Sunday, July 18, 2010

Malik should've been made the captain: Lawson

Former Pakistan coach Geoff Lawson labelled out-of-favour former captain Shoaib Malik as the ideal and ‘obvious’ choice to lead the team instead of Salman Butt following Shahid Afridi’s decision to retire from Test cricket with immediate effect due to injury and ‘lack of Test temperament’.

Malik, who was omitted in favour of youth for the first Test at Lord’s, was first appointed captain in April 2007 following Pakistan’s first-round exit in the 50-over World Cup. However, after impressive results against minnows and poor show against potent opposition, Malik was eventually replaced by Younus Khan with his stained relationship with seniors deemed integral to his downfall.

Lawson, sacked as coach after only year-and-a-half into his two-year contract, reckoned that Malik was handed captaincy too early in the past and given that the current squad is full of youngsters, Pakistan has no choice but to rename Malik as captain.

“It might’ve been premature to name him captain then,” Lawson told The Express Tribune following Pakistan’s 150-run loss at Lord’s. “But three years on, he’s certainly capable of being captain again. To me, he’s the obvious choice. He’s well respected by the younger players and the seniors that had problems with him aren’t in the team.

“In 2007, he was a reluctant captain. He was young and wanted to concentrate on his cricket. Now he’s matured and given Pakistan’s penchant for changing captains regularly, I’d say you should give it to him and move forward.”

Malik led Pakistan in three Tests but was unable to win any of them. Of the 36 One-Day Internationals (ODIs) he captained Pakistan in, they won 24, including a record 12 consecutive wins. Malik was also incharge of the team in the inaugural World Twenty20 where Pakistan agonisingly fell short of the target in the final against India.

“Malik did a good job as captain and at that time he was learning how to lead a side. He was taking the right steps in the right direction and if he’s named as Afridi’s successor, I don’t think it’ll be a step backwards by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).”

Lawson also showed apprehension in the board’s decision to name Butt, Afridi’s deputy, as the Test captain. Butt, who scored 63 and 92 in the first Test, was lauded by Afridi in the post-match press conference but Lawson wanted the PCB not to appoint the opener as captain for the sake of his career.

“Butt’s a good choice as vice-captain but he’s years away from being a captain. I would’ve let him concentrate on his batting because he’s probably the best batsman they have right now. He has captaincy potential but throwing him in at this stage will crucify him.”

© Faras Ghani 2010
Published in The Express Tribune July 18, 2010

Saturday, July 17, 2010

Afridi retires from Test cricket

Barely over a year after Younus Khan announced his retirement from Twenty20 internationals following Pakistan’s triumphant 2009 World Twenty20 campaign at Lord’s, Pakistan’s Test captain Shahid Afridi announced that the second Test against Australia next week will be his last.

The decision to end his short-lived return to the longest format of the game – after a four-year self-exile – came in the wake of Pakistan’s 13th consecutive Test defeat against Australia – a 150-run loss on the fourth day of the first Test at Lord’s.

“A captain should set an example for the youngsters and for his team and I didn’t show any of that in the Test,” said Afridi, who was dismissed for a four-ball two slogging Marcus North to midwicket. “I’m not capable of playing Test cricket and if I play cricket like this, then it’s better to leave.

“I don’t have Test temperament and you can’t play without that. It’s better to have young players, a genuine batsman or a genuine bowler to lead the team.”

Afridi also blamed a side injury, picked up during the Asia Cup last month, as another reason to walk away from Test cricket. While refusing to confirm his fitness level, it will not be surprising if Afridi is unable to take on the field at Headingley in the Test that starts on Wednesday.

“Unless you’re 100 per cent fit, you can’t perform in Test matches. I’m not 100% right now and things may become clearer in a day or two.”

Afridi was appointed captain of all three formats of the game by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) just before naming the team for the 2010 World Twenty20, Pakistan’s title-defence in the West Indies. Then, reluctant to make a Test comeback, Afridi refused to commit his long-term future to Test cricket but opting to take up the captaincy due to the lack of options the PCB had.

In the wake of the Australian whitewash earlier in the year, former captains Mohammad Yousuf, Younus Khan and Shoaib Malik were banned by the PCB and although Malik made his comeback courtesy a change-of-heart at the board, Yousuf and Younus are still in the wilderness due to various reasons.

“I took up the captaincy because the PCB told me to go have a look and see if I still enjoy Test cricket. At that time, they had no other choice so I took the responsibility. But it’s difficult to get back into it after such a long absence. My temperament is not good enough for five-day cricket and I’m struggling with injury as well so it’s best if I step down.”

However, PCB officials have confirmed that PCB Chairman Ijaz Butt has spoken to Yousuf and requested the former captain to reconsider his decision to retire from international cricket. While Yousuf may join the team as early as the first Test against England in Nottingham, Younus, currently playing for Surrey, confirmed to The Express Tribune that he has no such plans as things stand.

According to Afridi, however, Salman Butt, who scored 63 and 92 in the match, seems a natural successor to lead the young squad.

“Butt is showing maturity, he’s batting well and playing good cricket and I think he’s good enough to lead the team but the final decision will have to be made by the board.”

© Faras Ghani 2010
Published in The Express Tribune July 17, 2010

Thursday, July 15, 2010

Amir finds his feet in England

Mohammad Aamer returned to the venue of his first-over burst against Sri Lanka last year which ignited Pakistan’s spirited performance in the final of the 2009 World Twenty20 and continued from where he left off.

Then, with a white ball in front of a capacity crowd on a sunny solstice afternoon, Aamer jolted the opposition with a inspired barrage of short balls resulting in Tillekaratne Dilshan’s prized scalp. On Tuesday, with drizzle, dampness and a stack of empty seats at Lord’s, Aamer dictated proceedings yet again.

Denied a wicket in the third over of the day, Aamer, mostly operating with four slips and effectively implementing the newly-acquired skill of bringing the ball back into the right-hander, finished with his second-best figures in a Test innings, four for 72.

However, Simon Katich, the Australian opener who benefited from the umpire’s decision early on in the innings, remained confident his bowlers can replicate the swing and movement Aamer and Mohammad Asif used for Pakistan’s benefit.

“It was a tough day throughout but if the conditions stay put, as they were while we were batting, Pakistan will certainly find it difficult,” said Katich following close of play on Tuesday. “Credit to Aamer as well who’s an outstanding young bowler. We were impressed with him when he played in Australia on those flat pitches as he bowled with good pace. He’s certainly a good prospect for Pakistan.”

Pakistan vice-captain Salman Butt echoed Katich’s view on Pakistan’s bowling but reminded his batsmen of the hard work ahead of they were to end their 15-year losing streak against Australia.

“Bowling first, we wanted to dismiss them for under 200 given the conditions,” said Butt. “They got a couple of good partnerships going but out third session comeback got things under control for us. We now need to ensure we bat sensibly.”

Unfortunately for Pakistan, their batsmen failed to take cue from their bowlers and finished 105 runs short of Australia’s first-innings total to hand the initiative back to the ‘tourists’.

© Faras Ghani 2010
Published in The Express Tribune July 15, 2010

Wednesday, July 14, 2010

Inclusion of youngsters a good sign: Ramiz

Former Pakistan captain Ramiz Raja has lauded the team management’s decision to include two debutants in the playing eleven for the first Test against Australia that started at Lord’s yesterday.

Pakistan, missing the experienced middle-order duo of Mohammad Yousuf and Younus Khan, decided to omit allrounder Shoaib Malik and batsman Yasir Hameed while opting for Umar Amin and Azhar Ali as the 199th and 200th players to represent Pakistan in Test cricket.

“Including youngsters is a terrific sign from Pakistan for the future,” Raja told The Express Tribune. “This should’ve been done much earlier but it’s never too late to look forward to the future. Unfortunately, we’re missing the experienced batsmen but I’ve seen the duo and I think they’re strong mentally and physically to withstand the challenge.”

Pakistan chief selector Mohsin Khan had earlier expressed his concerns regarding introducing youngsters on a ‘difficult tour’ and was initially reluctant to name uncapped individuals for the series against Australia and England.

Raja, citing the example of Malik who made his Test debut as a 19-year-old, said Pakistan cricket had suffered enough with the board’s over reliance on seniors.

“There’s no harm in giving youngsters a chance no matter how difficult the tour is. You’re facing Australia in alien conditions and testing them here will test their character. Even if they can only manage half an hour at the crease, it’s an experience for them, something that will come in handy for them and for Pakistan going forward.”

© Faras Ghani 2010
Published in The Express Tribune July 14, 2010

Tuesday, July 13, 2010

Pakistan aim to settle score at Lord's


Shahid Afridi leads a mercurial Pakistan into the first Test at Lord’s today aiming for a milestone the team has not achieved in almost 15 years: beat Australia in a Test match.

Pakistan last defeated Australia in December 1995 under Wasim Akram’s captaincy and despite returning to the ground where Afridi’s leg-bye took Pakistan to the 2009 World Twenty20 glory, the captain has opted to remain more focussed on performance rather than results.

“It’s true that we’ve not beaten them for 15 years but winning or losing doesn’t really matter at this stage,” said Afridi on the eve of the match. “We need to play good cricket and forget what has happened in the past – the series whitewash in Australia, the World Twenty20 last year. This is a totally different scenario and they’re one of the best sides in the world when it comes to Tests.”

The Test will be the first neutral Test since 1912 and both captains agreed that taking the field at Lord’s and not playing the hosts will be a weird feeling.

While the feelings remained mutual, the results coming into the two-match series have remained contrasting. Pakistan won back-to-back matches against Australia with a pleasing performance in the tour-matches. Australia, prior to the Twenty20 whitewash, lost the One-Day International series against the hosts 3-2.

“Playing at a neutral venue is definitely different and difficult but we are now getting used to it. England is a good place to play cricket and what we have watched of England playing Australia and Bangladesh, the pitches look different and batsmen-friendly. So I expect a good batting pitch at Lord’s.”

While Pakistan seem keen to introduce youngsters in the side following the forced absence of former captains Mohammad Yousuf and Younus Khan, Australian captain Ricky Ponting, who has scored almost 1,500 Test runs against Pakistan at an average of 76, remained unperturbed by what the youth may offer.

“They’ve had a few changes in their side but there’s no real surprise for us in there,” said Ponting.

“None of the current players will worry us too much as they’ve lost their classiest batsman [Mohammad Yousuf], the guy who looked the most dangerous in Australia [during Pakistan’s tour]. But as with any Pakistani side, this one’s got flare and there’s a lot of excitement about them.

“We just need to ensure that we don’t give them a chance to play their best cricket.”

Keeping Australia’s recent results in mind, Afridi termed the Lord’s Test a great opportunity to turn the tables against the opposition Pakistan has not done well against in the past – winning only 11 of the 55 Tests played between the two countries.

“If we play to our potential, we can certainly beat them. They don’t have Shane Warne, Glen McGrath and Matthew Hayden. We have a really good chance to do well against them. Our bowling’s our strength and I hope if we put a good total, our bowlers will pose a lot of problems for them.”

© Faras Ghani 2010
Published in The Express Tribune July 13, 2010

Monday, July 12, 2010

Younus, Yousuf absence will help us: Hussey

Australian batsman Michael Hussey has termed the absence of Younus Khan and Mohammad Yousuf a blessing for Australia and predicted it will be difficult for Pakistan to post big scores as a result.

Hussey, Pakistan’s destroyer-in-chief in their World Twenty20 title-defence, praised Pakistan’s bowling attack but said the opposition will be heavily tested in the first Test at Lord’s that starts tomorrow.

“I think whatever happened in Australia at the start of the year is history as both teams will start afresh come the first Test,” said Hussey following Australia’s training session at Lord’s yesterday. “They’re playing with confidence now but will be heavily tested especially given they’re without Younus and Yousuf, two outstanding and classy players.

“It’s a big loss and it’ll be very, very hard for Pakistan to find those runs that they scored, especially in Test cricket.”

Australia, following their loss in the final of the 2010 World Twenty20 to England, have not had the best of times since arriving in England. The World Champions lost the One-Day International series against the hosts 3-2 before being whitewashed in the two-match Twenty20 series against Pakistan. Hussey, however, remained confident of an improved performance in the longer format of the game.

“Traditionally, we’re slow starters in England. We’ve been a bit scratchy but now we’ve been here for a month and should be accustomed to the conditions.”

Wary of a transformed Pakistan side, Hussey labelled their bowling attack as the key to success in the series together with the confidence attained from winning the Twenty20s.

“They have the confidence and really outplayed us and seem to have that winning belief.”

© Faras Ghani 2010
Published in The Express Tribune July 12, 2010

Sunday, July 11, 2010

Afridi’s approach the ingredient: Shafqat

Following a run of 12 consecutive losses – and shouts of conspiracy, disharmony and infighting complemented aptly by dropped catches and missed runouts – Pakistan’s remarkable turnaround against Australia, albeit in Twenty20 internationals, is courtesy the reformed individual that is Shahid Afridi, as gallantly put forward by the team management.

A mere team member during the attrition in Australia, Afridi had no role to play in Test matches and the one-off Twenty20 but promised much with the bat and ball in hand – and ball in mouth – in the One-Day Internationals (ODI). However, according to the team’s associate manager Shafqat Rana, Afridi, now the team captain, has had a huge role in the current reversal and it has been his zealous approach that has helped the team deliver the results despite the lack of experience in the side.

“We don’t have big names in the team any more,” Rana told The Express Tribune in Birmingham following the Twenty20 series-win. “However, now is the time that we’re creating big names of the future. We’re performing, winning and keeping confident. And most of this is down to Afridi’s captaincy. His approach has made all the difference and this is the main difference from the tour of Australia to now.”

Lack of options promoted Afridi

Afridi was appointed captain of all three formats prior to the 2010 World Twenty20 where Pakistan’s title-defence faltered in the semi-final against Australia. Rana agreed that the decision was more due to lack of options but added that the board and the team management had entrusted Afridi with responsibilities that has helped him nurture his game as well.

“In school, you make the naughtiest boy the class monitor. We did the same with Afridi and given the responsibility, he’s become a changed man. You see him leading from the front, backing up his bowlers after each delivery and actually using his brains.

“The management has given him total freedom. In selection committee meetings, if he wants to play an individual and even if the rest disagree, Afridi gets to have his say since he’ll be leading the team on the field. However, he understands what is required of him and never makes unjust requests.”

With the changes at the helm, Rana believed Pakistan had the capacity to become the force they once were and flee the nadir and mediocrity of seven months ago. “Australia is the best team in the world. Our losses were a thing of the past. This is a new chapter, a new part of history that we’ve created.”

Patience key in Tests

However, in a similar manner to the captain and coach Waqar Younis, Rana remained apprehensive going into the two-match Test series, especially given the short changeover time between the two formats on the tour.

“The shorter the format becomes, the better we’ll get because we simply don’t have much patience. We’ll go out and start hitting from the third over. Six back-to-back Tests will test our patience. It’s a huge challenge ahead of us.”

© Faras Ghani 2010
Published in The Express Tribune July 11, 2010

Thursday, July 08, 2010

Clarke wary of Pakistan's pace


Australia may have lost back-to-back Twenty20 internationals against Pakistan but according to their Twenty20 captain and Test vice-captain Michael Clarke, his team’s worries against Pakistan’s pace attack will persist in the forthcoming two-match Test series.

While Pakistan’s fast-bowlers – Mohammad Aamer, Shoaib Akhtar, Abdul Razzaq and the returning Umar Gul – took 10 out of the 20 wickets to fall, it was the speed and the movement that worried the Australian batsmen at either end of their innings.

“Pakistan’s bowling has been outstanding and we can learn a lot from them from the way they bowled, especially at the death,” said Clarke after the 2-0 series-loss in Birmingham. “They are a tough opposition in the Test matches because of their bowling attack.”

Clarke singled out Gul, who returned to the squad after missing Pakistan’s defence of the World Twenty20 title they won in England last year and the Asia Cup, as a major difference between the two sides.

“Gul was simply outstanding. Pakistan’s always had a lot of talent but if you compare this team with the one that was in the West Indies, I think it’s good for them to have Gul back. Death-bowling is an art and it’s remarkable the way he bowled.”

Pakistan will go into the Test series with high hopes following the twin victories. However, with a 3-0 whitewash in Australia taking place earlier this year, and the repercussions, coach Waqar Younis met the Twenty20 wins with caution and guarded praise, reminding his players of the job ahead.

“Consecutive wins will definitely help the team and the momentum they take into the series but its still early days and Test cricket is an entirely different ball-game,” said Younis. “We’ve not lost that many series in England so that gives us confidence going into the series.”

Shahid Afridi will lead Pakistan in the Test matches after not playing in this format of the game for almost four years. Despite that, Younis remained confident of Afridi’s ability to perform.

“He’s very talented and aggressive. And that’s what you need. He hasn’t captained at this level before and hasn’t even played Test cricket for a while. It won’t be easy for him but he’s mentally very strong. And that will help him and the team.”

With these wins, Pakistan have forced Australia to take notice, despite the brutality witnessed at the start of the year. “Pakistan are a very good side in all three formats of the game,” added Clarke. “You have to be at your best when you play an opposition like that. Otherwise, you’ll simply get beaten.”

© Faras Ghani 2010
Published in The Express Tribune July 8, 2010

Wednesday, July 07, 2010

'Young players need time'

Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi has refused to make tall claims for the upcoming Test series against Australia despite his team’s encouraging start to the tour of England that has seen his team win two warm-up Twenty20s and end their 12-match losing streak against Australia on Monday.

Pakistan won the first of the back-to-back Twenty20s by 23 runs after a series of losses against the same opposition with the latest being the three-wicket loss in the 2010 World Twenty20 semi-final at St Lucia.

However, with Pakistan missing several senior figures including Mohammad Yousuf, Younus Khan and out-of-form Misbahul Haq, Afridi urged the supporters not to expect miracles from the young side.

“Experience counts in these conditions and I knew I’d need Yousuf and Younus here in England but they couldn’t be part of the team for various reasons,” Afridi told The Express Tribune. “Since we don’t have them, we now need to work with the youngsters we’ve been given and I hope they put up a good show.

“Unfortunately, we don’t have enough talent when it comes to choosing players for Test matches. We have players for Twenty20s and One-Day Internationals (ODIs), they have the talent for the shorter formats but not for Test matches. However, they’ve performed on the domestic level and for the ‘A’ teams so now it’s up to them to show the team management and the selectors what they have and if we can count on them for the future.”

The squad will be joined by Zulqarnain Haider, Tanvir Ahmed, Azhar Ali, Yasir Hameed, Mohammad Asif, Imran Farhat and Danish Kaneria for the Test matches with the captain adamant that separate teams for the Test matches is the way forward for Pakistan.

“We have planned for the future keeping the schedule and the World Cup in mind. I don’t want the same teams for all formats of the game as we should have at least three to four different members for the Tests from the team that played the Twenty20s.”

With Pakistan playing six back-to-back Test matches against Australia and hosts England, there was a sense of relief in the Pakistan camp following the 23-run win in the first Twenty20.

Often, according to Afridi, the team would arrive at a winning position only to lose the grip on the match and end up second best.

“We’ve been close to beating Australia on quite a few occasions. However, it’s a huge relief and a confidence boost to finally cross that hurdle and start the tour with a win. The team wanted the win and people had been acting surprised that we lose the way this often against Australia.

“It’s a great achievement to beat one of the top teams in any competition and I think it sets the tone well for the rest of the tour.”

Pakistan will now take on English county side Leicestershire in a two-day match at Leicester before returning to London for the first Test match that starts from July 13.

© Faras Ghani 2010
Published in The Express Tribune July 7, 2010

Tuesday, July 06, 2010

'Memories will not help players'

Pakistan team manager Yawar Saeed has reminded his players not to dwell upon memories of the team’s triumphant 2009 World Twenty20 campaign in England and to take on Australia with an attacking frame of mind.

Saeed, who was Pakistan’s manager when the team, under the captaincy of Younus Khan, lifted the trophy last June, also urged his players, especially the youngsters, to forget Pakistan’s dismal record against Australia of late and ensure the team gets back to it’s winning ways.

“This is a game, someone wins and someone loses and there’s no point in keeping past wins and losses in your mind,” Saeed told The Express Tribune prior to Pakistan’s first Twenty20 match against Australia.

“You can’t keep thinking about statistics. It doesn’t help. We won the 2009 World Twenty20 right here in England and we haven’t fared that well against Australia recently. It’s useless to think about either when going into this fresh series.”

Pakistan has struggled against Australia, often striding itself into winning positions with a burst but only to end up second best as their struggle to finish off the match continues. With a whitewash in Australia and twin losses in the 2010 World Twenty20, Saeed reckons the current team has what it takes to turn the tables.

“We’re in a process of rebuilding. We have some new players, some returning players and a new captain for the Tests. The bans and the struggles are now history. We have to start afresh, start a new chapter and hopefully our performance graph will go up.

“We’re going in with a plan which is to win. We’ve come here to win and that’s how we started the tour and that’s how we want to start this series too.”

Saeed, who left the post following Pakistan’s exit at the hands of New Zealand in the Champion’s Trophy last year, was reappointed as the team’s manager following the tour of Australia.

“I know I said I wanted to stop touring but the Pakistan Cricket Board chairman brought me back. He’s a good friend of mine and I can’t say no to him.

But the important thing is that I get along with the players and they get along with me. As long as that’s happening, I’m sure the chairman will be happy too.”

© Faras Ghani 2010
Published in The Express Tribune July 6, 2010

Monday, July 05, 2010

Pakistan look for change in fortunes

For a team that has been completely mauled against Australia in the last 12 months, Pakistan, unsurprisingly, look confident as they take on their nemesis in the first of the back-to-back Twenty20 internationals at Edgbaston today.

The whitewash and its repercussions, on and off the field, are still etched onto the players’ and the fans’ minds but captain Shahid Afridi, who has recovered from the minor muscle strain suffered in a tour match, knows fully well what his team is capable of.

“It’s a pressure game against Australia but I’m confident as we have always given them a tough time,” said Afridi on the eve of the match. “We’ve been playing well and with the combination that we have, I’m confident of defeating Australia. Even they’re aware of the fact that we’ve given them some difficult times and that’s why it’ll be an interesting series.”

With a 50 per cent winning ratio in Twenty20 internationals, following their 2009 World Twenty20 triumph – six wins and six losses – Pakistan will look to welcome back Umar Gul, the highest wicket-taker in the format. With Gul, Afridi will have a star-studded bowling lineup comprising Shoaib Akhtar, Mohammad Aamer and all-rounder Abdul Razzaq.

“Bowling is definitely our main weapon. Akhtar’s here to play Twenty20 so he’s always going to play but with Gul’s return, our bowling has become stronger. We have young batsmen though but I feel we can overcome that soon.”

Pakistan has started the tour well – T20 wins against MCC XI and Essex aptly complemented by a commendable three-day outing against Northamptonshire. The batsmen, including opener Shahzaib Hasan – confined to international wilderness following a successful debut last year – have adapted to conditions quickly and Afridi’s quick-fire 13-ball 42 against Northamptonshire reminded everyone of his exploits in England last year.

However, memories of Michael Hussey effortlessly depositing Saeed Ajmal into the stands will still be fresh with both sides and Pakistan would want to take a leaf out of England’s book if they want to make an impression against the reigning One-Day International (ODI) World Champions. England, after a stuttering start to the 2010 World Twenty20, went on to beat Australia in the final and registered a 3-2 ODI series-win against the same opposition.

Despite the series-loss, Australia, courtesy its fast-bowlers, remain a potent force. And Afridi made it clear what is required of his team.

“Winning or losing is part of the game but what I want from my team is performance. If they deliver a good show and even then we lose, I’ll be satisfied despite the loss. It’s the performance that matters.”

© Faras Ghani 2010
Published in The Express Tribune July 5, 2010