|
|
|
|
 |
 |
   |
cricket Now
is the time to use Shoaib Akhtar
judiciously cricket Test triumph
against Proteas good omen ahead of World Cup 2007
Mohammad Asif: Returning with venom The young fast bowler went about his task like a precocious child diligently working out a particularly tough problem By Osman Samiuddin Between October and December last year, when Mohammad Asif
and Shoaib Akhtar were in a drug-induced limbo many Pakistani fans openly
pleaded that they wouldn't mind Shoaib not returning but if Asif could be
released, well that would be just dandy. It said nothing new about Shoaib; he divides opinion, sometimes within the same being, during the same day. About Asif though it said all that needed to be said and just two Tests into his return, you can understand the dilemma: sure he's done wrong but he's just so good. His seven-wicket haul in the first Test at Centurion couldn't quite swing it, but with a titan's effort and a little help from some friends, Asif helped Pakistan equal the series at Port Elizabeth. At times, watching him in the second innings, where he did most of his damage, was frightening. At any minute, as he rolled in for another over, you felt he could, he would, he should, just stop and say enough. After 38 overs who could blame him? An attack one bowler short, Inzamam-ul-Haq was shuffling limited resources as shrewdly as he could. Still, Asif began the second innings with a lung-bursting 13-over spell. He rested 20 overs and ended the day with a three-over burst. Next morning, the third of the Test, he started with six then bowled one before lunch and nine immediately after. He wasn't done, bidding adieu with another six on the run after tea. But what was scary was how alike each over was, each new one a kind of clone of the one just bowled. He hardly flagged in any spell, so much so that three of his five wickets came in his last 15 overs. Mark Boucher pulled a short ball solidly for four in the 104th over, Asif's 32nd. Robin Jackman, in commentary, observed "Maybe Asif is just tiring a little now." Next ball, Boucher was beaten by a snake of a delivery, slanting in and breaking away appreciably. The no-ball, that modern Pakistani curse and one that had gripped him in the first Test (24 no-balls) was shed, as he bowled only two. The scariest was that each of his last three victims was almost set in stone at the crease and none was a mug; Jacques Kallis had been there for nearly five hours, Herschelle Gibbs and Boucher just under and over two, respectively. Gibbs and Kallis were the product of overs in which he worked away at them, a precocious child diligently working out a particularly tough problem. In fact, you sense from his wicket-taking celebrations he prefers the challenge of a Kallis or a Rahul Dravid, what purists would call proper batsmen. When he bowled AB de Villiers in the second innings, there was barely a peep from him, no joy revealing itself in the follow through. Cruel though it is to say, snooty even, it appeared as if de Villiers had been worked out too easily, too quickly, no challenge provided: Asif wanted him out of the way so the serious business of his bowling could begin -- the dismantling of Kallis and Ashwell Prince. Ed Joyce, whom he dismissed at a Trent Bridge ODI last summer, was treated like this. Then, Asif ushered him on his way unsmilingly, eyes glinting at the prospect of lining up Ian Bell and subsequently Kevin Pietersen. Boucher's wicket made it a fourth five-wicket haul in eight Tests and though a couple of his spells have been more destructive none so far have been quite as immense, as unstinting. Already, barely a year on from becoming a regular, he is just six short of 50 Test wickets. This may be the first time Mohammad Asif has been the subject of this column. It won't be the last.
He says "I feel a bit stiff." Asif's unsurprising first words to Ian Bishop on TV, after day three, having bowled 38 overs and taken 5 for 76.
He also says "It was difficult but it was something I had to do. I have bowled that many overs in domestic cricket before. I was trying to keep hitting the stumps and not bowl any wides." Asif reveals the secrets of his genius.
They say "He is a modern-day fast bowler based on the likes of [Shaun] Pollock and [Glenn] McGrath. He gives you control and has the ability to hit the seam and make the ball move both ways. In Pakistan terms he is more Sarfraz Nawaz than Imran Khan. He is both humble and confident and very determined. He hates to lose and backs himself. He said to me when he left Australia (after an unimpressive debut in January 2005), "Don't worry coach I will show you what I can do. Just wait." -- Bob Woolmer on Asif. --Cricinfo
Osman Samiuddin is Pakistan editor of Cricinfo
Shoaib Akhtar judiciously Most of the times it is the batting which lets down the side; specially in matches abroad. Our batsmen are too aggressive at times instead of trying to hang in there By Khurram Mahmood The Pakistan team are as good as any other world class
team if they play as a team and they have proved it so many times, but
inconsistency in their performance makes them the most unpredictable side in
the world. Pakistan proved it yet again when they won the second Test against
South Africa after losing the first Test. Pakistan has the pride to produce world class fast bowlers regularly from its inaugural Test against India in 1952 -- Khan Mohammad, Fazal Mahmood, Sarfraz Nawaz, Imran Khan, Aaqib Javed, Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis, Mohammad Zahid, Mohamamd Akram, Shoaib Akhtar, Shahid Nazir, Mohammad Sami, Shabbir Ahmed, etc. In the spin department too, Mushtaq Mohamamd, Intikhab Alam, Abdul Qadir, Mushtaq Ahmed, Saqlain Mushtaq and Danish Kaneria proved themselves among the best. But most of the times it is the batting which lets down the side; specially in matches abroad. Our batsmen are too aggressive at times instead of trying to hang in there. Even having a capable fast bowling squad, the management and the board never made green top wickets to provide practice to their players; therefore, they always struggle on those kind of pitches when playing against quality bowling. The lethal Shoaib Akhtar known as the "Rawalpindi Express" is a match-winning bowler on his day. He is a one-man demolition squad when he finds his rhythm. He is a big man, full of energy and keen to break the speed barriers and be recognised the No. 1 fast bowler in the World. There is a great deal of expectation from the speedster, when he marks his run up at about 35 yards from the stumps and runs in to bowl his express delivery. The sheer presence of Shoaib at the top of his bowling mark is an exciting thing to watch. Pakistan included Shoaib Akhtar in their preliminary 25-man squad for South Africa, but dropped him from the final line-up with the remarks that he is "not match fit". When Umar Gul became unfit during the warm-up match, Shoaib Akhtar remained the only choice to counter the South African attack. He was declared fit and sent to South Africa on a rescue mission. He immediately responded and played a vital role for a Pakistan victory in the second Test at Port Elizabeth taking 4-36 in 11 overs in the first innings which bowled out South Africa for just 124 -- their lowest-ever total against Pakistan -- on the opening day, but he suffered a hamstring injury and didn't bowl in the second innings. Shoaib Akhtar with Umar Gul is being sent back home by the team management for rest and treatment so that they can be fully fit before the World Cup. Shoaib Akhtar's presence gave a boost to the other bowlers' morale who shared the rest of the wickets. He returned to his first Test in almost a year, but a hamstring strain prevented him from bowling in the second innings. However, Shoaib's injury in the second innings got back the pressure on the other bowlers, but Mohammad Asif and Danish Kaneria took the responsibility and didn't disappoint their skipper. Shoaib was only a delayed addition to the squad, he was not originally picked for the 17-man squad to South Africa, on the grounds that he wasn't match-fit. He was called up as cover for Umar Gul, who suffered from an injured ankle during a three-day warm-up match prior to the Test rubber. It was his first Test in nearly a year for Pakistan, he hadn't played any international cricket since August last year, having been found guilty of using banned medicines in internal doping tests conducted by the PCB. He was banned initially with Mohammad Asif for two years by a committee before successfully appealing and having his ban lifted. Shoaib always remains in the headlines whether he is in the ground or off the field. Getting a surprise call from the national side after almost a year he became the hero of the first day of the second Test after bulldozing the South African top order. On the second morning he again got into the headlines but not for his bowling. A TV channel telecast around the world showed the fast bowler exchanging hot words with coach Bob Woolmer in the dressing room before the start of the day's play. According to news Woolmer showed his dissatisfaction about Shoaib's fitness which annoyed the fast bowler. Shoaib's non-availability to bowl on the second day sparked rumours that he may not have had any serious injury but he didn't bowl just because of his conflict with Woolmer. But medical reports confirmed his injury and suggested that he needed at least a two-week rest to recover from his latest injury, which means he is out from the remaining tour including the five-match one-day series. Shoaib's fitness problems have kept him away most of the time from international cricket. He made his debut in 1997 at Rawalpindi against West Indies and after a decade he has played just 43 Tests taking 169 wickets. During that period Pakistan has played 88 Tests, which means Shoaib has missed as many as 45 Test matches, mostly on fitness grounds. On the tour of India in 1999, in the second Test at Eden Garden, Calcutta, he took the wickets of Rahul Dravid and Sachin Tendulkar on consecutive deliveries. It was Sachin Tendulkar's first golden duck. On 27th April, 2002. Shoaib Akhtar bowled a delivery at a speed of 161kph during the third ODI between Pakistan and New Zealand at Gaddafi Stadium Lahore. Shoaib has changed his attitude over the past few months and now he is aware of the fact that being the leader of the Pakistan attack he should feel his responsibility. In his early days he just wanted to become the fastest bowler ever. He has been urged to cut down his run up. Advice has been coming day in and day out. A question which he frequently faces is why he hasn't shortened his run up, cut down on pace and made adjustments. Wasim Akram is an excellent example as he bowls six different balls in an over and generates pace with a shortened run-up, Surely, Shoaib will learn from him and he can became more lethal for the opponents. Shoaib's career was jolted when controversial Australian umpire Ross Emerson called him in November 1999. Emerson also no-balled Sri Lankan spinner Muttiah Muralitharan in a Test match in Adelaide the same year. But then Australian Cricket Board (ACB) chief executive Malcolm Speed ended the Shoaib Akhtar chucking affair after watching a 20-minute video tape of his action sent by umpires Ross Emerson and Terry Prue. But in December again a nine member International Cricket Council (ICC) committee banned Shoaib Akhtar from international cricket over his bowling action. In January 2000 the then ICC chairman Jagmohan Dalmiya of India had cleared Shoaib to play in the triangular tournament against Australia and India. In November 2002 Shoaib Akhtar was found guilty of ball tampering in the first Test against Zimbabwe, according to match referee Clive Lloyd. The former West Indies captain confirmed the umpires had reported the matter to him and after inspecting the ball they agreed that it had been scratched and Shoaib had changed the condition of the ball illegally during the match which ended with Pakistan's 119-run victory. In May 2003, Shoaib Akhtar was fined 75% of his match fee and banned for two One-day Internationals for ball-tampering. He was hauled before Gundappa Viswanath, the match referee, after television footage showed him scratching the surface of the ball during Pakistan's 22-run victory over New Zealand. On October 14, 2003 Shoaib Akhtar was named vice-captain of the Pakistan team to play home series against South Africa, and after just a few days was suspended for one Test and two One-day Internationals after being found guilty of using abusive language against Paul Adams on the first day of the first Test at Lahore last year. Clive Lloyd, the match referee, found him committing a Level 2 offence. The penalty for that would normally be a ban of one Test or two ODIs, but since this was his second breach over the last 12 months, the punishment was upgraded to that of a Level 3 offence. In October 2006, Shoaib Akhtar has been banned from cricket for two years after found guilty of using the banned anabolic steroid nandrolone, by a three-man drugs committee formed by the Pakistan Cricket Board a day before starting the opening game of the Champions Trophy. But Shoaib Akhtar and Mohammad Asif have been acquitted by the new tribunal appointed to review their appeals against the drugs ban. After clearance from banned for doping, Shoaib Akhtar once again came in the headlnes when he was fined Rs 10,000 by the organisers of the Twenty20 Cup for refusing to wear a sponsors' logo during the event in December last year. The PCB should think about Shoaib Akhtar's consistent injury problem as it has become a regular practice that Shoaib start the series with a bang but leaves the side in the middle, specially for the Test matches his fitness is still debatable. Now when the World Cup is not far away the management should take a decision about Shoaib Akhtar. No doubt he is a match winner on his day so he should be use in selected matches so that he can maintain his fitness. Shoaib Akhtar: Journey of illusion! Why was he indolent? Pointing fingers and pushing Woolmer callously. What was Shoaib trying to prove? Had he become bigger than the game? By Dr Nauman Niaz Usually an energetic self-publicist, he arms himself with
illusions and his cricketing prowess hasn't been half as important to
Pakistan as an ability to keep him in the public eye. Shoaib Akhtar has had a
penchant for the quotable quotes. He tried to attain personality status
before he actually achieved anything on the field of play. His has been a
classical example of 'big mouth equals big money'. Once Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis's aura waned, Shoaib became Pakistan's modern folk hero. Anyway, as all true hipsters know, his credentials for trendiness were severely dented by long hair thirteen years out of date and a preference for second-rate Springsteen copyists Midnight Oil. Shoaib was not the type like an Imran Khan, a Wasim Akram or Waqar Younis. Public never marvelled at his complete mastery and rushed off illusively in the hope of him achieving a similar type of all-encompassing success. Shoaib competed with Waqar and Wasim, more delusively and out loud than letting his record speak for him. He had genuine speed and could set the stage to his liking, horrifying batsmen, bruising and battering them, his consistent fitness failures arousing public's sympathy. His macho man image didn't shrink and he championed the up-front qualities of Argentina's Diego Maradona. He has been a bowler who despite the public's changeability forced himself into limelight. He often found that no publicity is bad publicity. He has been involved in doping and night club scandals, physical battles with Bob Woolmer, not signing the central contracts (eventually he signed the contract before leaving for South Africa) arguments with colleagues, officials and compatriots, complete apathy and lack of trust in his captain, Inzamam-ul-Haq, brawling in two hemispheres and still, just as everybody began to treat him as a big disappointment, he could do something amazing with the ball and be the star once again. One wonders who has been writing his bloody script then. His problems with officials in Pakistan have been there throughout his career. Akhtar, when not picked on the Pakistan team for the tour of South Africa was really upset. Often eager to let people know his mind, about what he had been long thinking about the conspiracies being hatched against him. His has been a journey of illusion and he hasn't suffered in silence. Only recently, at Port Elizabeth, picking four inexpensive wickets on return to international cricket, in about eleven overs he was down again with a hamstring strain. On the third morning of the match, as Bob Woolmer expected him to get a steroid injection, losing his calm, presumably seething under the lids he pushed him back. Regrettably, the pushing and shouting evidence was provided to the world through television coverage. It made a mockery of the much touted discipline in the Pakistan camp. Skeptical about all sorts of injections, significantly after his 'doping' episode, Shoaib should have realised that for on the field physical insults even the ICC gives leverage of using injury maskers or pain relievers. The team management could have asked for a Therapeutic Use Certificate (TUC) from the ICC and allowed Shoaib the use of steroids to make him available for bowling in the second innings of the Test. He was badly needed and he should have taken the initiative seeing Inzamam-ul-Haq battling manfully with tail-enders to enhance the lead to 141. Second, without Shoaib, the onus of bowling fell upon Mohammad Asif, Mohammad Sami and the leggie, Danish Kaneria. With Shoaib not present, it was like testing Asif and Sami to the core. Asif and Sami both were over-bowled. Inzamam was left with no option. An injury to Asif could have ended Pakistanís future chances in the series. Pakistan suffered. As per the reports, had not Pakistan likely to need him as a batsman during the run chase in the second innings on a wearying pitch, Shoaib would have been flown home instantly. One doubted his so frequent statements about being patriotic. Where was his patriotism when Jacques Kallis was milking runs against the fatiguing Kaneria, exhausting Asif and exasperating Sami? Shoaib was apathetic, sitting in the dressing room wearying sunshades. What good his presence would have done to the youthful colleagues? Why was he indolent? Pointing fingers and pushing Woolmer callously. What was Shoaib trying to prove? Had he become bigger than the game? One needed to look for couple of television anchorpersons and self-imposed experts terming Shoaib as the 'Lion of Pakistan', 'the ultimate' and trying to uplift his image. These moderators and analysts had openly condemned the national selectors for not picking Shoaib first up. Would the same experts mind appearing on television again and explain how 'super fit' the fast bowler was before being sent to South Africa to reinforce the injury-stricken Pakistan? They appear in talkies and shows boasting about the platform where the commoners can give their peace of mind. †Shoaib's case was a shambles; a complete disappointment. He has had a proclivity for being in the news, whether for the right or the wrong reasons. It could be his fondness for pace, his fourth gear lifestyle, his untailored attitude towards training, his contravention and breach of discipline and galling a truck load of managers and the hierarchy at the PCB, his frequent injuries or his being on the wrong side of umpires and match referees. And Akhtar's predisposition for providing rousing ecstasy and steep despair equally with regularity, have earned him much of his enthusiasts' indignation and fury. His hecklers first used to criticise the evidenced-based non-seriousness, indulgences, immoderate lifestyle and self-destructive methods but now their distrust has been refueled, coercing them to believe that he lives for himself. They doubt his commitment for the cause of Pakistan. They believe that he has grown out of proportions, believing that cricket prospers because he bowls.† One believes, the rigours of competitive, high profiled fast bowling at a heart-rendering speed that Akhtar wants to produce every delivery has taken a huge toll on his body. And it always seemed it was not sustainable in the best of circumstances. That said, one has to acknowledge that Akhtar cannot be completely absolved of blame for his career going haywire. To some he has been in the wrong hands. Instead of using injury-maskers what he needed to do was to rehabilitate thoroughly. And it's a fact, he has often been misguided. At Port Elizabeth, though amongst the wickets, he didn't take the field at a crucial stage citing hamstring injury. Shoaib's future has become a chimera, as his allegiance and rapport with the captain and the team management. Now, his career has come under its most serious risk. Grumblings about his fidelity, devotion and commitment are never far away and a brittle relationship with Inzamam and Bob Woolmer hasnít made things easier. A hamstring injury cut and a hodgepodge of fitness and attitudinal worries means he isn't going to be there for long or has he hit the road-end by now? Shoaib to some has blown all his chances to play for Pakistan with Inzamam, Woolmer and Dr Nasim Ashraf in place. The first two have had torrid time handling him and the last because he has been let down. Dr Nasim, on his own initiative had taken the decision to send Shoaib to South Africa, presumably on great public demand. Now, one wonders will he be looking for people who were giving assurances that Pakistan without Shoaib was like a body without heart. One feels sorry for the Chairman PCB, a man with true love for cricket at heart. He could go to any extent to help Pakistan winning. Will he be a disappointed man? Shoaib now needs to realise, if he still wants to reinvigorate his career, he should believe the central theme of the first gateway is that you subconsciously choose or attract in your life those people and experiences you believe you deserve. In everyday life pain is inevitable, but suffering is optional -- a by-product of poor choices. Your sense of worth or deservedness shapes your life by creating tendencies. If you feel worthy and deserving you tend to make productive choices (The world is my oyster). If you feel unworthy and undeserving, you tend to make destructive or limiting choices (Beggars can't be choosers). At each and every crossroads you are free to choose the high road-by being kind to others, working hard, finding supportive partners, and following good role models. Or you may choose the low road-by burning your bridges or choosing destructive relationships. Your sense of self-worth tends to influence whether you choose to learn easy lessons or difficult ones, to strive or to struggle, to cave in to difficulties or rise above them. Such choices determine your health habits-even your longevity. Those of us with a strong sense of self-worth are less likely to get caught up in self-destructive habits. Coming to appreciate your worth can, in some cases, dramatically improve your circumstances by changing the choices you make and the actions you take. And as you begin to treat yourself with more respect, other people begin to do the same, since we subconsciously 'train' others how to treat us through messages we send through body language, tone of voice, and other subtle cues and behaviour. Discovering your innate worth and living from the place allows you to make more constructive choices-to choose the higher roads of life. Since you are exploring this gateway, maybe now is the time for you to take stock, to reflect upon your own circumstances and sense of worth, and to determine if your life is working as well as you would like. Are you now where you want to be? Shoaib looks like a mixture of a film idol and a plagiariser on the high tides and is the most charismatic cricketer in the world. Not underestimated but often charged of pretending. Behind his aura, beneath the macho debonair can be unveiled a highly talented bowler. However, with him breaking down at crucial junctures with Pakistan desperately needing his presence, his credibility, sense of patriotism has been a misgiving. He is not a saint but he is destructive, brawny and skilful and when everything falls into place he is the most hazardous as well as the most stimulating bowler in the world. Will the things ever fall into place; will they ever? It has been a journey of illusion; it will always be.
The writer appeared as Shoaib Akhtar's Medical Counsel in front of the tribunal, is a Member of the Royal College of Physicians (UK), official historian of Pakistan cricket, former assistant manager/cricket analyst of the Pakistan team, former media manager/cricket analyst of the PCB, ex-Manager Coordination of the ACC and former selector of the now defunct PCA
Test triumph against Proteas good omen ahead of World Cup 2007 Inzamam's boys look prepared to deliver in the biggest cricketing extravaganza in the Caribbean islands because they have proved that have learnt to win away from home under mounting pressure By Gul Nasreen When Pakistan won against West Indies in the home series
in recent months, many an analyst accredited it to the advantage of home
crowds and home grounds to certain extent. And feared that though capable,
the 'unpredictable' outfit would not be able to continue with their newly-got
form and consistency in their away series in South Africa, where the playing
conditions had always been adverse to the Asians. However, with their good
show abroad, they have proved their Pakistan's continued consistency in form and approach to the game is good omen right before the mega cricketing event -- World Cup 2007 -- set to be staged in the Caribbean islands in March-April this year. It may be recalled here that in the first Test against Proteas at Centurion, Pakistan experienced a mini-collapse, which was halted by Inzamam and Kamran Akmal on the first day of the Test. Moreover, specialist bowlers put on a good fight in the first Test and kept Pakistan in the game for a while adding valuable runs to get their team to a respectable position if not securing a winning total. And, in the second Test, it was an exhibition of what we may call a real cricket. Pakistan were ahead from day one and maintained their supremacy till the end despite fielding lapses and blunders by Kamran Akmal behind the wickets. The South Africa put on good resistance and tried to be in the game, but Pakistan frustrated all such moves. And in the end Younis Khan and Kamran Akmal through their good batting turned the table on them. As we all know it is not easy for the teams from the Sub-continent to win in South Africa on fast tracks where ball moves around. As such, it is the biggest win for Pakistan. The win, with a day to spare, leveled the series, which will be decided in the third and final Test being played at Newlands in Cape Town. As for South Africa, the defeat ended a streak of three successive wins by them. The win in an away Test is of added significance in the context of the coming World Cup, which will be an away affair. It is morale-boosting stuff for Pakistan camp. The most striking feature of the Pakistan game since their series against West Indies at home has been consistency in their form and approach to the game. Whether they win or lose, they fight hard to be in the game. Their approach has changed the thinking of Pakistan cricket crazy public, who have long been looking upon their national team as an 'unpredictable outfit' prone to sudden collapses under pressure. Now, they have started pinning high hopes on the 'Green Caps' for the WC. At Post Elizabeth, Pakistan were definitely under pressure (with five down) but they played very well, especially Younis as the senior partner. The Pakistan five-wicket win at St George's Park seems to be the best of Inzamam's captaincy career spanning over many an year. Definitely Pakistan were under pressure (with five down) but they played very well, especially Inzamam, Kamran Akmal, Younis as the senior partners in the side. Inzamam was named man of the match for his unbeaten 92 in the first innings which gave Pakistan a crucial lead of 141 after South Africa were bowled out for 124 on the first day. Younis Khan and Kamran Akmal, who came together when Pakistan were a shaky 92 for five in their second innings and took them to the victory target of 191 with an unbeaten partnership of 99. Younis made 67 not out and Akmal 57 not out. All kudos to batting maestros Inzmam, Muhammed Yousuf, Younis Khan and opening bowler Mohammad Asif, who playing in his eighth Test, took five for 76 in 38 overs in the second innings when Pakistan were reduced to three front-line bowlers following an injury to first innings destroyer Shoaib Akhtar. He bowled very well, moving the ball both ways. The most striking feature of his form was that he bowled with his control. We are very happy that a new boy has bowled with his control. As far Younis, he played a solid innings apart from a difficult caught and bowled chance low down to Shaun Pollock when he had five, while Akmal batted aggressively. Pakistan needed someone to take the game by the scruff of the neck and Kamran Akmal did that. Akmal hurried to his half-century off 61 balls with five more fours. And what had been a tense contest ended shortly before tea with a flurry of strokes. The third Test is underway but the most important in the pipeline is the five-match one-day series against SA. We also want to win the one-day series because we're really hoping to have our World Cup squad together and performing well. We've got as many as five (one-day) games before the World Cup for preparation so we've got to look at that as the most important series. The win in Test is a huge one and has definitely brightened the prospect of the team for World Cup. It has changed the thinking of the Pak cricket lovers, who have started pinning high hopes on them. Right now they are right on track. That's even their detractors have begun to putting faith in them for the showcase event in March-April. However, what is a bit disturbing ahead of the mega event is the fitness dilemma that Pakistan faces. The big worry now is injuries and the fitness problems. Shoaib tore a hamstring muscle during his four-wicket haul in the second Test against South Africa in Port Elizabeth last week and was unable to bowl in the second innings. Umar Gul has injured his ankle and missed both the Tests at Centurion and Port Elizabeth. Both the pacers are part of Pakistan's 30-man provisional squad for the World Cup and are two of our strike bowlers. The duo will miss the coming five-match one-day series against the Proteas. It's a massive call to go into an ODIs ahead of World Cup without both of them. The matter of fact is that the big worry now is injury. If our key players go into World Cup with these injuries, it will be costly. Pakistan need to discuss these things and sit down with them and see what they can do. Moreover, in fielding, particular wicket-keeping was a sad affair in the Second Test. Kamran Akmal was a failure behind wickets and had he not shined with the bat along with Younis Khan, he would have faced music for the same. But now that he has compensated with his skills in batting, he escaped the wrath. The purpose to say is that our players still have one-day series against South Africa to iron out flaws and boost confidence. They have as many as five one-day games for preparation so they've got to look at that as the most important. The team should not feel complacent as Pakistan team still has a long way to not only show fighting spirit in the coming One-Day series against SA also embark upon the World Cup campaign in style. Overall, now Inzamam's boys look prepared to deliver in the biggest cricketing extravaganza in the Caribbean islands because they have proved that have learnt to win away from home under mounting pressure. They have proved that away success is no flash in the pan as they fought hard to win the second Test at Port Elizabeth. Pakistan's strength on the current tour and beyond is experience, with hard-hitting batsman Inzamam, Muhamemd Yousuf, Younis Khan, pacer Muhammed Asif, Umar Gul backed by leg-spinner Danish Kaneria, performing with the enthusiasm of the youth. The emergence of young all rounder Shoaib Malik after fitness dilemma also augurs well for Pakistan ahead of World Cup. Muhammed Yousuf has in recent months exceeded expectations in cricket with back-to-back performances. One hopes that Pakistan, champion in 1992, head to the Caribbean with players in good spirits and in imperious form.
|
|
detractors as wrong as Pakistan have played satisfactorily so far in the
ongoing series.