My review of the 2nd test between South Africa and Sri Lanka.

 It was an incredible test match for Sri Lanka, Dilshan winning his first match as captain and against one of the best teams around! And comprehensively too! No doubt that this result was not expected after the first test match. This match just proved how much runs on the board matter, if you get them, victory will be closer then if you dont. For Sri Lanka, it was just the matter of some players stepping up. South Africa has a superb bowling attack, but Sangakarra, Samaraweera, and the debutant Chandimal showed that runs can be scored against them. Its just the matter of patience and temperament. Shots can be taken as calculated risks.
 For Sri Lanka, kudos to them, it was a team effort! Indirectly each player contributed to the victory, but no doubt the ones who really deserve recognition for this win are Sangakarra, Samaraweera, Herath, Chandimal and Welegedera. The bowling overall was fantastic!
One mention is for Jayawardene, he badly needs to find form. An impact player he is, but has lost his consistency. He can play super innings, but seems to not have it in him anymore. But i believe he does, and its just the matter of one good innings, to bring back the old Mahela that is a joy to watch.
 While South Africa...they have themselves to blame. I picked up one moment in the game which i believe lost them the match, the dropped catch of Sangakarra in the second innings when he hadnt even scored 10 runs. It was a dropped catch by Boucher, which now we see, cost them a lot. South Africa will hopefully have Vernon Philander fit for the next match, who will really boost their bowling attack. I think they should go with four fast bowlers since Tahir's not really able to make an impact right now. With five fast bowlers (kallis too) South Africa can be on the attack for long periods.
South Africa need to work on their batting, Rudolph and Smith both have gotten starts and havent been able to convert them. Prince and Boucher both also need to make runs if they want to survive the axe. Prince does have form behind him, but hes not showing any this series. Him and Boucher both are capable of quick runs, and need to play to their potential. Hashim Amla looks in good form, which is needed in a number three. Sure luck wasn't with him when he got involved in a stupid mix-up with Prince in the second innings when he was looking in good touch, he still needs to convert his starts this series.
 Kallis..he simply needs to find batting form. We all know what an impact player he can be, well he has to show it again. Rather unexpected from a man as consistent as him to get a pair in his 145th match! He shouldn't let this affect his confidence and needs to come back strongly for the sake of his team.
While AB, he is looking in great form, and i believe it is him that has really saved his team from total collapses this series. All i can say is "keep it up" to him :)
Dale Steyn deserves a mention too, he has been batting rather well for a tailender and looks like he can be useful when needed.

 So, simple as this, South Africa need to put this shocker behind and come back strongly next match. They play up to their potential then Sri Lanka got no chance!

The Sri Lankan players celebrate their maiden win against
South Africa, big moment for them!

A look at the Pakistani test squad for England.

Pakistan squad

• Mohammad Hafeez, Taufeeq Umar, Imran Farhat, Azhar Ali, Younis Khan, Misbah-ul-Haq (capt), Asad Shafiq, Umar Akmal, Adnan Akmal, Umar Gul, Aizaz Cheema, Junaid Khan, Wahab Riaz, Mohammad Talha, Saeed Ajmal, Abdur Rehman.

 This is the test squad for Pakistan versus England in UAE. Most if not the whole squad was probably predictable, most of the squad chooses itself. The only question is, will this squad be strong enough to beat, or atleast give some tough competition to a number 1 ranked England side?

 Here is the England Squad:  Andrew Strauss (capt), Alastair Cook, Jonathan Trott, Kevin Pietersen, Ian Bell, Eoin Morgan, Matt Prior, Tim Bresnan, Stuart Broad, Graeme Swann, James Anderson, Chris Tremlett, Steven Finn, Ravi Bopara, Monty Panesar, Steven Davies.

 There are no questions for this squads, just pure class and talent. No doubt on anyone of them, except for Bopara maybe.

 Stuart Broad, James Anderson, Chris Tremlett, Steven Finn, Monty Panesar and Graeme Swann, all are great bowlers, simple great. Or should i say, awesome.

Everyone knows the problems the swing bowlers caused for the Pakistani batsmen the last tour. Pakistan will have to be extra careful and must have much better technique then last time. No doubt we are now an improved line-up but a collapse is always possible. Plus lucky for Pakistan, the tracks in UAE are more spin then seam friendly. Each one of these bowlers is lethal, and Pakisan can not afford under-estimating any of them.

 Englands batting...wheeewwww...Cook, Pieterson and Trott, in my opinion the main men. Our bowlers consist of Umar Gul, Aizaz Cheema, Junaid Khan, Mohammad Talha, Saeed Ajmal, Abdur Rehman and Mohammad Hafeez. All of there are class bowlers, but i still believe taking 20 English wickets will NOT be an easy job. I believe Umar Gul will really have to not only take the responsibilty of leading the attack, but OWNING IT. If the fast bowlers take a few wickets, thn the spinners cando the rest of the damage.

Will be a tough task for Misbah. He'll be hoping the team
continues their incredible winning form.

My key players in the Pakistani squad:

1) Azhar Ali, with his rock solid technique, he should be the man who provides the base to the line up which has a tendency to collapses. 

2) Mohammad Hafeez, his all-round abilities will be required against the strong English side. Plus, some quick runs at the top would be good to put the opposition under pressure.

3) Younis Khan, his experience and runs will be extremely helpful for Pakistan. Not to forget his exceptional fielding.

4) Umar gul, his experience will be needed. He'll have to lead the bowling attack by example. No doubt will have to step up this series, for his performance will be crucial for the team.

5) Saeed Ajmal, has had an incredible 2011. Would be a great achievement for him to take a lot of wickets against this top England side. Pakistan will need him for that.

6) Umar Akmal, my favouriteeee. So glad hes been recalled! Hes just what the batting line-up needs, an aggressive player that can be called on when quick runs are needed. He will have to step up and play long innings, this is the perfect series for him to prove himself.

 

 This will be an interesting an intriguing series, I CAN NOT WAIT FOR IT TO START.

My prediction for the series is unbiased:

2 england- 1 Pakistan.

England will be a tough team to beat, so Pakistan will really have to step up and play exceptionally.

Goooo team misbaahhhhhh!

:D

"Champions aren't made in the gyms. Champions are made from something they have deep inside them- a desire, a dream, a vision. -Mohammad Ali.

2011 is ALMOST OVER :')

 Except for that one dreaded day, 30th March, this year has been a DREAM RUN, and i am extremely proud of the Pakistani team. They have performed consistently, aggressively and played to their strengths. The best part, not losing a single series in this entire year! A single series! And consider this after all the team went through last year! What an improvement, and of course, what an achievement!
 I'm sure everyone knows all that happened this year, all the teams we beat, so i'm just going to highlight my top performances this year, what we can take from this year, what we can still improve, and what we have to look forward to!
 Woah! I have so many pictures saved in my computer of this year in which the team is celebrating with the trophy! I'm going to keep them safe, so that i can always remember this memorable year.
 Now, one can easily argue that Pakistan has easily been successful due to us playing not too strong sides this year, most of them minnows. That all the sides we played, they may have test status but are not much of a competition. I cant disagree with them, but we have shown a lot of signs of improvement this year, which show we are upto the task for next year!! We have performed consistently, and our bowling has been simply superb. One great sign is how there have been very few batting collapses on our part this year! Our fielding has also improved considerably by each series! We are holding on to our catches, and for once, we have shown signs of a united team that works together and supports each team member. We are performing under the cool captaincy of Misbah Ul Haq, there is no doubt of how much credit goes to him. He has played a huge part in the uprising of this team.
 In every match that we win, its amazing how one person or the other steps up on an important occasion. This year, since we have won a lot, there have been some very spectacular performances! Here are my top 5:


ALL ODIS!


1) I bet ANYONE can guess this! No doubt who gets this spot, right? Boom boom of course!! This spot goes for the AMAZING performance he set up at Sharjah! Very unfortunate for the Sri Lankans eh? His 75 runs were crucial since we were looking on the verge of not even crossing 150, but thanks to him we set a target of 200.

Looking forward to more of this!

And then, Sanga and Mahela were cruising their team to victory, but then boom boom got one to sneak in and hit sangas leg stump! After he was gone, all went one by one, and before we knew it, the match was ours. Which was TOTALLY unexpected, but with boom boom in the team, now us Pak fans have to get ready to expect anything!

2) Wahab riaz! His 5-wicket haul in Mohali...sure this match hold sad memories...but his performance gives us something to be cheery about. In the match our spin bowlers were no use due to Indias immunity towards them, and Umar Gul being thrashed around the park, this guy stepped up to the plate and did just what the doctor ordered. Not to forget getting sehwag's wicket who was looking ever dangerous.

Wahabbb! Where art thou?

3) Mohammad Hafeez for his performance against the West indies in the world cup quarter final. A wonderful opening spell and a greaaat innings. 

Professor! Tusi chagayeee.

4) Umar Akmal's 91 against Sri Lanka in the 2nd odi against Sri Lanka, had he made 9 more runs and not let his aggressiveness take over him, this would have been incredible He had taken Pak on the brink of victory! Luck had been with him till his innings finished. It was a great performance under pressure and proved to the selectors he deserves a place in the team. (Note to selectors, TEST CALLUP)

No doubt, an essential part of Pak's future. Will he
be able to step up to the plate?

5) Ahmed Shahzad's 115 against New Zealand. Many would disagree with this choice i bet, but i personally loved this innings. He hit the ball well and the only guy in the lineup who actually contributed to the final score much. If it werent for this knock, Pak would have no doubt lost this series.

Should be called up again? Or no?

Credit has to be given overall to the whole team for performing throughout the year. Ajmal, Hafeez and Afridi have been superb this year, and amazing together.
Misbah, Hafeez and Akmal have been my best batsmen throughout the year.
Gul has been good with the ball. Not very wicket-taking towards the end, but has kept things tight. He deserves a lot of credit for keeping our fast bowling department in good control after the departure of the two A's.
 We have to take in all the confidence we got this year, and use it against the mighty British. Like misbah said :England is the world's best Test team, but on current form we can beat any team." Agreed.

Next year, a lot of challenges await such as the series against England, the Asia cup and also the t20 world cup in Sri Lanka. If our team stays in this form, i bet our tasks will be a whole lot easier. Here are the points i beleive our team has to watch out on.


1) Batting collapses. Of course. We may be batting well, but are still prone to these. Specially considering our last series against England, and this time theres no Razzaq to take us home. Our batsmen will have to be really careful agaisnt the British swing, and should always be ready to step up to the plate. Our bowlers cant be there to save the match all the time. Afridis return in form will help this a lot, but i still await Misbahs maiden odi ton. Younis will be key here. Although, Sarfaraz Ahmed, the wicketkeeper in Odi's has to fire. He has a great first class average and has shown what hes capable of. He just has to show it in the international level, against England would be a great time.


2) Opening partnership. It has improved now, but still needs a lot of work. Hafeez has been superb, so has Taufeeq for tests, but they havent really made much runs together. Both of them have made a lot of runs, but have been seperated from each other pretty early. A good opening partnership is just what a team needs to put the opponent under pressure.

In odi's, i personally believe Hafeez deserves a new partner, Farhat just wont be good enough for Anderson, Bresnan and Broad. A new opener should be called up, Ahmed shahzad perhaps? Awais Zia? Sharjeel Khan? No Akmal though, please. 

3) Seamers: Our spin bowlers have been fantastic, Rehman, Ajmal, Hafeez, Afridi, simply outstanding. And with Hasan Raza due to join them in future, just woah. But i believe now that we depend too much on them, and when they wont be able to step up, our bowling will be in trouble. Gul, Cheema, Tanvir and Junaid have been our main seamers at the end of the year, all have been good, but not very wicket taking. We will need all of them in fine form if we're gonna get 20 British wickets, and of course attack the spin immune indian line up in the Asia Cup.

4) FIELDING. Our fielding may have improved considerably, but we are still very immune to dropping matches. We really have to be careful, since 30th march will always be there to haunt us.

An incredible year this has been, us Pak fans will remember it for long. We, have risen again, and are upto the major tasks ahead of us.

So just two words to all the fellows out there.

Watch. Out.