December 13, 2011

Time is the best friend for Pakistan cricket in year 2011

Over all in year 2011 every team had tried their best to register best performance in one day cricket, including only big tournament ICC world cup (which was win by India).

Pakistan is on top this year, they pocketed 24 win and lost just 7 one day out of 32 matches.

In year 2011 Pakistan had played six one day series against different nation, all win by green shirts with clear margin (v New Zealand by 3-2, v West Indies by 3-2, v Ireland by 2-0, v Zimbabwe by 3-0, v Sri Lanka by 4-1 and v Bangladesh by 3-0)

I Have never seen this type of unity and discipline in Pakistan cricket team since Imran Khan's era. Shahid Afridi's captaincy during first-half of the year was extremely pleasing, Marvelous and outstanding. He leaded team like a commander-in-chief who never faith on defeat. Later, in second-half of the year Misbah-ul-Haq followed the track of captaincy that was provided by Shahid Afridi.

All Pakistan's players were outstanding during this year especially Saeed Ajmal, Shahid Afridi, Mohammad Hafeez, Misbah-ul-Haq and Umar Akmal. All these had put their fingers on trigger right time, consequently they hitted the target. During whole year, if Pakistan's one department failed, the other never disappointed and this was the basic key of success through out the year.

The most wicket taker for Pakistan this year is Shahid Afridi, who grabbed 45 wickets with average 20.82 and his strikes was 29.8 in 27 ODIs ( Afridi is also the 2nd most wicket taker in One-Day Internationals in year 2011, Malinga is on top with 48 wicket) Shahid Afridi also batted a bit well and scored 462 runs this year. Afridi has also win five times Man of The Match award, which is the 2nd most award in this feat during this year. ( Mohammad Hafeez is on top with six Man of the match award. Shahid Afridi has also hitted most sixes (15) for Pakistan during year 2011.)

Saeed Ajmal is the 2nd most successful bowler for Pakistan who has trapped 34 batsman in just 20 matches this year. his average is praise-able 17.08 with strike rate 29.4. He has improved himself too much this year. Saeed Ajmal is also at No. 1 position in ICC One-Day Internationals rankings, he is followed by Professor Mohammad Hafeez, he is at 2nd position.

Mohammad Hafeez has scored most 1075 runs for Pakistan and also has taken 32 wickets. Hafeez is the only batsman who had hitted 100-plus boundaries for Pakistan (125 fours - 13 sixes).

Mohammad Hafeez looks very busy player in this year who has bowled 229 overs ( equal to 1374 balls ), which is the most numbers of overs bowled by any bowler in One-Day Internationals this year. Hafeez has also faced 1408 balls which is the 5th most ball faced by any player in One-Day Internationals this year. This really shows that how he was busy in year 2011.

Captain Misbah-ul-Haq also shine with bat who scored 964 runs with 53.55 average, with 9 fifties and with out hundred.

Pakistan batting department was bit slow and lazy this year, only five centuries comes for Pakistan, three by Mohammad Hafeez and two by Ahmed Shehzad.

Pakistan's bowler had taken five times five-wickets haul in this year, Shahid Afridi four time and Wahab Riaz one time. this shows who Pakistan was dependent on Shahid Afridi in bowling department.

To the sum-up we can say "Really time is the best friend for Pakistan cricket in year 2011"

December 11, 2011

List of test hundreds by Younis Khan

Younis Khan is a big name in Pakistan's test cricket history and he is also a back-bone in team these days - here is a complete list of his test tons with pictures - also please note that mentioned dates means that test started on that dates --- 1 - Younis Khan's 1st test hundred was against SL in his debut test, he scored 107 in Rawalpindi on 26 Feb 2000 (Sri Lanka won by 2 wickets)
2 - Younis Khan's 2nd test hundred was against Sri Lanka in Galle, he scored 116 on 21 Jun 2000 (Pakistan won by an innings and 163 runs)
3 - Younis Khan's 3rd test hundred was against New Zealand in Auckland on 8 Mar 2001, he scored 149* (Pakistan won by 299 runs)
4 - Younis Khan's 4th test hundred was v Bangladesh in Chittagong on 16 Jan 2002, he scored 119 (Pakistan won by inn & 169 runs)
5 - Younis Khan's 5th test hundred was v West Indies in Sharjah on 7 Feb 2002, he scored 153 (Pakistan won by 244 runs) Younis Khan was also man of the match in that test
6 - Younis Khan's 6th test hundred was v Sri Lanka in Karachi on 28 Oct 2004, he scored 124 (Pakistan won by 6 wickets)
7 - Younis Khan's 7th test hundred was v India in Kolkata on 16 Mar 2005, he scored 147 (India won by 195 runs)
8 - Younis Khan's 8th test hundred was v India in Bangalore on 24 Mar 2005, he scored 267 (Pakistan won by 168 runs)- Younis Khan was also man of the match in that test
9 - Younis Khan's 9th test hundred was v West Indies in Kingston on 3 Jun 2005, he scored 106 (Pakistan won by 136 runs)
10 - Younis Khan's 10th test hundred was v India in Lahore on 13 Jan 2006, he scored 199 (Match drawn)
11 - Younis Khan's 11th test hundred was v India in Faisalabad on 21 Jan 2006, he scored 194 (Match drawn)
12 - Younis Khan's 12th test hundred was v England in Leeds on 4 Aug 2006, he scored 173 (England won by 167 runs)- Younis Khan was also man of the match in that test
13 Younis Khan's 13th test hundred was v South Africa in Karachi on 1 Oct 2007, he scored 126 (South Africa won by 160 runs)
14 Younis Khan's 14th test hundred was v South Africa in Lahore on 8 Oct 2007, he scored 130 (Match drawn)
15 - Younis Khan's 15th test hundred was v India in Kolkata on 30 Nov 2007, he scored 107* -(Match drawn)- This was his first test hundred as a captain - and Younis Khan was also man of the match in that test
16 - Younis Khan's 16th test hundred was v Sri Lanka in Karachi on 21 Feb 2009, he scored 313 -(Match drawn)- Younis Khan was man of the match in that test - He was also captain in that and he also became the 3rd Pakistani to score triple-hundred in test after Hanif Muhammad (337 v West Indies in 1958 in Bridgetown) and Inzamam ul Haq (329 v New Zealand in 2002 in Lahore)
17 - Younis Khan's 17th test hundred was v South Africa in Dubai (DSC) on 12 Nov 2010, he scored 131* (Match drawn)- Younis Khan was also man of the match in that test
18 - Younis Khan's 18th test hundred was v Sri Lanka in Sharjah on 3 Nov 2011, he scored 122 (Match drawn)
19 - Younis Khan's 19th test hundred is v Bangladesh in Chittagong in December 2011 (recent test that start on 9th December), he scored 200* - This is his third double-hundred including a triple-hundred

December 9, 2011

Australia roaring cricket against New Zealand as both are re-growing

Australia and New Zealand are in team re-growing cultures, but Australia is a little bit ahead after grooming couple of debutant young monsters like James Pattinson and Pat Cummins.

The 2nd test ( had started on 9 December) between these two arouse, will be good for Australian selectors points of views for upcoming series against giant India. India is very positive in his test game after since West Indies series that they pocketed 2-0 clear margin.
New Zealand are chasing their first win in Hobart after a heavy defeats in the 1993 and two draw in 1997 and in 2001. But their record in Australia is now just two wins from 26 tests and only the most optimistic Ricky Ponting would give them much hope of improving that over the next few days.

Ricky Ponting is facing some hard luck with his bat and fortune, tho he has scored fifties in his each last two innings. Last time he scored a century was against Pakistan in early 2010 when he smashed 209 runs at his home ground Hobart. Ponting is preparing for what may be the seventh and last test on his home pitch, because there will be no test match between Australia and India in upcoming series that is going to be started on famous Boxing Day this month.

Overall, Australia had played 51 test matches so far against New Zealand with dominating 27-7 clear margin, while 17 test ended in draw. at their own soil Australia always shows out standing result against New Zealand. They had played 27 test so far against NZ with extra dominating leading 15-2, while just 10 test ended in draw.

Australia had won 12 test series against New Zealand, and in all these 12 series they have white-washed New Zealand. since 1993/94 Australia had played 8 test series against New Zealand, seven goes to Australian side while one ended in draw. ( Don't forget New Zealand will bounce back for draw in current 2011/12 series).

Now put all these lines one side and think for a while - They had been played mutually 21 test series (including current series 2011/12 ) and all these series were consist on three test matches or less. There is no test series between them that consist on four test matches or more - have a big cup of coffee and think Why???

December 7, 2011

Pakistan cricket is twinkling with super stars who lives on Earth

Pakistan is at florescence in his cricket winning track now a day, winning against Bangladesh with clean sweep is like a punching at tigers face who always roar in their dwells.

This is the fourth such series clean sweep against Bangladesh, It means Pakistan has washed them 4th time in one-dayer cricket. The only time tigers were in their perfect mood against Pakistan in 1999 world cup.

Pakistan bowling attack is one of the best these days, their control, swinging, gripping, Doosra, Teesra and their tackling techniques all are hilarious factors which boost their bowling attack. And all these are spinners who are crazy with ball.

This is the first time in cricket history that two spinner of same country are at top two position at a time. And amazingly top four positions are grabbed by spinners in ICC one day bowlers rankings (Saeed Ajmal, Mohammad Hafeez, Daniel Vettori, Graeme Swann. If Saeed Ajmal, Mohammad Hafeez and Shahid Afridi performance continues in upcoming series against England that is decemscheduled in U.A.E, then no wonder these trio will be at top three positions in ICC ODIs bowlers rankings. As an all-rounder Mohammad Hafeez is at two and Shahid Afridi is at four position. that means they are key all-rounder in Pakistan's troops.

Misbah-ul-Haq is a very cool and wise captain who have good ability to utilize bowlers techniques as well as their mental approach.Being a captain his performance is wonderful, and being a batsman his performance is superb. During a match His attitude towards players is like a commander in chief, and in dressing room his attitude is like a true friend - This is a beauty of good leadership.

Hoping Pakistan will perform perfectly in remaining tour of Bangladesh (just two test matches are to be tossed with starting first on 9th December). Shahid Afridi will not be part of test squad as he had already discontinued that format. These two test matches will inject more confidence and players performance to predict selection for bilateral series against England.

December 6, 2011

"Coaching in the Cricket is not easy. It's like a nervous breakdown with a paycheck"

It is not surprising that Pakistan cricket Board (PCB) makes jokes with team's performance by replacing or sacking coaches when ever there is very Important series or international event.

The biggest loss were observed when former legendary batsman Javed Miandad resigns as coach just a month before start of 1999 world cup. That badly Impacted on Pakistan team performance in final, and they bowled out at just 132 runs. if there would be Javed Miandad as a coach, the result would be different. No doubt Pakistan's performance was outstanding in that world cup, but the finish was very horrible, this was right time when they were needed a mature and classic coach who could stimulate Pakistan team in final.

Now the PCB chairman, Zaka Ashraf should think (if he understand cricket) that when Pakistan team is shining under coaching of Mohsin Khan, then what is need of replacing him?

Mohsin Khan is doing his job like an angel, his working relationship to team players is outstanding and praise-able. He really understand how to teach a player when some one is feeling unknown issue with bat and ball. when ever a player feels hesitation to overcome his bad technique or wrong placing, it's time for best and foresighted coach who automatically understand that issue.

No doubt, Pakistan cricket team performance is gradually improving since last October (2010), but since Mohsin Khan appointed as interim coach, the team performance is hilarious. And we also know that a month ago, Mohsin Khan handed option to PCB for his future, and said "I haven't applied for the coaching job but if they [the PCB] ask me to carry on, I'd love to do so."

Pakistan tour to Bangladesh will be ended on 21st of this month (December)then a big series ahead against No.1 test nation, and that will be a real test for green shirts. If PCB is really interested to restore cricket in Pakistan then they must have to unite team's dressing rooms culture neat and clean, and that's can be only done if they have national coach.

National coach is always sincere with team players as well as with Pakistan cricket. good example can be observed now-a-days. In my point of views, Mohsin Khan is the best in current situation for upcoming series (against England In U.A.E, he is doing his job like a parents.

December 5, 2011

Is it 'that' West Indies or New comer in Cricket Status?

If we try to recall peak era of West Indies, our body would re-start Shivering Lyrics for a while and some big name will hover in our mind like Malcolm Marshall, Sir VIV Richards, Michael Holding, Gordon Greenidge, Desmond Haynes i.e long list.

There is no doubt they were mighty in 1970s and 1980s with pocketing maiden world cup as well as second world cup too. There commitment with game was fabulous even can be derived as marvelous. They never worry where are they playing and who is there rival, thy always overcome with bat, ball, field and attitude that was worth watching too.

since the evaluation of one-dayer cricket to 1979, there performance was screwing. In that period they won 17 one day matches out of 23, that was best winning ratio (2.83) compared to all other nations.

They did not stoped their delicious performance in one day cricket in 1980s though they could not win any world cup in that decade but played 1983 wold cup final against India and they go down to the worst performance, and they finally lost that.

West Indies were really king of cricket in that of 1980s. They won 122 one day matches out of 170, again holding best winning ratio (2.65) among all nations. That decade was really one of the peak era of West Indies cricket team and in that period they ten times whitewashed their opponents on different occasions.

With the retirement of skies names Clive Lloyd in 1985, Joel Garner 1987, Gordon Greenidge 1991, Sir Viv Richards 1991 and Malcolm Marshall 1992, West Indies went into depth of defeats in 1990s. They developed a fashion of defeats which could not divert till now. No doubts there produced some big names like Brain Lara, Courtney Walsh, Carl Hooper and many others who performed excellent in that decade but unfortunately they could not stop the defeat's run-way, And they could only won 96 one day matches out of 195 and their winning ratio decline to 1.07 in 1990s. What happened to that windies who never accept defeats in cricket fields as well as in papers analysis.

Since the start of 2000s West Indies went into a fix that never resolve their problems and also could not find their weakness even that all weakness were clearly visible. Their harsh management had put west indies into a wrong track where they also did not know how to come back. They are careless how to judge talent and how to preserve and polish that talent. WICB since 2007, is worse board in cricket, who always shocks their players as well as others too.

In 2000s West Indies had won only 94 one day out of 232 matches, winning ratio was down to hell 0.76. And that decade had iced windies team to settle at one place, i.e never to win even nor tried to win.