Kamran Abbasi
Misbah and the curse of the ul-Haqs
The fascination of the Delhi Test grows with each session
Kamran Abbasi
25-Feb-2013
The fascination of the Delhi Test grows with each session. The modern stars of India and Pakistan are playing out a classic every bit as heroic as those of their predecessors. We often worry about the quality our current heroes but who could not have been delighted by the swing of Dhoni and Tanvir, the wrists of VVS and Butt, or the guile of Kumble and Kaneria?
I mention Butt and Kaneria because these young prospects are showing something new in this series. Butt has demonstrated an improved control over shot selection, and when he flashes it is with a late certainty. Kaneria has begun to unveil a delivery that goes straight on, neither a legbreak nor a googly, which magnifies his threat, especially against the tail. These are encouraging developments.
Full postMalik masters his destiny
Since Malik cannot hope to demand the intellectual authority of a Brearley, or even an Imran Khan, his form will be the route to his success as a captain
Kamran Abbasi
25-Feb-2013
The last one-day international mattered little in the grand scheme of cricket but it had become a genuine challenge to Shoaib Malik's authority. Pakistan's young captain revelled in the glow of a Twenty20 near triumph but his time since has been wretched.
On the field, Malik has at various times looked confused, clueless, and catatonic. His soundbites have underestimated the intelligence of his supporters. The whole of the South Africa series was excused by a Twenty20 hangover and the India one-day series has been more competitive in Malik's head than in the eyes of anybody who has witnessed it.
Full postBlood him now
Kamran Abbasi
25-Feb-2013
Even the Pakistan Cricket Board has now realised that Kamran Akmal requires some time away from international cricket. Akmal's wicket keeping lapses have become a chronic disease--and a costly one for Pakistan cricket. There are psychological and technical issues that beg urgent attention, not just for the sake of Pakistan cricket but also for the future of Akmal, a former shining talent. Catches win matches is perhaps the oldest wisdom in cricket, and if your wicket keeper persists in dropping them then there can only be a harmful effect on your results.
The time to try somebody different arrived weeks possibly months ago but not a further moment can be wasted. Akmal's form is too wretched to risk in the Test series, while it would be equally unfair to plunge a rookie straight in. The only logical conclusion is to give Sarfraz Ahmed the remaining one-dayers to settle in before the Tests.
Full postChokers have their catharsis
One dramatic chase has revived Pakistan's optimism and begun the banishment of the chokers tag
Kamran Abbasi
25-Feb-2013
All is far from perfect in the Pakistan cricket team. The questions posed at the start of this series about the openers and wicketkeeper are some way from resolution. But Pakistan's successful chase of 321 under lights was a welcome and essential triumph.
"Chokers" is a demoralising title for any sports team, even when it is well earned. It hurts the soul and shrinks the spirit. When Shahid Afridi and Sohail Tanvir entered the final act of Mohali's memorable one-dayer, a further stumble might have caused mental damage that would have quickly handed the rest of the series to India. Instead, they held their nerve in confident fashion.
Now Pakistan face the next encounter with an unexpected optimism. Tanvir plays with refreshing gusto and positivity. Afridi has shown he can measure his aggression for a few overs when it matters. Younis Khan has an influential century to calm his one-day anxiety. And Shoaib Akhtar and Umar Gul are beginning to forge a rapid and penetrative partnership. Crucially, India have problems aplenty to offer some balance to Pakistan's weaknesses.
Full postA time to learn
Whatever political turmoil Pakistan endures, cricket will soar above any press blackouts, house arrests, curfews and martial law
Kamran Abbasi
25-Feb-2013
Whatever political turmoil Pakistan endures, cricket will soar above any press blackouts, house arrests, curfews and martial law. The Pakistan Cricket Board is always willing to play, as if fearful that when cricket stops the pulse of the nation will stop with it and the United Nations will certify Pakistan as an irredeemable basket case.
Indeed, Pakistan's rulers have sought the success of their cricket team to help overcome unpopularity over tricky domestic and international crises. But this current tour of India begins with little prospect of cricketing rescue. Shoaib Malik's team are an unconvincing bunch, unsure of their best batting or bowling options.
Full postAfridi: Back where he belongs
Shahid Afridi was on a roll today
Kamran Abbasi
25-Feb-2013
Shahid Afridi was on a roll today. An incisive bowling performance has become a norm, a stunning catch was within the realms of expectation, but the sight of Afridi striding out to open the batting was the most welcome surprise. He might not like it but it's the best place for him in limited-overs cricket. Another welcome sight was an opportunity for Yasir Hameed even though he fluffed it. Pakistan must be flexible in their selection and their approach. It would be equally welcome to see another wicketkeeper given a try. Kamran Akmal's current run is no good for him or Pakistan cricket. This drip-drop Akmal torture must end.
Full postA triumph of good sense
It would have been easy for the South Africans to curtail their tour and disappoint Pakistan cricket fans
Kamran Abbasi
25-Feb-2013
The bomb that greeted Benazir Bhutto's return to Pakistan was a tragedy for the people who died and their families. A cricket tour seems of minor importance when placed against the scale of death in Karachi but it was inevitable that it would be reassessed.
A bombing outside the Sheraton Hotel in Karachi once brought a premature end to a New Zealand tour, an unsurprising outcome since the team was staying at the hotel. More recently, South Africa abandoned a tour of Sri Lanka after a bombing in Colombo. Hence South Afirca might have been expected to return home, but their decision to stay is a triumph of good sense.
Full postAn unfortunate series of miscalculations
It was disappointing to hear Shoaib Malik insist on the righteousness of his spin strategy
Kamran Abbasi
25-Feb-2013
Graeme Smith was right: who could have predicted that South Africa would dominate nine out of ten days of this series? The fact they did should add an extra sheen to his team's newly grown beards. On their last visit to Pakistan, South Africa were an obnoxious bunch mislead by their captain. There was little to choose between the teams other than the speed of Shoaib Akhtar.
This time round both teams had left their bad attitude behind. With a touch of bonhomie to complement their skillful determination South Africa flourished. All credit to Smith for a quick maturation.
Without their bad boy, Pakistan's pace attack was more nullified by the spinning tracks than South Africa's batsmen. Sadly, Pakistan had forgotten some home truths about their own dead wickets. First, you require a bowler of express aerial speed to fully exploit the bounty of reverse swing, an Imran, Waqar, Wasim, or Shoaib. Second, Pakistan don't really possess a spinner who runs amok. Danish Kaneria is an earnest soul but he rarely cuts through a top order like Abdul Qadir, Mushtaq Ahmed, and Saqlain Mushtaq did at their sharpest. Third, with only two pace bowlers you tempt injury and long-term damage.
Full postInzamam: Pakistan's tragic hero
Thrilling strokeplay and enthralling running
Kamran Abbasi
25-Feb-2013
In a curious twist of fate, as Inzamam announced his retirement, Darrell Hair was contemplating a return to umpiring international cricket. Just over a year ago, the career-ending boot was on the other's foot. Not that Inzamam wishes to dwell too long on his obstinate nemesis having diligently ignored a summons from an English court. Instead, Inzamam will wish for an exit that befits his stature as a giant of Pakistan cricket.
Comparing yourself with Imran Khan has become something of an occupational hazard for Pakistan cricketers, but I can say without fear of being struck by Shoaib Akhtar that Inzamam desired to match, perhaps surpass, his old master. This last year was meant to be the crowning glory of the way of Inzamam, cricket and religion united in a World Cup triumph. As we all know, Inzamam delivered the exact opposite of his ambitions and had to cope with the terrible death of his coach in the process. Little wonder Pakistan's most impenetrable cricketer has taken the sensible decision to slide away with a final farewell in Lahore.
Full postAfridi halts the shots
I, for one, am disappointed with Afridi
Kamran Abbasi
25-Feb-2013
I have always supported Shahid Afridi. His wild talent holds a mesmeric attraction. I have called for his inclusion in the Test team and his elevation to the one-day vice-captaincy. If harnessed, I have contended, Afridi could be a more consistent match-winner for Pakistan.
Nonetheless, he has as many critics as he has fans. For a while he threatened to confound his critics with a rare consistency with bat and ball. But something popped in Afridi's brain about 18 months ago and he has never recovered.
First Afridi "retired" from Test cricket, the weight of national expectation had become too burdensome. When he returned, he had developed a worrying reluctance to bat up the order, claiming the he was now focusing on his bowling. This focus has produced distinct improvement but his batting has declined. The reluctance to bat at the top remains, which is a worrying sign for a senior and experienced cricketer who should really be accepting greater responsibility.
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