Waq
11th August 2010, 19:29
Right guys, I wanted to create a thread on my thought on Pakistan so far in the UK as we are at the halfway stage and we have had plenty to think about!!
Right it started off with the two T20's at Edgbaston versus Australia. It was important that we won as Australia have had a mental hold on us prior to these games. We excelled and showed that we are a better T20 team despite Australia being better athletes and having four 90mph + bowlers in the team. Afridi's captaincy was not too bad and Akmal, Ajmal, Amir and Gul helped with useful contributions. The support was fantastic as there were hardly any Aussies.
We then had the two test matches versus the Aussies. Why we had two tests and not three is a bizarre decision but whats done is done. It was a wonderful sight seeing Pakistan in whites again, especially at Lords. No doubt the youngsters saw it as a very special occasion. In the Lords game, I would say that Salman Butt carried us single handedly when it comes to the batting. Our bowlers were fantastic but we lost and Afridi did a cowardly act and gave up. Not a problem, Salman Butt comes into the frame as captain at Headingley and what can I say, our bowlers were awesome in useful conditions and played with courage. I now even like Asif and realise he is not a complete thicko after setting up batsmen! Our batting let us down again but we survived and won the game. Its significance should not be underplayed. Australia have Annihilated us of late and we needed to break the shackles. It was done with some drama but wetted my appetite for the four tests versus England. Many of you may disagree but this victory meant more to me then the T20 world cup final. Upto this point we were a team with no belief and the victory was great!!
We then go onto the two tests versus England. First at trent bridge where our bowlers were again very good on the whole. Our fielders are batsmen let us down badly and I am confident that the result would have been much closer had we held our catches. Kamran was the villain for me and rightly so. This is top level sports and you have to take Responsibility. Our batsmen all seemed short of confidence.
We then had the recent Edgbaston test. The hero was Saeed Ajmal and Zulqarnain Haider. Zulqarnain made me proud to be a Pakistani and showed fight! Yes fight, and that is what we need more then anything!! When Saeed Ajmal scored his half century and shouted "Yes", I had shivers down my spine. It was a passionate and brave knock and may help us in the next few games as it may have rubbed off on some of the players that all you need is fight. He deserves his bruises on his forearms as a reminder of his battle!
We now have two tests to play in two very prestigious grounds and then 5 ODI's and two T20's versus England.
I know that we have bee wrist slitting on this site at times (well actually alot of the time!) but I am confident that all we need is a confident half century from the top four to start the trend. We have the bowling and fielding will improve when the confidence improves. We will never be as mentally strong as the English or the Aussies. In our basic makeup we are passionate people whose moods go up and down so we have to accept that it will mirror on the wicket.
I still believe that we can draw the series. I am not too bothered about team selection as it never makes any sense and never will!
Lets cheer our boys on and get them to kick some backside. Salman Butt, Farhat and Umar Akmal are all due to big knocks. If they can do so then it will encourage the Umar Amins and Azhar Alis.
What are your thoughts on the tour so far. I am just happy that we are playing regular cricket and being tested. Without this, we will never develop/
Right it started off with the two T20's at Edgbaston versus Australia. It was important that we won as Australia have had a mental hold on us prior to these games. We excelled and showed that we are a better T20 team despite Australia being better athletes and having four 90mph + bowlers in the team. Afridi's captaincy was not too bad and Akmal, Ajmal, Amir and Gul helped with useful contributions. The support was fantastic as there were hardly any Aussies.
We then had the two test matches versus the Aussies. Why we had two tests and not three is a bizarre decision but whats done is done. It was a wonderful sight seeing Pakistan in whites again, especially at Lords. No doubt the youngsters saw it as a very special occasion. In the Lords game, I would say that Salman Butt carried us single handedly when it comes to the batting. Our bowlers were fantastic but we lost and Afridi did a cowardly act and gave up. Not a problem, Salman Butt comes into the frame as captain at Headingley and what can I say, our bowlers were awesome in useful conditions and played with courage. I now even like Asif and realise he is not a complete thicko after setting up batsmen! Our batting let us down again but we survived and won the game. Its significance should not be underplayed. Australia have Annihilated us of late and we needed to break the shackles. It was done with some drama but wetted my appetite for the four tests versus England. Many of you may disagree but this victory meant more to me then the T20 world cup final. Upto this point we were a team with no belief and the victory was great!!
We then go onto the two tests versus England. First at trent bridge where our bowlers were again very good on the whole. Our fielders are batsmen let us down badly and I am confident that the result would have been much closer had we held our catches. Kamran was the villain for me and rightly so. This is top level sports and you have to take Responsibility. Our batsmen all seemed short of confidence.
We then had the recent Edgbaston test. The hero was Saeed Ajmal and Zulqarnain Haider. Zulqarnain made me proud to be a Pakistani and showed fight! Yes fight, and that is what we need more then anything!! When Saeed Ajmal scored his half century and shouted "Yes", I had shivers down my spine. It was a passionate and brave knock and may help us in the next few games as it may have rubbed off on some of the players that all you need is fight. He deserves his bruises on his forearms as a reminder of his battle!
We now have two tests to play in two very prestigious grounds and then 5 ODI's and two T20's versus England.
I know that we have bee wrist slitting on this site at times (well actually alot of the time!) but I am confident that all we need is a confident half century from the top four to start the trend. We have the bowling and fielding will improve when the confidence improves. We will never be as mentally strong as the English or the Aussies. In our basic makeup we are passionate people whose moods go up and down so we have to accept that it will mirror on the wicket.
I still believe that we can draw the series. I am not too bothered about team selection as it never makes any sense and never will!
Lets cheer our boys on and get them to kick some backside. Salman Butt, Farhat and Umar Akmal are all due to big knocks. If they can do so then it will encourage the Umar Amins and Azhar Alis.
What are your thoughts on the tour so far. I am just happy that we are playing regular cricket and being tested. Without this, we will never develop/