Well the sub-continent teams namely India, Sri Lanka and Pakistan have always been a nightmare for the Western countries namely Australia, New Zealand, West Indies, England and South Africa. The main reason for this is the fact that the spinners from the sub-continent are far more gifted compared to players from the rest mentioned above. This has been the reason for Steve Waugh's dream to be shattered every time he and his team led Australia would tour India to play a test series. The only conquest Steve Waugh wasn't successful in doing was a test series win over India in India.
However, Sri Lanka and Pakistan have not been that troublesome to Australia and Steve Waugh has had wins against them on their home soil. And, this time in the world cup, it was the three sub-continent teams which played havoc in Ponting's third appearance as captain. Ponting managed what no Australian captain had managed to since 1987 when India last won a game against Australia by 56 runs under the captaincy of Azharuddin. Since 1992, Australia have managed 5 wins against India and no losses at all. But now, for the 1st time since the color dress was introduced in world cup, Australia have lost to India.
All knew that Australia was not at their best of cricket but no one would have predicted that they would end their dream of lifting 4th world cup in a row in the quarter-finals itself. At least a semi-final berth for Australia would have stopped all haters' tongues from wagging and the ACB's head to think like never before. The last time Australia ever lost a match was against Pakistan in 1999 when Pakistan were lucky to have survived a 10 run win over Steve Waugh's men. Perhaps! Had this world cup not been held in the sub-continent, may be Australia would not have fared this bad.
But, Australia and Ponting mainly is not the one who decides who hosts the tournament. Just when Australia would have been celebrating the 8th anniversary of their emphatic win over India in 2003 world cup final, Ponting had to think of what would he face the next day with him having to face the same team but with a depleted side. Talking about Australia's relationship with the sub-continent, Sri Lanka was the team to have stopped Australia's winning streak after the match was abandoned. Let me remind you guys the difference between won and unbeaten. Pakistan stopped their unbeaten streak by a 4 wicket win and finally India broke their world cup dreams after their 5 wicket win yesterday.
For all those crazy cricket fans in India who left their business, women, career, jobs, family, travel to watch India battle it out, it was worth the sacrifice.
Showing posts with label Australia vs Pakistan. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Australia vs Pakistan. Show all posts
Friday, March 25, 2011
Sunday, March 20, 2011
What is so gr8 in it?
Yesterday, Pakistan beat Australia by 4 wickets to stop their 35 match winning streak that included one tied match against South Africa in the semi finals of the 1999 world cup and one match abandoned with the match against Sri Lanka being called off due to rains. May be this world have come before for Australia, had that game taken off. But, despite all these facts, I personally don't regard this as a major victory for Pakistan or any team to have managed it. Not because that I'm an Indian and turning down Pakistan's achievements is my birth right that I am into such statements.
But, beating a team that was once an unbeatable team is not a major achievement. Only a handful of players from the Australian side are found playing cricket though not at their career best of form and fitness. Only Ricky Ponting, Shane Watson and Brett Lee are found making it to the squad since 2003 when the Aussies were unbeatable. And for the matter, Ponting is at his best only in smashing LCD sets rather than the ball which has was known to be. There is no Gilchrist, Hayden, Martyn, Symonds and Mike Hussey to take the batting charge with McGrath, Nathan Bracken and Brad Hogg to bowl.
Added to that, the current Aussie team lacks a match winner like Michael Beaven who could take his team out from the clutches of defeat despite his team reeling at 135/8 against England in 2003 and Andy Bichael who was a replacement for Jason Gillispie and proved much more than what Gillispie would have been. Australia never finished with a run rate less than 6.0 an over in the 2007 world cup batting 1st and got all its opponents all out with Bangladesh being an exception in the 2007 world cup. Coming close to such a team was also a tough task let alone winning.
It would be no tough task to fight a 90 year old man when thinking about the same when the person at his young age would have made him pay the price. In the current cricketing world, Australia is as good as any other team and winning against them would be just another win against a normal opposition. New Zealand could have done this for, they were the 1st decent team to have faced the Aussies in 2011 WC. Since the 2007 triumph, the Aussies have made news only for bad reasons though they won the ICC champions trophy in 2009 and were the runners-up in world T20 2010.
It would be nice to think about ways to make money online, online business guide than cheering a pseudo-record by Pakistan I'd suggest.
But, beating a team that was once an unbeatable team is not a major achievement. Only a handful of players from the Australian side are found playing cricket though not at their career best of form and fitness. Only Ricky Ponting, Shane Watson and Brett Lee are found making it to the squad since 2003 when the Aussies were unbeatable. And for the matter, Ponting is at his best only in smashing LCD sets rather than the ball which has was known to be. There is no Gilchrist, Hayden, Martyn, Symonds and Mike Hussey to take the batting charge with McGrath, Nathan Bracken and Brad Hogg to bowl.
Added to that, the current Aussie team lacks a match winner like Michael Beaven who could take his team out from the clutches of defeat despite his team reeling at 135/8 against England in 2003 and Andy Bichael who was a replacement for Jason Gillispie and proved much more than what Gillispie would have been. Australia never finished with a run rate less than 6.0 an over in the 2007 world cup batting 1st and got all its opponents all out with Bangladesh being an exception in the 2007 world cup. Coming close to such a team was also a tough task let alone winning.
It would be no tough task to fight a 90 year old man when thinking about the same when the person at his young age would have made him pay the price. In the current cricketing world, Australia is as good as any other team and winning against them would be just another win against a normal opposition. New Zealand could have done this for, they were the 1st decent team to have faced the Aussies in 2011 WC. Since the 2007 triumph, the Aussies have made news only for bad reasons though they won the ICC champions trophy in 2009 and were the runners-up in world T20 2010.
It would be nice to think about ways to make money online, online business guide than cheering a pseudo-record by Pakistan I'd suggest.
Monday, September 6, 2010
Victory despite all odds for England
Well it was a match between the current world T20 champions and the former world T20 champions - Pakistan who fought it out yesterday at Cardiff and the result can be more clearly told you by none other than the scorecard of the match. However, it need not be specially sited that this blog in particular does not deal with the scorecard or the winners and losers of a match but does deal with the way things have happened regarding both the teams out there. At this point, I don't recommend Shannon's Introspections . However, needless to be said, the onus was on Pakistan to do well.
Until the 1st T20 match between the teams mentioned above, it was only the bad performance by Pakistan in the past 8 months or so which was haunting them. But now, there is the new devil called match/spot fixing which is turning its head towards Pakistan mostly. Though there have been teams like India, England, Australia and Sri Lanka off late mentioned, Pakistan no doubt has a greater in it. And, losing yet another match to some team will just add fuel to the fire and Pakistan have done just that. Scorecard suggests that Pakistan lost only 4 wickets in the first innings.
The entire Pakistan innings never had even a single hit out of the ground. Not even from the blades of Shahid Afridi. In fact, Shahid Afridi came in at number six position when he should have made it to the crease in the top order. Nevermind that even the present position was also not bad though. Should this be considered as a bad performance by Pakistan or a decent one from England with the news speaking about match fixing most of the time? Such matches have happened in the past as well not only for those involving Pakistan but also other teams.
Being known for his hard hitting abilities, Shahid Afridi should have been seen striking the bowlers at will but, instead of that Shahid Afridi was found taking two out of the five wickets that fell during England's batting innings. Another interesting fact from the match is that both teams bowled just 2 extras and what is more! Both the teams gave away one run in the form of wide and another run in the form of leg bye. Well, this may not be owing to some fixing thing and is agreed to be purely coincidental. But, why did even the England innings also didn't contain a single hit out of the ground? Don't worry, even that is not fixed.
Until the 1st T20 match between the teams mentioned above, it was only the bad performance by Pakistan in the past 8 months or so which was haunting them. But now, there is the new devil called match/spot fixing which is turning its head towards Pakistan mostly. Though there have been teams like India, England, Australia and Sri Lanka off late mentioned, Pakistan no doubt has a greater in it. And, losing yet another match to some team will just add fuel to the fire and Pakistan have done just that. Scorecard suggests that Pakistan lost only 4 wickets in the first innings.
The entire Pakistan innings never had even a single hit out of the ground. Not even from the blades of Shahid Afridi. In fact, Shahid Afridi came in at number six position when he should have made it to the crease in the top order. Nevermind that even the present position was also not bad though. Should this be considered as a bad performance by Pakistan or a decent one from England with the news speaking about match fixing most of the time? Such matches have happened in the past as well not only for those involving Pakistan but also other teams.
Being known for his hard hitting abilities, Shahid Afridi should have been seen striking the bowlers at will but, instead of that Shahid Afridi was found taking two out of the five wickets that fell during England's batting innings. Another interesting fact from the match is that both teams bowled just 2 extras and what is more! Both the teams gave away one run in the form of wide and another run in the form of leg bye. Well, this may not be owing to some fixing thing and is agreed to be purely coincidental. But, why did even the England innings also didn't contain a single hit out of the ground? Don't worry, even that is not fixed.
Monday, August 30, 2010
How long will this continue?
Things were not as simple for Pakistan like it would have been trading on sasono site for, sport is not gambling. But, the Pakistani team has made their cricket look like a gamble since the days when all major cricketing nations started boycotting their tour to the trouble torn country. That apart, coming to yesterday's 4th day of the test match between England and Pakistan, that was one last blow for Pakistan when they fell one run short in ending up their 2nd innings score twice of what they could manage to do in their 1st innings at London. No prizes for guessing.
On the 1st day's play, it was as though that Pakistan would continue to rock the series the way they did in the 3rd test which they eventually won. The 1st day's play saw England ending the truncated day with 39 runs for the loss of one wicket. This was not a problem with 9 more batsmen still to go at that time. But, it was later in the day that followed that misery stared for England. England lost 7 wickets for a score just above 100 on day 2 which spoke for itself. But, as the scorecard suggests, Stuart Broad and Jonathan Trott settled things for England.
In addition to praising the duo who bought England back into the game, it would not be wrong to blame Pakistan for allowing a number 9 batsman to settle down and settle his team as well at the same time. One cannot expect someone like Mohammed Asif and Saeed Ajmal to do the same for Pakistan. If Broad scores more than twice the total put up by Pakistan team, the caliber of Pakistan should be under scrutiny. One can recall the way India got back into the game against Australia at the Eden Gardens Kolkata in 2001 after allowed to follow on by Steve Waugh in a situation similar to the one under consideration.
But then, it was Laxman and Dravid, two notable batsmen from the Indian side and not some Venkatesh Prasad or Debashish Mohanty. There has been a nightwatchman who has scored a double century when Jason Gillespie did it against Bangladesh. But, the team against Stuart Broad did the feat was a team that has had a world cup triumph against its name. No matter that even Australia's collapse for 88 recently would have made people think likewise. But, Pakistan has been doing it since past one year or so. England required just four bowlers to get all ten Pakistani wickets unlike 6 bowlers from Pakistani side.
There was some Umar Akmal who scored 79 runs at a strike rate of 116 as though it was a LOI game. With this sort of approach, the results can get only worse.
On the 1st day's play, it was as though that Pakistan would continue to rock the series the way they did in the 3rd test which they eventually won. The 1st day's play saw England ending the truncated day with 39 runs for the loss of one wicket. This was not a problem with 9 more batsmen still to go at that time. But, it was later in the day that followed that misery stared for England. England lost 7 wickets for a score just above 100 on day 2 which spoke for itself. But, as the scorecard suggests, Stuart Broad and Jonathan Trott settled things for England.
In addition to praising the duo who bought England back into the game, it would not be wrong to blame Pakistan for allowing a number 9 batsman to settle down and settle his team as well at the same time. One cannot expect someone like Mohammed Asif and Saeed Ajmal to do the same for Pakistan. If Broad scores more than twice the total put up by Pakistan team, the caliber of Pakistan should be under scrutiny. One can recall the way India got back into the game against Australia at the Eden Gardens Kolkata in 2001 after allowed to follow on by Steve Waugh in a situation similar to the one under consideration.
But then, it was Laxman and Dravid, two notable batsmen from the Indian side and not some Venkatesh Prasad or Debashish Mohanty. There has been a nightwatchman who has scored a double century when Jason Gillespie did it against Bangladesh. But, the team against Stuart Broad did the feat was a team that has had a world cup triumph against its name. No matter that even Australia's collapse for 88 recently would have made people think likewise. But, Pakistan has been doing it since past one year or so. England required just four bowlers to get all ten Pakistani wickets unlike 6 bowlers from Pakistani side.
There was some Umar Akmal who scored 79 runs at a strike rate of 116 as though it was a LOI game. With this sort of approach, the results can get only worse.
Friday, August 27, 2010
Is Pakistan making a home in England?
Well if the followers of cricket over the world are concerned, it is no surprise that the ongoing test series between England and Pakistan was supposed to be played in Pakistan with England touring the trouble torn country. And, in case that had happened, then obviously Pakistan would have had an upper hand compared to England with the home team advantage being well with Pakistan. Pakistan are no Bangladesh or West Indies to let go that advantage so easily and effortless. Pakistan have always been a tough opponent to beat on home conditions which is more so the case when it comes to test cricket.
Of course, this is true for all test playing nations barring Bangladesh and West Indies where home team may be more worse than the tour. And this time, Pakistan have proved England to be their new home when they did exactly not what was expected from them but what a home team is found doing- make life tough or even impossible for the opposition. And this cannot be a better opportunity than the ongoing ones against Australia and England. In fact, England being the home team were found in shambles in the third test against Pakistan a couple of weeks back.
Pakistan won the second test against Australia almost a month back and not only that, they were successful in dismissing the opposition for a score of 88 which speaks for Pakistan. That was also a test tour which was supposed to be played in Pakistan but thanks to the insecure situation there which forced the ICC to move the tournament out of the country. In fact, Pakistan won 3 out of the four matches that were scheduled in England against Australia during that tour. Pakistan won the two T20 games that were played prior to the two tests that followed.
Following this, though Pakistan lost the first two tests to England, it is an undisputed fact that England were hosting Pakistan and enjoys the home team advantage. England did bowl out the Pakistani side for a score less than 100 on two occasions when they (Pakistan) were found returning back to the pavilion with the scoreboard reading 72 on one occasion and 80 on the other. Then, Pakistan came back strongly in the third test and best England to atleast be alive in the series. Now, Pakistan have shown a better performance in the 4th and final test to see them level the series.
If this happens, then England will be a home for both the teams and Pakistan can also avoid their homesickness when they've found a new home in England. They can now celebrate their new found home like the one mentioned in Pretty in Pink. Just for fun.
Of course, this is true for all test playing nations barring Bangladesh and West Indies where home team may be more worse than the tour. And this time, Pakistan have proved England to be their new home when they did exactly not what was expected from them but what a home team is found doing- make life tough or even impossible for the opposition. And this cannot be a better opportunity than the ongoing ones against Australia and England. In fact, England being the home team were found in shambles in the third test against Pakistan a couple of weeks back.
Pakistan won the second test against Australia almost a month back and not only that, they were successful in dismissing the opposition for a score of 88 which speaks for Pakistan. That was also a test tour which was supposed to be played in Pakistan but thanks to the insecure situation there which forced the ICC to move the tournament out of the country. In fact, Pakistan won 3 out of the four matches that were scheduled in England against Australia during that tour. Pakistan won the two T20 games that were played prior to the two tests that followed.
Following this, though Pakistan lost the first two tests to England, it is an undisputed fact that England were hosting Pakistan and enjoys the home team advantage. England did bowl out the Pakistani side for a score less than 100 on two occasions when they (Pakistan) were found returning back to the pavilion with the scoreboard reading 72 on one occasion and 80 on the other. Then, Pakistan came back strongly in the third test and best England to atleast be alive in the series. Now, Pakistan have shown a better performance in the 4th and final test to see them level the series.
If this happens, then England will be a home for both the teams and Pakistan can also avoid their homesickness when they've found a new home in England. They can now celebrate their new found home like the one mentioned in Pretty in Pink. Just for fun.
Thursday, August 12, 2010
Karachi Association's selfish take
Well, all of us are aware of the way the PCB behaved in an awkward manner when Pakistan lost all matches in their tour to Australia late last year. The PCB dropped as many as 8 players from the playing eleven which then was forced to be reverted back when there was the world T20 championship and making a stupid decision would prove costly for the PCB. Had the PCB continued with the decision to exclude all the dropped players, then, may be the PCB itself might have been dropped. PCB would have made news for being dropped for dropping.
No matter what the Pakistan team's performance had to say to the field but, such things often happen to every team like India lost all three matches in the super eights of the world T20 not once but twice in 2009 and then in this year's edition. So has been the case with Australia who failed to get past the initial stage of the world T20 last year when they lost both their matches to West Indies and Sri Lanka in 2009. Getting into the details would be something out of the topic. Coming to the topic, the Karachi association has found to throw its words regarding Pakistan's performance in the test against England.
In both the test matches against England, Pakistan slumped to their lowest totals when they lost all their wickets for a score of 80 in the second innings of the first test and 72 in the first innings of the second test off late. One has to be fortunate rather to come across such beautiful performances by the team which has been found making news for all the wrong reasons since their disastrous tour of Australia as mentioned last year. This performance against England can only add fuel to fire and this time it is not the PCB but the Karachi association which is found breaking its silence.
What has got to do with the squad that toured England when the same Pakistan team was found beating the mighty Aussies just a month back. In fact, Pakistan came out more victorious on that tour when they convincingly beat the Aussies in the 2 T20 games which they played and than in the second test after losing the first test. Pakistan were successful in bowling the Aussie batsmen for a partly score of 88 in the first innings of the second test. So, just think why is the same squad not been credited by the Karachi association when they lose the same to England? Why should Karachi boast of players from its side when the national team can benefit if it behaves otherwise.
No matter what the Pakistan team's performance had to say to the field but, such things often happen to every team like India lost all three matches in the super eights of the world T20 not once but twice in 2009 and then in this year's edition. So has been the case with Australia who failed to get past the initial stage of the world T20 last year when they lost both their matches to West Indies and Sri Lanka in 2009. Getting into the details would be something out of the topic. Coming to the topic, the Karachi association has found to throw its words regarding Pakistan's performance in the test against England.
In both the test matches against England, Pakistan slumped to their lowest totals when they lost all their wickets for a score of 80 in the second innings of the first test and 72 in the first innings of the second test off late. One has to be fortunate rather to come across such beautiful performances by the team which has been found making news for all the wrong reasons since their disastrous tour of Australia as mentioned last year. This performance against England can only add fuel to fire and this time it is not the PCB but the Karachi association which is found breaking its silence.
What has got to do with the squad that toured England when the same Pakistan team was found beating the mighty Aussies just a month back. In fact, Pakistan came out more victorious on that tour when they convincingly beat the Aussies in the 2 T20 games which they played and than in the second test after losing the first test. Pakistan were successful in bowling the Aussie batsmen for a partly score of 88 in the first innings of the second test. So, just think why is the same squad not been credited by the Karachi association when they lose the same to England? Why should Karachi boast of players from its side when the national team can benefit if it behaves otherwise.
Monday, August 2, 2010
Inzy decides to come to light
Well the retired Pakistani batsman, Inzamam Ul Haq has shown his interest in becoming the batting coach for his team if the latest news in Pakistan cricket is anywhere to go by. This, if at all happens, would be another star batsman taking over as the coach of the Pakistan team after Javed Miandad was selected as the Pakistani coach in the bilateral series involving India in 2004. Though secondary at the moment, that was after a long gap of 12 years that India were touring Pakistan for reasons once again which are secondary here. Whatsoever, Inzamam's nod for the job should be worth a thought by the PCB.
The Pakistan team need not be blamed for losing 3 + 5 + 1 matches against Australia last year which was extended to two more T20 losses at the hands of Australia in the T20 world cup followed by a loss in the first test in England. Likewise, it would be worth mentioning that they did win the second test against Australia unexpectedly not before whitewashing the same in the two T20 games that preceded the test series. One doubt that everyone should be found asking should be why was there no one day games played between the countries? Anyways, why should we bother when ICC didn't? Right!
Coming to Inzy, the man has been not only out of any cricketing action but has also been out from all sorts of cricket news. After his retirement from all forms of the game in 2007, Inzy was found starting the 2nd innings of his cricketing life when he was found playing for Lahore Badshahs in the banned Indian Cricket League. Since then, Inzamam has neither been seen playing in any of the domestic leagues (atleast as far as my knowledge goes) nor found taking the mike in his hand and doing some sort of commentary stuff like say Wasim Akram is doing after is retirement some 7 years ago.
And, how long can Inzy keep himself isolated from the world of cricket, when he has made news for the good reasons in the field since the 1992 world cup for a decade and a half. As a matter of fact, Imran Kahn was found making news in the elections when he stood opposite Benazir Bhutto and then Waqar Younis is seen coaching the bowlers of the national team after 6 years of retiring from all forms of the game. I doubt whether anybody knows that Waqar Younis is the third highest wicket taker in ODIs. And then, despite a hattrick in the 1999 world cup and just 12 scalps less than 300 to his name, Saqlain Mushtaq is a forgotten episode in Pak cricket.
The careers after retirement for a cricketer would be commentator, coach, columnist or finally player in other leagues. And, with the ICL breathing its last and IPL closing all doors for Pakistani players, the only option left for Inzy would be coach and it would be no surprise that he is utmost needed for the job.
The Pakistan team need not be blamed for losing 3 + 5 + 1 matches against Australia last year which was extended to two more T20 losses at the hands of Australia in the T20 world cup followed by a loss in the first test in England. Likewise, it would be worth mentioning that they did win the second test against Australia unexpectedly not before whitewashing the same in the two T20 games that preceded the test series. One doubt that everyone should be found asking should be why was there no one day games played between the countries? Anyways, why should we bother when ICC didn't? Right!
Coming to Inzy, the man has been not only out of any cricketing action but has also been out from all sorts of cricket news. After his retirement from all forms of the game in 2007, Inzy was found starting the 2nd innings of his cricketing life when he was found playing for Lahore Badshahs in the banned Indian Cricket League. Since then, Inzamam has neither been seen playing in any of the domestic leagues (atleast as far as my knowledge goes) nor found taking the mike in his hand and doing some sort of commentary stuff like say Wasim Akram is doing after is retirement some 7 years ago.
And, how long can Inzy keep himself isolated from the world of cricket, when he has made news for the good reasons in the field since the 1992 world cup for a decade and a half. As a matter of fact, Imran Kahn was found making news in the elections when he stood opposite Benazir Bhutto and then Waqar Younis is seen coaching the bowlers of the national team after 6 years of retiring from all forms of the game. I doubt whether anybody knows that Waqar Younis is the third highest wicket taker in ODIs. And then, despite a hattrick in the 1999 world cup and just 12 scalps less than 300 to his name, Saqlain Mushtaq is a forgotten episode in Pak cricket.
The careers after retirement for a cricketer would be commentator, coach, columnist or finally player in other leagues. And, with the ICL breathing its last and IPL closing all doors for Pakistani players, the only option left for Inzy would be coach and it would be no surprise that he is utmost needed for the job.
Sunday, June 6, 2010
The PCB corrects itself
Well before anybody would term the PCB as mentally sick, it is a good news to the entire cricket world and especially Pakistan cricket that the bans and fines on the Pakistani players that included Shahid Afridi, Shoaib Malik, Younis Khan among the eight has been finally scrapped not by anyone else but by the PCB itself. Needless to be said, the aforementioned Pakistan players were imposed hefty fines and unimaginable bans after their disastrous tour of Australia where Pakistan returned home without even a single win from three tests + 5 One dayers + 1 T20 game that was played.
Recently, the ban of one year and a fine of a whooping 2 million rupees on Shoaib Malik was lifted by a tribunal which reduced the fine by half which has now entitled Shoaib Malik to pay just rupees 1 million. The word just is far from being justified here when the matter involves sums upto rupees one million. But, the comparison here is done with 2 million and needless to be said is far greater than 1 million rupees. And, with Pakistan being winners of the world T20 last year, the amount should not be as big as it is thought to be.
The poorest of poor performance by the Pakistani players should and can never be forgiven no matter what. It does not matter that it was Australia whom Pakistan were facing in their own den and a victory is far from being achieved. But, even a defeat in all matches is far from expected as far as Pakistan is considered. The Pakistani players deserve a harsh punishment but not a crazy one like it has been done by the PCB. However, when the ban on Shoaib Malik has been revoked and fine reduced, it looks like the PCB is rethinking on its decision which is rather crazy as mentioned.
Now, the PCB has revoked the bans and reduced fines for other players as well long before the Pakistan cricket follows the West Indies team. There is the multi team starer Asia cup to be stared in the coming month and with most of the Pakistani players facing the axe, there might be a major disaster waiting to happen in case the PCB does not turn up. A hint regarding the same has been felt in the recently concluded ICC world T20 when Pakistan lost games to England and New Zealand in the super eights after losing the group stage encounter with the Aussies.
Recently, the ban of one year and a fine of a whooping 2 million rupees on Shoaib Malik was lifted by a tribunal which reduced the fine by half which has now entitled Shoaib Malik to pay just rupees 1 million. The word just is far from being justified here when the matter involves sums upto rupees one million. But, the comparison here is done with 2 million and needless to be said is far greater than 1 million rupees. And, with Pakistan being winners of the world T20 last year, the amount should not be as big as it is thought to be.
The poorest of poor performance by the Pakistani players should and can never be forgiven no matter what. It does not matter that it was Australia whom Pakistan were facing in their own den and a victory is far from being achieved. But, even a defeat in all matches is far from expected as far as Pakistan is considered. The Pakistani players deserve a harsh punishment but not a crazy one like it has been done by the PCB. However, when the ban on Shoaib Malik has been revoked and fine reduced, it looks like the PCB is rethinking on its decision which is rather crazy as mentioned.
Now, the PCB has revoked the bans and reduced fines for other players as well long before the Pakistan cricket follows the West Indies team. There is the multi team starer Asia cup to be stared in the coming month and with most of the Pakistani players facing the axe, there might be a major disaster waiting to happen in case the PCB does not turn up. A hint regarding the same has been felt in the recently concluded ICC world T20 when Pakistan lost games to England and New Zealand in the super eights after losing the group stage encounter with the Aussies.
Sunday, May 30, 2010
Tribunal lifts crazy ban on Malik
Well no fool on earth would have upheld the one year ban on Shoaib Malik which in addition was also supported with a fine of Rs2 million all for coming back empty handed in the tour of Australia earlier this year where Pakistan lost 9 games to Australia which included 3 tests, 5 one day internationals and one T20 game. But, this should not mean any sort of crazy action like what the PCB has been seen doing. One has to wonder what does one mean by a fine of 2 million rupees. Not even a burglar would have been made to pay this much fine.
Condemnations have come in from all corners of the globe regarding the PCB's ban on eight Pakistani players and as mentioned above the fine of 2 million rupees. If the performance of the Pakistani players in Australia were shocking, more shocking was the way their cricket board reacted to that performance. The PCB should have gone mentally sick when such a crazy fine and punishment was imposed on the players. This condemnation does not mean that the bad patch created by the Pakistani players need to be given a go ahead. Such poor performance does not deserve any sort of pardon no matter what.
The PCB was never found taking any such decisions towards the Pakistani players when they were omitted from the world cup in 2007 after losing their matches against West Indies and Ireland, which Pakistan was expected to win effortlessly. However, the PCB was found taking a similar decision when Pakistan failed to get past the initial round after losing their round robin games to Australia, England and India in the 2003 world cup held in South Africa. This was just another bilateral series by Pakistan and a loss should not have been dealt with so crazily. But, forgiving such a hapless performance is totally out of the way.
In case the court had upheld Shoaib Malik's ban, people's thinking towards the court would had to change for the wrong reasons. It is not Pakistan alone who have returned with an empty hand from Australia. Even teams like South Africa, India and England have failed to win a test series in Australia. Their performance might have been better than Pakistan in 2010 but not satisfactory. Pakistan did everything they could to get into the semis of the world T20 and also tried enough to enter the finals which by bad luck didn't happen. And coming to the end, even the ICC should ban Pakistan from playing cricket for failing to host any cricket matches in its country since past 3 years that is if at all PCB's action in justified.
Condemnations have come in from all corners of the globe regarding the PCB's ban on eight Pakistani players and as mentioned above the fine of 2 million rupees. If the performance of the Pakistani players in Australia were shocking, more shocking was the way their cricket board reacted to that performance. The PCB should have gone mentally sick when such a crazy fine and punishment was imposed on the players. This condemnation does not mean that the bad patch created by the Pakistani players need to be given a go ahead. Such poor performance does not deserve any sort of pardon no matter what.
The PCB was never found taking any such decisions towards the Pakistani players when they were omitted from the world cup in 2007 after losing their matches against West Indies and Ireland, which Pakistan was expected to win effortlessly. However, the PCB was found taking a similar decision when Pakistan failed to get past the initial round after losing their round robin games to Australia, England and India in the 2003 world cup held in South Africa. This was just another bilateral series by Pakistan and a loss should not have been dealt with so crazily. But, forgiving such a hapless performance is totally out of the way.
In case the court had upheld Shoaib Malik's ban, people's thinking towards the court would had to change for the wrong reasons. It is not Pakistan alone who have returned with an empty hand from Australia. Even teams like South Africa, India and England have failed to win a test series in Australia. Their performance might have been better than Pakistan in 2010 but not satisfactory. Pakistan did everything they could to get into the semis of the world T20 and also tried enough to enter the finals which by bad luck didn't happen. And coming to the end, even the ICC should ban Pakistan from playing cricket for failing to host any cricket matches in its country since past 3 years that is if at all PCB's action in justified.
Saturday, May 15, 2010
Pakistan's 11th loss to Australia
Last night I had written a post regarding the bad luck that the Aussies were bound to witness the coming day which happened to be true for reasons best said by the scorecard of yesterday's semi finals between Australia and Pakistan. Though Australia won the match which was a thriller, the match almost took the breath away from the Aussies until the last run had been scored. This would not have been the case if Australia had been teamed up with any of the other two teams namely England and Sri Lanka. This will surely go down as one of the most fascinating thrillers that the cricketing world has ever seen.
The match showed all the signs that Pakistan would make it to the finals of a T20 world cup yet another time making it the only team to have done so. Right now also, Pakistan are the only team to have made it to the semi finals of a T20 world cup on three occasions and the only team to have made it to the finals of a T20 world cup on twice. Until yesterday's semi final match between Australia and Pakistan, the highest aggregate team total was 195 scored by Sri Lanka against the West Indies in the super eight of the same.
Now, the highest team total in this edition of the world cup is pocketed by Aussies and another fact that needs to be applauded is that they did it batting second which is great. This reminds me of the match between Australia and South Africa where South Africa chased down 434 to become the team that boasted for the all time highest total (at that time) in one day internationals by batting second. The first and the third highest team totals of this world T20 are now scored in the same match. This could have been another tight finish for Pakistan given their earlier ones against England and New Zealand.
Both Australia and Pakistan would have never wanted to face each other in any part of the tournament. Pakistan would have welcome any team to face in the semi finals but not Australia and Australia on the other hand would have been ready for any team but Pakistan. But, destiny had different plans which scheduled the semis that both the teams last sought for. Finally, justice was done when a team which at one stage ddn't even look like making it to the semis not only made it there but also threatened to walk away with the honors. It would not have been a tough choice to predict Pakistan as winners of the world T20 tournament had they won the semis.
The match showed all the signs that Pakistan would make it to the finals of a T20 world cup yet another time making it the only team to have done so. Right now also, Pakistan are the only team to have made it to the semi finals of a T20 world cup on three occasions and the only team to have made it to the finals of a T20 world cup on twice. Until yesterday's semi final match between Australia and Pakistan, the highest aggregate team total was 195 scored by Sri Lanka against the West Indies in the super eight of the same.
Now, the highest team total in this edition of the world cup is pocketed by Aussies and another fact that needs to be applauded is that they did it batting second which is great. This reminds me of the match between Australia and South Africa where South Africa chased down 434 to become the team that boasted for the all time highest total (at that time) in one day internationals by batting second. The first and the third highest team totals of this world T20 are now scored in the same match. This could have been another tight finish for Pakistan given their earlier ones against England and New Zealand.
Both Australia and Pakistan would have never wanted to face each other in any part of the tournament. Pakistan would have welcome any team to face in the semi finals but not Australia and Australia on the other hand would have been ready for any team but Pakistan. But, destiny had different plans which scheduled the semis that both the teams last sought for. Finally, justice was done when a team which at one stage ddn't even look like making it to the semis not only made it there but also threatened to walk away with the honors. It would not have been a tough choice to predict Pakistan as winners of the world T20 tournament had they won the semis.
Thursday, May 13, 2010
The last thing what Australia needed
Well with the super eights finishing on a high note, the stage is needless to be said set for the grand semi finals no doubt which would be not grand than the finals of the tournament. No semi finals has so far been more grand than the finals of the tournament and this is no exception. However, as far as Australia is concerned, this is the last thing that they needed atleast in a world T20 tournament. By someone's grace in addition to their own efforts, Australia have so far been unbeaten in this tournament. But, as everyone is aware of, the semi finals of a mega tournament is altogether a different game altogether.
Not only in the world T20 tournament but also as far as the shortest version of the game is concerned, Aussies have so far found to have taken a set back which happened to be worse when the most successful Australian captain Ricky Ponting decided to quit from the version but continue to play in the other two formats of the game. Australia are the only team to have lost a match to Zimbabwe in a T20 world cup. No matter that there have been the West Indies team which have lost to Bangladesh in the initial stages of the inaugural world T20 tournament.
The world can never forget the way the Aussies were at the receiving of the West Indies and Sri Lanka in the group stages of the second world T20 held last year which was shocking to the entire cricketing world needless to be said. And this year for the Aussies to have come out without losing a single match on its way is indeed excellent. This is all the more expected for, it was their bad time that made life miserable in T20 world cups. One can recall the way the Australian team was bundled out for 163 in Champions trophy 2002 by Sri Lanka and they not only emerged victorous in the world cup that followed in 2003 but also thrashed their opponents.
But, Ausses will always consider it unfair to face Pakistan in the semi finals. England or Sri Lanka would have been preferable but of course not Pakistan. Australia might have defeated Pakistan in the only T20 game that was played as a part of the Commonwealth Bank series late last year and more recently in the initial round robin stage of this world T20. But still, Pakistan are not at all welcome as an Aussie for me. If at all there is any team in the tournament to beat the Aussies and in the process stop the unbeatable streak of the same, it can be none other than Pakistan and for Australia to face the same Pakistan in the semis is an uninvited guest one can say. So boring!
Not only in the world T20 tournament but also as far as the shortest version of the game is concerned, Aussies have so far found to have taken a set back which happened to be worse when the most successful Australian captain Ricky Ponting decided to quit from the version but continue to play in the other two formats of the game. Australia are the only team to have lost a match to Zimbabwe in a T20 world cup. No matter that there have been the West Indies team which have lost to Bangladesh in the initial stages of the inaugural world T20 tournament.
The world can never forget the way the Aussies were at the receiving of the West Indies and Sri Lanka in the group stages of the second world T20 held last year which was shocking to the entire cricketing world needless to be said. And this year for the Aussies to have come out without losing a single match on its way is indeed excellent. This is all the more expected for, it was their bad time that made life miserable in T20 world cups. One can recall the way the Australian team was bundled out for 163 in Champions trophy 2002 by Sri Lanka and they not only emerged victorous in the world cup that followed in 2003 but also thrashed their opponents.
But, Ausses will always consider it unfair to face Pakistan in the semi finals. England or Sri Lanka would have been preferable but of course not Pakistan. Australia might have defeated Pakistan in the only T20 game that was played as a part of the Commonwealth Bank series late last year and more recently in the initial round robin stage of this world T20. But still, Pakistan are not at all welcome as an Aussie for me. If at all there is any team in the tournament to beat the Aussies and in the process stop the unbeatable streak of the same, it can be none other than Pakistan and for Australia to face the same Pakistan in the semis is an uninvited guest one can say. So boring!
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
Had there been no IPL?
Well in the last two months or so, the only tournament that has been making news is the third edition of the Indian Premier League. Since march 12th this year, there have been only three tournaments out of which only one was seriously important. There was a series between England and Bangladesh and the Chappel - Hadlee trophy that involved Australia and New Zealand. There was also a 5 match one day series between West Indies and Zimbabwe which delayed the return of a few West Indian players like Chris Gayle to the practice session prior to the start if the tournament.
And the next major tournament sponsored by the International Cricket Council is the third edition of the world T20 in the Caribbean that is due on 30th of this month. This meant that there was hardly any major international cricket tournaments prior to the mega event that defines the winner and loser of the game of cricket in its shortest format - the T20 world cup. The case was different in the earlier case as well when the 2nd world T20 kicked off in England last year in June. That was just more than a month since the second edition of the Indian Premier League got winded up.
Likewise, there has hardly been any serious T20 cricket that takes place throughout the year as compared to the other two formats of the game namely the one day internationals and the tests. And one can imagine the fate of the teams when they get into the big stage with hardly any match practice behind them prior to that tournament. IPL was a platform for most of the international as well as local (Indian) players to showcase their talent in T20 cricket. This has also proved helpful with its schedule exactly before the world T20. This is the only major T20 tournament in world cricket.
Anyone who misses the IPL will have also lost the opportunity of having a match practice in addition to losing the big bucks that the IPL boasts. Most of the test series' are scheduled in such a way that it consists of 3 test matches, 5 one day matches and 1 T20 match. The maximum number of T20 matches that has been scheduled in any bilateral series is not more than two. There have been series' with as many as 7 one dayers but anly two T20 games like it happened in the bilateral series involving India and Australia in October 2009. So was the case in the bilateral series between Australia and Pakistan that involved just one T20 game.
And the next major tournament sponsored by the International Cricket Council is the third edition of the world T20 in the Caribbean that is due on 30th of this month. This meant that there was hardly any major international cricket tournaments prior to the mega event that defines the winner and loser of the game of cricket in its shortest format - the T20 world cup. The case was different in the earlier case as well when the 2nd world T20 kicked off in England last year in June. That was just more than a month since the second edition of the Indian Premier League got winded up.
Likewise, there has hardly been any serious T20 cricket that takes place throughout the year as compared to the other two formats of the game namely the one day internationals and the tests. And one can imagine the fate of the teams when they get into the big stage with hardly any match practice behind them prior to that tournament. IPL was a platform for most of the international as well as local (Indian) players to showcase their talent in T20 cricket. This has also proved helpful with its schedule exactly before the world T20. This is the only major T20 tournament in world cricket.
Anyone who misses the IPL will have also lost the opportunity of having a match practice in addition to losing the big bucks that the IPL boasts. Most of the test series' are scheduled in such a way that it consists of 3 test matches, 5 one day matches and 1 T20 match. The maximum number of T20 matches that has been scheduled in any bilateral series is not more than two. There have been series' with as many as 7 one dayers but anly two T20 games like it happened in the bilateral series involving India and Australia in October 2009. So was the case in the bilateral series between Australia and Pakistan that involved just one T20 game.
Saturday, March 13, 2010
PCB does another blunder regarding T20 squad
Just a day after the PCB axed a couple of players from the national team, with some the remaining players given a year bans and finally by imposing a hefty fine on the remaining players, the very same PCB has selected the world T20 probables. With the decision to drop and impose fines on so many players itself being a joke, one can imagine the reason behind judging which player should be given a life ban and which player should be just let off with a fine. There were 2 players namely Mohammed Yousuf and Younis Khan who were axed from the team permanently.
However, I remember Mohammed Yousuf becoming the number one batsman in test cricket less than a year back which he hardly deserved. That was a time when the entire Pakistan team had made a comeback after having a year in 2008 where Pakistan didn't play a single test match. And then, just one performance was enough to see him top the rankings. And then, coming to the squad for the world T20, both Mohammed Yousuf and Younis Khan were aged 35 and, their service to the Pakistan can be expected to be limited. And, moreover Younis Khan had quit T20 cricket and a ban on him can in no way trouble anyone.
And, if at all there has to be someone who can be thought of as a certainity in the Pakistan squad for the upcoming world T20 would be Shahid Afridi for the lone reason that he can swing the ball though baseless and irresponsible. Much to one's surprise, Shahid Afridi was awarded the man of the series in the inaugural edition of the T20 world cup and then in 2009 was the man of the match on two consecutive and important occasions- in the semi finals and the finals of the tournament. And now, the PCB once again suspects his capabilities as captain.
One has to wonder that someone who has not been able to be a responsible player despite playing for a decade is being made a captain. Perhaps! it is too far that one fine day the PCB might even rope in Afridi as a coach of the Pakistan team. It was the Akmal brothers who were responsible for the loss to Australia in the second test at Sydney when Kamran Akmal dropped three catches which helped Australia win the match from nowhere. And, it was the run out of Salman Butt that spiolt Pakistan's party in one of the games. But, all four have been included in the T20 squad. Rana Naved and Asif were pretty decent with the ball, with the latter being devastative when he took 4 Aussie wickets to restrict Australia to 127 at Sydney.
So, it would not be wrong to say that the PCB has given harsh punishments for players who deserved lesser punishments and the players who were seriously irresponsible were let of with a year bans and also with a fine which today's cricketers can earn in a short period of time. May be the PCB is waiting for the T20 world cup to get over so that the remaining players can be given harsher punishments.
However, I remember Mohammed Yousuf becoming the number one batsman in test cricket less than a year back which he hardly deserved. That was a time when the entire Pakistan team had made a comeback after having a year in 2008 where Pakistan didn't play a single test match. And then, just one performance was enough to see him top the rankings. And then, coming to the squad for the world T20, both Mohammed Yousuf and Younis Khan were aged 35 and, their service to the Pakistan can be expected to be limited. And, moreover Younis Khan had quit T20 cricket and a ban on him can in no way trouble anyone.
And, if at all there has to be someone who can be thought of as a certainity in the Pakistan squad for the upcoming world T20 would be Shahid Afridi for the lone reason that he can swing the ball though baseless and irresponsible. Much to one's surprise, Shahid Afridi was awarded the man of the series in the inaugural edition of the T20 world cup and then in 2009 was the man of the match on two consecutive and important occasions- in the semi finals and the finals of the tournament. And now, the PCB once again suspects his capabilities as captain.
One has to wonder that someone who has not been able to be a responsible player despite playing for a decade is being made a captain. Perhaps! it is too far that one fine day the PCB might even rope in Afridi as a coach of the Pakistan team. It was the Akmal brothers who were responsible for the loss to Australia in the second test at Sydney when Kamran Akmal dropped three catches which helped Australia win the match from nowhere. And, it was the run out of Salman Butt that spiolt Pakistan's party in one of the games. But, all four have been included in the T20 squad. Rana Naved and Asif were pretty decent with the ball, with the latter being devastative when he took 4 Aussie wickets to restrict Australia to 127 at Sydney.
So, it would not be wrong to say that the PCB has given harsh punishments for players who deserved lesser punishments and the players who were seriously irresponsible were let of with a year bans and also with a fine which today's cricketers can earn in a short period of time. May be the PCB is waiting for the T20 world cup to get over so that the remaining players can be given harsher punishments.
Thursday, March 11, 2010
Should the WICB also follow the PCB?
This would not have been the case even if the Pakistani players had involved themselves into some sort of scandal like the match fixing one. Neither this would have been the case had the players backing out from a tour citing some unnecessary reasons. But, the decision that the PCB has taken needs a thorough analysis. This was and is the way the PCB had earlier dealt with the Pakistani speedster Shoaib Akthar, who even today has not been able to make it back to the international arena and has no option but to cool his heels doing what he thinks is 2nd best to playing cricket.
One need not be specially mentioned that the action taken by the PCB against 7 of its players is totally baseless. This is not the first time that the PCB has taken such a stand against its players. Earlier in 2003, after Pakistan failed to go past the 1st round in the world cup at South Africa, 8 of the Pakistani players namely Wasim akram, Waqar Younis, Saqlain Mushtaq, Saeed Anwar, Shoaib Akthar, Inzamam Ul Haq, Saeed Anwar and Rashid Latif were sacked from international cricket. And, a year later, it had be the same Inzaman to come back and lead Pakistan to a test win against Bangladesh, when all seemed to be lost for Pakistan.
Luckily, Shoaib's ban was revoked when he appeared in the tri series featuring Sri Lanka, Pakiatan and New Zealand very soon after his suspension from the team. And now, the PCB has taken the same approach towards their players for losing the Aussie tour. One has to wonder as to what would the PCB gain after sacking these players. It was the PCB who pushed Younus Khan to play against Australia and now the same player is sacked. And, when these players, among whom were senior players as well are shown the doors, upon who does the PCB rely to take the Pakistani cricket forward?
It is not only Pakistan who have failed to return with a win against Australia in Australia. Even the West Indies who were found touring the same Australia returned without a single win from Australia. All the West Indies could achieve was a drawn test at Adelaide and then a 4-0 defeat as against the 5-0 defeat the Pakistan had. Though it is agreed that the one off match was abandoned which would have seen the West Indies also crumble to a 5-0 defeat. And, the Pakistan team atleast came close to winning the T20 game unlike the West Indies who gave it away totally without a fight. So, should the WICB also follw PCB?
One need not be specially mentioned that the action taken by the PCB against 7 of its players is totally baseless. This is not the first time that the PCB has taken such a stand against its players. Earlier in 2003, after Pakistan failed to go past the 1st round in the world cup at South Africa, 8 of the Pakistani players namely Wasim akram, Waqar Younis, Saqlain Mushtaq, Saeed Anwar, Shoaib Akthar, Inzamam Ul Haq, Saeed Anwar and Rashid Latif were sacked from international cricket. And, a year later, it had be the same Inzaman to come back and lead Pakistan to a test win against Bangladesh, when all seemed to be lost for Pakistan.
Luckily, Shoaib's ban was revoked when he appeared in the tri series featuring Sri Lanka, Pakiatan and New Zealand very soon after his suspension from the team. And now, the PCB has taken the same approach towards their players for losing the Aussie tour. One has to wonder as to what would the PCB gain after sacking these players. It was the PCB who pushed Younus Khan to play against Australia and now the same player is sacked. And, when these players, among whom were senior players as well are shown the doors, upon who does the PCB rely to take the Pakistani cricket forward?
It is not only Pakistan who have failed to return with a win against Australia in Australia. Even the West Indies who were found touring the same Australia returned without a single win from Australia. All the West Indies could achieve was a drawn test at Adelaide and then a 4-0 defeat as against the 5-0 defeat the Pakistan had. Though it is agreed that the one off match was abandoned which would have seen the West Indies also crumble to a 5-0 defeat. And, the Pakistan team atleast came close to winning the T20 game unlike the West Indies who gave it away totally without a fight. So, should the WICB also follw PCB?
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Baggy Green gets its due
For the first time since 2006-07, the year Australia switched to the Baggy green uniform which was until then sun yellow, Australia managed to not only win the series but also wipe out the opposition as though it was dust on a smooth wall. It was in the Commonwealth Bank series 2006-07 that included England and New Zealand when Australia wore the baggy green for one dayers. And also was the season since Commonwealth Bank took over the sponsorship of the tri nation one day tournament that is held in Australia every year. Until then, it was known as Victoria Bitter series or in short the VB series.
And, since 2008-09, the policy of a tri nation tournament was scrapped for reasons best known by cricket Australia and was converted into a bi-lateral series divided into two halves. But, the moment Australia switched to baggy green, all sorts of disasters started. And these disasters were even worse than losing a series. For, Australia were in the driver's seat throughout the tournament and only lost the finals of the Commonwealth Bank series. In 2006-07, Australia were found winning 7 out of the 8 games played against England and NZ in the league stages only to lose the finals 2-0 to England.
Then, in 2007-08, it was India & Sri Lanka along with Australia who participated and Australia won 5 out of the 7 games played, with a loss each to Sri Lanka and India in the league stages. Once again, it was Australia who lost the series after India won the two finals in the best of three. Then, in 2008-09, the tri nation tournament was converted into two bi-lateral series' against RSA and NZ, with the former being won by South Africa 4-1 and the latter being leveled 2-2 in the five match series that were played. There, Australia did a mini South Africa.
Finally, in the current Commonwealth Bank series' that involved five match bi-lateral series' against Pakistan and West Indies, Australia not only won the series but also whitewashed the opposition completely. Australia failed to lose even a single one day or a T20 game against both Pakistan and West Indies. All that could not go well with Australia was the 4th one dayer against the West Indies which was abandoned due to rain. Or else, Australia could have well boasted of a 14 match unbeaten streak in ODIs after winning 5 ODIs against Pakistan, 4 against WI and 2 against India last year.
And, since 2008-09, the policy of a tri nation tournament was scrapped for reasons best known by cricket Australia and was converted into a bi-lateral series divided into two halves. But, the moment Australia switched to baggy green, all sorts of disasters started. And these disasters were even worse than losing a series. For, Australia were in the driver's seat throughout the tournament and only lost the finals of the Commonwealth Bank series. In 2006-07, Australia were found winning 7 out of the 8 games played against England and NZ in the league stages only to lose the finals 2-0 to England.
Then, in 2007-08, it was India & Sri Lanka along with Australia who participated and Australia won 5 out of the 7 games played, with a loss each to Sri Lanka and India in the league stages. Once again, it was Australia who lost the series after India won the two finals in the best of three. Then, in 2008-09, the tri nation tournament was converted into two bi-lateral series' against RSA and NZ, with the former being won by South Africa 4-1 and the latter being leveled 2-2 in the five match series that were played. There, Australia did a mini South Africa.
Finally, in the current Commonwealth Bank series' that involved five match bi-lateral series' against Pakistan and West Indies, Australia not only won the series but also whitewashed the opposition completely. Australia failed to lose even a single one day or a T20 game against both Pakistan and West Indies. All that could not go well with Australia was the 4th one dayer against the West Indies which was abandoned due to rain. Or else, Australia could have well boasted of a 14 match unbeaten streak in ODIs after winning 5 ODIs against Pakistan, 4 against WI and 2 against India last year.
Sunday, February 21, 2010
Is the Aussie tour still haunting Pak?
Sharjah was the place where once upon a time a Pakistani win was confirmed even before the series started. However, it has been more than a decade since the last Sharjah cup was held. I remember a Sharjah cup held somewhere in 2003 just after the world cup got over in South Africa. That particular series was scheduled to be played between Pakistan, South Africa and Sri Lanka. But, with the 2nd Gulf War still in progress, South Africa backed out and were replaced by two other teams in Zimbabwe and Kenya. After that, I cannot recall any instance of a Sharjah cup being held.
But, security fears in Pakistan have forced the matches that were originally scheduled in Pakistan to be held in nowhere but Abu Dhabi or UAE. And recently, Pakistan hosted England for a two match T20 series. Opposite of what was expected by the Pakistan team, they had to settle down for a level 1-1. It was the same England that beat Pakistan in the 2nd edition of the T20 world cup held in England. And England should not have been a tough opponent for Pakistan to fight. All eyes were looking for a 2-0 whitewash by Pakistan which never happened.
Can anyone of you imagine a world champion team in Pakistan settling down with score of just 129 on the board? Of course, they have failed to chase down 128 against Australia in the only T20 game that was played. But, England is the opposition that Pakistan should hardly fear. And that too, Pakistan's track record in the Gulf has been exceptional. Is it because of the absence of Shahid Afridi that the Pakistan team fared so badly? The entire Pakistani innings consisted of just 2 sixes, out of a team that boasts of hard hitting despite all odds and any situation.
None of the Pakistani batsmen were found taking risks of any sort whatsoever. Not to mention that the English team also had just two sixes in their innings. But, that shouldn't matter as far as they have ended up victorious. Though Pakistan won the 2nd T20 international, their body language never supported the scoreboard. If not for the 5 sixes hit by Abdul Razzaq towards the fag end of the Pakistani innings, Pakistan were nowhere in the game. He was the only player in the Pakistan side to have maintained a strike rate of 200+ or even 150+ by scoring 20+ score. This time despite the presence of Afridi. This on one side suggests that the Pak players have still not come out of the Aussie trauma.
But, security fears in Pakistan have forced the matches that were originally scheduled in Pakistan to be held in nowhere but Abu Dhabi or UAE. And recently, Pakistan hosted England for a two match T20 series. Opposite of what was expected by the Pakistan team, they had to settle down for a level 1-1. It was the same England that beat Pakistan in the 2nd edition of the T20 world cup held in England. And England should not have been a tough opponent for Pakistan to fight. All eyes were looking for a 2-0 whitewash by Pakistan which never happened.
Can anyone of you imagine a world champion team in Pakistan settling down with score of just 129 on the board? Of course, they have failed to chase down 128 against Australia in the only T20 game that was played. But, England is the opposition that Pakistan should hardly fear. And that too, Pakistan's track record in the Gulf has been exceptional. Is it because of the absence of Shahid Afridi that the Pakistan team fared so badly? The entire Pakistani innings consisted of just 2 sixes, out of a team that boasts of hard hitting despite all odds and any situation.
None of the Pakistani batsmen were found taking risks of any sort whatsoever. Not to mention that the English team also had just two sixes in their innings. But, that shouldn't matter as far as they have ended up victorious. Though Pakistan won the 2nd T20 international, their body language never supported the scoreboard. If not for the 5 sixes hit by Abdul Razzaq towards the fag end of the Pakistani innings, Pakistan were nowhere in the game. He was the only player in the Pakistan side to have maintained a strike rate of 200+ or even 150+ by scoring 20+ score. This time despite the presence of Afridi. This on one side suggests that the Pak players have still not come out of the Aussie trauma.
Saturday, February 6, 2010
Australia struggle to lose against Pakistan
For the second time, Pakistan bowled Australia all out for a score of exactly 127 and yet again lost the match chasing that low total. Previously, Pakistan had bowled out Australia for 127 at Sydney in the 2nd test match, only to lose the match by 36 runs. A match that Pakistan should have won rather convincingly was lost the moment the ball hit the ground in the last ball of the 20th over bowled by Shane Watson. This match would have ended Pakistan's embarrassing tour of Australia. I doubt whether the Pakistani players after their loss to Australia in the T20 game gone for site seeing in the beautiful continent of Australia.
The only positives for Pakistan in the series at present is that, they need not think about the next game in the series. They need not promise their fans about winning or putting up a better performance in the next game and so would be the Pakistani fans who would not have to look forward to another Pakistani defeat or keep their jaws open expecting Pakistan to fare better in the next game. I wish the Pakistanis should stop calling themselves as the current T20 champs and not highlight their two appearances in the finals of a T20 world cup.
If Australia's performance in the match was way beyond expectation, I wonder as to what should one comment on the performance of the Pakistani counterpart? The match was no doubt in favor of Pakistan when the Pakistani innings saw a 34 run and a 39 run partnership after bowling the Aussies for a partly score of 127 as mentioned above. Moreover, Australia are not a world beating side when it comes to T20 cricket unlike in the tests and the one dayers. Likewise, Pakistan is a better team than Australia if T20 cricket is considered. Still, if Pakistan cannot afford to win, its really confusing.
I guess this is the first time that a team has won all matches irrespective of the formats of the game that were played as a part of that tour. Australia won 3 tests, 5 one dayers and the lone T20 game that was scheduled. May be that a team might have done the same against Bangladesh or else, I cannot recall any such feats. There might have been teams that haven't lost a single match but, one or a couple of tests might have ended in draws that disqualifies them from the list. Like, India won 5 matches against England in November 2008 and 1 of the 2 tests that were scheduled and the 2nd test ended in a draw.
Finally, one can come to the conclusion that despite giving so much room, Pakistan couldn't snatch a win from the Aussies, which suggests that Aussies had a struggle for losing. Whenever Australia came close to losing, they were pushed back by Pakistan.
The only positives for Pakistan in the series at present is that, they need not think about the next game in the series. They need not promise their fans about winning or putting up a better performance in the next game and so would be the Pakistani fans who would not have to look forward to another Pakistani defeat or keep their jaws open expecting Pakistan to fare better in the next game. I wish the Pakistanis should stop calling themselves as the current T20 champs and not highlight their two appearances in the finals of a T20 world cup.
If Australia's performance in the match was way beyond expectation, I wonder as to what should one comment on the performance of the Pakistani counterpart? The match was no doubt in favor of Pakistan when the Pakistani innings saw a 34 run and a 39 run partnership after bowling the Aussies for a partly score of 127 as mentioned above. Moreover, Australia are not a world beating side when it comes to T20 cricket unlike in the tests and the one dayers. Likewise, Pakistan is a better team than Australia if T20 cricket is considered. Still, if Pakistan cannot afford to win, its really confusing.
I guess this is the first time that a team has won all matches irrespective of the formats of the game that were played as a part of that tour. Australia won 3 tests, 5 one dayers and the lone T20 game that was scheduled. May be that a team might have done the same against Bangladesh or else, I cannot recall any such feats. There might have been teams that haven't lost a single match but, one or a couple of tests might have ended in draws that disqualifies them from the list. Like, India won 5 matches against England in November 2008 and 1 of the 2 tests that were scheduled and the 2nd test ended in a draw.
Finally, one can come to the conclusion that despite giving so much room, Pakistan couldn't snatch a win from the Aussies, which suggests that Aussies had a struggle for losing. Whenever Australia came close to losing, they were pushed back by Pakistan.
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
A life-time ban would have been ideal for Afridi
One has to indeed appreciate the guts of the Pakistani so-called all rounder Shahid Afridi for first changing the conditions of the ball without the consent of the on field umpires and then that too in front of the whole crowd, some in front of the television sets and others in the stadium. I wonder as to how come someone can do the same and expect to get away as though he was nothing but innocent? Or, was the deed what Afridi did was a mistake like it was the case with Dravid way back in the Border-Gavaskar trophy 2003-04 in the Adelaide test?
On the other hand, Afridi's creative reason for the same must also be gioven a pat on the back. Shahid Afridi wants the whole world to believe that he was trying to smell the ball-I wonder as though it was a perfume and that only Afridi had discovered it! Oh! What a scientist we have lost due to cricket! But, how come teeth marks appear on the ball when someone tries to smell the same? Really confusing! How come anyone can deny a thing that he has done in front of the entire world? Finally, Afridi had no other choice and had to plead guilty and accept whatever came through.
When Afridi accepts his mistake, he justifies the same by saying that he was trying to help out his bowlers win the fifth one dayer at Perth. May be, had Afridi been in place of Mohammed Yousuf, the deed would have taken place 5 matches earlier or some 8 days prior to this. If the ball tempering episode an be recalled, India's disciplined batsmen Sachin Tendulkar and Rahul Dravid were fined 50% and 75% of their match fees during the pool match against Zimbabwe in the VB series 2004 and at Port Elizabeth respectively. One can also recall the famous Oval test where Inzamam's team never turned up to take to the field, which is still a mystery.
If the punishment that Shahid Afridi has been given is considered, the ICC is just giving someone a formal punishment. This is not some offence that has happened so far as given in the law books of cricket though the article 2.2.9 of the ICC code of conduct has been cited relating Afridi's offence. When banning players, the ICC gives options like one test or 5 ODIs. But, that should not be the case in T20 cricket whatsoever. Afridi denies what he had done in front of the entire world as mentioned above, which can never be tolerated. Something atleast like the one given to Warne in the 2003 WC (where Shane Warne was given a year ban) can be justified. A ban of one or two matches can affect a player in no way. A life time ban would be ideal.
On the other hand, Afridi's creative reason for the same must also be gioven a pat on the back. Shahid Afridi wants the whole world to believe that he was trying to smell the ball-I wonder as though it was a perfume and that only Afridi had discovered it! Oh! What a scientist we have lost due to cricket! But, how come teeth marks appear on the ball when someone tries to smell the same? Really confusing! How come anyone can deny a thing that he has done in front of the entire world? Finally, Afridi had no other choice and had to plead guilty and accept whatever came through.
When Afridi accepts his mistake, he justifies the same by saying that he was trying to help out his bowlers win the fifth one dayer at Perth. May be, had Afridi been in place of Mohammed Yousuf, the deed would have taken place 5 matches earlier or some 8 days prior to this. If the ball tempering episode an be recalled, India's disciplined batsmen Sachin Tendulkar and Rahul Dravid were fined 50% and 75% of their match fees during the pool match against Zimbabwe in the VB series 2004 and at Port Elizabeth respectively. One can also recall the famous Oval test where Inzamam's team never turned up to take to the field, which is still a mystery.
If the punishment that Shahid Afridi has been given is considered, the ICC is just giving someone a formal punishment. This is not some offence that has happened so far as given in the law books of cricket though the article 2.2.9 of the ICC code of conduct has been cited relating Afridi's offence. When banning players, the ICC gives options like one test or 5 ODIs. But, that should not be the case in T20 cricket whatsoever. Afridi denies what he had done in front of the entire world as mentioned above, which can never be tolerated. Something atleast like the one given to Warne in the 2003 WC (where Shane Warne was given a year ban) can be justified. A ban of one or two matches can affect a player in no way. A life time ban would be ideal.
Monday, February 1, 2010
Victory-The Aussie way
Well until the end of the fourth one dayer between Australia and Pakistan, I had accused Pakistan for not involving themselves into the game whatsoever. This included a number of factors like picking up the wrong combination in the playing XI, under using the bowlers, using part time bowlers more than necessary which are one of the few factors that justify for the Pakistani defeat in the first 4 one dayers. However, as expected, Pakistan lost the fifth and the final one day match also to Australia by 2 wickets but not the way the Pakistan team lost the first four.
It was in the 49th over when the Aussie tail-ender Ryan Harris was batting and Australia needed one run to win from 4 balls and a waist height full toss from Ifthikar Anjum was bowled. That hit the bat and landed safely in the hands of Shahid Afridi only to be signalled as a NO-BALL from the umpire Ashoka DeSilva that sealed Pakistani hopes of pulling off a thriller in the last one dayer. Rarely would have anybody seen such a ball signalled a NO-BALL in international cricket. As far as the rules of the game goes, the ball should cross the batsman's shoulder full-toss in case it is to be signalled a NO-BALL whatsoever.
One way the decision can be justified is by calling a waist as a shoulder. Had it not been for that, the match worst come, would have ended in a tie with still Pakistan going empty handed in the one day series. But, the way Australia has achieved this success makes a lot of tongues to wag. This no doubt reminds anyone about the Sydney test in 2007 where 8 decisions were wrong that was evident to even a common man let alone the cricket world. However, an outlook of the match suggests that Pakistan atleast in the last game tried to contain the Aussies, which was actually not the case.
Pakistan may have bought the Aussie batsmen close to 50 overs to chase the target of 213 they had imposed. The Aussie batsmen might have lost 8 wickets enroute to their run chase. But, still it was the Aussies who had lost interest in the latch that led to Pakistan cashing in on the chances. Australia, after having taken an unbeatable lead in any bilateral series played in the last couple of years have been found to neglect the last one. They had won the first 6 games against England after their loss in the Ashes 2009, only to lose the last one dayer and with that the chance to become the first team to have inflicted a 7-0 whitewash. So was the case against India in 2007, where Australia lost the last one dayer by 2 wickets in the match where Murali Karthik claimed his career best 6/27.
So, the onlyvictory tie the Pakistan team can boast about is owing to the fact that Ryan Harris was given a needless life which should have found the umpires raise his fingers owing to the same. Pakistan have been completely been outplayed.
It was in the 49th over when the Aussie tail-ender Ryan Harris was batting and Australia needed one run to win from 4 balls and a waist height full toss from Ifthikar Anjum was bowled. That hit the bat and landed safely in the hands of Shahid Afridi only to be signalled as a NO-BALL from the umpire Ashoka DeSilva that sealed Pakistani hopes of pulling off a thriller in the last one dayer. Rarely would have anybody seen such a ball signalled a NO-BALL in international cricket. As far as the rules of the game goes, the ball should cross the batsman's shoulder full-toss in case it is to be signalled a NO-BALL whatsoever.
One way the decision can be justified is by calling a waist as a shoulder. Had it not been for that, the match worst come, would have ended in a tie with still Pakistan going empty handed in the one day series. But, the way Australia has achieved this success makes a lot of tongues to wag. This no doubt reminds anyone about the Sydney test in 2007 where 8 decisions were wrong that was evident to even a common man let alone the cricket world. However, an outlook of the match suggests that Pakistan atleast in the last game tried to contain the Aussies, which was actually not the case.
Pakistan may have bought the Aussie batsmen close to 50 overs to chase the target of 213 they had imposed. The Aussie batsmen might have lost 8 wickets enroute to their run chase. But, still it was the Aussies who had lost interest in the latch that led to Pakistan cashing in on the chances. Australia, after having taken an unbeatable lead in any bilateral series played in the last couple of years have been found to neglect the last one. They had won the first 6 games against England after their loss in the Ashes 2009, only to lose the last one dayer and with that the chance to become the first team to have inflicted a 7-0 whitewash. So was the case against India in 2007, where Australia lost the last one dayer by 2 wickets in the match where Murali Karthik claimed his career best 6/27.
So, the only
Sunday, January 31, 2010
The relation between Australia and World Cup
Until yesterday, it was only in the test and one day cricket that Pakistan faced humiliating defeats at the hands of the Aussies. But, this was the case even in the finals of the U-19 world cup held at Lincoln. Honestly speaking, I have hardly been following the U-19 world cup since the start. But, when the news that Australia beat Pakistan to lift the title, I was fortunate to watch the highlights of the same. As usual, I don't conclude that as one of the most fascinating finals that the cricketing world would have witnessed. But, it can be rather said that it was one such match that never drew crowds.
The only people to have rejoiced the triumph with their full heart would be the playing XI and nobody else. Even the Australian cricket board (I doubt) would have just given the players a formal reward, that would have added to a small 8 letter long-CONGRATS! However, the fact that Australia beat Pakistan to lift the same would have hit the headlines of leading newspapers of both the nations. On the other side of the world, Pakistan have been receiving humiliating blows from Australia during their tour to Australia when they lost the test series 3-0 and the ODI series on 4-0 at present. The only hope for Pakistan would be the only T20 game that is scheduled after the ODI series.
Pakistan is considered to have an upper hand in this format, for they have been able to beat Australia earlier last year when they played Australia in Abu Dhabi. If stats are to be believed, this is the 3rd time Australia were lifting the U-19 world cup and are the 1st one to do so after their victories in the same in 1987-88 and 2001-02. Australia were, needless to be said, the first team to have lifted the world cupthrice four times in senior team as well. And, they have a history of beating Pakistan in the finals of the 1999 world cup, which was also a low scoring game like yesterday's.
In mid last year, Australia became the first team in the history of the game to have won the ICC Champions Trophy on two occasions. And for someone to have done it on successive occasions is another feather in their cap one can say. The only area where Australia have never tasted success of any sort is in the T20 game. Not only for their losses in the T20 world cup, but otherwise also, Australia are not rated among favourites in T20 cricket. They are one team to have lost to Zimbabwe in the inaugural edition of the same in 2007 though they made it to the semis. In 2009, they were the first test playing nation (barring Bangladesh) not to have qualified to the super eights of the T20 WC. They couldn't do what Ireland could do.
The only people to have rejoiced the triumph with their full heart would be the playing XI and nobody else. Even the Australian cricket board (I doubt) would have just given the players a formal reward, that would have added to a small 8 letter long-CONGRATS! However, the fact that Australia beat Pakistan to lift the same would have hit the headlines of leading newspapers of both the nations. On the other side of the world, Pakistan have been receiving humiliating blows from Australia during their tour to Australia when they lost the test series 3-0 and the ODI series on 4-0 at present. The only hope for Pakistan would be the only T20 game that is scheduled after the ODI series.
Pakistan is considered to have an upper hand in this format, for they have been able to beat Australia earlier last year when they played Australia in Abu Dhabi. If stats are to be believed, this is the 3rd time Australia were lifting the U-19 world cup and are the 1st one to do so after their victories in the same in 1987-88 and 2001-02. Australia were, needless to be said, the first team to have lifted the world cup
In mid last year, Australia became the first team in the history of the game to have won the ICC Champions Trophy on two occasions. And for someone to have done it on successive occasions is another feather in their cap one can say. The only area where Australia have never tasted success of any sort is in the T20 game. Not only for their losses in the T20 world cup, but otherwise also, Australia are not rated among favourites in T20 cricket. They are one team to have lost to Zimbabwe in the inaugural edition of the same in 2007 though they made it to the semis. In 2009, they were the first test playing nation (barring Bangladesh) not to have qualified to the super eights of the T20 WC. They couldn't do what Ireland could do.
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