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.

Pakistan Vs Ireland: KJ O'Brien once again become a hero

Apart of two players and trophy look at the cloud

25 overs were bowled by spinners in which Saeed Ajmal bowled ten overs where as Malik and Hafeez bowled 6 and 9 overs respectively. Ehsan Adil was counted in the team as third fast bowling option who bowled 3 overs. I haven't seen Shoaib Malik bowling six overs on Indian pitches recently and this time he was asked to do that.

There is no doubt that Irish chase down very well. O'Brien once again become hero against Pakistan for Irish. He scored quick 84 runs and tie the match which was out of expectations.O for Irish.One thing to highlight is that Pakistan team rarely play in a condition where temperature is about 10 degree centigrade in Summer. This normally is the winter season in Sub Continent.

The conditions were worst for Cricket, too much interruption of rain spoil the match momentum. But the decision of hiring Saeed Ajmal for the last over was more worst than the weather. He was failed in the T-20 world Cup in West Indies in which Australia want 17 runs in the last over. Perhaps, Hussey was not present and the over bowled by Ajmal was not too bad, yesterday. He gave only two runs in his first three balls. But, KJ O'Brien was determined and he hit a six and a boundary in the remaining balls and tie the match. I believe Pakistan is the only team in the world who is bowling with a spinner in depth overs despite the presence of Ehasn Adil. Saeed Ajmal is really a gifted spinner with numerous qualities but its just the captain who demanded too much from him.

The good news from the match was Pakistan middle order didn't collapse and was steady in whole match. Asad Shafiq scored 84 runs which is currently the highest runs he has scored in an ODI match. Muhammad Hafeez was brilliant with the bat, He scored a responsible inning of 122* and helped Pakistan to place a total of 266. He was the only person in the match who scored highest runs and picked two wickets with an economy rate of 3.77. The other batters didn't impressed that much.

Pakistan will play one more ODI against Ireland and two warmup matches before Champions trophy. I think its good if Pakistan is getting tough opponents like Irish before the start of Champions trophy. As the group contains one of the teams which have one of the best ODI players in the world.

Will history repeat in IPL?

Can Rajasthan Royals do it again in IPL-2013? Photo from Dawn

After a responsible inning by Bradd Hodge, Rajasthan royals were able to cruise in to the Qualifier 2. There they will meet Mumbai Indians who have lost against the most successful team of IPL-Chennai Super Kings.

It was surprising to see Mumbai Indians losing the match against Super Kings since they win against them two times this season very easily. One of my friend tweeted,' All teams work hard to play CSK in to the finals'. So, there position is very much confirmed :P. 

Mumbai Indians still have the chance to qualify for the finals for the first time. For that, they have to win against Rajasthan Royals in tomorrow's Qualifying match no.2.  Rajasthan has made in to final in the very first IPL and won the IPL trophy at the very last ball. It's look like history will repeat in IPL. The captain of Rahul Dravid has clearly said that, ' All pressure on Mumbai Indians not on us'.

MILLION DOLLAR KID:

Mumbai bought the most expensive player in this season Glenn Maxwell. He has not performed the way Mumbai was expecting it from him to do in IPL. Let see if he will be considered in the match or not. Last year Ravinder Jadega was the most expensive player though CSK didn't win that year but he has become one of the influential player in CSK side with the ball. Specially he is use to break partnerships.

Dravid Eyes On IPL Trophy:

Rahul Dravid looked very confident after winning the match against one of the best bowling side of IPL Sun risers Hyderabad. Although Rajasthan Royals don't have players who play for India consistently. But, the foreign players are working very hard; Faulkner, Bradd Hodge and Watson specially giving their best.  His confidence looks very high and it looked as Rajasthan will win the tomorrow's fixture and reach to the final.

Will History Repeat:  

In IPL edition-1 the two final teams were Rajasthan Royals and Chennai Super Kings. The way Rajasthan Royals playing and fighting with the pressure of spot fixing and banned on their players, it seems that they have get a chance to prove themselves and they will meet CSK in to the finals. Last time it was under the captaincy of Shane Warne who lead RR and win the IPL trophy for them. This time it is Dravid and the way he is talking in the press and media and his team is performing with such a confidence it seems they gonna win this title once again.

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. 

Saeed Anwar scored 194 on this day against India

It was Pepsi Independence Cup sixth match, Pakistan team won the toss and decided to bat first. No body knew that some one will break the previous record of Viv Richards unbeaten 189 against England at Old Trafford. It was baking heat of Chennai when Saeed Anwar was beating. In his inning of 194 in 144 balls he scored 22 fours and 5 sixes with the strike rate of 133.

A Supporting Hand:

In the present Shahid Khan Afridi is known as the striker of Pakistan Cricket team. He assisted Saeed Anwar by acting as a runner from 19th over to the end of his innings as Anwar was dehydrated. Many journalist believe that it was Shahid Afridi who is mainly responsible for this inning since it was a sweltering heat of Chennai and he did all the running work. But the journalist forget that it was India and Pakistan playing against each other and playing like that in such pressure is really meant to be an outstanding inning. Anwar himself said: "To beat India in India is something special. Only we know the pressure we were subjected to back at home after our loss at Bangalore in the World Cup."  Also in the same match Tendulkar assisted Rahul Dravid as a runner( for a short while). Dravid also scored a hundred in that match. 

Hatrick of Sixes:

Saeed Anwar hit three sixes in a row to Anil Kumble in this outstanding innings. According to Sachin Tendulkar: 'Saeed Anwar's 194 innings was the best I have ever seen.' Pakistan team scored 327 with the loss of five wickets. Anwar was caught at fine leg by Sourav Gangully in 47th over. In reply Indian team whose batting have always been strength scored 292 all out in 49.2 overs. Aaqib Javed took five wickets.  

"Saeed Anwar was awarded Man of the Match for his marvelous inning."