PakPassion Catch up with Past Legends/Journalists

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I quickly caught up with a few past players, commentors and journalists - who were present at Lords yesterday, to find out their views of the match and the summer of cricket for Pakistan.

Mushtaq Mohammad

Here is what he had to say, as always he was in a very smily mood.

Views on current match :

Pakistan really need to play to the conditions and with 2 days left to go shouldn’t think the target is beyond them. Everyone should take on responsibility to score the runs. They must look to build partnerships and embrace the challenge. Salman Butt is now in and looks very settled he should be the driving force but he has to be given support by everyone in the side.

On how Pakistan will fare over the summer :

It will be tough, in seaming conditions the bowling looks potent but those same conditions mean that our batting is too fragile, if we bat like we do in the first innings of the current match, there won’t be much hope. Really if they want to compete they should look to bring back Younis Khan. Differences should be dropped between him and the board, this is our (Pakistan’s) team not anybody particular persons dads team. The board should be acting in our interests and leave aside all the politics to choose the best XI. That might mean one of Azhar Ali or Umar Amin being dropped but the side need Younis Khan.


Rameez Raja

It’s very unfair on debutants to come into the side and occupy such important positions in the side. The batting order should have been different. You would think that at least one of the debutants would start much lower down the order. This is how things work for example Javaid Miandad started at 5. Also in terms of the batting line-up I am also not impressed by Farhat as opener, Pakistan should look at other options.

But looking at the situation as a whole, you can’t isolate individual player and match performances. You have to assess the problem by looking at the whole system and structure. The problem essentially starts from the top.

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A smily Mushtaq Mohammad

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Christopher Martin Jenkins :

Here is the views of the BBC commententor and Times journalist:

Views on debutants:

Azhar Ali looks impressive (not seen enough of Umar Amin yet) but Pakistan need to manage their players well. It’s very unfair on new players to come in under such conditions and have such responsibility placed upon them.

Steven Smith looks promising but Australia are not really expecting him or perhaps anyone else to be anywhere near Warne. He makes mistakes already which Warne would never mate. Perhaps in the side because of his batting, given his first class average of 50+.

Views on current Pakistan side:

Their bowling line-up is impressive, if they a fast bowling all-rounder, someone like Razzaq or Azhar Mahmood at their peak it would make the attack formidable. It may help in conditions such as today (non helpful bowling conditions). Batting as we know looks fragile and they are unsure of the side, it is saying something when numbers 3,4,5 have just 6 tests between them. Quite remarkable and huge pressure.

Views on Pakistan v England series:

I think the first test of the summer against England will be pivotal . They should by then have built up momentum and enough practise in the longer format of the game. If they want to do well in the series this is the best chance to catch England cold. But looking at it overall I think Pakistan will find it tough to do well given they have 6 tests in 8 weeks. That is rather a hectic schedule.

(PakPassion.net) But England’s schedule is also quite intense this summer.

Yes but Pakistan’s scheduling looks particularly tight, especially against the tough level of competition they are facing. Their preparation also seems lacking, one first class match which was not enough.


Kamran Abbassi

Thought that Azhar Ali had some promise about him but too much mismanagement was inhibiting player development. Number 3 position is the most important batting position in the side, players should be fighting to bat there and show their worth. It’s not really a good place at the moment to hone your skills, Umar Akmal has excelled simply due to his immense talent and approach to the game. Not everyone will be that unique.

Asked about Imran Farhat – Well you can say I’m not one his fans. We've seen him for all these years and things haven't changed. Yasir Hameed should have been selected; it seems a waste to bring him on to tour if he will not play.


Geoff Lawson had a simple message for the Pakistan fans :

"We (Pakistan) have to still believe we can still win, otherwise there is no point turning up"

[sakss]

nice interviews.....

not shocked to see everyone is against imran farhat coz i am too....yasir should perhaps replace him for the second test

[SAVIO]

Lawson - what a legend!

Didn't see him myself yesterday but my cuz waited around the media centre at the end of play and saw the man come out of the lift clad in a Pakistan track jacket!

They had a brief conversation and old Henry whispered to him "I love your country" and then proceeded to sign my cousin's hand without invitation! The more you hear about him the more you love the guy - no homo.

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I echo that sentiment..Lawson is a legend.. really nice guy and always with smile on his face.

[*sallu*]

Despite being Australian, Geoff referred to pakistan as We

Brilliant man

Why was he removed as coach again?
Ijaz Butt?

[Saj]

thanks for the updates dblock