First ‘target match’ - Akhtar fails to impress

[Gotham Cronie]

Yesterday, Rawalpindi Express Shoaib Akhtar failed to impress in the first ‘target match’ held at the Abbottabad Cricket Stadium between two teams of the camp trainees as ‘A’ team won the first match against ‘B’ team by 105 runs.

Shoaib completed his 10 overs with only one wicket while conceding 70 runs.

Misbah-ul-Haq invited the selectors’ attention as he collected 66 before he was called back to give a chance to Afridi who just made five runs.

Pakistan captain Shoaib Malik remained 120 not out while young Fawad Alam showed his ability with the bat with a 73-run knock studded with 10 fours and Salman Butt also made a nice 63. Abdul Razzaq posted 57.

To test the players after the camp the team management has decided to hold ‘target matches’ where teams are given a target to get score and points for every 10 overs.

[iZeeshan]

I have commented on this already, but...

It was just plain nice to see Shoaib bowling the full 10 overs. I highly doubt he was giving it his all in a lame practice match.

Shoaib Malik scoring 120* is simply amazing, along with excellent stuff from Fawad and Salman.

The only bad news is that Razzaq scored 57.

[JammydodgA]

Originally Posted by iZeeshan I have commented on this already, but... It was just plain nice to see Shoaib bowling the full 10 overs. I highly doubt he was giving it his all in a lame practice match. Shoaib Malik scoring 120* is simply amazing, along with excellent stuff from Fawad and Salman. The only bad news is that Razzaq scored 57.

Why is that bad news?

[Amoeba]

Headline should be changed to "Shoaib bowls 10 Overs - IN ONE GAME!"
We're all saved.

[Plasma]

Its just a practice match, obviously he wasn't trying his best as he would againt India or some other team. Good to see Malik with his 120. Im guessing Fawad will be used in the atleast one game if not two in the upcoming series. And good to see salman score as well. I don't mind Razzaq being in the team, he is still in his 20s and he has a lot to give to Pakistan.

[iZeeshan]

Originally Posted by sam1eh Why is that bad news?

Because that, my dear, means that he will play.

[PlanetPakistan]

seems like people have forgotten to care about how many wickets Shoaib gets they just want to see him at the finish line

[JammydodgA]

Originally Posted by iZeeshan Because that, my dear, means that he will play.

But if he continues to do well, thats not necessarily a bad thing.....

[JammydodgA]

Originally Posted by PlanetPakistan seems like people have forgotten to care about how many wickets Shoaib gets they just want to see him at the finish line

If he's 'at the finish line' surely the wickets will come naturally

[Inswinger]

With all these guys scoring.........
...........
No room for Younis Khan

[siddharth]

Is this match a big deal ?.He might have thought that 'why i should bowl my heart out at full pace and get injured ".

[Plasma]

Originally Posted by siddharth Is this match a big deal ?.He might have thought that 'why i should bowl my heart out at full pace and get injured ".

Exactly, why would he put in his 110% on a stupid match than has no importance what so ever. its just good that he starts off doing just 10 overs not trying too hard, and then gradually cranking up the pace and getting wickets.

[Plasma]

Yesterday, a well contested match between Pakistan A and B team was played at the army cricket stadium abbotabad. Pakistan A side was led by Shoaib malik and comprised of players as yasir Hameed, Imran nazir, shahid afridi and other luminaries of our cricket. While salman butt lead the battery fo youngsters and newcomers. In the alloted 40 overs, Malik XI piled up a mammoth total of 327 runs Malik top scored with 12o not out off only 70 deliveries Shahid Afridi as usual flopped with the bat and could only score 5 runs from seven deliveries. Imran nazir stroked a belligerent 38, and at one instance smashed 28 runs off a single over In response to such a gargantuan challenge, Butt XI began really well with salman smashing boundaries at will and in connivance with fawad alam put up a great partnership, but both players fell in quick succession on 63 and 75 respectively. Misbah Ul Haq also scored a calm fifty and after a few biffs from Abdul Razzak the innings folded up. Next match is scheduled for tommorow.

And that 28 run over was against Shoaib... Ouch, now for sure i know he wasnt't trying his best. He would never let nazir smash him for 28 in one over if he was trying.

[hasbeen]

nice to see most the batsmen contributing especially malik and alam. as for shoiab, im just happy he got through ten overs at this stage

[salman24]

Originally Posted by iZeeshan I have commented on this already, but... It was just plain nice to see Shoaib bowling the full 10 overs. I highly doubt he was giving it his all in a lame practice match. Shoaib Malik scoring 120* is simply amazing, along with excellent stuff from Fawad and Salman. The only bad news is that Razzaq scored 57.

Dude you're a close minded individual

First you want razzaq out of the team because you feel he is not good enough
Now that he is doing well and will play while performing , you still have a problem!!!
Are you just out to get the guy or have a genuine point why he shouldn't be in the team

For me he is extremely vital in odi's especially with his batting and sometimes bowls well. He has a great odi record, i'd always want him in the team

[Easa]

Shahid Afridi as usual flopped with the bat and could only score 5 runs from seven deliveries.

Errm, who has written this article? Because Afridi made 100+ in around 50 balls in the last practice match!

[12thMan]

was this a batting practice? as it Seems like other than Akhtar no other bowler is mentioned and he may have been the only bowler in the other team or a noteable bowler in both teams and just doing warm ups. Why did Malik not retire but sent Misbah-ul-Haq back?

[Inswinger]

I dont think Malik sent Misbah back, I think it was upto the coaches.

[iZeeshan]

Originally Posted by salman24 Dude you're a close minded individual First you want razzaq out of the team because you feel he is not good enough Now that he is doing well and will play while performing , you still have a problem!!! Are you just out to get the guy or have a genuine point why he shouldn't be in the team For me he is extremely vital in odi's especially with his batting and sometimes bowls well. He has a great odi record, i'd always want him in the team

I just don't like Razzaq. He always has a down low attitude and never gives it his best. He takes his position for granted. Many others are out there who can do much, much better.

I just don't like the guy's overall attitude whether he plays well or not. In other words, I just don't like Razzaq.

[hasan316]

Happy to see Shoaib back.

[salman24]

Originally Posted by iZeeshan I just don't like Razzaq. He always has a down low attitude and never gives it his best. He takes his position for granted. Many others are out there who can do much, much better. I just don't like the guy's overall attitude whether he plays well or not. In other words, I just don't like Razzaq.

Thats what I thought
But if the guy is playing well I don't see why anyone should have a problem with him. I mean we all want whats best for PAK

Anyway I guess we all think differently

[salman24]

Originally Posted by hasan316 Happy to see Shoaib back.

Me too

[Osman]

Originally Posted by iZeeshan I have commented on this already, but... It was just plain nice to see Shoaib bowling the full 10 overs. I highly doubt he was giving it his all in a lame practice match. Shoaib Malik scoring 120* is simply amazing, along with excellent stuff from Fawad and Salman. The only bad news is that Razzaq scored 57.

now why is this bad news???

disgusting that some of us fans enjoy seeing some of our own national players perform badly just to have something to moan about, regardless of how the team does.

If he is performing then it is good for the team as Razzaq is a vital member of the Pakistan's odi squad. Hope this helps him towards regaining his confidence and form.

[Inswinger]

I understand that all players have ups and downs in their batting or bowling form but the way Razzaq acts on the field, lack of emotions, not being part of team, He just seems lazy.

[salman24]

Originally Posted by Inswinger I understand that all players have ups and downs in their batting or bowling form but the way Razzaq acts on the field, lack of emotions, not being part of team, He just seems lazy.

I don't care how he looks on the field as long as he bats the way he does and does his job

[Inswinger]

Originally Posted by salman24 I don't care how he looks on the field as long as he bats the way he does and does his job

So team spirit means nothing?

[PlanetPakistan]

Originally Posted by sam1eh If he's 'at the finish line' surely the wickets will come naturally

Not sure about that! He is past his prime (not as fast and rhythmic as he used to be), doesn't have the stamina that he had before and off course he has only played 5 or 6 days of competitive cricket in the last 18 months so i expect him to be very rusty.

[Inswinger]

Originally Posted by FaYsal Not sure about that! He is past his prime (not as fast and rhythmic as he used to be), doesn't have the stamina that he had before and off course he has only played 5 or 6 days of competitive cricket in the last 18 months so i expect him to be very rusty.

Rustiness will only go away if he plays matches. So bowling 10 overs is good news

[sohaib17]

good to see akhtar bowling full qouta of overs

[salman24]

Originally Posted by Inswinger So team spirit means nothing?

What did he do that was against team spirit
He does his job
Other players should do theirs

[Amjid Javed]

Right now getting overs under his belt is the key for shoaib akthar, Not performances.

Am glad fawad alam did well and got some runs.

[sehsan]

good to see fawad made a solid contribution. His confidence should be hight after this inning. Glad to see butt playing well as well.

[Jayed]

lol if shoaib was really trying, nazir wouldve had 28 stiches on his head, not runs to his name in one over v shoaib

[Rudi hater]

Originally Posted by Inswinger With all these guys scoring......... ........... No room for Younis Khan

Where did that come from?? Why are you guys obsessed with YK exclusion I think I would say to you get a life man.

[Bobaran]

Originally Posted by iZeeshan Because that, my dear, means that he will play.

If he plays well, and he is the best we've got then we better hope he's playing well. The fact is that we don't really have anyone out there who can replace Razzaq, and so we need him to be preforming. I'm very glad he preformed.

[12thMan]

I still don't know why the only bowler mentioned was Akhtar and no report on how other bowlers performed. This seemed like a batting practice to me where batsman were supposed to hit and bowlers to warm up and give hitting practice

[Bobaran]

Originally Posted by Easa Errm, who has written this article? Because Afridi made 100+ in around 50 balls in the last practice match!

Do you have some sort of score card of it?

[Bobaran]

Originally Posted by Amjid Javed Right now getting overs under his belt is the key for shoaib akthar, Not performances. Am glad fawad alam did well and got some runs.

Yeah, he'll get back into it once he gets some practice. For now it's good that he's fit.

[safehands46]

my question is where is bazid.

[PlanetPakistan]

Originally Posted by safehands46 my question is where is bazid.

I was actually planning to ask you this question

[siddharth]

Originally Posted by safehands46 my question is where is bazid.

Why Bazid ? Is he that talented or becos he is the son of Majid Khan?.

[waqar_ahmad]

it was just a practice game, dont expect shoaib to give it his all. no matter what, he still remains a match winner

[Inswinger]

Originally Posted by Rudi hater Where did that come from?? Why are you guys obsessed with YK exclusion I think I would say to you get a life man.

Bro thats just my oppinion, IMO YK thinks more about himself then he does for the team. I jst want what is best for Pak cricket's future. No personal grudges against any player.

[Vegitto1]

If he didn't give it his all in this match..then it means that he might still be prone to injury after a short spell if he does try to give it all..

does this mean we should accept shoaib as another bowler in the High 80s or make him prove his fitness by bowling in full flow