Inside of a Cricket Ball

Champions; They came, they were cornered, they conquered ...

Pakistan at the end of a 3 week WC venture have emerged as the World Champions, second time in its cricketing history Pakistan have won World Cup trophy. Amazingly, both occasions if not totally similar have quite a few matchable patterns.

When we need it we get it

Between 1992 and 2009, there haven't been many times when Pakistan needed to win this badly. They lost in the finals of 1999 WC but that WC Pakistan played like a professional, fit and perfect team rising to the final with no problem whatsoever and unfortunately that hasn't been their style ever. If they would have had won then there was nothing better than that for Pakistani cricket but I guess nature has its own course to manage things, the higher you rise the probability of falling for a longer duration rises or it is just how the fans who decided to move on saw it. Anyways, 1999 has been a sad memory for Pakistani cricket and lets leave it for now.

In 1992, nation had a recent return to political setup after long painful years of dictatorship and the setup was not delivering. Imran Khan was on the edge of his career, he has made comments about leaving after WC himself, the team was a mixture of youth and goldy oldies, the team had its star fast bowler injured before tournament, the team struggled with its batting order, fielding was beyond poor and in all these gloomy surroundings Imran Khan was building a Cancer Hospital, the first of its kind for Pakistani people. Pakistan at one point in time were announced as knocked out of the tournament when they were bowled out for 74 against England, all England needed was an hour of play to wrap up the game but as it unfolded nature had other plans, rain came to Pakistan's rescue, that 1 point combined with so many other "ifs" all happening Pakistan's way landed them into higher stages and then once nature let them roll they started to rock around the semis till Imran & Co. lifted the Cup. Every time I look back at it I feel the Cancer Hospital had a major role in that victory, hadn't Pakistan won in 1992 it would have been very difficult for Imran to continue his venture and somehow nature took the most responsible course.

In 2009, Pakistan has come out of decade long dictatorship, turmoil and turbulence has been higher than ever, remains of dictatorship, return of corrupt politicians and war on terrorism has crippled every part of life in Pakistan. The levels of tension in daily life have been enormous, a huge population has been pushed out of the range to even buy their kids cricket bats, those times are long gone when most of the families would sit together and cheer Miandad, it has been a fight for survival for quite sometime now. These times are worse because Cricket has been directly victimized by terrorism and so much more we touched upon in previous articles. Bottom line is that there hasn't been a single good news for Pakistani people in the past 5-6 years. What could have been done in such times? From getting jobs to electing a sincere political leader the whole nation had lost the will, hope and desire to even continue or make an effort.

From the common man of Pakistan to the National Cricket Team every Pakistani was cornered, potentially, physically, mentally, psychologically, financially and in every other goddamn way you can think of. We needed a victory, a tale of inspiration, an example of fighting back, a vision of cornered tigers, a beacon of success to follow so desperately that on some fronts it had started to affect our integrity and existence. What better way to achieve all of it other than winning a Cricket World Cup, Cricket has survived on the land of Pakistan in the most difficult of times, we have produced the best players of world cricket without lush green fields, huge funds for grounds, equipment, training and practice. Therefore, it had to be cricket, I might not be wrong when I say that cricket literally is the only interest left as common to people of Pakistan. I can't think of any better victory than cricket world cup as more memorable for Pakistani people.

T20 WC 2009 has given a reason to smile to millions of Pakistani people, out of these millions to quite a few it has given a hope to continue struggle till the end, to some it has set an example of self-belief, motivation, inspiration and hard work.

So I guess we have done it when we really needed it and I hope we can build on such achievements rather than letting them go with a few days of dancing, singing and sweets distribution.

Finishing it in style:

Younis Khan wrapped things up in style on many notes. Responding to the critics about his T20 being fun comment he made it clear he wasn't joking or anything by quitting after leading his team to victory. T20 has faced a lot of criticism, to the orthodox cricket fans and understanders its just a show of muscle power and doesn't help the game of cricket by putting ODI and Tests in the background which involve the essence of cricket, which is, exhibiting planning, temperament, execution and skill. Although, with only 50% of sixers hit this T20 as compared to in 2007 and bowlers dominating the tournament, T20 is surrendering to the basics of cricket, still if you don't like it you don't and he made his point with grace.

I putted it on my twitter a few days back that "let the world know if they can't come to play with us, if they snatch our hosts matches we will snatch their world cup trophies and put them in our home till they realize they are doing wrong". That was the emotional way of putting things up but when Younis reuqested, on the biggest stage of cricket, to the cricketing nations to come and play at his home, he conveyed it in a humble and elegant way that the world should realize; leaving behind the ones handling your created troubles is not the right way. We can do it alone hopefully but don't push us in the corner, don't leave us out because whenever we have come out of our corners it has costed you World Cups.

In short, he lead from the front in the Ground and he did it even better wrapping things up. He was graceful, elegant, composed and mature, in some ways he handled it better than Imran Khan. Kudos to Younis.

Remembering the ones who stood by you:

Younis's wonderful gestures doesn't end there. Although, It was wonderful how every team player interviewed after the match mentioned that they realized how important the match was for the fans and people back home and how they are thankful for the nations' prayer, it made the nation feel good. However, the gem of the ending ceremony, the most beautiful, elegant and timely gesture landed when Younis dedicated the victory to Bob Woolmer and when he committed he would do that before winning it. It showed that his tears on Woolmer's death were so natural, it showed the world we care for our mentors, we care for people who have stood by us in difficult times, it shows that we don't forget and God knows if Woolmer can know about it, it must be the best moment for him. Younis has shown the purity of his heart through the beauty of his gestures.

The Intikhab Alam & Aaqib Javed factor:

Surprisingly, not many from 1992 have stayed a part of the team but the then Manager and present coach Intikhab Alam and the then fast bowler and now bowling coach Aaqib Javed are the duo to be part of both world cup winning team combinations. They have had a fairy-tale involvement with Pakistani cricket skipping the parts between 1992 and 2009. They would surely live to tell tales about their world cup involvements.

Letting it spoil you:

We have done it before and we have spoiled it before. We are pushed in the corner and then someone from us stands up makes a valiant effort leads everybody out with courage and bravery, puts the step on the first step of the ladder and the whole nation loses it in that instance of adrenaline rush, anger, joy or whatever it is. When we do that we start celebrating by making fun of Indian cricket and not thinking beyond dancing and eating sweets.

When we do that we lose the opportunity to build on top of our success and make use of it in making further progress as a nation. What has Indian cricket to do with our success? if they have made fun of us, if they have ridiculed us, if they have attacked us with taunts or sarcasms it was their show of character if we celebrate our success by doing the same we spoil the moods, we return cheap tactics with cheap tactics and we certainly have to grow beyond that.

Turning celebrations into optimistic progress is a vital step that must come with a success. We have won the world cup we have defeated international criticism and skepticism, well done, now at some point in time we have to stop celebrating and use this moment of national integration, motivation and strength to solve problems we haven't been able to solve yet. This trigger might prove as the vital weapon on those war fronts and we certainly should not let it slip away. Whether its the problem of terrorism, corruption, lack of will, electing leaders we have to channel the energies world cup has brought in right directions because if we don't do that today, we might have to wait another decade till the moment arises.

Well done Team Pakistan and now its Pakistani nation's turn to follow the example of bravery you have set.

T2O WC Final: When Cricket defeated lots of Ts; Taliban, Tamil Tigers & Terrorism ...

On June 21, 2009, 1500 Hrs at the Lords the game of Cricket will officially register one of the greatest achievements of sports and culture in the war fought against terrorism, pain and despair.

Often in the history of societies and nations, sports, being deeply interleaved with culture, has played vital roles in raising hopes and bringing happiness. However, rarely has history witnessed a series of events spread over a few weeks and ending in what can be termed as the most beautiful and appropriate climax of any sports event.

Whatever happens at the end of today's game, the winner of the WC might get to take a cup and a bigger chunk of the achievement cake but the term "loser" can not become more inappropriate for the losing team than today and so the "runners-up" today will be the "other winners", I would say.

As very nicely put by some authors @ cricinfo, Sri-Lanka might deserve the award more on the basis of their form and quality of game but none other than Pakistan need it more. For Pakistan this WC would do what its dirty politics couldn't do i.e. to being happiness and smile to sad and dull faces, for Pakistan this WC can start its victory in the years long war against war in terrorism imposed on it by international politics and coward dictators.

For what Pakistani team has already achieved in this WC, they have bypassed by a huge margin all the expectations their fans and nation associated with them at the start of the event. There is no more exam they need to pass, there are no more hearts left to be won and there is no more war left to win when they enter Lords today. They have brought down all criticism, cynicism, sarcasm, blames and allegations and they have done it in the most elegant and beautiful manner as their nation back home expected. They might not have played the most elegant cricket of the tournament but they have certainly played the bravest cricket of the tournament. These men in green have written a fairy tale in the history of Pakistani cricket which kids in green will admire and trace for generations to come and this starting point will bring many World Cups to Pakistan, hopefully.

To these brave sportsmen of Pakistan the message today is not to bother or worry too much about fans back home. We love you anyways and in the perfect momentum of beating cricketing giants if you do beat Sri-Lankans and bring home the World Cup it will be an added joy.

We as a nation have proved a lot in this event, we have made the world realize we will never leave the game of cricket, we have proved we will always be the best of the best, we have proved that no conspiracy, criticism or terror can stop us from winning or demoralize us.

One last thing, I pray, we prove today is for the world to know that if you snatch our share of World Cup matches we will snatch your World Cups, if you want to learn the lesson the hard way let it be.

May the Green flag rule the game of cricket today at Lords.

T20 Semi-Final Postview, Pak vs. SA, The Mavericks overpower The Elite

Bookies had given them a rate of 8/3, cricketing pundits didn't leave any criticism bullet in their pistols unfired, taliban spoiled their reputation, many said 'no' to come to their home and playing, ICC snatched their hosts status for World Cup matches, ICL/PCB row destroyed their team composition, their board was held hostage to a dictators' buddy list for many years, their star players got involved in leagues and controversies, they were expelled from commercial league cricket forums and this list goes on forever.

Their opponents came to play with plans As, Bs, Cs all the way to Z, they left their dugout with just one plan to leave the corner and fight like a tiger who has suddenly forgot how to lose a game.

Can you push a nation who groomed the game of cricket for decades further than that? I hope not, why?, well one, because thats not how the Pakistanis play sports, and two, you have tried this tactic before and suffered, remember 92, 99 and many more. We love to play and compete in the ground but on and off we are pushed aside by different international tactics and domestic problems, so we have learned to bounce back, but sadly, yes you can push a cricketing legend to these limits.

Should you push a nation destined to rule the game of cricket for this long and this far? Well, being a student of history I would say if you want to win the game you don't annoy them, how can you even forget that in 92WC you were easily beating them around the ground till you did too much and the skipper called them to leave their corner and when they did that, could you stop from them from taking the World Cup home?

So everybody has to share the blame from bookies to taliban, you called them minnows, you used their name to quote inconsistency, you time and again raised fingers on their players, you took them too easy and thats when they had too much. The world for one last time has to realize and realize it very well, don't take the game of cricket outside the ground because for the Pakistani Nation, cricket, if not equal, is second to their religion.

I often think that what is it that makes our team, in specific, and nation, in general, full of surprises. I am never sure about the answer but my heart tends to agree with the fact that on every front our opponents try to suppress us to the point we don't deserve and then like the cornered tigers when we retaliate we only stop at the top.

This evening Pakistan almost did everything correct, apart from occasional fielding lapses. They read the pitch, ground and weather conditions perfectly and played the toss well by opting to bat first. From the word go when Akmal dispatched the ball over square for a ballistic four, the message was clear, there is no holding back, SA was told in the first over that we have left our corners and now we will come at you guns blazing. SAans, at their best, came back excellently dismissing newcomer Shahzaib for a duck, first ball next over.

The turning point of the game, for me, was Afridi coming to bat at No. 3. I thought that the bravest of captains would have had decided that it was time for plan B, going back on the defensive till batting consolidates (and for that you can send in Kungfu Panda but not Afridi) but Younis was surprising when he sent Afridi at 3. No doubt it was a brave decision and message to SA, it was a gamble, a gamble that turned well but had every chance of going otherwise and for me that was Younis' bravest move.

I wouldn't say South Africa choked, I believe thats a pundit-myth created and circulated to demoralize them as a team. From where I saw they played wonderful cricket they started off with pretty much expected short pitched balls cramping Pakistani batsmen and taking 2 wickets, they kind of lost it in the middle but fought back excellently towards the end and I wouldn't dare comment on SA's fielding till Oxford comes up with a superlative of the superlative 'excellent'. Later on, they started off well, a stable steady start, but looking at the previous pitches at Trent Bridge I had already said the pitch wouldn't be easy playing, specially second innings and 150 was a more than decent target. It looked less because Pakistan were well placed at 100+ in 12th over, they lost the momentum to excellent bowling by SA towards the end.

I would leave the luck out of the equation as well, there were no lucky chances for either sides, Pakistan outclassed South Africa with 2 Afridi wickets in 2 overs. They didn't see it coming, they, might be in an attempt to put him under pressure, under estimated his strength and effectiveness. With run-rate climbing, spinners bowling, pitch getting old and winds starting to blow across the ground South Africans had very little chance, they didn't choke, they took every opportunity they saw Alam's one over, Amir's inexperience, lazy fielding but the holes weren't enough for them to dig their boots in the ground. Playing on neutral venue crowd distribution wasn't fair either, Pakistani fans literally wiped out any visible existence of African fans.

All in all, for a nation where people commit suicide if their team loses a cricket match, for a nation deeply pushed into dark jungles of despair, for a nation that cherishes their victories in cricketing grounds and for a nation which so badly needs something to cheer in these difficult times, these 11 Maximuses of Pakistan made their nation proud when they went out and fought like tigers, they held their flag high enough for the nation to love them. When they entered the ground they had a lot to prove, they had a gigantic opponent in front of them, to everyone else it looked impossible but they knew what they had in themselves the belief and anger to prove everybody wrong and they precisely did that.

Because when the dust settled and the sun sent in its last pack of brightness towards Trent Bridge there was only one color that conquered the ground and their was only one voice that echoed, the color was of the green flag of Pakistan and the voice was 'Pakistan Zindabad'.

Its never the destination that matters its the journey that holds the essence, you have made us Proud Team Pakistan and we pray for your success at Lord's.

Beware Lords for the tigers are unleashing hell.

Did you see us coming ?

... What lies behind us and what lies before us are small matters compared to what lies within us ....

I was built to be the best
Number one and nothing less
Leave me to my destiny
I have waited patiently
I have vision' oh I believe
I know I can count on me
So stand up for the champions

[ Right Said Fred ]

Pak vs. SA; The Cornered Tigers Meet The Choker Leopards

Venue: Trent Bridge
Date: June 18, 2009
Prize: Final Berth + [Pride or Detagging]

Could it have been any better than this? Pakistan playing South Africa in the "winner takes all" T20 2009 World Cup semi final. While Pakistan have had the easiest ride to the semi finals with a hint of luck, a touch of charisma and some strokes of brilliance, precisely a combination that Pakistani cricket has been carrying for decades now, South Africa have been the clean sweepers winning all of their matches. For non-Pakistanis and non-South Africans I beleive it must be very tough to associate their prayers with either of the cricketing legend nations. Where South Africans have been consistent with performance Pakistanis have been more than consistent in being inconsistent and producing mercurial surprises.

Foe either teams it will be a lot more than a semi final, South Africans won't be an easy opponent for Pakistanis and South Africans can just pray what kind of opponent Pakistan shape up when they enter the field, they can be as easy as the 1999 WC Final or as difficult as the 1992 WC Final.

Pride vs. Detagging

The world and its politics, Pakistanis and their politics and taliban and their american agenda, where they have made almost everything on Pakistan's map to suffer, it has damamged Pakistan's cricket a lot. It is for this reason that Pakistani team badly need a breakthrough to come out of the recent issues at hands and thats why, I was more hurt at Younis saying the game as "fun cricket" than I was at Pakistan losing to England, but I believe it was lack of expression or vocabulary because Cricket has never been fun to Pakistan and Younis knows that well.




I so badly wish if Younis could wear the face mask of Imran Khan and walk into the dressing room tomorrow saying to his team, we have been cornered for more than two years, we were neglected, left out and left to suffer for crimes we didn't committ, in those times of pain from PCB to ICC and from our government to corrupt politics nobody came to help or soothe us, we and our fans were left alone and this is the moment we take our battle to the Trent Bridge pitch, this is the day we fight as if their is no tomorrow, this is the game we can only win and nothing else, this is the battlefield where we defeat all those who aimed to shut us out and this should be the evening where, when the dust settles, the whole world realizes for one last time that we are not leaving the game of cricket for as long as we live as a nation and that precisely is forever. This evening when the national anthem stops playing we go out and respect it by bringing home a fight well fought, irrespective of losing or winning.

On different but similar notes, Graeme Smith and his boys need to prove that they are made to play and win finals. They need to prove that they can beat the odds of D/L, rain and choking. The South Africans will enter this game with a crystal clear aim of beating D/L, detagging themselves from the choking tag and winning against Pakistan. South Africans have played enough semi-finals now to see a final at last.

If mother nature has to take sides in this game, it will be very difficult for her as well, they both need the win so badly which makes me feel that whichever team loses tomorrow will be respected by their fans and nation because the intensity and need for the win proves they have come far enough to be called losers, its however the cruelty that only one of them goes forward.

Skills vs. Magic

The South Africans will come out with a lot of plans, the As, Bs, Cs and so on. I predict that they will rely on their fast bowlers a lot more than spinners. Learning from England vs. India game they will bowl a lot of balls aiming at rib cage and head. They will aim to use poor running between wickets of Pakistanis to get them runout. Their pacers will aim to choke runs so the spinners can play with flight and loop. When they will bat, being the skilled planners, they wouldn't take much risk against Gul and Ajmal and to some extent Afridi but they will go guns blazing against Amir, Razzaq and to some extent Afridi.

The cornered tigers on the other hand would definitely come with a plan, it isn't true they don't plan, they do, they just fail to execute it. So they will walk out with their traditional hidden magic up their sleeves, but the risk with their magic is that you can never say it will be magical, the beauty of that risk is that it keeps your opponent scared and guessing. For Pakistan it will hardly be a team work, Pakistan would be so badly relying on individual peformances, which T20 actually acknowledges. They would come out hoping for Malik, Akmal, Yonis and Misbah to hit the form on the right day. Razzaq has considerable experience against Kallis, Gibbs and co., I would really hope Wasim Akram has walked into dressing room with some tips which would be so wasted if they only come from the commentators booth. Pakistan would understand it will be hard to stop runs flow with South African batting depth and present form, they will know its wickets they need and need it from the word go. They need to realize they can not drop even half chances in this game. I am sure they will know all this, but when they come out and play expect them to forget all this, why? I beleive thats how they are, you can't give them psychologists, trainers and physios and expect them to adapt, they have come from diving on cemented roads, they have spent years in domestic cricket never even knowing by a hint if the system would let them through to wear the green flag, they have come from playing bare footed to wearing Nike trainers, they have always been cornered, so when they come out at you, the beauty of the cruelness of their environment is that you will never know what they will do.

Teams

South Africans have a perfect combination going on so they wouldn't hardly change anybody unless they decide to bowl whole 20 overs of bouncers and hence leave Johan Botha on the benches, which is unlikely as they have plans Cs, Ds and Es and Fs.

Pakistan have been going along well, although, I still find Fawad Alam as a handicap but I agree there is no replacement. However, if Tanvir is fit then irrespective of his form I would include him in the team as an all rounder. Ahmed Shehzad can also replace Fawad Alam to strengthen batting but all of this is unlikely to happen. Remember, he scored highest runs in the warm up game against SAans so he maybe in for another chance.

Pakistan look a lot confused about their batting order. I, myself, backout from Afridi opening suggestion in a crucial game as semi final, also, Afridi is at his worst against rib cage balls.

Pakistan have been poor in picking up slow balls and it has costed them wickets, see above image for Misbah's dismissal ball against Irish and similar was the case for Akmal and Shahzaib. SA will bowl well disguised slower balls and Pakistan need to watch out, best way to do that is to cut short frequency of slogging. I would really like to see Misbah coming at No. 4, Misbah and Younis are best runners between wickets, thats precisely what Pakistan need in the mid-overs. I would push down Razzaq and Malik at 5 and 6 respectively because of their form. However, if opener survive 7-9 overs with 7+ run rate at least, I would like to see Yonis gamble with Afridi, it will be a stable enough position to lose 2 quick wickets but on the other hand if Afridi, for some odd reason, stays for 5 odd overs it will be 50% game over for South Africa.

With the confidence and form which South African batters will carry tomorrow, they will not wait for the ball, they will reach out for the balls on the front foot and walk down the track. In this tournament they havent gotten out LBW or Bowled a lot, it has been catching mostly. If that happens tomorrow, variation of pace can pop more catches than any other ball can. One or two slower balls every over can produce wickets, Gul should observe Malinga regularly.

Ground & Toss

South Africa being No. 1 in their group were given the advantage of their semi-final being played on the ground they have already played a handful of games on. Pakistan on the other hand hasn't played a single game in Trent Bridge in this event, except from the warm-up game (which they hardly looked to be playing). So SA has clear edge, in the Ind vs SA game pitch showed clear signs of being slow, dry and old, you could clearly see dust rising when the balls were pitched. However, semi final is on the pitch which is 2 pitches to the right of that one. Trent bridge generally has been a low scoring ground, batting isn't as easy as Lords or Oval. Pitch will tend to get worse with time so I would hope Pakistan winning the toss and bat first. Also, bowling being their main strength they should have a clear idea about pitch before they bowl, no adjustment or experimenting scope in T20.

Weather forecast is cloudy around mid-day and onwards, so Pakistan if wins the toss should bat first and hope that clouds get a bit delayed and later on in the evening with clouds at their peak Pakistan can hope Gul and Razzaq to swing the ball in air and I hope Vettori watches that.

Game Plan

South Africa will try to put Pakistan under pressure as soon as possible into the game and building on top of it.

Pakistan should maintain a good positive body language, if batting first, do not look for a mythical fantasy themed grand total, rather stick to a realistic target I would say 140-150 is a good target in Trent Bridge with Pakistani batting form and bowling strength.

Stick to orthodox cricket, afterall T20 after its youthful phase is returning to orthodox strengths of batting, T20 highest scorer Tilkaraten Dilshan has only hit ONE SIX. Look and learn, sixers are not everything, look for gaps and wait for bad balls, another reason why Misbah and Younis should come in early. A beauty about Misbah is that, like Dilshan, he improvises and rarely aims to hit a six, instead, mostly scores in gaps and by running, thats why when he picks a ball for a slog he slogs it well.

Amongst bowlers, I would bet my stakes with Ajmal, Gul, Razzaq and Afridi in descending order. SAans haven't seen much of Ajmal so he has a chance to slip between bat n pads.

My deepest wish ...

is the same as Imran Khan had, I don't care if you win or lose, as long as I see you giving it your best shot. I wish and hope and pray that tomorrow when the national anthem stops playing they enter the field like warriors and they give it their best fight, irrespective of winning or losing, as long as they come back bruised and injured on the chest the nation treats them as heroes and a good fight is worth a dozen WCs.

I so badly want to write a review of T20 Final with Pakistan playing :-)

Pakistan vs Ireland Preview

This is what happened on 17-03-2007 in Jamaica.


To avoid any such incident we need to learn from Sri Lankan game today, in which, so far Irish have really troubled Lankans.


Watch out for Irish pace traps

Pakistani team should really really watch out for Irish pace, they bowl very slow and very straight, that's almost the bottom line. The key, in my view, is to forget about hitting sixes and slogs, play orthodox cricket and aim for most of your runs behind the wicket into the gaps.

The whole Sri-Lankan innings produced 1 Six and about 6 dissmissals trying to hit a SIX. Jayawaredene only adaopted to the Irish tricky pace and managed to do well before falling to a sixer attempt.

They loop the ball and they ball it real slow. Don't get early into your shots, or you will put it high up in the air and don't play cross for avoiding LBW. Waiting for the ball and behind the wicket shots are the best option, inside out scoops over mid off can also be fruitful.

Another way to approach Irish pace is to hold back your shots, play as much on the back foot as possible don't commit to front foot and force shots as they did in 2007, committing early into the shots, failing to wait for ball, reaching out to it and in doing that playing away from the body and while doing that edging simple catches to O,Brien.



Specifically while playing Irish bowlers, look out for ...

McCallan:
I rate him as the most dangerous of the lot. Loops the ball a lot, doesn't spin much, very hard to hit for sixes, try to use the slow pace of ball to place into gaps for fours, slogs have a high risk of being caught, watch out for caught-n-bowled dismissals if you try too much for his pace. He bowls wicket to wicket so unless you are confident about sweep shots as much as Younis Khan avoid sweeping for the risk of LBW or popping ball in air.

Learn how Jayawardene tried slogging in early period of his innings (and repeated full force pulls landed inside the boundary because of slowness of pace) before understanding the slow Irish pace and opting for cheeky cuts and angles behind point and square for fours.

Both LPC Silva and Jaysuriya fell to McCallan, although Silva's dismissal ball was a bit faster but the problem still was pace and consistent attempts of hitting a six.

West, O'Brien:
Doesn't spin, doesn't vary too much pace, balls around 60-70 MPH, tries occassional quicker delivery can be considered easiest of the Irish bowling lot.

Cusack & Jhonston:
Fastest of the lot, but still medium pace, opening pair of bowlers. Bowls around 70-75 MPH. Cusack took out Mubarak and Jayawardene when he took ball from very very slow bowlers and batsmen failed to adjust to change in pace.

When Pakistani team bowls there isn't much to learn from previous experience as most of the bowlers except Gul are different this time and Gul himself was quite inexperienced in 2007. From Sri Lankan game observation, Irish had real difficult time picking Mendis and Murali, so Ajmal's dosras and Afridi's dippers would be vital when spinners come along. For the pace attack if Amir can bowl inswingers to left handers he has a chance of getting LBW decisions or clean bowled wickets and on the other hand Razzaq, because of his medium pace and swing experience, should aim to swing away and get wickets caught behind with keeper or slips.

Gul will be the key again, Irish really struggled against Malinga's pace and yorkers, whereas they were happier with Kulasekara's pace and line, as compared. Gul's piercing yorkers can definitely take a few wickets same as Malinga's did. In case early seemers and spinners face problems it might be important to Gul bring before Over No. 12.

Portfield & O'Brein:
Very strong outside off, tend to hit the ball on the rise. O'Brien has the tendency to get on one knee and play drives over cover and around mid-off. For Irish openers try Razzaq with the ball that moves away from left handers and place one slip and one fine gully. Portfield, with an off-side packed field, has the tendency to walk across and slog over leg side so either bring in long leg and push out mid wicket or ball real tight on off stump.

Rest of Irish batting looked very shaky and confused playing with no footwork, effort or power. With the Pakistani pace attack Irish batting shouldn't be a concern, however, considering Pakistani batting Irish bowling can be considered very dangerous unless they adapt to it early on and avoid slogging.

Lets see how it goes.

Gul dazzles, Afridi astonishes, Razzaq returns & NZ badly hurt

... and that pretty much summarizes June 13, 2009 for T20 World Cup. The only time NZ looked to be having a firm grip on the match was the first over of the match. After Amir's first over where he was wayward both on the on and off side he adjusted well to the pitch concentrating not to do too much but maintaining a consistent line with ball moving away from right handers mostly of-seam.

Pakistan as inconsistent as ever came back from nowhere, as ever, when it was least expected of them. They have had a sinusoidal row of success and failure with their last 6 matches giving a pattern of WLWLWLW. I once read somewhere that before reaching the edge of being evicted from 1992 World Cup, Imran KHAN gathered his troops and told them to play like cornered tigers, leading from the front playing as an injured cornered tiger. I have started to feel and observe that our team in specific and nation in general has this tendency as standard responsive mechanism built deep into their instincts. We have been left out of international cricketing arena for some while now due to teams fearing to come to Pakistan, which is more than partly our fault and another failure we have started to tackle when cornered, and it has deeply affected Pakistani team’s match practice and confidence. Other blows included all key players signing ICL and then ICC banning ICL players PCB agreeing and that entire saga ending in vital gaps in team’s strategic layout.

However, leaving all that aside, with the skipper quoting the game at hands as a do or die game Pakistani team played superbly well today. I believe the preparations started early with team management and captain finally listening to hard bitter truths smashing right into their faces, leaving out Salman Butt (an act that came late but still), resting Sohail Tanvir and including Razzaq.

In the ground there were no vital mistakes, Gul was not given the new ball, which he clearly not feels comfortable with. Razzaq returned to international cricket after almost two years and looked eager and hungry to make a statement as he entered the ring with a solid aim to reclaim his presence and position and boy didn’t he do well taking a first over wicket?

Afridi and Ajmal started the post powerplay period with much confidence up their sleeves and wickets kept falling regularly and then came the final blow starting over no. 12 where Gul started his spell of 3-0-6-5, the first 5 wicket hall in T20 games played to date. Gul demonstrated amazing skill to reverse swing an 11 over old bowl with apparently no considerable support from weather or ball.

Still, however the highlight for me was the catch taken by Afridi of the bowl of Gul to dismiss Styris, Afridi ran 40+ meters towards the boundary directing and managing his run under the trajectory of the ball coming at his back and holding a catch without diving 6-7 meters inside the boundary rope.
As a matter of fact Afridi’s catch shadowed Misbah’s effort earlier which was also a nice catch running backwards although it was less far and less high but it was excellent as well.

Then came the batting, which is still worrying. Although Pakistan managed a much stable start with the absence of Salman Butt, still the shots played by debutant Shahzaib Hasan were not too confident or convincing. Considering it was his first match and he did hit a couple of sizes after 2 mistimed slogs over mid off and on, we expect to see much improvement in his skill and confidence. From where I saw he appeared to be reaching his shots quite early whether he was defending or attacking he looked early into his shots. Talking about the batting order, it was wise of Younis to give Razzaq a chance with the bat at No. 3, he didn’t stay for long but we know he is a consistent performer and its only a matter of time till he becomes lethal again. Malik is still rusty and that’s worrying, but he has shown before he can do better and hopefully he will. I still feel that considering rusty form of Malik and T20 form of Misbah he should come at No. 4 but lets see. Towards the end, Afridi chipped in finishing runs with a well played 29 which must have had helped his confidence and I still believe Afridi, with bat, is a gamble that the skipper should play early with new ball and field restrictions.

All in all well played Pakistan and although their chances to reach semis will come down to run-rates and a lot of “if” scenarios, I personally feel as long as they give it a fight that’s all that matters in the eyes of their fans.

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Recipe to T20 2009 resurge for Pakistani Team

Source: Cricinfo



Ingredients:

- 11 Players
- 11 +ve attitudes
- 11 fully loaded packs of self belief
- Desire to catch-n-hold the ball
- 01 Captain who laughs less
- Common Sense, as many tbsp as you can find
- Aggressiveness, as per taste
- Above all, desire to WIN

Recipe:

There has been a lot already said on the pathetic state of Pakistani team and it has been more than once highlighted by World class test players that the fault lies more in planning than in resources. Its not about winning T20, well if they do excellent, but its more about playing the game with the proper spirit and above everything open bloody eyes and learn from mistakes. If every cricket analyst and critic can ask following questions I fail to admit that PCB or Younis Khan or the bulky Burger King Intikhab Alam can’t, questions such as:

1. Why do we still play Salman Butt? One good reason would do.
2. Why do we waste Afridi at No. 6?, when the most he can achieve is with the new ball with power play on, so his 9/10 mistimed slogs have a chance to fall in no man lands.
3. What do you expect of Misbah ul Haq if you send him in at 5 or 6? Did somebody tell you the guy is a magician or you are simple plain crazy?
4. What purpose Fawad Alam serves being a part of team in any of batting, bowling or fielding?
5. Why does Younis Khan has to repeatedly quote T20 as *fun game*? If it is lack of vocabulary, it should be clarified, if it is not he should return home as Pakistani supporters don’t want fun games they want him to take it seriously.
6. Why would you not use Shoaib Malik as a bowler when he finally started to get a grip on his form and did 2-0-5-0 in last match?
7. Is Pakistani team banned to do practise or what because 20 extras in 20 overs is something no more seen in even street cricket?

So on and forth, however, the bottom line is that if PCB or the team wants to do better the force, desire and will has to come from within. Although at the moment the nature and stupidity of decisions make it look as if it is never going to happen, unfortunately there is no short cut.

Forgotten Hero of Pakistani Cricket, Basit Ali

Salman Butt & Cricket Pakistan

July 2009

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In the first test against Sri Lanka following the T20 World Cup win, Pakistan reverted back to Salman Butt for opening. Butt lived upto the expectations scored a first ball duck in first innings and 28 in the second innings. Although he was the top scorer in second innings the question to ask since last one year and still is that is this what a team expects from an opener?

Cricinfo: Pakistan's trouble at top

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June 12, 2009
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Salman Butt was again part of team that played crucial first game of Super8s. It is becoming a standard template of his performance. Gladly no catch went towards Salman Butt so his fielding highlights were occassional jogs that ended up in 1s becoming 2s and 2s becoming 3s. On the batting front Salam Butt as expected of him got a second ball duck and lead from front the collapse of Pakistani team.

I now feel happy when Pakistan loses and Salman Butt is part of team because if that is the way PCB has to or might learn then let it be that way. Keep playing Salman Butt and keep playing with Pakistani Nation's feelings.

All the best PCB with beyond poor skills that has led cricket and Pakistani team in its present shape.

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June 09, 2009
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Irrespective of international criticism and ground realities SB was again included in today's crucial match against Netherlands. Not to my surprise at all Salman Butt played like he has always played, almost approaching uselessness. Highlight for today was his dropped catch in the early overs, I mean anybody else would have had to make extra effort to drop such an easy catch straight into hands, but for Butt it was routine.

The 10 odd runs he scores, against any reasonable team, comprised of a few good cricketing shots with an on-drive four and a six over cover and point, quite a few ugly looking slog shots he never even connects and watches to and fro, keeper and bowler and a final straight forward dismissal. But as always I ask the selectors if, a few good shots is enough to qualify to be in the International team? A player makes 15-20 odd runs on average mostly comprising of lucky flukes and occasional pretty off drives, drops more than half of the catches, acts very generous in letting singles into doubles, is he deserving to be a constant part of team? the more I ask the question the more convinced I feel that he is a burden on team, specially in field.

Why not Imran Nazir?
Why not Imran Farhat?
Why not Mohd. Hafeez?
Don't they deserve an equal amount of chance as Salman Butt?
If not why not?

If Salman Butt has an Uncle that reaches way up in PCB administration, then ok, let him come at No. 10 and place him where the keeper puts helmet in the field, I am really upset on his never ending presence.

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Younis perplexed at shoddy Pakistan display

Pakistan's aura of unpredictability, something that made watching them so fascinating, has come to an end

Read more

@ Cricinfo

[QUOTE]
It is not funny when more than one fielder in the team starts spilling catches and fumbling in the outfield. Pakistan dropped four catches at various points during the England innings: Saeed Ajmal (twice) and Yaseer Arafat and Salman Butt (one apiece) were the culprits. Butt was the comfortably the worst fielder and his captain did not hide his anger and disappointment. "Even if Butt scored 28 as an opener we'll have to think about him [for the next game] because of his fielding," Younis said.
[/QUOTE]

I am glad to hear that, Butt career needs a big huge full stop, sad but true, the sooner it happens the better. I am amazed his 28 runs were mentioned as an achievement, 22 odd out of 28 were made by luck and not Butt and of course around the same number of runs slipped through his hands and between his legs.

Go Butt Go .... on a side note, having quoted Younis's words for butt I am afraid I have to soon write about his captaincy skills because form where I see he clearly lacks the skippers' brain and charisma, more on it later ...

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June 07, 2009
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Some genius told Pakistani team they are missing a BUTT for a crucial match and guess what? Team Pakistan again included Salman Butt in the line up. It frustrates me how much is enough when it comes to him? How much worse has he to perform for PCB to see? In the field Salman Butt stood prominent from the rest by dropping at least 2 catches and letting a dozen singles into doubles (as he jogs towards the ball as if he has just started a casual net practice session or attending a friend's walima along with playing cricket) and an occasional soccer goal right between his legs and all this wearing shirt numbered 1, I mean WTF?

When it comes to his batting, SB can only bat if you bowl him medium pace on a flat pitch straight onto his bat outside off (don't you dare move the ball) and take all fielders off the off side for him to play his square drives, but is that enough to be a permanent opener for an International team? no it is not. The moment ball does even slightest or match becomes tense or the opposing captain places 3/4 men covering point to cover Butt chokes and chokes big time. His 28 of today included one good looking square drive a bunch of lucky flukes till he played one amazing shot I can't even describe.

Not to say everybody else played poorly but all of the rest do perform occasionally, I as a supporter of team Pakistan would still let them go away with all these loses considering all they have been through in the past year, how they were cut out of international circuit and the ICL drama taking key players out of the playing 11. But SALMAN BUTT, no way, he is not even a club level batsman and is not even a street level fielder. For whatever reason PCB is hanging onto him, its unfair with all the boys getting grey hair sitting on benches while Butt goes on with ZERO performance.

Butt-nama ends here today ...

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June 3,2009
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Pakistan played India, although all Pakistani team played more or less like Salman Butt but I was still glad that somebody somewhere in PCB has the eyes to see that Salman Butt, no matter how dear or near to any official he might be to have a permanent place in team, is not even performing good enough to deserve a reserve seat on the bench.

I am very glad he is at least out for one match, maybe if the guy has uncles in higher ups at PCB he still needs to be shown the door. There are players in Pakistani domestic cricket who on any day would do better than Salman Butt in his best form, but they are not even given a single chance and Butt plays on forever, sad but true.

Butt-nama ends here today ....

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I must admit that I start off this blog in sheer anger and disappointment regarding this chap called Salman Butt. Why I decided to do this, well on and off there has been a match Pakistan so badly needs to win for many reasons (we skip that part here) and all this guy does is mess up things perfectly to convince me by and large that he is playing for opponents rather than his own team.

For IPL followers it wouldn't be that difficult to remind yourself how he dented an already dented Kolkata Knight Riders of Shahrukh Khan. I guess he does that even better for Pakistan.

But that's not all about Salman Butt, if you look at his profile and batting averages they seem pretty decent but for me thats just a bluff because all his major scores, or most of his major scores have been against 3rd or 4th tier teams.

Anyways, here I will keep track of Butt's performance to see how he does over time. As for yesterday in the practise match against South Africa Butt played a perfect Butt innings getting bowled out in first over playing miles away from the ball and not to mention his mis fieldings earlier one of which ended up in boundary being scored.

See you later with Butt-nama ....


May 30, 2009 - Pak vs SA - Salman Butt b Steyn (4,1,3,1,0)

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