Pakistan Information & News

It is official that Brett Lee won’t be going to the 2007 World Cup, and it will be Stuart Clark that replaces him. For all Clark’s obvious abilities at Test level, there’s no doubt who is the more dangerous bowler with the white ball, and this is another blow to the Australians.
Despite all their troubles, Australia are still favourites with the British bookies. Some of these prices are remarkable, to be honest. South Africa at 9/2 look a bargain to me.

Original post by Scott and software by Elliott

Popularity: 1% [?]

My tooth is out, and I’m all doped up. Who said drugs are bad?
The World Cup squads have been announced. For Australia, the main surprise was the inclusion of Shaun Tait who was preferred over Stuart Clark. As Tait is from my home town, I’m personally delighted, although I doubt he will play much, at least after the first group games. Scotland might be facing a new ball attack of Tait and Lee, which would be a rough initiation for them. Clark is not happy about being omitted but has vowed to come back next season as a better bowler.
Meanwhile, Australia’s cheif medical officer has come out to warn injured Andrew Symonds about rushing his come-back. The Australian dressing room is full of half-fit players, and given the lack of fitness and form of so many players, I do not think Australia can really be favourites for this tournament anymore. [...]

Original post by Scott and plugin by Elliott Back

Popularity: 1% [?]

3 days ago, Pakistan creamed South African by 140 odd runs. A few days before that we had been whipped by 160 odd. And now this. Why the heck is this team so brittle one day and so killer the next? It’s shocking. No wonder Pakistani cricket fans are considered to be nuts. We go through such emotional extremes throughout our supporting days. It’s draining as hell!
Not going to take anything away from the South Africans. Ntini and Pollock were really impressive. The other chaps were decent too, but the Pakistan threw the match in the first 10 overs. Just how unplayable could they possibly be? Watching them play was frustrating. Even poor deliveries were blocked, they were completely on their back foot throughout and just too under confidant and wary. It was as if they had decided that they were going to lose match if they lost the toss. [...]

Original post by omar and software by Elliott Back

Popularity: 1% [?]

…which I will gladly do in due time, but only after this series against South Africa is complete! Till then, I will stand by my position.
As my readers know I have continued my one-man campaign against Shahid Afridi for a quite a while now. Here, and here, here…and umm..also here. In fact, just look at my Afridi label.
So several people have already emailed or text-messaged me regarding my views on Afridi and they politely requested me to comment on this latest innings of his against South Africa.
Naturally, midway through this innings, one has to be very impressed. He made 77 runs of 35 balls with 5 four’s and 6 sixes.
Brilliant innings obviously, but it was Afridi style innings. If he’s around for 30 balls, he wrecks havoc. But does he stick around for more than 5 balls consistently? Naturally one can not expect this from him every single time, nor [...]

Original post by omar and software by Elliott

Popularity: 1% [?]

So, for one of the two sides, it is judgement day, and not a moment too soon. The Australian triangular series drags on forever, and it gets rather stale by the end, don’t you agree?
I’m going to hope that England win, not for the reason that I think Australia can beat them, but rather because if Australia play New Zealand in the finals, we could have a situation where Australia play New Zealand six times in two weeks (for the two sides meet in New Zealand for the Chappell Hadlee trophy straight after this).
New Zealand is a great team, and I’m sure New Zealanders are a swell bunch of people, but six times in two weeks is too much.
One a totally different topic, did you see that South Africa piled on 392 against Pakistan in an ODI game? What’s notable about that is that it isn’t even in the top [...]

Original post by Scott and powered by Img Fly

Popularity: 1% [?]

Bob Woolmer has admitted an interest in the England job, and Allan Donald has come out in support of his application. Donald is well qualified to talk about Woolmer given their long association both for Warwickshire and South Africa. And Woolmer’s track record for South Africa and Pakistan speak for themselves. Pakistan is a reasonable chance of challenging for the 2007 World Cup, and have just leveled the current series in South Africa.
But here’s a thought out of left field. Maybe Australia should try to poach him first. There’s absolutely no reason why an Englishman can’t have a leading role in Australian cricket. And there’s no doubt that from a professional point of view, coaching the best side in the world would be a new experience.
I’m not saying that Australia should definately go down that path. But I think it is an idea that merits some consideration, as well.
[...]

Original post by Scott and plugin by Elliott Back

Popularity: 1% [?]

Chris Broad has a fairly unenviable job and much of his blog is a diary of the standard of airport lounges and hotels he comes across. All jolly interesting, but this latest post was much more like it: his handling of the Herschelle Gibbs ban.
Almost half the SA side accompanied Gibbs into the hearing which made things very cosy because I also had the Pakistan management and the captain in our small umpires’ room. There was a lot of frank discussion with SA defending their man but Pakistan saying how hurt they were by the remarks. After 45 minutes of chat and counter chat both side had just about finished so I adjourned the hearing so that I could get my head around what had been said and come to a decision. I made that decision after calling the players back to the room and I could get away from [...]

Original post by Will and software by Elliott Back

Popularity: 1% [?]

The Indian cricket team, despite of all criticism back in India, busy in losing the game from the South African team in the tour of South Africa. Other teams of cricket playing nations may learn a unique quality from Indian team ‘How to loose a winning game comfortably from any team of the World. The recent two loss of the game (It could have 0-3 but the rain saved a game for India) has irked fans back in India and even in Parliament of India.
I found a fantastic post on the performance of Indian team under the title Kaho Na Massacre Hain. The situation of the team is fit to sing a song of the super hit Bollywood movie, Kaho Na Pyar Hai that is as Ek Pal Ka Jina… for rest just see the post and don’t forget to read some interesting comments as well.

Original post by Pratyush and software by Elliott

Popularity: 1% [?]