Taking the fight to SL - Younis and co's real test

[MIG]

So we move to the final 2 days of test cricket.

To many among you, this is a bad start to Pakistans test season - we conceded too many runs and the pitch is a batsman's paradise. Empty stands, despite bribery , are another indication of what the paying public really thinks of our team.

To me, this test is more than that.

This is a chance for YK and Co to show us what they are made of. This is our chance to take the fight to the enemy and show the world that Pak cricket is alive and kicking.

It would be easy to capitulate with some lame excuses about being rusty, playing with a novice team and throw blame at the door of the curator.

That would be the easy thing to do.

However, if YK can continue the fight and come out of this encounter with our heads held high, we can be assured of a great revival to our test team.

We have a good team but they need a break - an Alamo type event to turn and revive things - something that will help them believe in their strengths.

To me, for all its failings, the Karachi test is that event.

If we overhaul this score and in turn put some pressure on SL on day 5, YK and Co would have laid foundations for the makings of a great test unit.

Go on YK - take the fight to the enemy !!!

[Savak]

I liked YK attacking style on the first day even though it was an over enthusiastic and illogical decision not to have a third man in the end but it was a good break from the defensive captaincy by Inzi and Malik. He is clearly fuming at the flat wicket that has been produced and he wanted a seaming, bouncy track.

His decision making processes should improve with more experience. I am glad he led from the front today but his key test is handing the pressure when things are not going well for e.g. handling fellow players, PCB officials, media and ex test cricketers e.t.c. I only want YK to show a lot of emotional maturity and dont throw a fit over small issues for e.g. his dummy captain incident in 2006, refusing to turn up for Pakistan after being tricked into an ICC anti corruption interrogation session in the Bangladesh ODI series in 2007 e.t.c.

[Amjid Javed]

I have to say am impressed by YK willingness to have a good despite the ultra batting conditions. I guess he realizes they only way to improve is to attack and be aggresive. Also the only way to improve is make conditions more sporting. Yes theres a chance we may lose but playing on such joke wickets only inflates FTB averages and nothing else.

Its a big day for pakistan tomorrow and the captains show fight and so do the rest. YK has shown faith in retaining Iqbal and Akmal so its return the favour time for the these players!

[waqar_ahmad]

Correct, his approach to batting and captaincy were very impressive. Overly aggressive, but fun to watch.

As for the making of a good test unit, we need a good opening pair. And I have to say, I have been very disappointed with Khurram Manzoor. Poor poor technique, poor footwork, tried to read the spinner off the pitch. I dont like the guy at all

[Stewie]

Fairly inspiring. Lead the way... YK!

[minhasuz]

Mash Allah a proper way to lead the side from front Mash Allah Younus Bhai!

[Zaz]

Originally Posted by Savak I liked YK attacking style on the first day even though it was an over enthusiastic and illogical decision not to have a third man in the end but it was a good break from the defensive captaincy by Inzi and Malik. He is clearly fuming at the flat wicket that has been produced and he wanted a seaming, bouncy track. His decision making processes should improve with more experience. I am glad he led from the front today but his key test is handing the pressure when things are not going well for e.g. handling fellow players, PCB officials, media and ex test cricketers e.t.c. I only want YK to show a lot of emotional maturity and dont throw a fit over small issues for e.g. his dummy captain incident in 2006, refusing to turn up for Pakistan after being tricked into an ICC anti corruption interrogation session in the Bangladesh ODI series in 2007 e.t.c.

Agree, its a fresh approach, an attacking approach with no third man etc, also not sending in the nightwatchman shows his positivity. Obviously he ll make a few mistakes along the way but i think he ll learn quickly

lets hope he doesnt throw in the towel at first sign of trouble. Hopefully he ll stay captain for the forseeable future.

Lets take the fight to the rest of the world!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

[MIG]

The move to come out instead of nightwatchman spoke of great defiance - an excellent statement of intent. Well done.

[Adeel786]

Looking forward to tomorrow's play

[The-Don786]

Originally Posted by Adeel786 Looking forward to tomorrow's play

i hope and pray 2 God that younis gets to 300, he can go hard afta gets his 200 and afta avoiding follow on take the run rate up, i think if they avoid the follow on before tea they shud go hard even lyk twenty twenty til 10 overs left in day and put sri in batting .

[spectator]

i was not too impressed with younis khan's shot selection today. y on earth will some one sweep murali before lunch facing a follow on?? he did it more than once. SL were giving him balls way outside offstump as they know he is vulnurable there. this was flat track so he survived otherwise i think he could be gone in first 5 overs. he needs to work on playing drives not too away from his body. he doesnt look as composed as a No 3 batsman.
on positive note
i have always thought that he is probably the best batsman against murli in the world

[Infinitee786]

Originally Posted by spectator i was not too impressed with younis khan's shot selection today. y on earth will some one sweep murali before lunch facing a follow on?? he did it more than once. SL were giving him balls way outside offstump as they know he is vulnurable there. this was flat track so he survived otherwise i think he could be gone in first 5 overs. he needs to work on playing drives not too away from his body. he doesnt look as composed as a No 3 batsman. on positive note i have always thought that he is probably the best batsman against murli in the world

YK is a spin-specialist... im pretty sure the guy knows how to take on Murali. Allegedly Bhanja is a spin-specialist, hence his inclusion but we'll see how he fairs on the day.

As for YK i love his finesse and flamboyance, the guys technique is so easy on the eyes its brill. Hes got a century already against a good spin attack although the pitch is flat. (was even flat for Kaneria so dont blame him for giving runs away) Lets hope he can convert it into a higher score.

As for Kaneria to see how well he has done in the series i think we should compare his stats with Murali n Mendis at the end of the series to see how well he is. (i think he is good and did good considering he hasnt played in a while)

[TaZ]

Y2K is the man. Much work to be done yet though

[iafzal]

would it be nice if pak is able to score 700 runs?
yes it is a dream which may not happen but Pak have batted well but we are all too aware of the collapses we are capable of so I will be happy with even a score of 500 since the match will be saved by then.

[Black_jesus]

Originally Posted by spectator i was not too impressed with younis khan's shot selection today. y on earth will some one sweep murali before lunch facing a follow on?? he did it more than once. SL were giving him balls way outside offstump as they know he is vulnurable there. this was flat track so he survived otherwise i think he could be gone in first 5 overs. he needs to work on playing drives not too away from his body. he doesnt look as composed as a No 3 batsman. on positive note i have always thought that he is probably the best batsman against murli in the world

he played great (slow but great) he survived a full day. he is a good player of spin and knew what he was doing. had he got out it would have been something to talk about put he plays alot of sweeps. he was prob tired aswell. not easy batting for 30 overs

wish he does press ups after 150 tomorrow (then i laugh if he gets out next bowl goin for a six but getting caught)

[Infinitee786]

Originally Posted by Black_jesus he played great (slow but great) he survived a full day. he is a good player of spin and knew what he was doing. had he got out it would have been something to talk about put he plays alot of sweeps. he was prob tired aswell. not easy batting for 30 overs wish he does press ups after 150 tomorrow (then i laugh if he gets out next bowl goin for a six but getting caught)

The press-ups!!forgot about that! amazing!. He should show Akhtar what true fitness is lol!!!

The guy is a legend!

[MIG]

Originally Posted by Adeel786 Looking forward to tomorrow's play

tomorrows here !! and the fight continues. Well done Pakistan.

[Zeenix]

For a change, they have shown grit and determination. Well done Pakistan

[aabbasi]

Younis has already won the hearts and minds by doing the following things

(1) showing intent on scoring more runs than the opposing captain ... (250 to be precise )
(2) coming in instead of a night-watchman.

And as i was just typing this, he has dispatched murali for a huge six

[Savak]

Its a good start by YK as far as his captaincy is concerned and i am not saying this because he has scored a double century and is leading from the front. Its also his positive body language and the fact he is so involved in the game. He will only learn through experimentation and i am hopeful he will learn from the mistakes he made on the first day.

[Amjid Javed]

I hope YK can break inzis 328 score in this match.

[MIG]

Fantastic performance from the Captain and kudos to Pakistan showing True Grit...

The fight has been truly taken back to the Lankans who even until this morning were dreaming of a victory in Karachi.

Not to be - thanks to a never say die attitude of a new captain and his team!

Even though, I am pleased with the performance so far, I am a little worried about what could have happened if YK hadnt stuck around!

We need our other players to make a stand as well.

For the moment - take a bow, Team Pakistan - well played Sirs!

[MIG]

Lankans now feeling the heat

[pakistani pride]

He had made a perfect start. It doesnt matter what the outcome is of this test but if pak plays liket this in the future then we are back in business !

[Amjid Javed]

The only worry for me going into 2nd test is that all pakistan bowlers have bowled to many boundary balls and the run rate at times gets out of control. Yes wickets are flat and YK has attacking fields but bowling half-volleys and long hops dont help!