Congratulations to Pakistan for assuming the official number one spot in Test cricket. The ICC rankings havet been around for only 13 years but I can’t recall a time when the nation were so prominent that they could have been unofficial Test worldbeaters, not even in the days of Imran Khan, Zaheer Abbas , Waqar Younis or Wasim Akram, Those pesky Aussies or West Indians were usually that bit more successful. Maybe in the late Eighties when Viv’s Caribbean cavaliers were losing their lustre and prior to Steve Waugh’s star men were coming together.
Mind you, I used the word ‘prominent’ rather than ‘dominant’ deliberately. Pakistan seemed to have risen up the rankings so far under the radar as to be flying at sea level. It wouldn’t have happened without Australia’s spectacular collapses against Sri Lanka, or the waterlogged outfield fiasco this week in Trinidad, where India were expected to put the Windies to the sword yet again. Nor of course had England dismissed Younis Khan much earlier in the Oval Test the other week and not allowed Pakistan to draw the series.
All ifs and buts. Just three points separate the top four nations so it could be all change come the winter, but let’s allow Pakistan the time to enjoy holding the ceremonial mace, because they have deserved it. The doubters point to the side’s inability to win in Australia or South Africa. But then ALL of Pakistan’s series are away; they haven’t been allowed to host a series for six years, and through no fault of the PCB.
That is also partly the reason they have played only six series in two years, while England, Australia et al are all cricketed out. Yet of those six, Pakistan have won four and drawn two, defeating England, Australia, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh while giving the New Zealanders a run for their money in the desert.
So how have they achieved this historic rise? After the humiliation of the sordid match-fixing affair which led the captain and star bowlers to be not only banned but imprisoned, it looked hard to see Pakistan covering for years. However, Misbah-ul-Haq’s promotion to skipper has been the masterstroke. While his fellow batsmen have struggled for consistency, he and Younis have kept the runs flowing while their blend of seamers and spinners have done plenty of damage with the ball.
In the last eight series, spanning 22 matches, Younis has not averaged less than 48, and his career Test average remains stubbornly above 53. He is also a rarity in that he converts more than half his fifties into centuries and, as England re-discovered this month, is not averse to turning mere centuries into doubles. He is now 38, but his leader is more than three years his senior.
Misbah’s Test career started not long after Younis’s, but he has played a mere 65 matches. Apart from a sensational series against India in 2007, his batting seems to have improved since assuming the captaincy, and is always reliable. He managed just the one century in England this summer but what a vital one it was.
Azhar Ali, Asad Shafiq and ‘keeper Sarfraz Ahmed often chip in, too, while the likes of Junaid Khan, Sohail Khan and Wahab Riaz have often stuck to their guns with pace and skill. Losing their ace slowie Saeed Ajmal to the bent elbow police (probably with justification) must have been a blow but they merely introduced another enthusiastic 30-something spinner in Yasir Shah.
Misbah and the PCB have made some great strategic decisions, and Misbah knows how to win. He has even been brave enough to drop the veteran opener Mohammad Hafeez for the Oval, and of course they won with ease.
I don’t know how much importance the fan back home attach to the number one Test status. After all, they languish a paltry ninth in ODIs and not much better in T20 internationals, where New Zealand currently rule the roost. However, I hope it really does mean something because it is quite an achievement. India are either second or third in all formats so their old rivals should revel in being ahead in the five-day game.
Personally I look forward to seeing Pakistan play England in the fifth one-dayer in Cardiff next month. It’ll be the first time I’ve watched a Pakistani side in the flesh since Imran’s team came to Chelmsford twenty-five decades ago and Saeed Anwar stroked a sublime hundred. It would be nice to see Misbah’s team of youth and experience give England an exciting contest, hopefully to decide the series.
Showing posts with label Yasir Shah. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Yasir Shah. Show all posts
Wednesday, 24 August 2016
Wednesday, 27 July 2016
Pakistan v England 2nd Test July 2016
Well, all credit to England. After being Misbah-ed and Yasir-ed at Lord’s, they bounced back in the most emphatic style possible, levelling the series with a 330-run victory at Old Trafford.
Chris Woakes was once again England’s leading wicket-taker, but Jimmy Anderson produced some useful spells on his home turf. Pakistan’s batsmen struggled again, with only Misbah passing 50, putting the innings of Alastair Cook and the formidable Joe Root into context.
The pair shared a 185-run second-wicket partnership, but Root went on to be part of two other century stands, with Woakes and Jonny Bairstow. Root’s ability to score just about anywhere, off and leg, punches, pulls, drives and cuts, has always been impressive. In my book, he is as complete a batsmen as anyone one in the modern game, including AB De Villiers, Virat Kohli and Steve Smith.
Root even inspired his captain to up his scoring rate to 60+ in the first innings, his 105 runs including fifteen boundaries. That’s only 12 fewer than Root managed in his career-best 254. Then in the second innings they added another 105 together in barely 14 overs as they raced to declare 565 runs ahead. Cook was criticised for not enforcing the follow-on but the result justified the decision in spades. If the weather forecast had been bad, then of course the decision would have been different. However, I suspect the result would have been the same.
Yasir Shah’s Lord’s magic was well and truly negated, and his 63 overs went for 266 runs. His only wicket was that of Woakes on day two. For all England’s dominance, there still remain question marks over Hales, Ballance and Vince, who are all finding it hard to get beyond a decent 20 or 30. No problem with fielding, and all but three of the twenty Pakistan wickets were catches.
And should Jonny Bairstow cede the ‘keeper’s gloves? Why? Jos Buttler is no better behind the stumps and a poorer red-ball batsman. Billings is a 20-over thrash specialist while Essex’s James Foster is probably too old to be considered by the current selector set-up.
Anyway, apart from the injured Ben Stokes, I certainly don’t blame England for retaining the same squad for the Third Test. Woakes will fancy his chances at Edgbaston where he has picked up 300-odd wickets for Warwickshire. Steve Finn did well on the same ground last summer so he must be favourite to play, unless they go for a twin spin option in the form of Adil Rashid.
Whatever the final XI, I can’t see Pakistan coming back from such a heavy defeat, unless their seam attack or Yasir find a way to dismiss Root early and their openers to survive Anderson and Broad for a change. I believe Stokes’ absence is no big deal. The swear box may be emptier as a result but England should still win on the pitch.
Chris Woakes was once again England’s leading wicket-taker, but Jimmy Anderson produced some useful spells on his home turf. Pakistan’s batsmen struggled again, with only Misbah passing 50, putting the innings of Alastair Cook and the formidable Joe Root into context.
The pair shared a 185-run second-wicket partnership, but Root went on to be part of two other century stands, with Woakes and Jonny Bairstow. Root’s ability to score just about anywhere, off and leg, punches, pulls, drives and cuts, has always been impressive. In my book, he is as complete a batsmen as anyone one in the modern game, including AB De Villiers, Virat Kohli and Steve Smith.
Root even inspired his captain to up his scoring rate to 60+ in the first innings, his 105 runs including fifteen boundaries. That’s only 12 fewer than Root managed in his career-best 254. Then in the second innings they added another 105 together in barely 14 overs as they raced to declare 565 runs ahead. Cook was criticised for not enforcing the follow-on but the result justified the decision in spades. If the weather forecast had been bad, then of course the decision would have been different. However, I suspect the result would have been the same.
Yasir Shah’s Lord’s magic was well and truly negated, and his 63 overs went for 266 runs. His only wicket was that of Woakes on day two. For all England’s dominance, there still remain question marks over Hales, Ballance and Vince, who are all finding it hard to get beyond a decent 20 or 30. No problem with fielding, and all but three of the twenty Pakistan wickets were catches.
And should Jonny Bairstow cede the ‘keeper’s gloves? Why? Jos Buttler is no better behind the stumps and a poorer red-ball batsman. Billings is a 20-over thrash specialist while Essex’s James Foster is probably too old to be considered by the current selector set-up.
Anyway, apart from the injured Ben Stokes, I certainly don’t blame England for retaining the same squad for the Third Test. Woakes will fancy his chances at Edgbaston where he has picked up 300-odd wickets for Warwickshire. Steve Finn did well on the same ground last summer so he must be favourite to play, unless they go for a twin spin option in the form of Adil Rashid.
Whatever the final XI, I can’t see Pakistan coming back from such a heavy defeat, unless their seam attack or Yasir find a way to dismiss Root early and their openers to survive Anderson and Broad for a change. I believe Stokes’ absence is no big deal. The swear box may be emptier as a result but England should still win on the pitch.
Tuesday, 19 July 2016
Yasir, he can Googly!
Well, I didn't see that coming! After England flattened Sri Lanka more effectively than the Lord's roller, the long-awaited return of Pakistan was meant to cement England's growing reputation in all forms of cricket. After the football team's humiliation against Iceland, surely there would be no embarrassment at the hands of a side captained by a 42 year-old yet at risk of being cleaved apart by the inclusion of a convicted cheat.
In the end, the return from the six-year wilderness of Mohammad Amir was a mere sideshow. Had his close-catching colleagues been less prone to fumbles, Amir would have had more wickets and the doubters - me included - would have had something to complain about. In the end, it was a cracking Test match. There were no five-an-over innings full of Twenty20 cameos. There were some entertaining innings, but for once the mix of spin and reverse swing tipped the balance away from the batsmen.
Yasir Shah is 30, playing only his second first-class match of the year. Yet his exuberant ten-wicket performance lit up not only Pakistan but the whole of Lord's. And he wasn't even the top wicket-taker! That claim belongs to Chris Woakes. I've long been a fan of Woakesy. He's been taking wickets and clouting runs for Warwickshire for several seasons yet seems to be written off by many. He's too slow, too predictable, not aggressive enough. Rubbish! I thnk what such critics mean is that he isn't a bristling, snarling sledger like Anderson, Broad and Stokes.
Test match figures of 11-102, including two five-fors, show that Woakes is no domestic trundle, even though he struggled in his prevous outings. He wouldn't even have played had Stokes' fitness been in doubt. England selectors now have a problem given that Stokes is back in the squad for Old Trafford, as is Adil Rashid and the recovered Anderson. Surely they can't omit Woakes? By keeping faith with Finn, does that mean he must play?
As for the batters, they had their moments. Vince played a decent second innings, as did Balance. However, it was the old guard who shone brightest. Alastair Cook became the most prolific Test opener in history in scoring 82, Younis Khan added to his considerable middle-order tally but the main plaudits went to Misbah-ul-Haq.
The captain has done so much to bring Pakistan back into the international fold, on and off the pitch, following the spot-fixing scandal six years ago. His unflappable temperament has helped no end, and he can still bat better than anyone. His first Lord's century on day one deserved the warm applause, and his amusing celebration of salute and press-ups endeared him to spectators even more.
The joyous reaction of the whole team, with the display of (almost) synchronised saluting and press-ups before their fans was a welcome sight, but not for England. They now have to regroup and hope that Anderson can reproduce the form he showed against Sri Lanka, and Root can deliver centuries again.
In the end, the return from the six-year wilderness of Mohammad Amir was a mere sideshow. Had his close-catching colleagues been less prone to fumbles, Amir would have had more wickets and the doubters - me included - would have had something to complain about. In the end, it was a cracking Test match. There were no five-an-over innings full of Twenty20 cameos. There were some entertaining innings, but for once the mix of spin and reverse swing tipped the balance away from the batsmen.
Yasir Shah is 30, playing only his second first-class match of the year. Yet his exuberant ten-wicket performance lit up not only Pakistan but the whole of Lord's. And he wasn't even the top wicket-taker! That claim belongs to Chris Woakes. I've long been a fan of Woakesy. He's been taking wickets and clouting runs for Warwickshire for several seasons yet seems to be written off by many. He's too slow, too predictable, not aggressive enough. Rubbish! I thnk what such critics mean is that he isn't a bristling, snarling sledger like Anderson, Broad and Stokes.
Test match figures of 11-102, including two five-fors, show that Woakes is no domestic trundle, even though he struggled in his prevous outings. He wouldn't even have played had Stokes' fitness been in doubt. England selectors now have a problem given that Stokes is back in the squad for Old Trafford, as is Adil Rashid and the recovered Anderson. Surely they can't omit Woakes? By keeping faith with Finn, does that mean he must play?
As for the batters, they had their moments. Vince played a decent second innings, as did Balance. However, it was the old guard who shone brightest. Alastair Cook became the most prolific Test opener in history in scoring 82, Younis Khan added to his considerable middle-order tally but the main plaudits went to Misbah-ul-Haq.
The captain has done so much to bring Pakistan back into the international fold, on and off the pitch, following the spot-fixing scandal six years ago. His unflappable temperament has helped no end, and he can still bat better than anyone. His first Lord's century on day one deserved the warm applause, and his amusing celebration of salute and press-ups endeared him to spectators even more.
The joyous reaction of the whole team, with the display of (almost) synchronised saluting and press-ups before their fans was a welcome sight, but not for England. They now have to regroup and hope that Anderson can reproduce the form he showed against Sri Lanka, and Root can deliver centuries again.
Saturday, 7 November 2015
Pakistan's Superior Spin Proves too much for England
After two tense, close contests, Pakistan ran away with the third to clinch the series 2-0. As predicted in my last blog, the Test match was decided by the superiority of the ‘home’ side’s spin attack against England’s.
With Buttler dropped, James Taylor beefed up the batting and Samit Patel offered a third spin option. However, while slow bowlers totally dominated the India v South Africa encounter at Mohali, they didn’t have it all their own way at Sharjah. On the first day, Jimmy Anderson and Stuart Broad conceded just 30 runs in 28 overs, while Patel, Moeen Ali and Adil Rashid went for almost four an over. Only Misbah-ul-Haq and Sarfraz Ahmed took charge and helped Pakistan past 200.
In reply, five England players reached 40 but Taylor was alone in passing 50, taking the team to a first innings lead of 72. It would have been more had it not been for Shoaib Malik’s three late wickets, including that of the injured Ben Stokes. However, they could not ram home their advantage.
Mohammad Hafeez survived an early scare and went on to an impressive 151. Stokes was out of action but England’s two seamers were once more in superb form. Nevertheless they can’t bowl continuously in the UAE heat, and the spinners again looked the weakest link.
Pakistan raced away to a lead of 283, a not impossible target in normal circumstances. However, in Sharjah, Yasir Shah, Malik and Zulfiqur Babar made few mistakes, maintain the pressure and grinding England down. Alastair Cook did his best, outlasting eight of his team-mates in an innings of 63 runs and four hours. England were destroyed in five overs, when the middle-order were sent packing for only 11 runs. Three of them fell LBW, bamboozled by the spin of Babar and Shah, and the series was lost on the final afternoon.
Only Cook, England’s only centurion, Anderson and Broad emerged with much credit from the series. The captain’s massive 263 at Abu Dhabi was almost as many as the second highest scorer, Joe Root, managed in all six attempts. Anderson’s 13 victims came at just 15 apiece and at a phenomenal economy rate of 1.87. Normally you might expect spinners to frustrate batsmen, but the England seamers did their best. Unfortunately, Ali and Rashid showed that, despite the coaching of Shane Warne, they aren’t yet the real deal.
Yasir Shah definitely is and across the series he was the prime difference between the two well-matched teams. Five Pakistan batsmen struck hundreds and averaged 48 or more, demonstrating how to cope with slow bowling at this level. Younis and Misbah surely can’t have many more Tests in them, and Shoaib has already announced his retirement. As with Sri Lanka, Pakistan need to find young batting talent if they are to threaten the other top nations in five-day cricket.
As for England, all is not lost for their forthcoming trip to South Africa. Nevertheless, much rests on the fitness of Broad and Anderson. I’m not sure whether Moeen Ali is the right opening partner for Cook in Tests. However, neither is Alex Hales. Both are excellent one-day openers and England’s squad is looking like a converted ODI outfit; too many all-rounders, not enough specialists. Most other countries are similar; it’s the new era of cricket.
I think that with some work Bairstow could become a top ‘keeper-batsman, much as Alec Stewart was a few decades ago. Buttler has never done much in first-class cricket, not even for Somerset. I like Taylor, Root and, for all his recent travails, Ian Bell. Graeme Swann is badly missed, but world-class spinners are a rarity. Anywhere in the world. Wood and Jordan are OK but unlikely to scare the likes of Amla or De Villiers. On the other hand, South Africa are short of good spinners, too, so we could be in for another competitive series.
With Buttler dropped, James Taylor beefed up the batting and Samit Patel offered a third spin option. However, while slow bowlers totally dominated the India v South Africa encounter at Mohali, they didn’t have it all their own way at Sharjah. On the first day, Jimmy Anderson and Stuart Broad conceded just 30 runs in 28 overs, while Patel, Moeen Ali and Adil Rashid went for almost four an over. Only Misbah-ul-Haq and Sarfraz Ahmed took charge and helped Pakistan past 200.
In reply, five England players reached 40 but Taylor was alone in passing 50, taking the team to a first innings lead of 72. It would have been more had it not been for Shoaib Malik’s three late wickets, including that of the injured Ben Stokes. However, they could not ram home their advantage.
Mohammad Hafeez survived an early scare and went on to an impressive 151. Stokes was out of action but England’s two seamers were once more in superb form. Nevertheless they can’t bowl continuously in the UAE heat, and the spinners again looked the weakest link.
Pakistan raced away to a lead of 283, a not impossible target in normal circumstances. However, in Sharjah, Yasir Shah, Malik and Zulfiqur Babar made few mistakes, maintain the pressure and grinding England down. Alastair Cook did his best, outlasting eight of his team-mates in an innings of 63 runs and four hours. England were destroyed in five overs, when the middle-order were sent packing for only 11 runs. Three of them fell LBW, bamboozled by the spin of Babar and Shah, and the series was lost on the final afternoon.
Only Cook, England’s only centurion, Anderson and Broad emerged with much credit from the series. The captain’s massive 263 at Abu Dhabi was almost as many as the second highest scorer, Joe Root, managed in all six attempts. Anderson’s 13 victims came at just 15 apiece and at a phenomenal economy rate of 1.87. Normally you might expect spinners to frustrate batsmen, but the England seamers did their best. Unfortunately, Ali and Rashid showed that, despite the coaching of Shane Warne, they aren’t yet the real deal.
Yasir Shah definitely is and across the series he was the prime difference between the two well-matched teams. Five Pakistan batsmen struck hundreds and averaged 48 or more, demonstrating how to cope with slow bowling at this level. Younis and Misbah surely can’t have many more Tests in them, and Shoaib has already announced his retirement. As with Sri Lanka, Pakistan need to find young batting talent if they are to threaten the other top nations in five-day cricket.
As for England, all is not lost for their forthcoming trip to South Africa. Nevertheless, much rests on the fitness of Broad and Anderson. I’m not sure whether Moeen Ali is the right opening partner for Cook in Tests. However, neither is Alex Hales. Both are excellent one-day openers and England’s squad is looking like a converted ODI outfit; too many all-rounders, not enough specialists. Most other countries are similar; it’s the new era of cricket.
I think that with some work Bairstow could become a top ‘keeper-batsman, much as Alec Stewart was a few decades ago. Buttler has never done much in first-class cricket, not even for Somerset. I like Taylor, Root and, for all his recent travails, Ian Bell. Graeme Swann is badly missed, but world-class spinners are a rarity. Anywhere in the world. Wood and Jordan are OK but unlikely to scare the likes of Amla or De Villiers. On the other hand, South Africa are short of good spinners, too, so we could be in for another competitive series.
Tuesday, 27 October 2015
Pakistan in the driving seat
Last week, England felt cheated of victory by bad light. This time in Dubai they were barely six overs from securing a very unlikely draw before Pakistan’s attacking field yielded the final wicket. Both matches have provided exciting finales, but it was the second which gave us consistently good cricket.
After a shaky start on the first morning, Pakistan’s middle-order did their job. Something you can’t say of England’s! Captain Misbah ul-Haq shared stands of 93 with Younis Khan and 104 with Asad Shafiq before Moeen Ali and Mark Wood kept the total below 400. England’s reply was a very staccato affair. Ali and Bell struggled again, then Alastair Cook and the redoubtable Joe Root put on 113, playing the pace of man-of-the-match Wahab Riaz and spin of Yasir Shah with much-needed patience.
However, once Root nicked to the ‘keeper, the last six wickets tumbled for only 36 runs. Pakistan’s second innings again survived two early departures. This time, Younis showed why he remains one of the best Test batsmen of his generation, progressing to his 31st century and passing 9,000 runs. Misbah’s late-flowering career continued with another fine display, scoring 87, while Shafiq provided more sterling support. The declaration left England a day and a half to achieve a world record target or, barely more likely, bat for a draw.
They really needed Cook on his A-game but the heat and dust had taken its toll. Bell scratched around for 48, Root passed 50 yet again, but Bairstow, Stokes and the hapless Jos Buttler failed miserably. An early end looked inevitable, but Adil Rashid is no pushover with the bat. Bowling figures of 2-191 were poor, but his application against Shah and Babar put his colleagues to shame. Broad tried to hit out, falling to a brilliant fast yorker, but Wood stuck it out for two hours, a great effort. Rashid’s innings lasted twice as long for 61. The number of runs wasn’t important; the number of overs survived was. However, with the finishing line in sight, the Yorkshireman chose the wrong ball to drive past the close cordon and was caught by Babar.
It was one of the longest second innings ending in defeat ever played in Asia, demonstrating that with the right amount of skill and sense of when to play and when to leave, Pakistan can be kept at bay in the UAE. Unfortunately for England, only Root, Rashid and tailender Wood had what was needed.
Pakistan now have the added incentive of winning the final Test, not only to take the series but also to advance to second in the ICC rankings. Not bad for a side unable to play on home pitches. However, they will need some fine young blood to succeed Younis (aged 37) and Misbah (41) if they are to hold on to that status for any length of time.
As for England, selection for the 3rd Test and, arguably more importantly, the South Africa tour, must be tricky. It was interesting to watch a Sky TV discussion yesterday in which nobody could agree on what should happen next. Ali has not proved a capable partner for Cook, Buttler can’t bat at all, and Stokes, Bell and Bairstow are all struggling. Replacement options are few. Bairstow could take the gloves from Buttler, although his ‘keeping is not as good. Ali could drop back down the order to give Hales his chance, and James Taylor deserves a position at, say, five or six in place of Stokes. Titanic, rearranging and deckchairs spring to mind! The type of pitch in Sharjah will be crucial. I can’t believe it won’t be spin-friendly, in which case both Rashid and Ali will play. However fine they are with the willow, they are nowhere near as potent as Pakistan’s slow bowlers, and Pakistan must be favourites for another series win.
After a shaky start on the first morning, Pakistan’s middle-order did their job. Something you can’t say of England’s! Captain Misbah ul-Haq shared stands of 93 with Younis Khan and 104 with Asad Shafiq before Moeen Ali and Mark Wood kept the total below 400. England’s reply was a very staccato affair. Ali and Bell struggled again, then Alastair Cook and the redoubtable Joe Root put on 113, playing the pace of man-of-the-match Wahab Riaz and spin of Yasir Shah with much-needed patience.
However, once Root nicked to the ‘keeper, the last six wickets tumbled for only 36 runs. Pakistan’s second innings again survived two early departures. This time, Younis showed why he remains one of the best Test batsmen of his generation, progressing to his 31st century and passing 9,000 runs. Misbah’s late-flowering career continued with another fine display, scoring 87, while Shafiq provided more sterling support. The declaration left England a day and a half to achieve a world record target or, barely more likely, bat for a draw.
They really needed Cook on his A-game but the heat and dust had taken its toll. Bell scratched around for 48, Root passed 50 yet again, but Bairstow, Stokes and the hapless Jos Buttler failed miserably. An early end looked inevitable, but Adil Rashid is no pushover with the bat. Bowling figures of 2-191 were poor, but his application against Shah and Babar put his colleagues to shame. Broad tried to hit out, falling to a brilliant fast yorker, but Wood stuck it out for two hours, a great effort. Rashid’s innings lasted twice as long for 61. The number of runs wasn’t important; the number of overs survived was. However, with the finishing line in sight, the Yorkshireman chose the wrong ball to drive past the close cordon and was caught by Babar.
It was one of the longest second innings ending in defeat ever played in Asia, demonstrating that with the right amount of skill and sense of when to play and when to leave, Pakistan can be kept at bay in the UAE. Unfortunately for England, only Root, Rashid and tailender Wood had what was needed.
Pakistan now have the added incentive of winning the final Test, not only to take the series but also to advance to second in the ICC rankings. Not bad for a side unable to play on home pitches. However, they will need some fine young blood to succeed Younis (aged 37) and Misbah (41) if they are to hold on to that status for any length of time.
As for England, selection for the 3rd Test and, arguably more importantly, the South Africa tour, must be tricky. It was interesting to watch a Sky TV discussion yesterday in which nobody could agree on what should happen next. Ali has not proved a capable partner for Cook, Buttler can’t bat at all, and Stokes, Bell and Bairstow are all struggling. Replacement options are few. Bairstow could take the gloves from Buttler, although his ‘keeping is not as good. Ali could drop back down the order to give Hales his chance, and James Taylor deserves a position at, say, five or six in place of Stokes. Titanic, rearranging and deckchairs spring to mind! The type of pitch in Sharjah will be crucial. I can’t believe it won’t be spin-friendly, in which case both Rashid and Ali will play. However fine they are with the willow, they are nowhere near as potent as Pakistan’s slow bowlers, and Pakistan must be favourites for another series win.
Tuesday, 7 July 2015
Pakistan pack a Punch
Pakistan have not only enjoyed an exciting series win in Sri Lanka but, largely under the radar, attained the status of number three in the ICC Test rankings. Once the home nation levelled the series at Colombo, you would be forgiven for thinking that Pakistan would have folded in the Pallekele finale. Indeed, when Angelo Mathews stuck around to extend Sri Lanka’s lead to 376, the visitors were in unknown territory in relation to their target.
But Pakistan have Younis Khan. He and Azhar Ali have been in fantastic form in the past few years. Their avalanche of runs, with the added contribution of skipper Misbah-ul-Haq, simply swept the Aussies away in the UAE last year. They then drew 1-1 with New Zealand and the centuries continued to stack up in the series victory over Bangladesh. Azhar Ali and Mohammed Hafeez both passed 200 in an innings and the opposition bowlers must have grown tired of facing them.
Nevertheless, Pakistan were struggling at 13-2 before opener Shan Masood was joined by Younis. With almost two days remaining, they could easily have dug in to grind out the runs. They didn’t, and by stumps on the fourth day, they were 230-2, both batsmen having reached three figures. Surely they couldn’t pull off Pakistan’s highest ever run chase?
Shan was stumped off Kaushal on 125 but Misbah’s arrival made no difference to the momentum. Younis Khan moved serenely on to 171 and Misbah clinched the match and the series with a six. What a game, what a series and what a load of records were achieved on that final day!
It was Younis’ seventh hundred in the past year, and the highest fourth innings score by a Pakistani in their history. He is unusual in that when he hits 50, more often than not he proceeds all the way to 100. Furthermore, only once before have two Pakistan batsmen hit hundreds in a fourth innings of a Test
So far I’ve only mentioned the batsmen, yet it was a bowler who was named Player of the Series, and deservedly so. Junaid Khan and Wahab Riaz get most of the plaudits and Saeed Ajmal is twirling for Worcestershire instead of for Pakistan. So it may be a surprise that, in three matches, it was Yasir Shah who claimed an impressive 24 wickets. That included a 7-76, 6-96 and 5-78, and he not only took more wickets than anybody else, but had the lowest average and economy rate.
Still without a home series, it’s great to see Pakistan up there, with New Zealand threatening the big two, Australia and South Africa. Test cricket is not all about the Ashes and batting isn’t solely the reserve of Cook, Smith, Clarke and Root. Younis Khan deserves to be considered amongst the modern greats alongside Kallis, Ponting, Chanderpaul and Tendulkar, and Misbah as one of the leading captains.
But Pakistan have Younis Khan. He and Azhar Ali have been in fantastic form in the past few years. Their avalanche of runs, with the added contribution of skipper Misbah-ul-Haq, simply swept the Aussies away in the UAE last year. They then drew 1-1 with New Zealand and the centuries continued to stack up in the series victory over Bangladesh. Azhar Ali and Mohammed Hafeez both passed 200 in an innings and the opposition bowlers must have grown tired of facing them.
Nevertheless, Pakistan were struggling at 13-2 before opener Shan Masood was joined by Younis. With almost two days remaining, they could easily have dug in to grind out the runs. They didn’t, and by stumps on the fourth day, they were 230-2, both batsmen having reached three figures. Surely they couldn’t pull off Pakistan’s highest ever run chase?
Shan was stumped off Kaushal on 125 but Misbah’s arrival made no difference to the momentum. Younis Khan moved serenely on to 171 and Misbah clinched the match and the series with a six. What a game, what a series and what a load of records were achieved on that final day!
It was Younis’ seventh hundred in the past year, and the highest fourth innings score by a Pakistani in their history. He is unusual in that when he hits 50, more often than not he proceeds all the way to 100. Furthermore, only once before have two Pakistan batsmen hit hundreds in a fourth innings of a Test
So far I’ve only mentioned the batsmen, yet it was a bowler who was named Player of the Series, and deservedly so. Junaid Khan and Wahab Riaz get most of the plaudits and Saeed Ajmal is twirling for Worcestershire instead of for Pakistan. So it may be a surprise that, in three matches, it was Yasir Shah who claimed an impressive 24 wickets. That included a 7-76, 6-96 and 5-78, and he not only took more wickets than anybody else, but had the lowest average and economy rate.
Still without a home series, it’s great to see Pakistan up there, with New Zealand threatening the big two, Australia and South Africa. Test cricket is not all about the Ashes and batting isn’t solely the reserve of Cook, Smith, Clarke and Root. Younis Khan deserves to be considered amongst the modern greats alongside Kallis, Ponting, Chanderpaul and Tendulkar, and Misbah as one of the leading captains.
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