Lack of self belief hurt Pakistan
on December 28th, 2009 at 4:39 pmHad Pakistan bowled in the first innings with the kind of aggressive attitude they dispalyed in the second innings they would have been in a much stronger position. Aamer bowled with pace and targeted either the stumps or the rib cage, the way he setup Ponting was a treat to watch. Asif was at his usual best just testing the batsman in the corrider of uncertainity his line was clinical.
Rauf and Ajmal failed to carry on the momentum they never looked threatening. Rauf bowled a better line than the first innings but his friendly pace didn’t gave much trouble to the batsmen. Ajmal again was guilty of bowling too fast Watson who was a bit uncertain facing him in the first innings was quite comfortable this time.
Earlier the batsmen were guilty of being too defensive, the defensive tone set by the openers carried through out Pakistan’s innings. Pakistani batsmen will have to realize the difference between being defensive and over cautious, after getting set they have to play their natural game and launch a counter attack.
It was a blunder to send a night watchman to face just one ball, Aamer faced 80+ balls for his 15 runs, he did a fine job to hold one end but during his stay at the wicket Pakistan failed to launch a counter attack and score from both ends. In form Kamran Akmal came to bat at # 8, he psychologically felt the urgency to score runs quickly and fell because of his over aggression. Misbah and Kamran Akmal should bat higher in the second innings and Faisal Iqbal should be pushed at # 7.
Pakistan lost a lot of runs when Misbah and Umar Akmal didn’t took singles just to cover the tail ender on the other end, Misbah could have batted a bit more aggressively, but it seems due to over criticism by fans and the media in recent months all the players are just trying to save their career and are not playing with their usual flare.
Australia probably will declare one hour after the lunch break and set Pakistan a target of 450. Watson and Clarke are well set the first session will be crucial for both teams Australia will look to score quick runs and Pakistan will look for quick wickets.
Yousaf should use Asif and Aamer in short spells and should refrain from setting a defensive field the Aussie’s will try to score quickly and might lose quick wickets in the process if the field placement is attacking.
Australia are in the driving seat in this test but with a little self belief and determination Pakistan still have an outside chance to win this match as plenty of time is left in this match.
What the F is wrong with Shane Warne he is showering praises on Faisal Iqbal probably wants the Pakistanis to continue with him.
sifarshi #1 is gone and in comes Sifarshi # 2. How long do you think Sifarshi #2 will survive.
Qamar good news only if he has improved his form.
Haroon Bhaiya no short hand plz… can’t understand half of it. Our previous best if I am not mistaken at this ground in fourth innings was 336 we can’t win this one, the first wicket has already fallen. It’s only a matter of time Faisal will also go then an under pressure Yousaf will battle for a few hours until he will be put out of his misery. I think by the close of todays play we will be at least three down.
That’s good news:-) should be a straight swap Faisal for younis and that will make our batting mazbooth LOL. if gul and kaneria come in for rauf and ajmal then we will have a better chance of winning.
yes boyz lukz lyk we gna have to try nd chase abwt 450 to win this match and im sure our previous best is 341 or smefin so itz highly unlyklii we gna win buh o wel if team selection iz gud den we gotta chance in the next 2 games enit. bowling has looked wicked in australiaz sencond inningz..ameeer is a badman lol i stil fink we gna win da series
Asif will have to get us a break through here. So far Pakistan has done well, Ponting won’t declare until the lead is 400 the slower they get there the better for Pakistan.
Qamar
just read the news Younis will be joining Pakistan team before the second test.
pakistan is still in the match Aamer has kept Pakistan’s chances alive, You are right any thing below 400 won’t be impossible.
Well hopefully we can keep them down to a 400 lead and then die trying. We should defo replace ajmal rauf and Faisal and bring in malik Gul and kaneria. If afridi decides to get back into test cricket then him for malik.
Australia would like to set a target of 450 to Pakistan. Do you guys think Pakistan is capable of chasing such a total given that there will be enough time?
If not then should Pakistan go for a draw or they should die trying?
Qamar
Shoaib Malik is allowed to bowl but he himself has no confidence in his bowling anymore, remember even when he was the captain he rarely bowled, I would not consider him as an all rounder anymore, Razzaq and Afridi are the two only genuine allrounders left in Pakistan.
As regards changes, I would suggest that Rauf, Ajmal and Faisal Iqbal should be replaced with Sami/Gul, Kaneria and Malik.
My first choice would be Afridi but he is not playing test cricket so it is futile to talk about him, if Younis was in form I would have picked him but he is totally out of form and it would take him a month or so to get back in form.It wouldn’t be a bad idea to send Faisal back home and let Younis practice with the team and acclimatize with the conditions before the Odi series.
If Malik doesn’t want to bat at # 3 then Khurram Manzoor should play in his place.
Pakistan will have to convince Afridi to pull out of test retirement.
Just a quick question from me..is shoaib malik allowed to bowl or is his action still in question? Also what changes would you suggest ahead of the next test?