The first match of Asia cup 2010 is being played between Pakistan and SriLanka. Both Shoaib’s made a return to international cricket, Pakistan also played Umer Amin and Shahzaib Hassan, there was only one noteable omission and that was of Saeed Ajmal who has been an integral part of Pakistan limited overs team, the team management probably wanted to give some depth to the batting line up.
SriLanka has set Pakistan a target of 235 which is quite decent on this pitch where the ball is holding up and the seamers are also getting some movement. Shoaib Akhtar’s return was quite impressive he bowled quite fast even though he looked a bit bulky and was struggling to run fast but he took three wickets and was easily the best pakistani bowler in this match, Asif and Aamer both are going through a lean patch both of them were unimpressive Asif should have caused more problem for the Lankans on this pitch than any other Pakistani bowler but he went for too many runs and took only one wicket clearly looks out of form.
Aamer has become one dimensional he hasn’t added more variety to his bowling, at times he can’t control his line and goes for runs, he can be very dangerous but it seems he doesn’t apply himself and doesn’t plan his spell.
Pakistan are in huge trouble right now chasing a relatively small toatal of 235 they are 33/4 after overs.
Salman Butt Pakistan’s man in form got out on a duck, Umer Amin struggled for his 7 runs, and Shahzaib played a very uncharacteristic knock and scored just 11 from 33 balls, he ;looked under pressure and perhaps wanted to score a big innings but his biggest flaw is that he can’t work the ball through gaps and blocks too many balls. Pakistan should not dump these youngsters after one poor performance they should persist with them through out this tournament.
SHoaib Malik failed miserably in this match and scored just 8 runs from 14 balls, it will take time for him to come back to form.
Right now Afridi has launched a counter attack he struck to consecutive sixes on the bowling of Mahroof, the partnership between Umar Akmal and Afridi can only rescue Pakistan.
SriLankan team looks to be in form they just returned home after winning the triangular series between Zimbabwe, India and SL, it will take time for the Pakistani players to adjust they havent played international cricket since the T20 WC.
Wasim,
Yep, that’s why its so important to have good depth in the squad with competition for places. Nothing pushes a player on more than the thought of him losing his place to a fellow team mate, and that team mate coming in and doing well. It’s a sure-fire way of bringing a big halt to your international career. It’s good for the team in the end though. I noticed in the tour game that Aamer decided to hold back his attacking bowling and concentrate on economy in the second innings. Though it was probably so that he doesn’t pick up any unnecessary injuries, it showed that he can bowl tight too.
It does make me smile the kinds of things people use Istikhara for! Most of them end up following that which they desired anyway. I think someone commented on Stani last time about the questionable character of the guys that left for the ICL. I tend to agree with that to some extent even though I know Yousuf also left for the ICL. It is more likely that they are the dodgy lot, but I’m sure Yousuf, being so close to Inzamam, was influenced by him.
I thin Misbah had a lot of pressure on him during that poor period he had that you mentioned. Nevertheless, I’m happy if a youngster does well and takes a place in the team ahead of him because it can only be good for the future.
Stani
I think now Aamer knows that his position in the team is at stake because of increased competition I think he will try to give his 100%, I think there is some sort of rivalry going on between him and Umar.
As regards Yousaf I think you have missed Rana Naveed’s testimony where he explicitly stated that it was Yousaf who took Oath from all the players on the holy book to stick together and underperform while playing under Younis.
Now the MF is doing Istikhara to come out of retirement. He first made this statement to test PCB management when he didn’t get any positive response he denied that he ever made any statement about coming out of retirement. He is employing the same tactics which he employed under Malik when he left for ICL, he is going to wait and see if god forbid Pakistan lose under Afridi then he will come out of retirement as the Istikhara at that time will definitely be positive.
At that time PCB should hold a counter Istikhara that should they allow him to make a come back, and should tell the pseudo maulvi to take a hike and remain on his tableeghi tour.
Misbah did score in domestic cricket and may be in one or two matches during 2009 but he performed strangely in T20 WC played some strange shots and in Australia he couldn’t see straight balls he was way off the line. I think his time is over, we shouldn’t be wasting time on these old horses and should do our best to groon new players and give them maximum exposure untill the WC we might get one or two players ready until then if we show some patience.
Wasim,
Yep, I had a feeling these conditions would help Aamer which is why I think they will go Umar, Asif and Aamer in Tests, and Umar Akhter and Aamer in ODI/T20s. As long as these three do well, then we won’t really need Akhtar in the Tests. The worry I have is that our pacers can’t really bat and we’re probably going to need their support unfortunately. Aamer can hold a bat but is too inconsistent.
I think Afridi’s side strain is something to worry about. They’re not the kind of injuries you can carry through a game and can easily worsen. Is Akmal vice-captain or is it Butt? Just pray Afridi stays fit!
Stani
Umer took the wickets of Lara and Ganguly the other day after bowling an expensive first over, both were clean bowled by a umar special, I think he is back in form but he still has to prove himself in the longer version. Today Aamer took five wickets thats also a good sign, only if Asif comes back into form the Pakistan can cause some serious problems to Aussies. I still believe that Akhtar should have been selected for test matches.
Afridi is facing a minor injury scare, it will take time for his body to adjust to the test level fitness, if he gets unfit that will be a big blow to Pakistan.
Wasim,
Yes, I forgot about our friend Akhtar! I think they will drop Asif for the ODIs and T20s instead of Aamer. Asif has no plan B when batsmen go in to attacking mode. He’s like Rao Iftikhar. I think Aamer can bowl tighter when a batsman’s charging.
@ Stani
In test matches you are right he will play but in Odis they will have to play Akhtar and there will be a tie between Asif and Aamer.
Wasim,
I think they will go Gul, Aamer, Asif and a spinner.
Stani
I think most of the players in our team are in the team because there replacements aren’t any better.
I think Aamer will not get dropped altogether for any particular format but with the return of Gul he won’t be an automatic selection anymore.
Wasim,
That is quite good, I admit, but the the problem I have is if you begin to go back from there his innings are littered with low scores. He is very unreliable in a role where reliability is of paramount importance. Don’t get me wrong, opening is the hardest batting skill, but I have reservations on him continuing this form. I still believe he is only there because we have no one else. I hope he does carry on though, because we will definitely need it on this tour.
Wow, you really think Aamer will make way? Hmm, I know I definitely wouldn’t drop Asif in English conditions. So how would your bowling line up look fr the three formats?
Stani
I don’t agree with you on Butt.
In last 10 test innings this is Butt’s score
29, 18, 9, 66, 45, 33,71,21,102, 8
I don’t think Yousaf or Younis in last 10 innings have scored consistently.
I absolutely agree with you on Aamer and Razzaq, I think when Gul will return Aamer will be warming the bench. Razzaq is on his way out.
Wasim,
Butt is just too inconsistent for my liking. He is just fortunate that no one has put up a decent challenge to him for that spot.
I think Aamer needs to start working on variation now. His short ball is just not a surprise any more.
I think I have lost patience with Razzaq. His bowling is just the type of bowling when someone’s just going through the motions, his fielding is awful and he only performs with the bat sometimes. Rana would do a better job than him…even though he has is shortcomings.
Stani
I don’t agree with you on Butt he has been performing lately no opener can score in every single match.
The conditions were not conducive for spinners that is why Ajmal was dropped but Asif could have bowled better, I am least impressed by Aamer’s bowling, I think his progress has halted and the extra spark he showed in his initial matches both in batting and bowling is totally missing.
But the main culprit was Razzaq he showed no intent to win the match.
Why Afridi didn’t requested for a runner is another question. If this is his fitness level then I doubt he will survive in test matches but having said that he played a wonderful innings and was let down by his team mates.
SP
I think he should have taken over from Afridi but I was surprised that he saw Afridi struggling but didn’t assumed the responsibility to score, for a moment I thought he was waiting for the batting power play but then even in those overs he only blocked the ball and didn’t tried to hit.
Wasim,
I think they should consider bringing Ajmal back in place of Asif for the next game especially as Akhtar is back.
I have not seen a more limited cricketer in international cricket than Salman Butt. He cant field, catch or bat with shots all around the ground. All he is good for is playing square. To think people were touting this guy for captain? Crazy.
I feel for Amin and Shehzaib as they were placed under pressure because of Butt and his early dismissal. Both newcomers out there early on. They should have changed the line up and sent someone else at 3 as soon as Butt got out early. Crazy move. The innings just died. I firmly believe there should be a floater in the line up at all times because not every game follows the same path. You have to be flexible and ready to adapt. The rigidity just lost us overs early on.
It was encouraging to see Afridi’s performance. I hope this is a sign of things to come from the captain.
There also needs to be a serious look at the places of Malik and Razzaq in the side.
In the end though, had we had wickets in hand we could have done it.
this is what i tweeted about razzaq..
yesterday… abdul razzaq escorted pakistan to a spectacular defeat… in last few overs he anchored pak from non-striker end!
Hilal
Several strange things happened the two run outs, Afridi’s refusal to take a runner, and Razzaq’s lack of intent, I think he shouldn’t have taken a single on the fifth ball.
Razzaq is so coward or may be lost all what he had once, he is also a major cause of defeat.
I don’t care about winning this match thats a long shot now but I reaaly want Afridi to complete his 100.
Pathetic running between the wickets by Akmal brothers will cost us this match, Afridi can still win it for Pakistan he is going great guns and has played a wonderful innings but I suspect the runout of Kamran Akmal will psychologically demoralize him. Razzaq should take some pressure off from Afridi who is visibly looking tired in extremely hot and humid conditions.