Professional Performance by Partial Cricketers

In the ongoing cricket world we found some new cricketers who have come to international cricket with a hurdle but still they are performing professionally. These are some players in Dutch team who are not full time cricketers, they belong to different professions one of them is tailor, one is waiters and some others also belongs to different professions. Therefore, they cannot spare much time for practice. But in a match between England and Netherlands, fans did not feel that they are new to international cricket.

In a match against England they loss by 6 wickets but that does not explains their egger. To picture there desperation you need to have a look at the performance of this inexperience team..

Attitude of  Netherlands team shows that how desperate were they to win this match. The loss does not matter at this stage; the thing that matters is there devotion. Being an associated team, scoring 292 runs would be considered good enough to earn applauses. But for Nederland 292 runs were not enough, because their aim was to win the game rather than to earn applauses. Dutch players after scoring 292 runs put noticeable efforts in their bowling also and the spectators never got a single impression that this is a weak bowling attack.  The suspense was there till the end of the match. After doing so many efforts England was able to win the match.

Although Netherlands did not win the match, but still left a message to other new teams that just scoring 250+ runs is not enough; one should put efforts in bowling also to ensure the win. This daring attitude of Netherlands shows their commitment with the game. If these players got the opportunity to become full time players, no reason that they can became strong team of the cricket world.

By

M Asim (APCOMS) Pakistan

Was It a Revenge Game Mr. Sehwag?

An addition to Sehwag’s witty statements is that “Win against Bangladesh is revenge of World Cup 2007 defeat” which he stated at the end of the game in presentation ceremony after wining the match. The context to this statement is that Bangladesh kicked India out of the World Cup in 2007 by beating them , so Sehwag  believes that by defeating Bangladesh in a single match in this 2011 world cup ,they have take the revenge .But the question arises, is this defeat comparable to the one that Indians faced in 2007, certainly not because this defeat has not caused complete evacuation of Bangladesh from the World cup, contrary to 2007, where Indian had  to leave West Indies after defeat against  Bangladesh. 

Before this, one of the statements that show’s Sehwags childish behavior was stated few month back by him, when he said that in a Match when Shoaib Akhtar was challenging me to hit a six on my bowl and when I was not able to do so, Sachin Tendulker hit a six to Shoaib and then I told Shoiab that look Tendulkar is your father because he hit you a six.  Now  here Sehwag was also wrong,  if we assess the situation defined by Sehwag than Tendular is not Shoib’s Father, infact  he is Sehwag’s father because Sehwag was not able to hit a six to Shoiab while Tendulkar did it. For a bowler, if some one hit him six, is not a matter of concern because some times bowler will got out batsman and some times batsman will hit him shots. So, therefore, for Shoiab it was not a matter of concern.  

Now what type of a player is he? He never played big innings away from subcontinent. What was happened to him when Bangladesh ruined his team and thrown out of tournament in 2007.  Infact he failed on seeming pitches in Australia and South Africa every time. The only place where he can score is subcontinent. It shows flaws in his techniques. Because brilliant players like Inzamam, Tendulkar and Lara can play big innings all over the world.

My suggestion to Sehwag is to put a lid on his beak and concentrate on his game rather than speaking meaningless talks. He should not follow thrilling words of media as it is the duty of media to display things hot and spicy. He should show sensibility as a senior player. 

Author
M Asim (APCOMS Pakistan)

India Vs Bangladesh – Match Analysis

ICC World Cup 2011

In opening match of ICC World Cup 2011 India defeated Bangladesh by 87 runs. Bangladesh won the toss and elected to bowl first. The reason for bowling first on a pure batting wicket was disclosed as dew factor by Bangladesh captain. He was hoping to bowled out India under 300 runs and then chase the target. But some furious batting by Indian opening batsman Veraner Sehwag completely destroyed his plan. Verinder Sehwag’s 175 runs help India to register figure of 370 runs on score board. Bangladesh bowling was completely out classed by Verindar Sehwad and Verat Koli. Verat Koli also scored century. This was time when critics started criticism on Bangladesh’s captain decision for batting first on a batting wicket.  Most of experts were of the opinion that this decision allowed India to play freely without pressure.

Bangladesh also started batting aggressively.  Tamim Iqbal along with his partner provided good start to Bangladesh. He scored 70 runs. But after he was got out, run rate of Bangladesh came down. Although most of Bangladesh batsman played sensibly, but the target was too huge. Run rate was increasing with every single delivery, therefore, there was not time for batsman to settle and then play natural strokes. That’s why, after even playing very positively Bangladesh only succeeded tor reach the figure of 283 runs on the loss of 9 wickets. This 283 runs figure provided cover to Bangladesh’s captain decision for bowling first. Because Bangladesh batting performance demonstrated that they are capable of chasing 280+ runs. The only difference between performances of both teams was Virander Sehwad’s marbles inning.  

In the remaining matches, Bangladesh can perform well in batting, but in bowling fire like Waseem, Waqar, Amir and Imran is lacking. Otherwise, Bangladesh is no weaker team in batting field. If Bangladesh found some talented fast bowlers through talent hunt programme in their country, she can became an elite cricket playing country very soon.

The weaknesses of Indian Bowling attack has been also disclosed in this match, because if batting line up like Bangladesh can score 280+ runs against it, how it will control Australian, South African, British, Sri Lankan and Pakistanis. Because all these countries have better line up compare to Bangladesh batting line up.

Warm-up Match Against England – Need Adjustment in Batting Order

 

England has won Warm up Match against Pakistan by 67 runs. Before this, although Pakistan won 1^st warm match against Bangladesh, but considering weaknesses of Bangladesh bowling attack, runs scored by Pakistan in a warm up match were not good enough, over 300 runs were expecting by the fans. Keeping in view the above facts Pakistan should adopt some changes in the batting line. Most of the experts are agreed that Hafiz is not suitable for opening. The reason is that he is not confident in facing out swing delivery because of flaws in his technique. Although he has played some very good innings as opening batsman, but consistency is not there in his performance. He may be good in T-20, but when playing 50 overs he must have sound technique for defence also, which is lacking in his batting technique.

So, therefore, plan ‘B’ is suggested here. Kamran Akmal has performed so many times extra-ordinary as opening batsman. Although his performance in recent days as opener was not satisfactory, but the reasons were not his technique, the reasons were mind disturbance because of allegations on him, but now he is free of these allegations.  So, now we can expect positive results from him as opening batsman. Besides these, he has scored a century on Australian wickets against West Indies in earlier stage of his career. It is obvious that without having good technique no one can play big inning in Australia. The utility of Haifiz is still there. He can play some big shots as number 7 batsman and can contribute through his off spin bowling also.  

Opening Ceremony – Was it Spirit of Cricket?

The way opening ceremony of World Cup 2011 has been presented was according to today’s world cultural means.  This ceremony was dominated by music and dance show. Therefore, it was looking little bit wayward from the spirit of cricket. The cycle Rickshaw display by Bangladesh Government as cultural aspect, really hurt me. This was not a matter of proud for Bangladesh by any means. Thanks God, in result of some positive measures by government of Pakistan, Cycle Rickshaw has been replaced by Auto Rickshaw in Pakistan. Any way, Bangladesh government should take measure to provide alternative jobs to these cycle Rickshaw holders. To me the ideal cricket ceremony should have following activities:-

1.       Participation of Legendary Cricketers. 

2.       An overview of historic moment of cricket.

3.       A package of some historic bowling and batting performances.

4.       A package of world cup historic performances.

5.       True cultural show of host countries (Not only dance and Music).

6.       A small segment of music.

Most of cricket fans feel deficiency of the above deserving aspects in this ceremony.  ICC should not make cheap, huge moment like World Cup as IPL. Because IPL is an Indian Premier League and actresses are dealing with the players in this league. Cheer Ladies are mandatory part of IPL. Infact these cheer ladies have nothing to do with cricket.  ICC has tried to give a touch of IPL to this massive moment, which is not matter of satisfaction.

ICC World 2011 – Last Chance for Sachin Tendulkar

Little master Sachin Tendulker has the records of most runs in career, most runs in an innings, most runs in a calendar year,  most Hundreds in career and most fifties in career in ODIs.  All these records show his greatness in the game. He has contributed most of the time in success of Indian team. But when it comes to discussion some experts criticize him and blaming him for playing for only his own records. 

The main reason is that most of the times Tendulker lost his wicket in crucial times. Besides this, Tendulker did not meet the expectation of their fans in World Cup 2003 final. And Australia beat India easily in final game. No doubt India has won most of the game because of his contributions but not yet has won any big ICC tournament of his performance. This will always eclipse his career records.

But he can remove this eclipse by performing well in world cup 2011. This is a last chance for him to contribute in making India World Champion once again. This is also last chance for him to highlight himself in history of world cup, as Inzamam Ul Haq, Lance Klusener, Kapil Dev, Imran Khan Ricky Ponting, Gilchrist, Shane Warne and Wasim Akram did.

World Cup 2011 – Some Positive Aspects for Pakistan

Although after recent controversies, experts are not considering Pakistan as favorite for World Cup 2011, but still there are some positive aspects for Pakistan team. The first positive aspect is venue of World Cup. Bangladesh has defeated South Africa on a slow pitch in lost world cup. Record of Australia in Sri Lanka is not good also, where even Arvinda Desliva was enough to control Australian in Sri Lanka. So, therefore, because of conditions, Pakistan will enjoy edge on these favourite teams.  The second aspect is spin bowling. After exclusion of Asif and Amir  fast bowling attack of Pakistan is not looking strong  as Shoaib Akhtar is not fully fit, Junaid Khan is inexperience and Wahab Riaz is an average bowler. Only exceptions are from Umar Gul who can change situation in minutes through his reveres swing.  But spin bowling attack of Pakistan is looking good. Saeed Ajmal is a match winner bowler; Abdul Rehman is also quality bowler. Shahid Afridi and Hafiz have record of providing break through in crucial times. So according to conditions spin bowling attack of Pakistan is looking good and can provide positive results. In batting field, some batsmen of Pakistan team have good record on Asian wickets. Shahid Afridi can provide extra ordinary inning in India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh any time.  So is Abdul Razaq. But the most crucial role will be of Kamran Akmal and Umer Akmal. Both are fighting players, especially Kamran Akmal has good record of playing in pressure as well as playing on Asian wickets. Young Ahmed Shehzad is also in good form and has the potential to rise like Inzamam Ul Haq through this world cup, so as Asad Shafiq. Hafiz is also in good form and he can provide some crucial wickets besides scoring runs. Younis Khan and Misbah Ul Haq are specialists batsmen of these conditions, therefore, Pakistan cricket fans are expecting anchor role from them during this world cup.

Although experts are not considering Pakistan as favorite, but infact ground realities are in favour of Pakistan. If Pakistan’s players concentrated on game and played their natural cricket, no reason that Pakistan can even win this world cup as she has done by wining T20 World cup in similar worst conditions. 

Trio Should Show Moral Courage Like Hansie Cronje

   

After punished by ICC Trio are criticizing ICC and PCB through Media regularly.  The question is, for what they are criticizing ICC and PCB as they have admitted their spot fixing crime in front of tribunal. In on of his statement Muhammad Amir said that 5 years ban punishment for just 2 no balls is too much. Imagine what is thinking of this young man. Has he not known the importance of these two no balls for bookies?  

Amazingly these players have not been apologized for their actions yet.  Which is a matter of concern for the supporters of these players? It means that they are not ashamed for their actions.

At least they should accept the crime openly and apologies from the whole nation. Because all evidence on ground are against them. They should show courage and moral like Hansie Cronje and should apologize for their crimes openly.

Only after making their characters clean and transparent they can think for playing again. And it is very important for the people of Pakistan to not support trio baselessly, because it will encourage other youngsters for negative thinking, which is not in favour of cricket and especially Pakistan cricket. 

Top Scorer in History of World Cup

Player	Duration	Mats	Inns	NO	Runs	HS	Ave	Strike Rate	100s	50s
S  Tendulkar (India)	1992-2007	36	35	4	1796	152	57.93	88.21	4	13
R Ponting (Aus)	1996-2007	39	36	4	1537	140*	48.03	81.06	4	6
B Lara (WI)	1992-2007	34	33	4	1225	116	42.24	86.26	2	7
S Jayasuriya (SL)	1992-2007	38	37	3	1165	120	34.26	90.66	3	6
A Gilchrist (Aus)	1999-2007	31	31	1	1085	149	36.16	98.01	1	8
J Miandad (Pak)	1975-1996	33	30	5	1083	103	43.32	68.02	1	8
SP Fleming (NZ)	1996-2007	33	33	3	1075	134*	35.83	76.89	2	5
H Gibbs (SA)	1999-2007	25	23	4	1067	143	56.15	87.38	2	8
A de Silva (SL)	1987-2003	35	32	3	1064	145	36.68	86.57	2	6
V Richards (WI)	1975-1987	23	21	5	1013	181	63.31	85.05	3	5
S Ganguly (India)	1999-2007	21	21	3	1006	183	55.88	77.50	4	3
M Waugh (Aus)	1992-1999	22	22	3	1004	130	52.84	83.73	4	4
M Hayden (Aus)	2003-2007	22	21	2	987	158	51.94	92.93	3	2