Overconfidence cost Pakistan
” Before you attempt to beat the odds, be sure you could survive the odds beating you. “ Pakistan were clearly overconfident when the ODI series between England and Pakistan started but forgot that overconfidence precedes carelessness. Perhaps they underestimated the English side as did everyone else, they lead the four match series 2-0. Who would have thought things will turn around within a week? For Pakistan the problem lies with the team selection and poor planning. England didn’t bring drastic changes to their team for the ODI’s and just included specialists Ravi ...
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A second chance for Amir
For a long time, I was so gutted by what Mohammad Amir did that I felt his crime was unforgivable. He had been with the team for a year; a year of travelling, a lot of learning and a lot of guidance. But I guess the guidance came from all the wrong quarters; Salman Butt was his best friend on the Pakistan cricket team, as he once claimed during the World T20 in the West Indies. And that friendship cost him. Did anyone expect a street-smart character like Amir to be so gullible? Was he so innocent that he just got sucked ...
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Saeed Ajmal, the doosra Saqlain
Off-spin bowling has never been as glamorous and stylish an art as leg-spin. In fact, it wasn’t long ago when off-spin wasn’t event considered an art, as every part timer could roll over his arm for an end changing spell of off-spinning lollipops. From Benaud to Qadir and Warne to Mushtaq, leg-spin was the only form of slow bowling that was considered an essential ingredient of a potent bowling unit. All that, however, changed with the emergence of a skinny young man from Lahore who not only reintroduced off-spin as a genuine threat but also added such artistry to his repertoire that his invention laid the foundation of ...
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Wasim and Waqar: the deadly duo
In recent times, cricket has undergone a fast bowling renaissance of sorts. Watching James Pattinson harass a much vaunted Indian batting line-up with speed and bounce in Melbourne and Sydney was a sight to behold. Pattinson is just 21, and he along with fellow Australian Pat Cummins (18) and the South African duo of Vernon Philander (26) and Marchant De Langle (21), represent a growing young breed of top class fast bowling prospects. There is no dearth of fast bowling talent in Pakistan either. Junaid Khan and Wahhab Riaz, two of the more recent entrants into the Pakistani bowling hall ...
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Criticism of Ajmal’s action: Cause for needless controversy
The recent test series between West Indies and Pakistan, which ended in a 1-1 draw, confirmed Pakistan’s strong bowling lineup and the batting weakness of both the teams. It was one of those rare series in which the Green Shirts relied more on their spinners than the pacers and they returned handsome rewards. West Indian batsmen were simply clueless against the wiles of Saeed Ajmal, Abdur Rehman and Muhammad Hafeez. Ajmal took 17 wickets in all and was deservedly named man of the series but the comments of some of the West Indian greats of the past left a sour taste ...
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Shoaib Akhtar: Farewell to a superstar
In a touching gesture, the cricketing regions of Islamabad and Rawalpindi have decided to arrange a series of farewell matches for their favourite son Shoaib Akhtar. Shoaib – who retired from the game during World Cup 2011 – is one of the most exciting players to have ever stepped onto a cricket field. He is a player who drew contrasting opinions, ranging from being an unfit, undisciplined player to an asset who could have contributed more to Pakistan cricket had the administrators handled him wisely. The fighter There is no doubt that Shoaib was a temperamental player who regularly got into trouble ...
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Pakistan vs India: Afridi’s men start off as favourites
As the much-awaited semi-final clash between India and Pakistan draws closer, both captains will be under pressure to make some difficult decisions. Often teams have the tendency to make strategies keeping the opposition’s strengths and weaknesses in mind, rather than playing according to one’s own. This is a tendency that Shahid Afridi will do well to avoid. India’s much vaunted strength in having brilliant players of spin, must not deter Pakistan from relying on their in-form spinners, who have played an important role in the 1992 champions’ spectacular run in the tournament. At the same time, the clamour that there has ...
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Pakistan vs India: Play Akhtar and Ajmal
The Pakistan team faces a bowling dilemma as it prepares for the semi-final in Mohali. Umar Gul, Abdur Razzaq, Muhammad Hafeez and Shahid Afridi will most certainly be on the team. The questions to be answered are: Who will be the third spinner? Who will be the third seamer? Here’s a SWOT analysis: Third Spinner: Saeed Ajmal or Abdul Rehman? Saeed Ajmal Strength: Ajmal offers the amazing doosra and a whole lot of variety. Once he gets into rhythm he can pick up wickets at will. Weakness: Unfortunately, he can be expensive if off color and at times in pressure situations, he tends to overuse the doosra. Opportunity: He ...
Read Full PostPakistan is ready for India!
Pakistani juggernauts marched into the semi-finals with a clinical win against the West Indies. It was a win so massive and so spectacular that it gave goose bumps to all those watching. And now arrives the moment we have all been waiting for: a Pakistan India semi-final. Who is under pressure? On paper it seems that the pressure will be on Pakistan playing against the home team in their own backyard with a hostile crowd. But in reality, India will be under pressure to perform and secure a final spot. Here, I would like to point out that no team hosting the ...
Read Full PostAustralia vs Pakistan: Finally, the Kangaroos retreat!
I am proud of you, team Pakistan! You have done what no other team has been able to do since you did it in 1999; you thrashed Australia in a World Cup match. The jubilation of Pakistanis across the world is apparent on social media websites like Twitter and Facebook. Even the defectors joined the chorus of euphoria; people who had disowned Team Green after we lost the match against New Zealand are now supporters again. Unplayable deliveries Before I go on to talk about the batting woes, in the words of many Pakistani captains I would like to say “First of all, ...
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