21
The two Umars save Pakistan
By Tabrez Janjua for Stani Army in Pakistan Cricket
55 ViewsWe did mention on Stani Army that Umar Gul would be missed at the Twenty20 World Cup, and today he showed just why. At the end of the 17th over, Australia were still in it with Michael Hussey still at the crease. On came Gul for his 3rd over and cleaned up the dangerous Hussey with a superb yorker that seemed to move both ways. At the end of that over, in which Gul also took the wicket of Tim Paine, the game was effectively over. Once again he has shown why he is the best Twenty20 bowler in the world.
But what gave the bowlers something to bowl at was the superb innings from Umar Akmal. With Pakistan missing Mohammed Yousuf, Younis Khan and Misbah Ul-Haq from their squads, the talk before this tour was of the younger Akmal having to step up to the mark. He has certainly started off very well, with an innings of class, filled with a complete range of strokes. Hopefully there will be more to come from him.
Shahid Afridi also had a good game in the field. Though he failed with the bat, he bowled at his attacking best, took two very good catches and made the right bowling changes at the right times. His decision not to risk Shoaib Akhtar for a 3rd over was a strong and correct one. Akhtar still seems a bit heavy and though his speed was there, he bowled the ball far too short and his pace was used to score easy boundaries. Akhtar needs to be persisted with so that he can find his rhythm but he could do with concentrating less on the pace whilst he gets back into the swing of things.
Though the first win in thirteen games against Australia will go some way in bringing joy to the long suffering Stanis, the same old concerns still remained. The out-fielding was still very poor, with Abdul Razzaq and Salman Butt being the main culprits. The other old issue of our batsmen not performing was still evident as it took a man of the match innings from Umar Akmal for Pakistan to post a competitive total. Once again it was the bowlers who had to step up and save the team, and as Nasser Hussain mentioned on commentary, it is Pakistan’s bowling attack which is the reason behind why Pakistan win more Twenty20s than any other team.
The Australians didn’t do much wrong, and Pakistan will have to bear this in mind come tomorrow’s second Twenty20, in which the Aussies will come back strong.
Loading ...
July 6th, 2010 at 8:43 am
Top result TJ and a very refreshing one
That Mike Hussey dismissal was the moment of the day for me!
July 6th, 2010 at 9:58 am
Nice one, Stani. You’ve been threatening us with this win for a while, now. Umar Akmal was superb. Good win.
Must be our turn again today, though
July 6th, 2010 at 1:44 pm
@Maaaaaaaz –
….ask Sid, she’ll agree!
No way Maz! The moment of the day was Shane Watson’s face when he was given out
July 6th, 2010 at 1:46 pm
@Sid –
I knew there was a bit of Stani in you somewhere.
You almost sound pleased Sid
Your turn? Don’t be greedy now Sid….you gotta wait 12 more games at least.
Seriously, as I suggested in the article, your guys didn’t do much wrong and that’s what we have to be careful of. If our level drops, the loss will be an inevitability.
July 6th, 2010 at 3:33 pm
It was outstanding performance from both Umer’s …. I feel the only difference from earlier games was that earlier we were unable to finish the game from winning positions whereas this time Umer Gul’s bowling helped Pakistan team to close the game.
I still believe we made quite a few mistakes yesterday too, our ground fielding was as usual not at its best, then Shoaib Akhtar bowled some really bad overs and loads of mistakes were also made while we were batting.
July 6th, 2010 at 4:26 pm
I’m glad the Stanis got over this embarrassing losing run against the Aussies. They now just don’t have to forget how to win because it seems to be a major problem with them, the inconsistent lot.
But I’ll blogroll you anyway!
Stani Army, your site is great, but the only thing that bothers me is that you don’t write too frequently.
It’s great to have other Stani supporters out of Pak.:)
July 6th, 2010 at 9:28 pm
@Roamer –
What irritated me the most is our failure to take the twos and threes, and the awful fielding. Combine the two and we must give away at least 30 runs a game. The fielding issue may stem from a much deeper problem of the way our youngsters are brought up and coached, but the running issue is something which an be addressed straight away. Just look how the Aussies scramble for every run. They always, ALWAYS, run the first single hard, even if it is always going to be just a single because it leaves them the option of taking the second.
Do you think we should persist with Akhtar though Roamer? And in which forms of the game?
July 6th, 2010 at 9:44 pm
@sunny –
There you go Sunny, two posts in two days. Spoiling you now aren’t I?
The reason I don’t blog that often is partly because of the time constraints, and also because I do like the conversation of each post to develop. It is then that we learn more from each other’s views. There are various ways of going about a blog of course, and I feel that by sparking a debate and allowing it to develop, it lends to a richer type of blog where someone’s own deeply held views can be challenged intelligently, and someone may come out from it having learned something new.
We do encourage Stanis to post articles on here if they want as this is their blog also. Whether I agree with their views or disagree, whether it’s short or log, it goes up. Hopefully as Stani Army gets further exposure, the posts will increase in frequency.
Thanks for the compliment and I shall reciprocate your blog-rolling of us.
July 6th, 2010 at 9:49 pm
Okay, I must confess you’re a clever guy, Stani Army.
Thanks for the blog-rolling!
And I must say this Aamer guy is very very impressive. Is he really 17 years old? Wunderkind he is if it’s true.
July 6th, 2010 at 10:10 pm
@sunny –
No problem, and don’t worry, only I know how dumb I can be [flashbacks]
I think Aamer is 18 now. As for whether this is his real age, I would say probably. He looks it, even though his bowling doesn’t! His man of the match interview gave indication that he is still a teen. He couldn’t stop smiling and giggling.
July 7th, 2010 at 11:13 am
Let the real cricket TEST MATCHES or ODIs come n see what they are up to! Shoaib does not have stamena to bowl more then 4 overs (that too in 2 spells. EVIDENCE: Sixes hit by coward RAINA and Bhajji in last ODI) and Umar Gul has no variety to be a ODI bowler leave a side him being a TEST MATCH bowler. You can bowl YORKERS only when playing in T20 to a batsmen new to crease but cant do the same to a set average batsman with fifty scored as GRANT ELLIOTT of NZ did in ICC semi final. In bowling we only have Aamir, Asif, Saeed (not that a success in TESTS) and Kaneria (no more a strike bowler)
In batting, no one qualifies to be a ODI batsmen but Salman Butt and Umar Akmal. Only Salman has temperament to stay for 50 overs which no one else has. Captain of our side cant stay for more than an hour or face more than 60 deliveries as he gets cramped (as he did against SL in asia cup). In tests against Aussies and England, the only hope of Pakistan is UMAR AKMAL. If he fires, there is some chance else the others cant stay on pitch for more then half or an hour. He too will not stay long but will score enough before he departs at rapid pace. Team needs Younis Khan eagerly if they are to last one session atleast as one session has 50% more overs then a T20!
Any one has ideas what role will our captain play to justify his name on the sheet leave aside that being a captain too in TEST MATCHES?
July 7th, 2010 at 2:13 pm
@Riaz –
I agree with your concerns in regards to the Tests. I think it will be the same story of our batsmen not making enough runs and our bowlers having to defend ODI totals.
I have to disagree with you in regards to Gul. No variety?! The good thing about him is he can bowl with the new ball too and is lethal with the old one. That is a very useful quality to have in the longer formats. Who would you choose as your seamers in ODIs and Tests Riaz if you feel Gul and Akhtar are not up to it? Would you play Ajmal and Kaneria in Tests?
Afridi did well in the Asia Cup with two centuries no? I think he will adjust adequately for the ODIs and Tests.
July 8th, 2010 at 3:14 pm
The bowling attack for the 1st test should be Asif, Aamer, Gul, Ajmal and Afridi and Malik chipping in as the fifth bowler between them. Kaneria has been playing county cricket for too long and has lost any mystery for the english batsmen especially playing along side Cook who will pass on any tips to counter the threat posed by Kaneria. His 40+ a day smoking habit will hardly do his fielding any favours either.
I expect Butt and Farhat to get the openers slots and Hameed should slot in at 3 especially since Younis Khan isn’t in the squad, that leaves the Akmal brothers to take the remaining two places in the team.
Butt
Farhat
Hameed
U Akmal
Malik
Afridi
K Akmal
Aamer
Gul
Ajmal
Asif
July 8th, 2010 at 4:04 pm
@Qamar –
Interesting points. I wouldn’t pick Kaneria either but I do disagree that it will be because the English batsmen are used to him. Most of the English have hardly represented their county team at all – a complaint that many of the counties have. I do agree that Cook would be able to divulge a few secrets though.
He smokes? To be honest, I don’t think even stopping smoking will help his fielding!
I just feel Ajmal is the better bowler although finger spinning can be taxing on the fingers in the longer form.
Unless they’re going to give the youngsters a go, the rest of the line up kind of picks itself really. You don’t think they should give more of the newer youngsters a go?
July 8th, 2010 at 5:14 pm
Riaz
“Umar Gul doesn’t have the variety” that must be a joke, I hope you know that if Afridi stays on the wicket for 60 balls usually he scores a 100 lets pray that he manages to stay on the wicket for 60 balls.
I think we the fans are being to negative here, we lost last time because of players trying to pull the legs of each other, I think we should stop moaning about YK who has done nothing in last 14 months he can’t see the ball properly let alone middle it and time it.
I think if we add two youngsters to the mix instead of Yasir Hameed and Imran Farhat we will have some batting, just look at last whole years performance only the youngsters have been performing the old horses are only occupying space in the team and creating bad atmosphere in the dressing room.
July 8th, 2010 at 7:11 pm
@Wasim –
I think the selection will depend a lot on tomorrow’s batting performance in the tour game. They are all involved, Ali, Amin, Farhat and Hameed so the pressure will be on.
I think they should even use these two Tests against Australia to experiment slightly so they can find a set side for the Tests against England. I think it may be the only option for the youngsters to stake a claim.
July 10th, 2010 at 10:36 pm
@Wasim –
“Dont see and middle”. YK cant see and middle the ball and still keep average of 50+ against good attacks and playing in all parts of the world. Those who see properly and middle and are in super form have their averages less then 35 and majority of their scores against mediocre attacks on subcontinent pitches. just calling the day a night and vice versa! YK is still one the fittest person among all those young or old fired or unfired guns. He can bat in heats for 50 overs and after scoring 100+ still performs the pushups!!! Where as our super man BALL EATER captain cant afford to keep his pads on for mere 15 overs and gets cramped!!! YK must see the ball properly to middle it and score as this is the only way he plays. The current lot headed by the one who never minds to see the ball. He swings first and then sees the ball! A pure baseball player. He likes all of his team mates to be like him as SHAHZAIB. Another one with hit whether you see or not philosophy player. He is an over weight youngster and lazy in the field and we see lots of appluase poring for him and comments flowing. What has he done? Please suggest any role for our captain ! Will he be a bowler (fast or spin), will he be a batsman (night watch man if needed be) or a fielder. Best for him would be to become a 12th man and still captain the side. That’s the only way he can be a success at test matches.
July 10th, 2010 at 10:44 pm
@Riaz –
If Afridi does well in the Tests against Australia and England, make sure you come back here!
Seriously though, of the current squad, who would your choice be as captain if not Afridi? Current squad…
July 11th, 2010 at 6:04 am
Riaz
I have had this argument regarding Younis khan’s case with several others on this blog and don’t have time to start another one, if you are so blind that you cant see his performance in the last two domestic seasons, his last 24 Odis and the test series in SriLanka then it’s not my problem to convince you.
YK has done nothing on the ground in last 12 months which would suggest that he has regained his form.
What was his performance against Australia the last time played against them, What was his performance in Champions trophy, what was his performance in the Srilankan tour.
The ball eater if he stays on the crease for fifteen overs he usually scores a century hope you know this fact.
The cureent form is of prime importance here and based on that Afridi will be 10 times more useful than YK. I have never been a fan of Afridi because of his batting but right now the way he is batting, I have nothing but appreciation for him.
Let me tell you what Shahzaib has done, he has performed in domestic cricket and earned his selection something which Yk failed to do despite his several attempts is it too hard to understand for you.
Failure in a few matches for a beginner is not so uncommon, You can call him lazy but I haven’t seen him dropping a catch his bat speed is better than any other player in the team barring Afridi.
Stop living in the past and try to judge players on the basis of their current form.
You asked me about the role of Afridi, why don’t you wait a few more days and find out yourself
July 12th, 2010 at 5:22 pm
@Wasim –
Afridi has vowed to replicate the T20s success in tests!!! Sounds amazing. To me, there is only one thing in common in T20 and test that these are forms of cricket nothing else is in common in between them.
How on earth a game of 3 hours be compared with 5 days game? T20s is similar to BASEBALL. When inzimam failed repeatedly, did he performed in domestic level? Did afridi palyed when he was a regular flop in batting ? After a certain time period, none of our players play the docmestic. Of current crop, only Misbah plays regularly.
Regards to Shahzaib, what he did to earn the spot (if he did actually better then those he competed with), YK has done many times in his career. He made come back a number of times and at last world all over acknowledges him. Wishes should not speak but records. Just confirm me, is he not the same fat young opener who failed repeatedly in T20 world cup 2009 ? If so, he is not new either. His only qualification is his style of batting which Afridi likes as he emulates him.
Just live in the world of facts and analyze the frequency / probability of our captain staying at the crease for more then an hour ? He has done it once a year for last 14 years of career. Although he is done this year against SL, but if still he does so, TEST cant be won by scoring 100 in 60 balls, you have to see off the whole day and even for another at times.
ICC should amend its rules for current Pak team and allow us to bat for 20 Overs only after what ever score the opponents get in their innings. This way we will be competitive and even win matches!
July 12th, 2010 at 5:51 pm
Riaz
Yes Inzamam played domestic cricket and so does Afridi, the only reason Afridi doesn’t get dropped because he performs with the ball.
The team doesn’t have any place for older guys who are out of form and just want to play on the basis of their past records, not only that these guys have such big egos that it is difficult for any captain or management to control them.
I would love to see Younis back in the test team but only if he shows that he is in form and can prove to be useful otherwise we will just waste an important slot in the team for the sake of hero worship.
As regards Shazaib only time will tell, he couldn’t control his nerves in international cricket but he played superbly against every domestic team, his performance in side matches on the tour was also good, you can’t drop a youngster based on just two matches Saeed Anwar flopped in his first few appearances even Yk struggled in his first year, it’s not uncommon, an average fan who has never played the game at a higher level fails to see the capability of a player only judges him by the result,and this is the only reason due to which we wasted the careers of so many good players.