Talk amongst fans may have been regarding the ‘SOS’ sent to Younis Khan but fans tend to forget very easily. Younis has not been in the best of batting form but the manner in which some are going about recalling him, you’d think he was the answer to our problems. That answer, in my opinion, is Shahid Afridi. Younis’ addition to the line up would be right, not because of what he has done but what his replacements haven’t, but Afridi would be the man to make that difference. In the first innings, Australia just strolled along as our bowlers struggled for that elusive break through. That was a situation made for Afridi and his attacking brand of spin.
Shahid Afridi, time to pull out the Test whites
Just imagine that was Afridi bowling to Watson when he was on 99 in the second innings? Now that would have been entertainment and I’m sure Watson would have been heading for the dressing room having left a brown trail behind him. The good thing is that Afridi is close by, currently in Australia playing for the South Australia Redbacks in a twenty20 competition in which he won the man of the match award just yesterday with bowling figures of 4 for 19.
Though he scored 0 with the bat, it’s not really his batting that is regarded as his strong point now anyway. That said, brought into the Test side, he could easily contribute what Faisal Iqbal and Imran Farhat are currently doing with the bat. Also, his average in Tests is a very respectable 37.40 at an excellent strike rate of 86 with 5 Test hundreds, 3 of which came against India. His aggressive bowling would be the major asset, something to break the shackles. Along with his intelligent variations, he does not take up time between deliveries, cleverly giving the batsmen little time to rest or gather their thoughts.
“I always enjoy bowling in Australia and in this situation my team needed me as a bowler”, Afridi speaking after his man of the match performance for South Australia 29th Dec 2009.
One Australian fan, whose identity I shall protect for fear of reprisals, said to me “why isn’t Afridi in the Test side? Not complaining as he just helped our state side win T20 yesterday”. Now if my dear Australian friend is asking, what are the PCB and the management doing? My understanding is that though Afridi has not retired from Tests, his preference is not play them after he came out of retirement and was subsequently dropped after some poor showings against England in 2006.
Afridi’s inclusion would also lift the entire team and give them a sense of belief that was missing in the first innings and the last day when they were in a relatively strong position but surrendered meekly. For sure, the balls Umar Akmal and Misbah Ul-Haq received from Mitchell Johnson were very good but the problem lie in our body language. The Australians looked pumped and ready to go; our batsmen looked ready to go too….back to the dressing room. It was as if the Australians had been playing for 10 overs already and our batsmen had just been dragged out of bed. There was still a glimmer of hope when Kamran Akmal came to the crease but he was needlessly aggressive and that was that.
So, ideally, this would be my team: (1) Butt (2) K Akmal (3) Younis (4) Yousuf (5) U Akmal (6) Misbah (7) Afridi (or open) (8) Aamer (9) Gul (10) Kaneria/Ajmal (11) Asif. It would mean dragging Afridi away from the twenty20 tournament, flying Younis out in time and getting Kaneria fit but it does look a much more competitive team than the one we put out in the first Test. This batting line up has a much better chance of getting 350 at least, a total which we have only reached twice in the last 14 Test innings. Put another way, in our last 14 Test match innings, we have made 12 ODI totals – simply not good enough.
Farhat and Iqbal would be dropped with the former not demonstrating any more maturity since his teens and the latter simply not deserving of a place. As for Abdur Rauf, this must be his last Test match for some time unless he undergoes some radical improvements. He cannot bowl, he cannot catch, and he cannot bat to International standards. I don’t want to be too harsh on him because it was not his fault he was picked. He is though, a perfect example of how weak our domestic leagues are and how deceptive domestic performances can be.
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December 31st, 2009 at 12:27 am
Stani
You have hit the nail on the head.
But this is what will happen, Kaneria will replace Ajmal and Gul will replace Rauf. They are not sending Younis and are not even considering Afridi.
I would have played a 33% fit Shoaib Akhtar over Abdur Rauf.
Imagine the pressure on Aussies if after dealing with Asif and Aamer they had to deal with Akhtar, we kicked him out after he failed to live up to the expectations on dead pitches in India and Pakistan but if you remember he still took wickets in India but no other bowler was able to support him. There are two types of bowlers those who know how to take wickets and those who can just bowl economically and support other bowlers Akhtar and Afridi are wicket takers.
Against this Aussie batting line up where they can bat uptil #9 we need 5 strike bowlers in our bowling attack.
I would play Kamran Akmal, Butt, Younis Khan/ Khurram, Yousaf, Misbah, Umar Akmal, Afridi, Aamer, Shoaib Akhtar, Asif and Kaneria.
December 31st, 2009 at 1:09 am
Wasim
I agree, those are the two they will swap but they are not utilising the best talent they have available.
Yes, a strike bowler who can produce game after game is somewhat of a rare breed. Akhter was quite clearly this as his records show. Even with all his problems, his stats are up there with the best. His lifestyle aside, what really frustrated me about him was his inability to stay fit, to even go through a match let alone a series. Can we really expect him to come back now though? Any ideas about what he has been up to?
December 31st, 2009 at 3:14 am
Stani
Last time when Akhtar played we didn’t have Aamer and Asif to share the work load with him. I agree he can’t bowl 20 overs in a day, but even if he can bowl three short spells of four or five overs he will still be more effective then bowlers like Rauf.
What we need to understand is that bowlers of his pace all over the world have injury problems look at Brett Lee, Shaun Tait, Shane Bond and Steyn but fans and media in other countries donot ridicule their heroes they show a better understanding. Don’t play him the whole series play him just two matches where he can be effective.
But as long as Miandad & co are at the helm of PCB they will never allow Pakistan team to settle down for their vested interests.
No sane mind would have left Kaneria and Gul out of this match and no sane mind would have left preferred players like Iqbal over Afridi or Malik if an ordinary fan knows this much then think why these morons temper with the team combination through wrong selection in every series.
I would keep Younis Khan in the team just because he won’t drop a catch in the slips, I would keep Afridi in the team because of his all round abilities and his aggressive bowling, and I would prefer Akhtar over Gul, Sami and Rauf only because of his strike rate as a bowler.
I don’t know about his current health he knows that the current administration is not going to play him so he didn’t bothered to play in domestic cricket, last time when he played in domestic cricket they prepared the flatest pitch ever made in Pakistan just to prove that he was a spent force and when he criticized the pitch they banned and fined him.
They leaked his warts story which was unethical and according to him it was just a skin rash because of bowling in hot weather, recently somebody in the media published that he was getting liposuction done, how ridiculous is that, he is not fat or obese why would he require liposuction. And most of these news are published in Indian media.
The problem is that we expect him to rip through batting line ups on the flatest pitches in every match, last time I remember when he played in India they played him with extreme caution and milked all the other bowlers and just because he was in the team India prepared all the tracks like Rajkot.
Make a list of our star players from last 10 years and see how many matches each one of them played in last three years you will be surprised not many and this the time period during which our rankings fell down.
We are still doing the same Malik, Razzaq, Afridi, Younis, Rana and Shoaib they are all sitting out and we are playing Farhat, Faisal, Rauf, fawad and khurram.
December 31st, 2009 at 3:18 am
Sorry for the mistakes I was in a hurry:))
December 31st, 2009 at 11:15 am
We should not exclude Imran Farhat for the next match. Although it may have been a streaky fluke he scored a century in the 3rd test against NZ. He hasn’t been provided with a sufficient number of opportunities since his return to the national side. This is a frontline reason as to why we have had this opening crisis in the past. Chopping and changing too often never allows one to adapt or settle which contributes to poor form.
December 31st, 2009 at 11:21 am
Afridi has taken 47 test wickets @ 35. But his batting average is literally like a batsmen. Wow 37. His bowling is at its prime in limited overs cricket.
But we need a bowling allrounder for the team balance. Even Yasir Arafat or Rana Naved.
December 31st, 2009 at 3:56 pm
Agreed to all above almost, but considering Sydney match some of them are not possible, so talking about only possible options for Sydney I would say.
1 – Younis should be sent but I think it is getting late as we only have two days and you can’t expect a player to travel, play and perform within two days and also these morons will not send him before ODIs I guess. So forget him.
2 – Abdur Rauf and Fawad are going back as reported by BBC so they are out of options.
3 – Sami is in Australia with team.
4 – Afridi is there too and also in his prime bowling form but he will not play or no body will consider him although you are right we need some one who could inspire team at low times with his aggressiveness as well as perform as all-rounder we really need an all rounder.
So now the combination:
1 – Gul or Sami in for Abdur Rauf, most probably Gul.
2 – Kaneria in for Ajmal.
3 – Kaneria in for Abdur Rauf? if we are playing two spinners who else could he replace?
4 – Kaneria replace Faisal as fifth bowler reducing batting depth.
5 – Kaneria replacing Imran Farhat, Kamran Akmal opening, reducing batting depth.
6 – Malik in for Imran Farhat as opener.
7 – Malik in for Faisal at #3 and if he doesn’t want to play at #3 keep him out else he will disturb the order.
So there are some options available but problem is most of them are just for the sake of change only Kaneria, Gul or Younis if he is available there are genuine changes. Team management have to select sensibly now specially playing two spinners, it could be handy at SCG if pitch is little assisting but they can’t weaken the batting line up too. SO let see what happens?
December 31st, 2009 at 5:26 pm
Wasim
You make a compelling case for Akhter’s inclusion and I do agree that our selection of players is not only on cricketing ability. Other aspects come into it which is simple not professional. I think Ponting gave Johnson just a 5 or 6 over spell on that last morning, telling him to bowl at full throttle. It worked didn’t it? He won the game in the first over. Even if Akhter was given 4 overs, rested, then brought on for another four, his aggressiveness and wicket taking ability would get us ahead or back into games.
I said this a while back about Javed Miandad; great cricketer but he has lost the ability to think rationally. Guys like that should be nowhere near our cricket.
Leaking his warts condition was simply a disgrace. Firstly, the doctor who told the PCB about his condition should be pulled up. He of all people should know about confidentiality.
The players we’re leaving out, the likes of Afridi and Rana, are being snapped up by domestic sides around the world. This tells us something. Both Rana and Afridi are playing in Australia.
Maz
Maybe I was a bit harsh on Farhat. I do think he will be in for the second Test but the pressure is on him to produce. Warm up games and scores against weaker teams mean nothing if you don’t produce against the better ones.
In regards to Afridid Maz, he is a bowling all-rounder. His bowling figures in Tests are ordinary because his last Test was in 2006 but that was just when he started improving on his bowling and was such a success with it in limited overs cricket. I think if we bring him back and hand him the ball in Tests, he will do what he does in the shorter forms.
Reverse
Yes, some are not possible but I think it’s only because of the re-activeness, rather than pro-activeness, of the PCB. You’ve pretty much listed all the possibilities there. I wouldn’t be surprised if the only change they made was Kaneria in for Ajmal. I would drop Faisal or Malik if Younis does not arrive but pressure from uncle Miandad means that will not happen. I would also drop Rauf for Gul.
January 1st, 2010 at 3:58 am
Happy New year Stani.
January 1st, 2010 at 1:17 pm
Wasim
Happy new year!
January 1st, 2010 at 1:39 pm
MOM RANA NAVED
http://www.cricinfo.com/pakistan/engine/match/417704.html
January 1st, 2010 at 1:40 pm
47 off 27, 3 wickets and 2 run outs !
January 1st, 2010 at 1:40 pm
A true all rounder !
January 1st, 2010 at 2:52 pm
Maz
Superb. Wasim will go mad when he sees that.
We have a Test series going on, we desperately need an all-rounder, and have two of the best all-rounders in world cricket playing in a Australian domestic tournament? Can someone explain this to me?
Abdur Rauf or Rana Naved? Abdur Rauf or Shahid Afridi? Errrm?
“Naved capping off a magnificent night. He’s deservingly man of the match after 47 with the bat, 3 for 29 with the ball and two remarkable run bat, 3 for 29 with the ball and two remarkable run outs” cricinfo
The guy has always been one of my favourites. He may give runs but which attacking bowler doesn’t. He’s got the best slower balls in cricket, awesome reverse swinging yorkers and always gives 100% effort. Then there’s his batting too!
January 1st, 2010 at 3:25 pm
Rana Naveed was looking like a very different bowler on his come back earliar in this year (oh 2009), he was not looking young with his hair do but also young in action and impressed a lot and we should try them in test cricket when they are at there best don’t only label them as T20 players.
These players also realize that T20 is just an obsession and you value and greatness in cricket history will only termed big when you perform at test level and it will also serve your nation better. Same case with Afridi and probably Razzaq.
Imagine if we have two or all of them in line up and they are delivering we can challenge any team in world then.
January 1st, 2010 at 3:34 pm
He is one of my favourites as well Stani
January 1st, 2010 at 3:46 pm
http://tinyurl.com/yac4toa
January 1st, 2010 at 7:33 pm
Reverse
Agree. Rana is a very different player to when he first arrived on the scene. Yousuf said just the other day that twenty20 will ruin our cricket and I agree, it will ruin it for our batsmen but I think it will make the bowlers better. Our players need to learn how to occupy the crease.
Maz
Top link! Afridi’s 4-19 is there too on the right if anyone is interested (WA vs SA). Was he your favourite before or after the hair transplant Maz?
January 1st, 2010 at 8:59 pm
LOL stani.
January 1st, 2010 at 8:59 pm
BTW, Happy New Year To All………..
January 3rd, 2010 at 12:09 am
Happy new year Maz
January 3rd, 2010 at 12:58 am
Aamer out injured or scare of being injured, worse time ever for an injury, we need your retro hair band on those sports channels for next five days buddy. But overall good decision to keep him away to avoid any serious injury, we have others who need to do what they are expected to.
So Umar, Sami, Asif its time guys, after little rain of course.
January 3rd, 2010 at 1:32 am
Reverse
Seems like a groin injury. If it’s not treated properly it can linger and become serious so I think it was a good decision. Some ice, rest and anti-inflammatory drugs should do the job. Just glad it’s not his back, knee or shoulder.
Big game for Sami if he plays.
January 3rd, 2010 at 10:09 am
-Pak should win this match from here.
-They should try to bat once only.
-Build a sizeable lead.
- Then leave it to the bowlers.
-I think the game will be over by day 3 or 4.
January 3rd, 2010 at 12:53 pm
Agreed. While they’re going well in the bowling today (Kaneria excepted) Afridi’s bowling and batting would be most welcome. Petition? Or kidnapping?
January 3rd, 2010 at 1:23 pm
We were all over the Aussies today. What a grand start to 2010. Hats off to the Mohammad’s . Ricky’s toss decision has partly payed the penalty. Once more he underestimates Pakistan. I doubt he will get away with it this time. But that as a sole reason for Australia’s below par performance today is total exaggeration. It was simply and frankly the brilliance of Asif and Sami’s bowling on what was nevertheless a decent track to bat on. After all professional batsmen should be able to perform on any given day regardless of the pitch and conditions. Well top batsmen can anyway which is what Australian’s middle order are said to be. Therefore, just the toss decision is a lame/pathetic excuse for the Aussies. They are just still not used to having dark days like these.
Sami bowled with good rhythm, pace and discipline. He has really poked back at his critics and once again shown why he was such a prospect when he emerged on the scene many years back. Imran Khan rates him highly and now we once again begin to realise why. Asif on the other, was also splendid. Incidentally, he made his debut on this very venue 5 years back when he was very expensive. But what a bowler he has transformed into now. Had he refrained from the extracurricular activities I’m sure he would have been up there with his sights on overtaking some record breakers. His absence from the arena has really upheld his capability in terms of stats.
January 3rd, 2010 at 5:02 pm
Wonderful performance by Sami and Asif. But the question is how many runs our batsmen will score on this pitch..
January 3rd, 2010 at 8:16 pm
Maz
I still don’t think it’s that simple. We can rarely rely on our batsmen even in such a good position. As those few overs showed, the ball certainly is doing something and the Australians have a respectable pace attack. We need a minimum 80 lead, hoepfully 150.
Australia’s late/middle order hasn’t had much batting yet due to the high scoring of it’s top/middle order. We exposed them yesterday and they were found wanting.
MG
Petition? Don’t think they recognise petitions in Pakistan. They think a petition is someone that treats pets. It’ll have to be a kidnapping, ransom, military coup type of thing….cant have any of that civilised nonsense
Wasim
Exactly. What they must realise is that on this pitch, singles are like boundaries. Keep collecting them and soon you will see the small target reached and a lead building without any trouble. They need to contain themselves. One thing they should not worry about is strike rate. I know Butt won’t, he never does, but the likes of Farhat and the Akmals need to do the same. If they do, we will only need to bat once, our twice with a small second innings target, so the run rate won’t come into it.
January 4th, 2010 at 10:51 am
Good to see Pakistan bouncing back in the second test, the bowling was awesome. The batting could have been a little better, 4 batsmen got themselves in but no tons amongst them!
I fear now Australia will manage a draw!
January 4th, 2010 at 1:56 pm
@Cricket Equipment, well it depends on first session or first two sessions tomorrow, If Aussies got away with those they will probably able to draw it or even put some target for us to challenge our batting on final day’s trying conditions. I am afraid lead is 50 or 70 runs short at least.
But if we repeat 60-70% of first day performance in first two sessions tomorrow, we can look for a handsome victory. I feel Kaneria will be a key if second inning.
January 4th, 2010 at 1:57 pm
@Stani
Good, I’m not very good at organising petitions, but a kidnapping I can do.
January 4th, 2010 at 4:34 pm
Cricket Equipment
I think Australia will have to play very well or rely on the weather to get a draw. On that pitch, with the lead and our bowling attack, I think we’ll win.
Reverse
I’m surprised you think the lead is not enough, I was well happy with it. It’s a huge task for the Australians knowing they have to get to that target first and then start from zero again. Agree, Kaneria has a big part to play especially seeing the way Hauritz was spinning it.
MG
Top stuff. If you need any help then look no further. I’m not sure about the kid part but I’m an expert at napping
(On a serious note, will mail you a bit later, hope you don’t mind)
January 4th, 2010 at 6:34 pm
Reverse Swing
Your dead right about Kaneria.
Australia are more than capable of posting big totals but they will need to score 500+ and bat for two days, a tall order but they have done it before.
January 4th, 2010 at 7:58 pm
A lead of over 200 runs is more than enough on this pitch but we could have sealed the match by taking a 300 run lead if Misbah, Kamran and Umar Akmal had played sensibly.
A draw is out of question unless weather intervenes. But if Australia scores 400+ runs in second innings then Pakistan will be under pressure. But then again if we allow them to come out of this situation then we don’t deserve to win.
Have some faith Guys I think out bowlers will not allow the Aussies to get out of this hole.
January 4th, 2010 at 8:52 pm
@Wasim, Probably the most optimistic point of view and surely we can manage to contain Aussies here, it once in a while or million years situation in case of Pakistan we are against team like Aussies, so slipping it away will be something unforgivable and boys know that.
@Stani, I am happy with the lead in such conditions we showed a lot of character in our batting both by openers to make sure we had a start and then by middle order to make sure we had runs on board but we just lack a little bit of application and control of when to select deliveries, bowler and time to go after and got carried away easily. But this is acceptable we are on course of learning curve, we learned how to fight back and get back in match in last couple of matches and this time we were learning how to build up pressure and take the game away and succeeded 70%.
Only concern is we can’t give an inch to Aussies now as everyone know they came out best when they are in a hole, so a small laps, a drop catch or lost of concentration or penetration is what they will be looking forward to build up their fight back. They got all the potential. They never give away easy. They had a good third inning record at SCG look at the last two matches.
But we are in good commanding position and they early on pressure should be maintained. First two sessions are key and the number of wickets before leads is zero is important, if we grabbed 4 or 5 till then we are pretty home. We should chase anything under 200 easily. More then 200 is still manageable as we will probably be chasing on day 4 not day 5.
But overall its all positive from this test and series, Yousuf is developing into a gem of a Captain with his own taste, still a lot to learn but he showed purpose. Openers are fighting to give some consistency despite Imran vaverd batting, bowling some good fielding this time too and all that.
So let pull a victory and lay a foundation for next couple of season specially our home season in England.
January 5th, 2010 at 1:08 am
I was very impressed with our openers guys and it’s not often I say that. Apart from a couple of blind swipes from Farhat, they played it perfectly.
I believe if we’re set 170+ for the last innings, we will be under a lot of pressure and the Australian tails will be up. This means the Australians need around 380 in total which is gettable if we take our foot off the pedal. The intensity needs to continue.
January 5th, 2010 at 10:54 am
286-8 and 4 for Kaneria.
Kaneria was the key man as predicted.
Ideally they need to pick up those last two wickets for the less than 50 runs.
January 5th, 2010 at 1:41 pm
@Stani – Mail me? Will I mind? That’s like asking me if I mind being given AB’s autograph lol.
Excellent work by Pakistan today, wasn’t like Australia threw their wickets away this time round, but this partnership between Mussey and Sidds is making me nervous…
January 5th, 2010 at 4:42 pm
Overall nice performance so far but those fielding lapses, drop catches and now Kamran Akmal reminding old Kaneria-Kamran catches spill story could have waste all the good work done. For tomorrow they shouldn’t let go any chance and should have had those two wickets with in 20, 30 runs.
Gul back to some confidence and rythem is a good sign, Kaneria had a cramp probably due to longish spell but we might need him again tomorrow but I wish we don’t and early pacer over should do the job.
Finger crossed, will Pakistani batsmen able to face the stormy Australia which will be defending low total and will come very hard at us.
January 5th, 2010 at 5:13 pm
Cricket Equipment
I think Kaneria’s still suffering from the injured finger as he bowled a number of full tosses and short balls. I hope we get the last two for 20 runs minimum. Anything more and the Australians will sniff a chance. Whatever the target, Butt and Farhat need to do the same as in the first innings.
MG
AB, so hated by our dear Amy, God bless her (she liked him really. She told me in private).
Is it? Lucky me
Good point, we really had to get them out this time around. Boy do I love seeing Watson get out in the 90s! I’d give him 90 every time as long as he promised to get out in them.
“Mussey”? Mike Hussey…..hmmm, I can thank my lucky stars his first name wasn’t Peter or something
Reverse
If Akmal does need to bat, he better make amends for his dropped catches. I agree, we need to get them two wickets for around 20 runs. Any more and the Australian bowlers will be fired up with all out attack. Yousuf should protect the boundaries and twos for Hussey and bring in the field for the tail enders ad attack. Gul first thing I hope.
January 5th, 2010 at 7:40 pm
We are on the brink of victory
.
What a “peach” of a ball was that dismissal of Johnson. Cracking flight and disguised googly to defeat him.
I hope Kaneria can get a 5 for. He deserves it! Johnson was completely tempted in flight/angle and bamboozled by the way the ball sneaked through, turning the other way ! Kaneria went berserk after that. Never seen anything like it.
It was hilarious to watch.
Iqbal took 3 catches whereas Akmal dropped 3 !
January 5th, 2010 at 7:43 pm
Australia are 80/8 effectively. Lets hope the rain stays away.What an emphatic win this will be or could/should be shall I say.
January 5th, 2010 at 7:45 pm
Stani,please edit my typo.
January 5th, 2010 at 7:50 pm
BTW Stani, referring to your question over @mine I will only begin to worry if we are chasing over 150.That will kind of be interesting. Other than that the game is in the bag
January 5th, 2010 at 7:51 pm
C’mon the Stanis !
January 6th, 2010 at 12:58 am
Maz
What typo?
Not sure it’s in the bag, I just don’t trust our batsmen.
January 6th, 2010 at 1:31 am
Well I feel like knocking my head in wall, what the hell is going on in Sydney, what the hell has happened with our boys, not getting wicket is another thing but this body language, these tactics just can’t believe it. They are top in this match but they are loosing the advantage slowly.
January 6th, 2010 at 1:38 am
Reverse
To be fair, the pitch is looking good so maybe our batsmen will find it as easy. Turn the commentary down as the Australian commentators are talking some rubbish.
I admit, we do look a little nervous.
January 6th, 2010 at 1:45 am
Yea right but I can’t believe Siddle is playing it so easily with Hussey it is fine he is very well settled and thanks to Kamran we gave him this century. We got to get rid of this nervousness as soon as possible otherwise this game will get away.
It is common sense, they should have attack at least first 30 mins even a centurion needs to settle down a bit in the morning.
Let see how pitch plays in our chase I am getting nervous too
January 6th, 2010 at 3:52 am
Yesterday when a journalist asked are you certain of your victory he answered it’s too early to make any predictions. It seems him and his VC both knew which way the match was heading.
January 6th, 2010 at 3:55 am
Reverse
Here we go. Butt and Farhat need to do the same job as the first innings. They need to nurdle the singles, bore the Australians to death. Or maybe the more aggressive Farhat can go for it whilst Butt plays slow. They should show positive body language anyway though.
Wasim
Is that Yousuf?
January 6th, 2010 at 4:18 am
Hahaha
I forgot to type his name.
January 6th, 2010 at 4:19 am
The first one is gone. but Im glad they played their strokes and didn’t bogged down.
January 6th, 2010 at 4:23 am
Wasim
Happens
Yes, good positive intent. 176 is big but we should think of it as just 16 runs per batsmen. Then it is reduced to what it really is.
They should calm down if another wicket falls or when we reach 100.
January 6th, 2010 at 4:31 am
I don’t know about Faisal Iqbal he likes to play aggressively but his shots are not clean and convincing.
January 6th, 2010 at 4:34 am
Butt looks like as if he is going to shit in his pants.Was playing fine but I have a feeling Nathan Hauritz will trouble him.
January 6th, 2010 at 4:40 am
@Wasim , right Hauritz troubled a little in first over and Faisal is gone so now need to build a partnership nothing short of 50 or 70.
January 6th, 2010 at 4:41 am
The nephew has gone back in the pavilion. Yousaf is at the crease now, he holds the key for Pakistan. Lets hope he stays till end.
January 6th, 2010 at 4:41 am
Wasim
You called it, poor shot from Iqbal. Johnson with his slinging action from around the wicket, Iqbal should know not to get squared up like that.
January 6th, 2010 at 4:42 am
Panic panic panic man that was hell of catch by Haddin.
January 6th, 2010 at 4:46 am
Reverse
Kamran Akmal, are you watching? Yousuf and Umar Akmal should slow it all down. Take time before getting set, call for drinks, physio or whatever.
January 6th, 2010 at 4:47 am
Yousaf should have sent a night watch man.:))
January 6th, 2010 at 4:50 am
Wasim
Come on Yousuf, bring it home.
He’s playing night-watchman himself
January 6th, 2010 at 5:10 am
Umar Akmal should refrain from driving Johnson.Anything outside off he should leave it alone minimize the risk.
January 6th, 2010 at 5:19 am
Wasim
Yes, especially because of the angle and the late movement away. It’s what Faisal fell for.
Go on, make us some tea Wasim
January 6th, 2010 at 5:40 am
Guys, Afridi has made himself available for the 3rd Test. Goodbye Faisal?
January 6th, 2010 at 6:00 am
Or maybe Misbah?
January 6th, 2010 at 6:38 am
They are going to select him only if we lose this one just to make people happy.
January 6th, 2010 at 6:57 am
Go to sleep Stani.
January 6th, 2010 at 7:06 am
Neverrrr!!! Stani Army!!!
January 6th, 2010 at 12:03 pm
The field we had was full of :
-No logic what so ever. Set a negative intent :” We are waiting for a mistake analogy”.
-Let Aus get back in the game easily.
-Such defensive thinking which showed how concerned Pak were. A negative mindet which made us chase 150+ on the last innings.
-Also, let the batsmen settle easily which released the pressure off them when it was clearly on them at 80/8.
On days like these why does one simply and frankly bother with Pak cric ?
January 6th, 2010 at 12:10 pm
Pak really have disappointed me and I’m sure many other fans
January 6th, 2010 at 1:32 pm
The test may have been a great advert for the game but this is just a piss take or confidence breaker for Pakistan. They came so close to a rare victory against Australia, it was literally out of the question for Australia to win during many points of the match but yet it was the eventuality. Yes, a heartbreaking outcome indeed. A depressing emotion is going through many supporters and rightly so. So much support and time is dedicated to the game and yet this is how the national team performs. Diabolical. Many from this point would have lost faith and interest and again rightly so. Even a minnow side wouldn’t have faltered from the day 3 overnight situation.
The field setting was absolutely the height of frustration for us (supporters). Cold headed logic. Just gifting the opposition an opportunity to get back in the game. Such a defensive unjustifiable tactic. This also, released the pressure off the batsmen. They were able to get settled and get their eye in with the simplest of ease. It was as if the score line was reading something totally different. Pathetic captaincy and even management from the coach or senior players. Didn’t they realise how fatal this whole episode was developing into? But even then, when some realisation was beginning to kick in the batsmen were settled and the more superior of the forces.
Furthermore, 3 drop catches from a professional wicket keeper is totally beyond acceptance. This was penalising agony, but this is not like the first time this has happened. I expect a change soon. Consolidating on the criticisms, Nathan Hauritz was made to look like a demon or emperor. He bagged another 4th innings 5 for. He bowled well and deserves credit but to be honest it was only orthodox finger spin. Such a poor method or controlling of instincts proved to be a downfall once again.
Nevertheless, many would have said that this is respectable defeat due to the matter of fact that Pak have taken 20 wickets and competed. But that is total nuisance. If one can’t push for a victory from such a commanding position, then how can they expect to win any other test? Therefore, this a daunting occurrence in terms of future reference. That statement may have been a respectable regarding had the game been a different more neck on neck situation but it wasn’t to be, instead Pak dominated for 3 days but yet ended up on the losing side. In that capacity, it is worrying. In fact, that is an understatement. It is demoralising, visually devastating and heartbreaking
January 6th, 2010 at 1:53 pm
Heart breaking stuff!
I know its stating the obvious but the failure to build a bigger first inning lead and also not breaking the Hussey / Siddle partnership was the key to this one.
I don’t know whether to take comfort from how close they came or to despair!
January 6th, 2010 at 3:24 pm
What a golden opportunity lost. Still cant believe the result. I didnt see the match assuming Pakistan would win this one easily. Just saw some highlights and from what I read from articles in sports news sites, I feel the blame goes to the captain (bad field settings) and to Kamran Akmal (dropping so many catches). I know many will be dissapointed but the if you see the positive side, Pak has proved it can easily compete in Australia and do well. They just need to bat sensibly. Batsmen are continously letting down the bowlers who I feel are the best bowling lineup right now in the world.
January 7th, 2010 at 7:12 pm
Plz join this group and sign up a petition to the president of Pakistan to save Pakistan cricket. http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=259790959154&ref=search&sid=593578227.3923234731..1&v=info
Group name “A million people to save Pakistan cricket”
January 7th, 2010 at 10:36 pm
Joined group.
January 10th, 2010 at 10:17 pm
Rayden
It’s always been our batsmen letting us down to be honest. I cannot remember the last time they performed successfully under pressure.
Wasim, Maz
I’d be surprised if Zardari even looks at it guys.