Saad Shafqat

Pakistani teams are known to squander head starts, fritter away advantages, and give up easily

The good news for Pakistan is that when Umar and Razzaq click, it creates a winning impact

Unsuspecting Pakistan fans are still thinking that all these tricks are part of some Grand Plan

The final images are a blur

In fact, what happened with Pakistani fielder Khalid Latif in Perth is a timely reminder that it is Australia where such incidents of uncivil behavior are being seen more and more

Pakistan fast bowlers have a tradition of first unveiling their menacing intent in Australia

Kaneria’s assets include a highly effective googly, an accurate stock ball, and the will to strike back after coming in for some stick

If there is anything this team needs, it is an opener with a steady bat, and Malik has one

Mohammad Yousuf has had ample experience in making mistakes while running between the wickets, but the only mastery he has shown is in refusing to learn from them

The opening gambit is almost always the same, namely that Wasim Akram, who was once described as possessing the left arm of God, could move the ball both ways, sometimes in the same delivery

Back at the pre-tournament meeting, Younis would have contemplated this campaign knowing he was up against much more than just cricketing opposition

It would be pleasing and fitting if Akram’s commentary career carried some of the same zest and punch as his cricket career

Put yourself in the PCB's shoes

They've always had the bowlers to take 20 wickets, but not the batsmen to set imposing totals

There does seem to be a market, and sufficient interest, in a T20 league in Pakistan, but the PCB's defensive mindset is not helping

The team has never won a series in South Africa, but this set of players has good reason to believe that they can reverse the trend

Their victories in India may have set the ball rolling for future bilaterals between the teams, but Pakistan's selection worries remain ahead of the South Africa tour

Pakistan had a satisfying 2012, but the year ahead is one of transition

Imran Khan, now 60, was as complete a cricketer as one could be, but excelling in one field (or even two) wasn't enough for him

The sport is full of pauses that enhance the drama, just like in Harold Pinter's plays