Story The Re-birth Of Pakistani Cricket

[Dr. Pepper]

n00bs McGee
Alam Announces Pakistan Squad
A new era for Pakistani Cricket?
................................................​

Pakistani Cricket just had one problem after another. From the banning of Shoaib Akhtar to the 2006 "cheating controversy" to the death of Bob Woolmer. Nothing seemed to have gone their way. But with a new coach, Intikhab Alam, perhaps some light will be shed on the dying Pakistani Cricket team.

Intikhab Alam's first job was to select the Pakistani XII for the first test match against India. Not only pride was at stake here. The Indian Cricket team took a huge risk by touring Pakistan whilst they were in a terrible state security wise, but Pakistan are out to prove that they can host games in their country, and most notably the ICC Champions Trophy.

Alam decided not to be totally bold, infact he went with a very well known line up. The XII for the first test is as follows;

1. I Farhat
2. S Butt
3. M Yousuf
4. F Alam
5. Y Khan
6. S Afridi
7. K Akmal
8. D Kaneria
9. M Asif
10. U Gul
11. M Sami
12. S Malik​

One would think; a new coach, a new era for Pakistani Cricket, a new team? However Alam has played it safe and not duly delivered. The positives are that the team is very experienced and have proven before that they are capable of beating top teams.

With an opening partnership that have a combined First Class average of 86, you would expect them to transfer that average to Test Cricket. Salman Butt and Imran Farhat only have a combined Test average of 62 though.

Debuting for Pakistan will be Shehzad Mailk. The 31 year old has been over-looked for a long time despite having a solid FC average of 40.07. Alam said that Malik was ready for the step up to Test level, and would replace the injured Misbah Ul-Haq perfectly.

Misbah Ul-Haq will miss the whole Test series due to a broken finger. However, Intikhab Alam is not worried about that and believes he has adequate cover.

The middle order is one of the best in the world with Younis Khan and Mohammad Yousuf being placed in the centre. The two are in sublime form and are two of the best batsmen in the world. Alam said that he thought that they were both in contention for Player of The Year if they excell themselves this year.

The wicket-keeping slot was given to Kamran Akmal and the all-rounder's to Shahid Afridi. Akmal should count himself lucky that Alam decided to play it safe or his place could've been taken by someone such as Asad Shafiq who has been an instant hit in the domestic scene.

The bowling line up consists of Mohammad Asif, Mohammad Sami, Umar Gul and Danish Kaneria. A lot of fans are very angry at the selection of Asif, and the instant of return of him to the Pakistani side after his drug charges. Sami, who started his career off majestically, was never able to continue his fine form through-out but coach Alam says Sami can perform.

At the press conference - Intikhab Alam had this to say;

"I feel that this side is very, very strong. It is definitely capable of beating a full strength Indian side. We just need confidence. Once we get that, then we will be fine. There are no issues here. All the players are getting a long with each other. The talk of disputes is utter nonsense.

Misbah Ul-Haq is out for the whole Test series due to a broken finger. He will be out indefinitely, but will definitely not take part in any of the Test matches. I think Misbah is a quality player but I also feel we have enough quality players waiting for a call up not to worry.

Mohammad Asif has made mistakes in the past but he is deeply sorry. He has come out and apologised publicly, privately and everywhere inbetween. I think he is totally sincere about this. He is definitely good enough to be in the side and now this saga is over, we can move on and focus on the actual Cricket."

Man D rules.

 

[Zohaib]

Good start to the story

 

[saladguy]

Good start Mani, it's always good for a new coach not to make any risks and stick to a safe line-up.

 

[Jaztheman]

Very experienced squad for sure, but they have India so that team was expected. Hopefully Pakistan can get into some brilliant form against India and whitewash them.

Great start, Mani.

 

[shantanu_rooney]

A very strong squad for Pakistan. India would be tough but still any can happen in India-Pakistan game. Good start Mani and looking forward for more.

 

[Dr. Pepper]

n00bs McGee - 1st December 2008

Pakistan vs India - 1st Test Preview
Ganguly wins the toss and elects to bat​

The skys were clear, the pitch was turning a bit and the birds were singing...OK let's forget the latter. One thing was for certain though; the weather wouldn't stop this game. The forecast for the whole five days was sun, sun and some more sun.

Both teams fielded very well known sides, with the exception of one from India. MS Dhoni was shockingly dropped for the first Test. He was replaced by 23 year old Krishankumar Karthik, whose played 30 Test matches in his career. The teams:

I Farhat                                    V Sehwag
S Butt                                      G Gambhir
Y Khan (c)                                 R Dravid
M Yousuf                                  S Tendulkar
F Alam                                      VVS Laxman
S Afridi                                     S Ganguly (c)
K Akmal (+)                               K Karthik (+)
M Sami                                      A Kumble
U Gul                                        H Singh
D Kaneria                                   Z Khan
M Asif                                       RP Singh

Pakistan captain, Younis Khan, called heads but lost. Saurav Ganguly decided that he would bat first on a pitch that was looking to be batting biased slightly. Ganguly said this after the toss;

"This is a great pitch to win the toss on. At the moment it looks like we can make a very big score. The pitch is hardly turning, the skies are clear and the weather is nice and warm. Perfect for batting. Then eventually once we've finished our batting, the pitch will've worn down.

It will be great to bowl on with our very good bowling line up. I can see us winning this game here. The toss was very important."

Younis Khan was still very up-beat, happy even;

"Well to be perfectly honest, we wanted to bowl first anyway. This pitch may not look like much to bowl on at the moment but I feel that our bowling line up is good enough to get something out of it.

There are a few cracks at the moment; Asif, Sami and Gul are definitely capable of opening up these cracks and using them to their advantage. We have a very experienced line up, and it is on home turf which can help us a lot as well.

We know these pitches inside out so that's why I wanted to bowl first anyway. I think if we restrict India to under 300 then we can definitely win this game. Our batting line up is very experienced as well, we can use that to our advantage."

 

[Zohaib]

it say dravid won the toss under Pakistan vs India then it says Saurav Ganguly decided to bat just change that

good update

 

[Dr. Pepper]

n00bs error that but I can't seem to see it =/.

Zorax, seriously, where you been? Man D rules.

 

[shantanu_rooney]

Well looks like a good decision by Ganguly batting first. Good strong Indian team as well. Gonna be a thriller. KIU Mani

 

[Dr. Pepper]

n00bs error has been fixed, it was in the title lol. Anyway, thanks for the comments . You guys rule more than Man D rules.

 

[Aditya]

Great story.

 

[Dr. Pepper]

Pakistan embarrass India's batting line up
A shocking total of 162 all out at the hands of Pakistan

Two of the most fiercesome openers in the world stood up-right to face two of the most fiercesome bowlers in the world. Virender Sehwag and Gautam Gambhir were ready to start their duel with Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Sami.

Gambhir thought he was in for a great ride after starting off the innings with a four but he wasn't able to keep up with the pace and swing of Mohammad Sami. Sami pitched the ball at a good line and length but had more in store for Gambhir. With late swing and sheer pace, Gambhir was well beaten and was caught behind after a thick edge.

The next man to step up to the crease was "The Wall". None other than Rahul Dravid. Dravid had a keen sense for runs in his eyes, as he began to get settled in whilst hitting a couple of fours in the progress.

Pakistan made a change in the bowling attack in hope of a wicket. Mohammad Asif was replaced by Umar Gul to try and break a quickly worrying partnership. And Gul did just that! His delivery to Dravid was a fantastic one, one justly taking the wicket of one of the Cricketing greats. A quick in swinger took off Dravid's middle stump with no worries whatsoever.

Out with one legend; in with another. Sachin Tendulkar was Rahul Dravid's successor out at the crease, taking over with India at 44-2. Having only added 4 more runs after the previous wicket, Virender Sehwag was trapped LBW by Mohammad Sami for his second wicket. Another inswinger and another victim for Mohammad Sami.

VVS Laxman walked out as cool as a cucumber despite the nervy situation. He was no stranger to the problem at hand. But not even he could help. After just three balls, VVS Laxman walked back to the pavilion with his hands on his head...I mean helmet. He misjudged a delivery and got a thick edge from the delivery, consequently giving Kamran Akmel an easy catch.

Sourav Ganguly and Sachin Tendulkar were together at the crease. They were more familiar to opening together, but in this position, it was literally opening the batting.

The partnership didn't last long though as Umar Gul clean bowled another player. The little master; Sachin Tendulkar was clean bowled and another middle stump went flying off.

The final batter came out to the crease, Krishankumar Karthik. The twenty-three year old was unexpectedly called up to this game and had a lot of pressure on his shoulders.

After a fantastic opening spell from Mohammad Sami, taking 3 vital wickets, he was given a rest for Mohammad Asif. Asif managed to take his first wicket of the game, and it was keeper - Karthik. Karthik, just swung his bat with hopes that it would get him some runs. Unfortunately for him it was caught easily by Mohammad Sami.

With a few more overs gone, Danish Kaneria was brought on. With about 10 very quiet overs played after the previous wicket, the umpires called the lunch break. Pakistan were definitely the happier of the two teams; having restricted to India to a shocking 91-6.

Pakistan captain, Younis Khan decided to go back to his fiery bowlers. He brought Mohammad Sami and Umar Gul back on for the start of the new session. The tactical decision worked with Umar Gul taking the wicket of Anil Kumble. Kumble, regrettably, came out for a delivery from Gul and misjudged the swing. He was caught LBW as Gul celebrated.

After only a few overs, Khan brought Danish Kaneria back on to the bowling attack. He also put Shahid Afridi in the spot-light, in hope of a wicket.

Kaneria's spell was economical to say the least. Having bowled 10 overs, he conceded a measly 5 runs, with 5 maidens. However no wicket was taken and he was taken off the attack.

Shahid Afridi took the wicket of the dangerman; Sourav Ganguly. Ganguly was beaten by spin and just tapped the ball to silly point for Mohammad Yousuf to catch with ease.

Asif bamboozled Harbhajan Singh with his pace trapping him LBW to take the 9th wicket. However a few lucky shots later, and India had reached the 150 mark which looked impossible at one stage.

Mohammad Sami wrapped up the innings with a fantastic delivery popping the leg stump out of the ground. Zaheer Khan went for 13 with RP Singh left on 10 not out. India were embarrassingly all out for 162 with no one getting over 50. The only player who made a respectable score was Sourav Ganguly with 47.

 

[Zohaib]

Pakistan bowled really well.

nice presentation

 

[Jaztheman]

Very poor batting performance from India there, although the Paksitan bowling attack was terrific. Kaneria was unbelievably economical. All the bowlers were fantastic, including Sami who was rampant. Hopefully you can bat just as well as you bowled.

Good stuff, Mani.

 

[Dr. Pepper]

Scorecard has been added. It took forever to make so appreciate it bitches.