Pakistan fragile batting in ICC Champions trophy

It was disappointing to see the way Pakistan team played in ICC Champions trophy. The main cause of there loss is heavily burdened on Pakistan batting. In all the three matches they score less than 200.  The top scorer from Pakistan side is Misbah-ul-Haq. Pakistan who never loss against India in this tournament lost against them without any sort of resistance. The match against India, Pakistan itself went in to the shallows when they scored only 70 runs in 19 overs and came to know that match is reduced to 40 overs. Indian bowlers bowled pretty well and were getting the results from time to time. In the other side if we see Indian team who is standing so strongly is due to having the strongest batting line-up in the whole ICC Champions trophy. Despite of not having Sehwag, Gambhir, Yuvraj and few others. Every batsman of Indian team is busy proving why they are chosen instead of them. Dhawan and Karthik has extended the future of Indian batting line-up. Dhawan scored two centuries uptill now in ICC Champions trophy. More than that they both have sidelined Kholi, Raina and Dhoni who are the most consistent players in the team. One thing that I am still amazed and not clear that we starts with 30 possible players for ICC Champions trophy and then we shrink to 15 an then out of 15 we chose 11 players at a time but still we can't find batters who could a scored 200+ runs altogether.

There had been a dozens of debates on how to improve Pakistan batting line-up and how to bring solid batsman. Pakistan team looks horrible when I see there is not a single batsman who has the ability to hit at least three balls out of the park in an over. Even after the introduction and induction of T-20 cricket, it is horrible to see the amount of balls a Pakistani batsman consumed in their innings. Pakistan have introduced a lot of aggressive players like Ahmed Shehzad, Shahzaib Hasan, Umer Akmal, Owais Zia and they were all sidelined by giving a statement that they played irresponsible shot and lost their wicket or their is still a flaw in their techniques. But you can not deny from the fact that they are the requirements of the modern ODI cricket where you need them. Talking about the fresh players who have one of the sound batting technique like Fawad Alam, Khurram Manzoor, Azhar Ali, Nasir Jamshed and Asad Shafiq they are not given a proper chance apart of Shafiq. 

Fawad Alam who in his first test match was used as an opener and scored 168 runs against Srilanka and in the third(last match played up till now) test match played at one down where the most experienced players should bat had played against New Zealand and tried to resist Shane Bond in alien conditions. He played as a middle order batsman against England in ODI's when Pakistan batting line-up was in crisis. He also have the experience of playing in UAE and Pakistan will play in UAE this year possibly against the same team South Africa. Instead of reviving the career of Younus Khan, Soaib Malik and others he should be given the chance. He averages almost 56 in first class. He should be taken in to confidence for the series in Dubai and if he plays well in UAE he should be given chance to play in Srilanka where he scored a century in his test début.

Nasir Jamshed has now become the back bone of batting line-up of Pakistan but still needs to prove by scoring centuries against strong bowling opponents. He will learn it as soon as he gathers experience. Talking about the aggreive fresh players like Ahmed Shehzad and Shahzaib Hasan. Shehzad who has played in WC-2011 and has played with Chris Gayle in BPL and scored a ton in a match. He is more popular then all the 11 players who played against India. Its not because of his popularity he should be included in to the team but it is because of the way he plays. I know he is a bit irresponsible but has scored two centuries and that shows he can create a huge impact as soon he is given the license. Pakistan bowling line-up was regarded as the most impact line-up of bowlers but with its fragile batting line-up they can never win a tournament like CT#13 where there is always a do or die situation.  

Asad Shafiq needs to score a couple of centuries in ODI's so that he could count his name as the high profile batsman or else it will take only seconds to sideline a player like him. He is no doubt plays according to situation but still needs to furnish himself for the modern ODI cricket. Umer Akmal, he is more than any other batsman in Pakistan batting options but still needs to prove which he is failing to do. I hope when he gets the second chance he will burst out.         

 

Here are the few batting options which Pakistan team need to consider for WC-2015. 

Nasir Jamshed

Ahmed Shehzad

Asad Shafiq

Fawaad Alam

Umer Akmal

I am not seeing Misbah to play WC-2015 so does it mean we need to prepare a captain for Pakistan team for WC-2015?

Unfortunately there are other things out side cricket and batting which they and you know better than me. Pakistani players earn quite much but it looks a peanut in front of other world players earnings. Also Pakistani players are not treated in the same manner as the other players do in case of spot fixing. No, Cricket is being played in Pakistan since 2009.  I just hope that it is not the reason for Pakistan fragile batting line-up or else Cricket in Pakistan is in deep trouble.

Best Pakistani Batting Performance in ICC Champions Trophy

No.3 Muhammad Yousuf

It was the same match in which Rana Naved-ul-hasn took four crucial wickets. Pakistan team was given a taget of  200 runs thanks to Dravid who batted well at number 5. The target was not big nor tough. But it was the India and Pakistan match which made it interesting. 

Pakistan team like wise India didn't get the good start but there was target to achieve in the mind of Pakistan camp. Pakistan lose three wickets under forty runs. After the wicket of Yasir Hameed, Pakistan most stylish batsman Muhammad Yousuf came to bat. 

It was a requirement of time that someone who could stay there on crease and absorbs India Pakistan pressure. Yousuf copy the script and Inzamam support him well. Later on Shahid Afridi played a cameo innings of 25 runs of 12 balls. Yousuf scored a not out innings of 81* and cruise Pakistan to three wickets win in the end. In his inning he scored five boundaries and one six on AjitAgarkar. Pakistan will play against India next month on the same ground in which Yousuf played a winning inning. This time there is no Yousuf, no Inzamam and no Shahid Afridi. Let see what happens.

No.2 Muhammad Yousuf:

Once again it's Muhammad Yousuf with same opponent India in ICC Champions trophy at Centurion. Pakistan team this time bat first and like wise they start losing quick wickets. Pakistan team were 65/3 when Muhammad Yousuf entered in the ground. The ground had good memories for batsman. It was the reqirement for Pakistan team to place a healthy total. Indian batting line-up who has chase the target of 274 on the same ground against Pakistan in World cup 2003 and having same key batsmans present in the line up. Tendulkar, Sehwag and Dravid. Muhammad Yousuf with Shoaib Malik played a wonderful knock of 87 and place Pakistan to a stable position. This was one of the best knock by a stylish batsman of cricket in ICC Champions trophy against rivalry India.

Surprisingly Rahul Dravid also played the best knock from India side of 76 but was in vain.

No.1 Shoaib Malik:

Talking about the match of ICC Champions trophy against India, how can we forget the Man of the Match Shoaib Malik. This boy more or less play well against India. He in that match played a match winning knock of 128 runs of 126 balls hitting 16 fours and no six. The surprising thing was no Pakistani batsman had hit a six in that match. It was highest 4th wicket partnership  from Pakistan side of 206.And which cruised Pakistan to a confident win of 54 runs. He is one of the batsman in the world who has batted at all the position. He is regarded as one of the best fielder and ODI player in Pakistani team. There will be an eye on his performance specially against India in Edgbaston next month in group matches.

This time we will see how Pakistan batsman will play in English conditions. Responsibility should be taken by Muhammad Hafeez, Misbah-ul-Haq, Asad Shafiq and Nasir Jamshed. Pakistan team looks in-experienced in the absence of Younus Khan and Muhammad Yousuf. Let us see how ShoaibMalik perform especially against India.Also how Muhammad  Hafeez face Dale Steyn,against South Africa. Cheers   

Best Pakistani Bowling Performance in ICC Champions Trophy

No.3 Muhammad Aamer(3/24):

It was at Johannesburg West Indies won the toss and decided to bat first. Pakistani bowlers were enthusiast and highly determined to perform better since they won the T-20 world cup freshly. Muhammad Aamer picked his first wicket of the match in the last ball of his first over. After a while he took his second wicket of T.M Dowlin. He pitches the ball out side off and it was turn in sharply. West Indies top order was crumbled and they were only managed to score 133. At that time West Indies was playing with their weakest team of the history. Their was no Gayle, Pollard, Narine and Bravo. Let us see how Pakistan play against West Indies in group matches next month.

No.2 Shahid Khan Afridi(5/11):

Afridi in this match bowl with the speed more than the average speed of a medium fast bowler. Although Kenya lost only two wickets till 67 but after a while the curtains of Kenya batting fall down when Afridi came. In this match eight wickets were taken by the spinners. 5 by Afridi and 3 by Shoaib Malik. This is Shahid Khan Afridi's second best performance. Afridi wrecked the batting line up by his performance from his quick spinning bowling.  Shahid Afridi is the only Pakistani player who has taken five wickets in ICC Champions trophy.

No.1 Rana Naved-ul-Hasan(4/25):

One of the best bowling performance by Pakistani bowler in ICC Champions trophy against India. It was Pakistan vs India match at Edgbaston. Pakistan captain Inzamam-ul-haq won the toss and chose to field first. The bowler proves the decision of the skipper and took early wickets. Soon whole Indian team was collapse. Naved steals the wicket of Sehwag and Laxman and India were 73/5. Then it was the 'Wall of India' Rahul Dravid who stood in front of Pakistan fast bowlers and played a resisting knock of 67. At once it looked that India will score 220+. But it was the day of Rana Naved he took the wicket of Rahul Dravid and restricted India on 200. Rana Naved took 4 wickets and give 25 runs.

This year ICC Champions trophy-2013 Pakistani bowlers have big roleto play. Pakistan team has got spinner who is right now best in theworld i.e 'Saeed Ajmal'. Pakistan team has got the tallest fast bowler  in the history of cricket 'Muhammad Irfan'. His performances will be closely watched by Cricket Gurus in thisyear ICC Champions trophy. Pakistan team has one of the best bowlers but the problem is the inexperienced  in the fast bowling lineup in the absence of Gul that can be a turning point.

Brian Lara hitted on the neck in ICC Champions Trophy 2004

It was 2004 ICC Champions trophy second semi final between Pakistan and West Indies at Rose Bowl, Southampton. Pakistan team won the toss and decided to bat first. They batted poorly and managed to put only a target of 131. Inzamam was the highest scorer from Pakistan side who scored 21. West Indies in reply come to bat and batted aggressively. Shoaib Akhtar in that match hardly delivers less then 85 mph. It was 14th over second delivery Lara was facing Rawalpindi Express and the bowl came to him like a bullet train and hit him brutally on his neck and he fell down immediately. Shoaib Akhtar runs towards Lara very early and for the moment every body were static. Even you will be if you see the below video.

 

Brian Lara took off from the field. It emerged later that as Lara had walked out to bat, Shoaib had greeted him with a cheery "I'm going to kill you." West Indies cruises to the final by winning it with 7 wickets in hand and won the champions trophy in the end. But Pakistan and West Indies will remember it more then a semifinal and Champions trophy. 

Venues of Champions Trophy

England will be organizing the last ICC Champions trophy. Champions Trophy will be played in three grounds of England; The Oval, Cardiff and Edgbaston. The stadiums has got the capacity of 14-25 thousand people. And it is also the attraction places of England.

The Oval:

The home of Surrey Cricket Academy and the second cricket ground to hold a international cricket test match. There is also another stadium with the name Kensington Oval in West Indies but this one is 'The Oval'. The pitch condition of this ground is not hard for batsman while the bowlers will get a swing. As you can see in the above table which shows that hard work will give good result. As the bowler picked 6 wickets in a match while a batsman score 141*. This shows its an ideal track to bat on. Pakistan team will play its two out of three games here against West Indies and South Africa. There is one good and bad memory attach with this ground. The good memory is the 240 runs by Zaheer Abbas in 1974 while the bad memory is of the fixing of 4th test match between Pakistan and England which was later cleared while England was called the winner. Pakistan pace bowler Umar Gul has the best ODI figure in this ground but he is not in the squad due to injury. The ground will host first semi final on 6/19/2013.

Sophia Gardens Cardiff:

This ground don't have rich history. This Ground host the first test match in 2009. The ground is the home of Glamorgan County Cricket Club. Its condition is primarily depend upon weather if weather is sunny then it will support batsman and if it is cloudy and moisture then it will support the bowlers. The ground will host the second semi final. Pakistan team has no group matches in this ground. In the past they have played two T-20's and have lost both of them due to poor batting.

Edgbaston:

 The crowd is no stranger to Asian teams specially Pakistan and India. Both of them will find huge support when they contest against each other in the ICC Champions trophy. The Ground is the home of Warwickshire county cricket club. The pitch don't give great support to fast bowler the spinner will find assist at this ground. Pakistan team will play their match against rivalry India which will be the biggest match of ICC champions trophy.  Also it will host the match between England vs Australia. The ground will also host the final of ICC Champions trophy which will going to take place at 6/23/2013.

Why Should Kallis play in ICC Champions Trophy?

Kallis is regarded as one of the best all rounders in the world of cricket. Averaging around 56 in test cricket being one of the highest and picked 288 wickets is totally a magnificent accomplishments altogether. He gives his hundred percent for whom he played whether it's for Royal Challengers Banglore, Kolkata Knight Riders or its national side South Africa. But the big news is he is not playing in the last ICC Champions trophy. Although he has decided to miss the ICC Champions trophy but here are the things he can achieve if he play in the last ICC Champions trophy.

Most Runs in ICC Champions trophy: 

At the moment its Chris Gayle who has scored 695 runs in ICC Champions trophy whereas Jacques Kallis scored 653 runs in ICC Champions trophy. Considering the form of Gayle in IPL it is difficult to say that Kallis may beat his record. Looks like it will be Chris Gayle who will keep that record with him.

Most Wickets in ICC Champions Trophy:

Murlitharan who has picked 24 wickets and is the leading wicket taker in CT-13. Kallis is way down at fourth and has picked 20 wickets. He could achieve this by taking only 5 more in ICC Champions trophy. Chris Gayle can also jump up to the top in this contest as he has picked 17 wickets in ICC Champions trophy. Lasith Malinga can achieve this feat as he has 15 wickets of this champions trophy in his pocket. Also his chances are much brighter than that of Gayle since he is a front pacer + conditions suits pace bowler + he has the ability to attack on new comer right from the first ball. So his chances look bright.Other fast bowler who can achieve this are Anderson(10) and Broad(10). Saeed Ajmal(8) has the best average in Champions trophy and also regarded as the best spinner in the world. May be a spinner replace a spinner. 

Most Matches in ICC Champions Trophy:

Currently it is Jayasuriya(20) who has played the most matches in Champions trophy. This record was most easy to break as Kallis need only 3 matches to equal the recod of Jayasuriya and if South Africa would qualified for the semi final in the presence of Kallis. This record will easily be achieved by Jayawardane(18).

Well these records doesn't matter much but it would make him the best player of ICC Champions trophy (biggest tournament after ODI World Cup) from bat and ball which is really an honor altogether.

ICC Champions Trophy-2013 Groups and Fixture

ICC Champions trophy is the most awaited event of this year. The exciting thing about it is that it will be the last champions trophy to be played and every one is excited that who will uplift this trophy. The ICC Champions trophy is starting from June-6-2013. Top eight teams of ICC rankings are participating in this mini world cup.

Before the start of this tournament some warm-up matches will be played. Since England and New Zealand are playing against each other in English conditions so they will not play any of them. According to the fixtures Srilanka will play three warm-up matches and South Africa will be playing only one warm-up match. The other teams Pakistan,India, West Indies and Australia will play two warm-up matches. Some of the warm-up matches will be telecast live on Sports channel.

The warmup matches will definitely give some sort of help to sub-continent teams as they struggle playing in English conditions. The exciting fixture will be the match of Pakistan vs South Africa. Because they will be playing against each other in the group matches. And recently they have played against each other so it will create a healthy contest between these two teams. Though South Africa looks more consistent then Pakistan in the past. But in big tournaments Pakistan team looked more confident then South Africans.

Teams are divided in two groups. Both Groups look balance. In Group A England can give tough time in their conditions where as the past record of New Zealand and Australia in Champions trophy is also very good. In Group B South Africa looks the strongest of all whereas India and Pakistan are considered to be one of the best ODI teams in the world. West Indies in the recent past has become one of the toughest competitor. They have got many individuals who have played eminent role in IPL for their team like Gayle, Pollar, Bravo, Rampaul, Sunil Narine and Dwayne Smith and all of them are in the team so they will give a tough competition to others. To me Group-B is the toughest under recent performances of the teams whereas Group-A looks toughest if we consider team performances in past champions trophies.

The first Group match will be played between India and South Africa in Cardiff on June/6/2013 wheras another Group B match will be played on the very next day. There is no gap in the group matches. The top two teams of both the group will reach in to semi finals which will be played in Oval and Sophia Gardens. The final of this last ICC Champions trophy will be played on June/23/2013 in Birmingham.

Tickets of Indian matches in ICC Champions Trophy are sold out completely

I just watch out in the ICC Champions trophy e-ticketing website and came to know that all tickets of India matches are sold out. The one of Pakistan Vs India took less then an hour to get completely sold. Other than that England Vs Australia is also completely booked, that was expected.

The matches whose tickets were completely sold out are:

It is also surprising to see that one of the semi final ticket is not completely sold out. The ticket for the semi final match ranges from 35-55 euros. Even the team hosting the champions trophy has only one match completely sold out and that is against rivalry Australia. It looks like India will finding a good amount of support in England more than England.