakistan showed some promising signs in the latter stages of the shortened format. Imran Nazir has achieved a 100% record since his comeback in green colours. He played some effective cameos and set the tone for the day with some early momentum. Rana Naved’s credentials also were seen and suggested why he deserves to be recognised as a player of international class. And finally let me credit the emergence of Umar Akmal which was as impressive introduction to say the least.

Also let me mention the T20 victory and Shahid Afridi’s leadership enforcement on that day. He commenced his captaincy regime with a sparkle as Pakistan once more stamped their glorified status as T20 champions!

By: TJ for Stani Army

TJ for Stani Army — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 23:09:03 +0000

That’s a terrible cough you got there sis….you ought to get it looked at.

…and you support the team, otherwise you wouldn’t be on here.

By: undercoversister

undercoversister — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 23:57:55 +0000

hahaha, this is why I support the sport, not the teams *cough* glory supporter *cough*

By: TJ for Stani Army

TJ for Stani Army — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 11:04:06 +0000

Maz,
Email me at the address in “contact” up there, and I will re-send it to you.

By: maza786

maza786 — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 08:57:36 +0000

Sorry Stani I didn’t receive your email ????????(:

By: TJ for Stani Army

TJ for Stani Army — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 17:40:15 +0000

Wasim,
Yes, I was speaking generally in our Test side. Butt and Akmal would be the best option from this squad but I would have Akmal and Shehzad as my Test openers in general.

Jamshed is impressive too. They brought him in a while ago and then drop him for no obvious reason.

Akmal’s brother Umar scored another impressive knock. Soon they’ll have to make space for him down the order.

By: Wasim

Wasim — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 16:37:09 +0000

Shahzad is not in the team, Q told me that. So Butt will stay unfortunately.
This is how the senior mafia protects each other.
That is why they players like Azhar Ali and Nasir Jamshed don’t get a chance.

By: TJ for Stani Army

TJ for Stani Army — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 14:04:27 +0000

Wasim,
Yes, I think to create a spot by removing one, or both, of our openers would be a good thing. I’m even having doubts about Butt now. He seems too limited in his choice of shots (thus easy to defend against) and gives his wicket away too easily, bringing pressure on number three who has to in effect, bat as an opener.

My openers for Tests would be Akmal and Shehzad. From what I’ve seen so far, Shehzad has good technical ability and should be given the chance to play in a format where he doesn’t have to manipulate shots and can take his time to build an innings. For ODIs and T20s I would have Akmal and Imran Nazir opening with Afridi at three!

By: Wasim

Wasim — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 17:17:33 +0000

As regards Alam I agree with you if anything I would select Razzak ahead of Alam as You said.

One way to select Fawad is to drop Manzoor and open with Akmal and Butt.

I also don’t want to believe that there is any corruption involved but I have always believed that a player is either in form or out of form the way our team changes character it is hard to understand. When the odds are against them to win they win and when they are against them to lose they lose these players are quite experienced and as I said if Rauf can stay on the wicket for 83 balls then so could have our regular batsmen.

But I hope that I am wrong on this one.

By: TJ for Stani Army

TJ for Stani Army — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 15:28:50 +0000

Wasim,
I understand your frustrations. Just a few years ago, I would have questioned their predictable unpredictability too.

Now I put it down to their lack of professionalism and mental strength. As each of our batsmen came in, they had the same mind set as the one who had gone before, and that was “97? haha? I will play my normal game, if I get out, then my pal who is in next will do it comfortably – no worries”.

What they should have thought is “I’m gonna stay here till the end and help my country across the finishing line. I will guard my wicket with my life”.

The team selection was criticised a lot but that was just frustrated people looking to blame something or someone. Any 8 players we put out there should have got the 97 runs so it has nothing to do with team selection.

Shoaib Malik came in for some criticism but this was only because those that criticised him, supported the inclusion of Fawad Alam, so with Shoaib being the man in possession of that spot, he gets criticised.

Alam, at this point in time, would certainly not be ahead of Malik in my opinion. Whether he should be in the team is a separate issue but not for Malik.

In fact, I would have Razzaq ahead of Alam. Alam did get a few chances under Geoff Lawson in ODIs but he was not able to replicate his domestic form. The international stage is very different and Malik has the edge here.