Updated articles, stats, news, views, discussion, posts BACKING Team Misbah and beyond
Monday, October 17, 2011
Current Test Batting Line Up Is Quality
They have posted Pakistan's highest ever 4th innings total. They have successfully survived and defended on day 5 wickets 3 times when they were up against it. They have posted totals of above 340 6/11 times. They have only been bowled out once in the 2nd innings in 7 tests. They have maintained the same opening combination for 4 series in a row and it's still going. In the line up they have a player who was a nominee for emerging player of the year, a captain who was voted overseas test cricketer of the year by a popular magazine, a prolific all time run getter in YK and a player who MoYo regarded as the most technically correct batsmen he has seen in ages in Asad Shafiq down at #6. They exceeded expectations against South Africa and New Zealand. They came back hard in the 2nd test at St Kitts during the Caribbean tour and despite misreading the pitch and conceding 412 in the first innings in Bulawayo still managed to score 450 and enforce a result when a win was looking improbable during the first couple of days.
The batting line up is settled and stabled. The batsmen are in form and dependable. There are many grafters and workhorses who can wear out the opposition , dig in long and deep, have a sound technical basis and can grind out the bowlers as well as engaging in long partnerships and providing the stability, consistency and responsibility for each other to feed off. Classical and steady is doing wonders. It's refreshing to see batsmen getting stuck in and working their socks off. Hopefully more of the same.... The line up is that good that we can still easily ignore a class act in Yousuf when he is still available for selection...this is the measure of the strength of the current crop
The batting line up is settled and stabled. The batsmen are in form and dependable. There are many grafters and workhorses who can wear out the opposition , dig in long and deep, have a sound technical basis and can grind out the bowlers as well as engaging in long partnerships and providing the stability, consistency and responsibility for each other to feed off. Classical and steady is doing wonders. It's refreshing to see batsmen getting stuck in and working their socks off. Hopefully more of the same.... The line up is that good that we can still easily ignore a class act in Yousuf when he is still available for selection...this is the measure of the strength of the current crop
Misbah Targets A Test Series Win
Sri Lanka have gone 11 tests without a victory since
Murali’s retirement. Dilshan will be batting in the middle order instead of
opening up. Sri Lanka have a 4-2 record in the last 10 tests against Pakistan.
Pakistan have not beaten a higher ranked test team for a considerable amount of
time. Should Pakistan win this series 1-0 they will narrow the 9 point gap
between 5th and 6th position on the ICC test rankings
significantly. A victory for Misbah before he next loses will give him the
highest W/L ratio by a Pakistan test captain of (4). This will be a sufficient
sample to illustrate as he will be 12th most capped Pakistan test captain
out of 29 leaders by the end of the series.
The dilemma Pakistan are facing going into this test match
is whether to play 3 front line fast bowlers or 2 specialist spinners. Rehman
was named in the test team of the year and has been the leading wicket taker
under Misbah’s captaincy with 29 wickets in 6 tests. He also adds depth in the
batting and helps the tail wag. He has a test match half century next to his
name and can attack and defend in equal proportions. In my opinion, he should
make the starting line up alongside Ajmal for the aforementioned reasons.
The other dilemma is the number #6 spot. Shoaib Malik is
widely regarded as not test match material even by his most diehard fans;
however he is in the 15 man squad and possesses an average of 60 against Sri
Lanka including both his test centuries as well as providing the calm and
composed Misbah with another spin bowling option should they decide to play 3
front line pacers. Therefore, there might be a temptation to play him ahead of
Asad Shafiq. However, in my view Shafiq should have priority. Although he only
averages 27 from 5 tests, he did start his career with 2 half centuries in his
first two test innings against the number 2 ranked South African side as well
notching up a half century in the New Zealand alien conditions in just his 2nd
innings. He also played a match saving cameo in the 2nd test of the
same series. It was just in the West Indies where he struggled, but in the ODI
leg of the same tour he notched up 2 50s. His composure, temperament and
elegance are ideal for test match cricket.
Under Misbah’s captaincy Pakistan’s average first innings
total is 332 with an average innings duration of 118 overs. Previously in the 9 tests before he took over Pakistan’s average first innings total was 214 with a 71 innings duration. This
statistic clearly illustrates how things are moving in the right direction for
a team eyeing a spot in the inaugural world test championship in England for
2013.
Pakistan have left out Umar Akmal from the test squad. As
far as I’m concerned, this move was justified with Umar only scoring 2 50s in
his last 22 test innings. Plus, he will benefit from competitive cricket at the
domestic level rather than carrying the drinks on the side lines. Asad Shafiq
who Mohammad Yousuf regards as one of the most technically correct batsmen he
has seen flourish through the ranks should have priority at the number 6
position. He has fluent stroke play and a better temperament. Meanwhile, the
surprise omission was that of Tanvir Ahmed who after taking 6 wickets on a
pancake wicket in his debut and making some invaluable contributions lower down
the order with his hard hitting has been ignored after being rested for the
Zimbabwean tour for experimentation with new comers. Tanvir has been hard done
by and should have made the squad ahead of Junaid. Nonetheless, he is in the
reserves category. Mohsin Hassan Khan will be taking over as interim coach for this series which provides the PCB with more time to decide about the new coach to succeed Waqar Younis after he
stepped down due to personal reasons.
Murali’s retirement. Dilshan will be batting in the middle order instead of
opening up. Sri Lanka have a 4-2 record in the last 10 tests against Pakistan.
Pakistan have not beaten a higher ranked test team for a considerable amount of
time. Should Pakistan win this series 1-0 they will narrow the 9 point gap
between 5th and 6th position on the ICC test rankings
significantly. A victory for Misbah before he next loses will give him the
highest W/L ratio by a Pakistan test captain of (4). This will be a sufficient
sample to illustrate as he will be 12th most capped Pakistan test captain
out of 29 leaders by the end of the series.
The dilemma Pakistan are facing going into this test match
is whether to play 3 front line fast bowlers or 2 specialist spinners. Rehman
was named in the test team of the year and has been the leading wicket taker
under Misbah’s captaincy with 29 wickets in 6 tests. He also adds depth in the
batting and helps the tail wag. He has a test match half century next to his
name and can attack and defend in equal proportions. In my opinion, he should
make the starting line up alongside Ajmal for the aforementioned reasons.
The other dilemma is the number #6 spot. Shoaib Malik is
widely regarded as not test match material even by his most diehard fans;
however he is in the 15 man squad and possesses an average of 60 against Sri
Lanka including both his test centuries as well as providing the calm and
composed Misbah with another spin bowling option should they decide to play 3
front line pacers. Therefore, there might be a temptation to play him ahead of
Asad Shafiq. However, in my view Shafiq should have priority. Although he only
averages 27 from 5 tests, he did start his career with 2 half centuries in his
first two test innings against the number 2 ranked South African side as well
notching up a half century in the New Zealand alien conditions in just his 2nd
innings. He also played a match saving cameo in the 2nd test of the
same series. It was just in the West Indies where he struggled, but in the ODI
leg of the same tour he notched up 2 50s. His composure, temperament and
elegance are ideal for test match cricket.
Under Misbah’s captaincy Pakistan’s average first innings
total is 332 with an average innings duration of 118 overs. Previously in the 9 tests before he took over Pakistan’s average first innings total was 214 with a 71 innings duration. This
statistic clearly illustrates how things are moving in the right direction for
a team eyeing a spot in the inaugural world test championship in England for
2013.
Pakistan have left out Umar Akmal from the test squad. As
far as I’m concerned, this move was justified with Umar only scoring 2 50s in
his last 22 test innings. Plus, he will benefit from competitive cricket at the
domestic level rather than carrying the drinks on the side lines. Asad Shafiq
who Mohammad Yousuf regards as one of the most technically correct batsmen he
has seen flourish through the ranks should have priority at the number 6
position. He has fluent stroke play and a better temperament. Meanwhile, the
surprise omission was that of Tanvir Ahmed who after taking 6 wickets on a
pancake wicket in his debut and making some invaluable contributions lower down
the order with his hard hitting has been ignored after being rested for the
Zimbabwean tour for experimentation with new comers. Tanvir has been hard done
by and should have made the squad ahead of Junaid. Nonetheless, he is in the
reserves category. Mohsin Hassan Khan will be taking over as interim coach for this series which provides the PCB with more time to decide about the new coach to succeed Waqar Younis after he
stepped down due to personal reasons.
Sunday, October 16, 2011
Round Up
-Zaka Ashraf replaces Mr Butt as the chairman of the PCB. Ijaz Butt considers the eradication of player power to be his leading achievement. His replacement has affiliations with ZTBL.
-Shahid’s “conditional retirement” only lasted 5 one dayers and 2 T20s against Ireland and Zimbabwe. It’s hardly as if he missed anything major.....
- Misbah and Rehman are named in the test team of the year in the annual awards of a leading sporting publication. The former more specifically is even the overseas player of the year. Both these players have been the leading run getter and leading wicket taker over the last year in the whites for the side.
- Peshawar pacemen Nauman Habib was kidnapped and murdered after round 1 of the QEA. This major tragedy was announced on the same day of the end of Mr Butt’s tenure. The bowler has taken 7 wickets in the last first class game he played and was the 2nd leading bowler during the Faysal Bank T20 is Karachi where he played a key part in the major upset to eliminate the star studded Karachi Dolphins in the group stages including taking the wicket of the former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi after he was MOM the previous day against Islamabad Leopards for his 3-20 and 58.
- Pakistan was victorious at the Titans event at the 02 arena in London. The event was organised by former West Indies skipper Jimmy Adams. The event consisted of 5 challenges. The players participating were Shahid Afridi, Abdul Razzaq, Shoaib Akhtar, Yasir Arafat and Azhar Mahmood. The event will be televised on Sky at 18:30 on Monday evening for a 90 minute highlights show.
- Misbah and co will be departing for the UAE on the 15th ahead of the first test against Sri Lanka at Abu Dhabi. DRS will be in place during the one day series which the Pakistan skipper is pleased about and backs.
- Azhar Ali is targeting a spot in the ODI team. He has made 5 List A centuries and averages in the 40s. Azhar feels that unlike in a test with men around the bat and a ring of fielders surrounding him, with the field spread out he will find it easier to score in ODIs and is hopeful of getting opportunities here in the future. Azhar was awarded his ODI cap during the tour of Belfast in late May and made a hard fought 39 in his first innings before receiving a gem of a delivery from the strong and tall Rankin which jumped from a length to take the outer edge.
- Zulqarnain has resumed his FC career with ZTBL after his disappearance antics which he was fined for in June. The wicket keeper fled the team hotel during the one day international series against South Africa and was seeking political asylum in the UK to ensure his safety. The 2004 U19 WC winning team member has made scores of 0 and 10 in his first 2 innings of the 2011/12 QEA season. His domestic captain is Imran Nazir.
-Shahid’s “conditional retirement” only lasted 5 one dayers and 2 T20s against Ireland and Zimbabwe. It’s hardly as if he missed anything major.....
- Misbah and Rehman are named in the test team of the year in the annual awards of a leading sporting publication. The former more specifically is even the overseas player of the year. Both these players have been the leading run getter and leading wicket taker over the last year in the whites for the side.
- Peshawar pacemen Nauman Habib was kidnapped and murdered after round 1 of the QEA. This major tragedy was announced on the same day of the end of Mr Butt’s tenure. The bowler has taken 7 wickets in the last first class game he played and was the 2nd leading bowler during the Faysal Bank T20 is Karachi where he played a key part in the major upset to eliminate the star studded Karachi Dolphins in the group stages including taking the wicket of the former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi after he was MOM the previous day against Islamabad Leopards for his 3-20 and 58.
- Pakistan was victorious at the Titans event at the 02 arena in London. The event was organised by former West Indies skipper Jimmy Adams. The event consisted of 5 challenges. The players participating were Shahid Afridi, Abdul Razzaq, Shoaib Akhtar, Yasir Arafat and Azhar Mahmood. The event will be televised on Sky at 18:30 on Monday evening for a 90 minute highlights show.
- Misbah and co will be departing for the UAE on the 15th ahead of the first test against Sri Lanka at Abu Dhabi. DRS will be in place during the one day series which the Pakistan skipper is pleased about and backs.
- Azhar Ali is targeting a spot in the ODI team. He has made 5 List A centuries and averages in the 40s. Azhar feels that unlike in a test with men around the bat and a ring of fielders surrounding him, with the field spread out he will find it easier to score in ODIs and is hopeful of getting opportunities here in the future. Azhar was awarded his ODI cap during the tour of Belfast in late May and made a hard fought 39 in his first innings before receiving a gem of a delivery from the strong and tall Rankin which jumped from a length to take the outer edge.
- Zulqarnain has resumed his FC career with ZTBL after his disappearance antics which he was fined for in June. The wicket keeper fled the team hotel during the one day international series against South Africa and was seeking political asylum in the UK to ensure his safety. The 2004 U19 WC winning team member has made scores of 0 and 10 in his first 2 innings of the 2011/12 QEA season. His domestic captain is Imran Nazir.
Saturday, October 15, 2011
The greatest Pakistan test innings of all time...
Hanif Mohammad's 337: 970 minute stay at the wicket for 337 against West Indies following on with a deficit of over 450. The 'little master' batted for over 16 hours to save the match from a highly unlikely position. The longest ever stay at the crease in test history, batting for effectively 2.5 days. A demonstration of a watertight defence, immaculate concentration and admirable stamina. A knock full of character and spirit.
I know none of us saw it, but can you imagine that?
I know none of us saw it, but can you imagine that?
Saturday, October 8, 2011
Predictions + Wants Against Sri Lanka
1) Not losing the test series. Not losing a test.
2) No controversies.
3) 3/6 LOI wins and therefore winning either the T20 or ODI leg of the tour.
4) Posting totals above 330 every time in the 1st innings minimum. Innings duration should be at least 125 overs.
5) 3 centuries from Pak preferably from Azhar/Asad.
6) Maintaining the Hafeez, Taufeeq, Azhar, YK, Misbah, Shafiq combination throughout the 3 tests successfully.
7) The tail WAGGING. Seeing totals of around 100+ for the last 4 wickets consistently.
8) Playing 2 specialist spinners in all 3 tests with the idea continuing to work as it has been doing. 25 wickets between them. Economy of below 3 combined.
9) Adnan – maiden test 50 and tidy before behind the stumps.
10) Seeing out around 4/5 full sessions in the series without losing a wicket. We will be on track shall this happen. Batsmen putting a price on their wicket and batting for long periods of time. Getting stuck in and digging in deep which they are fully capable with the current mould of players.
11) 2500 BF between numbers 3 and 6 in the 3 tests. Azhar Ali achieving a 750 BF as his speciality is his patience and grinding out the bowling. The middle order demonstrating their solidity, application and determination to spend extended periods of time at the wicket and work over the Sri Lankans with their discipline, mindset, attitude and mental toughness. Showing plenty of grit, stamina, concentration and resilience which are the leading strengths of this gutsy middle order. Working their socks off to frustrate and tire out to their opponents with their commanding structures and temperament. Giving them some tough days out in the field even if this means it won’t be the most eventful in terms of scoring. Basically, winning the sessions gradually by playing the hard fought waiting games as opposed to trying to play the enforcer role. That’s when they have been playing their best. I would like to see more of that here.
12) Several hundred partnerships/stands. More than the Lankans in this aspect.
13) Rehman racking up 40 maidens and keeping the Sri Lankans under control with his perseverance and nagging lengths.
14) 3 Pak batsmen scoring 300 odd in this series from the top 6. This will be another reflection that we are on track.
15) Herath having a SR in the 90+ region. Making him work and toil. Wearing him out. Reduce his impact and seeing him out. He is the dangerman and we will do well to keep him quiet from making inroads in the context of the match. Blocking him out firmly and watchfully to an extent where his wickets will barely have an impact in changing the complexion of the match. Making him bowl the marathon spells.
16) Captain averaging above 50 in the series. All the top 6 with averages of above 35. Hafeez is a concern, but could compensate for it if he chips in with the wickets and breaking partnerships.
17) Preventing Dilshan from averaging above 35 with bat and below 40 with the ball. Keeping their skipper on the quiet side of proceedings which will affect the team’s body language and emotions. Making life tough for the opposite number and going hard at him.
18) Preventing Jaya+Sanga putting on 150 together should the 2 bat together whereas Misbah and YK do as and when they bat together. These are the influential partnerships to break for both teams. Experienced and statistically high achieving batsmen who tend to bat well in pairs with their understanding of each other.
19) Taking more wickets combined than their pacers by a margin of around 5 at least. There is little doubt we have a stronger pace battery despite the losses of AA combo for obvious reasons.
20) Crossing 450 mark at least once during the series. Batting for the best part of 2 days when we bat first.
21) 50+ opening combo from openers at least twice during the test series and doing better than the Lankans in this aspect.
22) 50 from batsmen 8-11 at least once i.e. Wahab, Rehman.
23) Hafeez showing he is not a minnow basher throughout the course of the tour. Proving his credentials against his Asian rivals. Adding a few more to his 8 MOM tally this year.
24) Cleaning up their last 4 for approximately 60/70 consistently max during the tests.
ODIs
25) Coming to terms with the new playing conditions in ODIs, especially the use of BPP between overs 15-40. Get a head start over other nations.
26) Posting an ODI total of 280+ during the series.
27) Average score of above 40 in BPP at the expense of 2 wickets most.
28) Malinga countering. Keeping him under 8 wickets during the 5 match ODI series. Using the depth in the crease, trapping the late swing, picking the slower ball, seeing him off in his initial spells not allowing him to settle or get his confidence high. Avoidance of a 2/2 which he is able to do frequently. Wahab to shatter the furniture more times than him during the series!
29) Winning an ODI by 100 runs or 5 wickets.
30) 45+ in first 6 during the 20/20 for a maximum of 1 down.
Tests Prediction
Most runs Pak: Azhar/Misbah
Most runs Sri Lanka: Sanga/Jaya
Most wickets: No idea but probably Ajmal
MOTS: A Pak 3-6 batsmen
ODIs
Most runs Pak: YK
Most runs Sri Lanka: Thranga
Most wickets Pak: Wahab/Cheema
Most wickets Sri Lanka: Malinga
MOTS: Mohammad Hafeez/Thranga
T20
MOM: Dilshan/Gul/Umar Akmal/Ajmal/Malinga
Most catches throughout tour by Pak player: YK/Misbah
2) No controversies.
3) 3/6 LOI wins and therefore winning either the T20 or ODI leg of the tour.
4) Posting totals above 330 every time in the 1st innings minimum. Innings duration should be at least 125 overs.
5) 3 centuries from Pak preferably from Azhar/Asad.
6) Maintaining the Hafeez, Taufeeq, Azhar, YK, Misbah, Shafiq combination throughout the 3 tests successfully.
7) The tail WAGGING. Seeing totals of around 100+ for the last 4 wickets consistently.
8) Playing 2 specialist spinners in all 3 tests with the idea continuing to work as it has been doing. 25 wickets between them. Economy of below 3 combined.
9) Adnan – maiden test 50 and tidy before behind the stumps.
10) Seeing out around 4/5 full sessions in the series without losing a wicket. We will be on track shall this happen. Batsmen putting a price on their wicket and batting for long periods of time. Getting stuck in and digging in deep which they are fully capable with the current mould of players.
11) 2500 BF between numbers 3 and 6 in the 3 tests. Azhar Ali achieving a 750 BF as his speciality is his patience and grinding out the bowling. The middle order demonstrating their solidity, application and determination to spend extended periods of time at the wicket and work over the Sri Lankans with their discipline, mindset, attitude and mental toughness. Showing plenty of grit, stamina, concentration and resilience which are the leading strengths of this gutsy middle order. Working their socks off to frustrate and tire out to their opponents with their commanding structures and temperament. Giving them some tough days out in the field even if this means it won’t be the most eventful in terms of scoring. Basically, winning the sessions gradually by playing the hard fought waiting games as opposed to trying to play the enforcer role. That’s when they have been playing their best. I would like to see more of that here.
12) Several hundred partnerships/stands. More than the Lankans in this aspect.
13) Rehman racking up 40 maidens and keeping the Sri Lankans under control with his perseverance and nagging lengths.
14) 3 Pak batsmen scoring 300 odd in this series from the top 6. This will be another reflection that we are on track.
15) Herath having a SR in the 90+ region. Making him work and toil. Wearing him out. Reduce his impact and seeing him out. He is the dangerman and we will do well to keep him quiet from making inroads in the context of the match. Blocking him out firmly and watchfully to an extent where his wickets will barely have an impact in changing the complexion of the match. Making him bowl the marathon spells.
16) Captain averaging above 50 in the series. All the top 6 with averages of above 35. Hafeez is a concern, but could compensate for it if he chips in with the wickets and breaking partnerships.
17) Preventing Dilshan from averaging above 35 with bat and below 40 with the ball. Keeping their skipper on the quiet side of proceedings which will affect the team’s body language and emotions. Making life tough for the opposite number and going hard at him.
18) Preventing Jaya+Sanga putting on 150 together should the 2 bat together whereas Misbah and YK do as and when they bat together. These are the influential partnerships to break for both teams. Experienced and statistically high achieving batsmen who tend to bat well in pairs with their understanding of each other.
19) Taking more wickets combined than their pacers by a margin of around 5 at least. There is little doubt we have a stronger pace battery despite the losses of AA combo for obvious reasons.
20) Crossing 450 mark at least once during the series. Batting for the best part of 2 days when we bat first.
21) 50+ opening combo from openers at least twice during the test series and doing better than the Lankans in this aspect.
22) 50 from batsmen 8-11 at least once i.e. Wahab, Rehman.
23) Hafeez showing he is not a minnow basher throughout the course of the tour. Proving his credentials against his Asian rivals. Adding a few more to his 8 MOM tally this year.
24) Cleaning up their last 4 for approximately 60/70 consistently max during the tests.
ODIs
25) Coming to terms with the new playing conditions in ODIs, especially the use of BPP between overs 15-40. Get a head start over other nations.
26) Posting an ODI total of 280+ during the series.
27) Average score of above 40 in BPP at the expense of 2 wickets most.
28) Malinga countering. Keeping him under 8 wickets during the 5 match ODI series. Using the depth in the crease, trapping the late swing, picking the slower ball, seeing him off in his initial spells not allowing him to settle or get his confidence high. Avoidance of a 2/2 which he is able to do frequently. Wahab to shatter the furniture more times than him during the series!
29) Winning an ODI by 100 runs or 5 wickets.
30) 45+ in first 6 during the 20/20 for a maximum of 1 down.
Tests Prediction
Most runs Pak: Azhar/Misbah
Most runs Sri Lanka: Sanga/Jaya
Most wickets: No idea but probably Ajmal
MOTS: A Pak 3-6 batsmen
ODIs
Most runs Pak: YK
Most runs Sri Lanka: Thranga
Most wickets Pak: Wahab/Cheema
Most wickets Sri Lanka: Malinga
MOTS: Mohammad Hafeez/Thranga
T20
MOM: Dilshan/Gul/Umar Akmal/Ajmal/Malinga
Most catches throughout tour by Pak player: YK/Misbah
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)