younis Khan century agains India in India

Pakistan Vs England – 3rd Test Match, 3rd Day MatchSummery

Pakistan started the proceedings of 3^rd day with the figures of 222/2. Younis Khan hit a stylish stroke for four on the start of the day.  But very soon Broad utilized his weakness of playing cross the line and got his wicket in shape of LBW. Younis Khan scored 127 valuable runs.  On the other end careful inning from  young Azher Ali was in progress. Misbah accompanied him but the flow of runs decreased after the departure of Younis Khan.  Because Azher Ali was under immense  pressure of nervous nineties.  Azher Ali succeeded in score  century but his strike rate was under 40 which is slightly slow for today cricket.  Azher Ali scored 157 runs after playing 442 balls with the strike rate of 35.52. But further proceedings of the match tell the story that the strategy of Azher Ali was right because no other batsmen succeeded to stay on the wicket.  Only Skipper Misbah Ul Haq succeeded to enter into the double figures and he scored 32 run. The remaining batsmen scored 0, 1, 1, 4 and 0. No one was able to enter to the double figures due to outstanding bowling of Panesar and Swann. Montty Panesar got 5 wickets for 124 runs in 56.2 overs. GP Swann got 3 wickets for 101 runs in 39 overs. Adnreson and Broad both got 1 wicket each.  Pakistan scored 365 runs including 12 extras in 152.4 overs and set the though target of 324 runs for England to win. 

England started the proceeding of 2^nd innings carefully. After a good first over from Umer Gul English batsmen were looking under pressure. Umer Gul strike in his 2^nd over when AN Cook edged the delivery towards third slip but the man at third slip Taufeeq Umer miss a very easy chance and provide a chance to Cook to extend his inning. At the end of the day England was 36 for 0 with Cook on 15 and Straus on 19 not out on the crease. England required more 288 runs to win with 10 wickets in hand while Pakistan required 10 wickets on the 4th day of the match.

PCB – Dog's Tail

After the establishment of current government, unfortunately Pakistan is facing bad news from every field of life.  Suicide attacks on innocent people of Pakistan are a matter of routine. Drone attacks are addition to these suicide attacks. 20 hours so called load shading in 42+⁰ temperature is another disaster. Cricket is such an activity which Pakistani people can use to forget these problems for some time and can divert their attention towards normal life by watching good cricket matches.  But unfortunately this government destroyed the whole structure of Pakistan cricket also as it did with other organizations. President of Pakistan Asif Ali Zardari gifted the chairmanship of PCB to one of the relative of his Jailmate Ahmed Mukhtair.  This is fact that Ijaz Butt is enjoying this appointment because of his relationship with Ahmed Mukhtair, otherwise a wise man will not allowed him to enter in the premises of PCB office.

The tragedy of Muhammad Asif and Muhammad Aamir and attack on Sri Lankan players is on the credit of this management. This management destroyed Younis Khan by mentally torching and promoting grouping against him. Younis Khan is a player who is capable of leading Pakistan and is also capable to groom the upcoming batting talent of Pakistan. But this management has nothing to do with the success of Pakistan cricket. It has its own mysterious agenda.

After Younis Khan, Shahid Afridi gave some good hopes to Pakistan cricket. But again this management started conspiracies against him. Before the world cup it tried to remove Shahid Afridi from captaincy but because of immense pressure from Pakistan cricket fans this management avoid to do so at that time. But now as all the nation is focused on the dangerous situation of the country because of some differences with USA, this management shamelessly act upon its plan and appointed Misbah as captain. What is the justification for appointment of Misbah as captain? What agenda this board want to complete through the captaincy of Misbah? You can’t consider it future planning because he cannot play for long time because of his age factor.

The conclusion for the current PCB board is “Dog Tail will remain tilted for ever” 

Australian Team - Barking Dogs Seldom Bite

In a group match between Pakistan and Australia, Ricky Ponting was clearly caught behind by wicketkeeper Kamran Akmal, but instead of going back to pavilion he wait for umpire decision. Surprisingly on field umpire Erasmus also support him and not declare him out. Therefore, Pakistan went for a review. Review showed that there was a clear visible edge. There was no reason for on field umpire to not declare him out. But may be Ponting was thinking that third umpire is also blind like field umpire that was only reason to stay their after such a big edge. But third umpire rightly declared him out. Mean while Brad Hidden adopted uncivilized behavior which is identity of Australian. He came towards Umer Akmal aggressively and spoke harshly. On this moment Younis Khan interfered and tried to cool down Brad Hidden but in response he pushed Younis Khan.  This is not the first time any Australian adopted such uncivilized behavior. Australian Captain Ricky Ponting has been punished almost 16 times before this incident. In recent world cup he broke a TV set. In Ashes series he went in a long confrontation with best umpire of ICC Aleem Dar on a decision.  

No doubt Australia is a very professional side. But in last few years this team is not performing well according to its reputation, therefore, the best way to get positive results is just hard work. Speaking harshly to umpires and players cannot help Australian. But at the moment Australian are alive in the news of controversies only.  So therefore, a quotation “Barking Dog Seldom Bites” suit on this time now-a-days.

ICC should also take notice of this behavior from Brad Hidden on the field. Especially his action to push Younis Khan is not acceptable. Yes he is “white” and ICC has the record to take action only against blacks, but enough is enough, he must be bring to justice this time because his behavior has damaged the image of cricket.

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. 

Some Statements from Sarfaraz Nawaz – Should Media Consider Sarfaraz Nawaz as Analyst

Pakistan’s former fast bowler Sarfaraz Nawaz  is famous for his hot and fiery statements. He is live in media because of his negligent statements. He never thought that what would be the negative impact of his non serious statements on the status of Pakistan cricket. Here is record of some statements of Sarfaraz Nawaz, read these statement and then decide, is this man has potential to express his views on any cricket issu? If not Media should not take his views after every controversy to promote its channel viewer ships, for the betterment of cricket as well as for the betterment of Pakistan image.

“He told a television channel that Imran had demanded money from former Pakistan player Younus Ahmed to play him in the side on a tour and after he didn`t pay the full amount he was sent packing home. Sarfaraz has alleged he was witness to the deal between Imran and Younus. He has also claimed that Imran used to take hashish regularly (charas) and had bawdy sex romps as a Pakistan team member.”

Infact he was stating after meeting with MQM Head Altaf Hussain, by this he was trying to damage the personality of Imran Khan on the advice of MQM. Sarfaraz was also on the pay role of PML (N)  when PLM (N) and PTI was opponent in an election in 1990s. At that time Sarfaraz was creating story of Seta White.

After loosing series in Sri Lanka in captaincy of Younis Khan Sarfaraz Nawaz Stated

“I feel that team captain Younis Khan should retire from international cricket and hand over the responsibilities to Shahid Afridi”.

Can a sensible person demand a young player to retire after loosing a series. 

In one of his TV interview to Indian News Channel “Star News”

he said “that Shoaib Malik is marrying Sania Mirza only to fix Tennis matches now  as he cannot serve Pak Cricket Team because of ban now”.

Commenting on a controversy, when after differences with Chairman Younis Khan resign from captaincy Sarfaraz said:-

Younis Khan ko Istifa dene par gairat dikhane ke baad be-gairati nahi karni chahiye aur is par kaim rehna chahi

Stating regarding ex Chairman of ICC on September 15, 2010 (Frontier Star): “Sarfaraz terming former Chairman of ICC Ehsan Mani as a match fixer”  

In another interview he stated

"I urge upon cricket nations to stop taking part in the ICC-held events. They are havens for match-fixers. ICC is actively promoting it,"

On death of Bob Wolmer Controversy he stated:-

"Bob must have seen how Pakistan team went about its business against West Indies. You could sense it from their body language that something was amiss. I believe he was writing a book and he would have come off with sensational disclosures.”

On another occasion he claimed

“that captain Inzamam-ul-Haq, along with Rana Naved-ul-Hasan, Mushtaq Ahmed, Mohammad Yousuf and Shoaib Malik were involved in betting.”

On one occasion he  claimed

“That he was threatened with death threats by unidentified men who snuck up on him and threatened to kill him if he continued with his jibes against match fixing by Pakistan cricketers.”

No doubt he was great bowler of his time, and the invention of reverse swing is on his credit, but after reading these statements can any one draw some positive conclusions from his statements in favour of cricket, players and especially Pakistan cricket.  All these statements look like he knows the habits of emotional Pakistani nation and by these spicy statement he is trying to live in media.

But I think media should read statements and think again that is he could be consider cricket analyst. Should media take him for expressing his views on cricket controversies? 

An Analysis of Pakistan’s Squad for World Cup 2011

All over the world managements like to form the team in following way: -

1.         4 pure Specialist Batsmen (2 Openers and 2 Middle Order batsman)

2.         1 Wicketkeeper Batsman

3.         1 Bating All-rounder

4.         1 Bowling All-rounder

5.         4 Specialist Bowlers

Following is Pakistan Team for World cup 2011:-

1.         Ahmed Shehzad. Pure Opening Batsman.

2.         Kamran Akmal. He is Wicketkeeper Batsman, good in opening also.

3.         Younis Khan good in Middle Order.

4.         Misbah. Good in middle order.

5.         Umer Akmal. Good in Middle Order but inexperience.

6.         Asad Shafiq. Good in Middle Order, but still inexperience

7.         Muhammad Hafeez. He is good Opening Batsman. One can consider him as Bowling All-rounder also. 

8.        Shahid Afridi. Actual he is Bowling All-rounder, as he was inducted into team as leg spin bowler on start of his career.

9.         Abdul Razaq. Also Bowling All-rounder.

10.       Shoaib Aktar Fast Bowler

11.       Umer Gul. Fast Bowler

12.       Wahab Riaz. Fast Bowler.

13.       Sohail Tanveer. Medium Fast Bowler.

14.       Saeed Ajmal. Off Spin Bowlser.

15.       Abdul Rehman. Leg Spin Bowler.

The team one can consider to play:-

Kamran Akmal, Ahmed Shezad/Muhammad Hafiz, Younas Khan, Misbah Ul Haq, Umer Akmil, Shahid Afridi, Abdul Razaq, Shoaib Akhtar, Umer Gul, Sohail Tanveer, Saeed Ajmal.

Although Pakistan is short of experience openers, but still the above team is looking good. If the players apply themselves and concentrate only on cricket no reason that we can perform well in all matches.