Big Teams on losing side….

The champions of Test, ODI and T20’s are continued to struggle against under dogged teams. The 2012 turn out to be the years to rise with new champions, as the current champion has their way down. The change in rules does affect the rhythm sometimes, but as the game of cricket changes it requires the strategy makers to revise their course. One cannot win with big names but it requires true effort and control of skills to be on top for long.

Australia with too many changes in their captainship manages to narrow skip the common wealth game finale, and also in series against West Indies. The Australian team is going through a period try to find combination for solid performances as they were known of. Although we cannot forget the efforts of Srilankan and westindian teams which also going through changes, but they strongly fight for survival.

Next in debate is India, who’s bad luck continues as the arrive to South Africa, and lost their 1^st T20 due to Duck/Lewis influence on match. The current ODI champion has almost knocked out each time they played series outside their home in the last 4 series. Starting with the Test series against Australia concluded early this year, than couldn’t reach to final of triangular series, again couldn’t qualify for the final of Asia cup due to Bangladesh out classed them. While in all Four Series India played with its full potential batting and bowling attack.

Another team that has flopped to perform outside its home soil. Among the Test nation the Champion of the day is England who’s been on no 1 ranking for more than 8 months and been consistent within its home ground. As the England team toured early this year to UEA, and Pakistan whitewashed them belled the alarm in their ear. But once again England side couldn’t rise to the damage caused by spinner on the soil of Lankan’s against SriLanka this time. Hearth took 12 for and surprises the big names of English camp.

South Africa on the other hand looking forward for the first place in all three formats, as they Ranked no 2 in all three of them. Also Bangladesh has won the heart of millions as the performed in Asia cup. The promising guns of Windies also holding the way for the success.

Asia cup full of surprises; Short tour but full of excitements

After 4-0 lost against England, Pakistan convincingly headed to finals of Asia cup 2012. Consistently won 2 games and earn a bounce point against SriLanka, and being the only team to qualify for final back in 15^th march date (in the third game of tour). Although they played against India and out classed by Virat Kholi where India successfully chase 330.

Still the last match against India post question about Misbah’s captaincy, despite of individual performance in batting department. The inclusion of Wahab Riaz at last moment couldn’t justified, he put away for 50 runs in just 4 over’s. Also keep giving bowl to the same bowler while having choices like Afridi, Hafeez and Saeed. While didn’t utilizes the option of Hamad Azam, who supported against SriLanka. At times when Misbah look defensive try to avoid the happenings.

Let talk about other teams of Asia cup. India had two good performances against big teams of Pakistan and SriLanka, thanks to single handed performance of Virat Kholi. In both occasions India successfully scored above 300. While India shocked it supporters and world cricket when they put a total of 290 and couldn't defend against the Bangladeshi batting line up.

Another shocking performer is SriLanka, the qualifier (runners up) of common wealth series, who had given tough time to Australia in 3 finals. SriLanka was one of the strong contenders of Asia cup 2012, as SriLanka already won it 4 times, but the nation is being shocked with the unbelievable performance from the top order of SriLanka. Among all three occasions the batting of SriLanka clasped at wrong time, and oppositions doesn’t allowed them to pull back the game.

Even against Bangladesh it was hoped that they want to finish on high node but top order failure led them down. Duck lewis was unable to help Lankans as well. It seems that Lankans & Indians were tired out from that common wealth series and could not make it to finals.

The least rated team of the tournament and also the host nation for Asia cup this year has surprised the big guns with the extra ordinary bowling performance and fielding support for it, Also batsmen did play their fair role. At a stage 200 for 7 Pakistan was amazed and also restricted SriLanka on 232 was an achievement on the slow batting pitches. And against India the Bengali tigers showed the impact of BPL as the blasted in last 17 over’s in Bangle style. The surprise continues when they knock out SriLanka to qualify for the final, responsibility & commitment shown in batting department.

Bangladesh and Pakistan two under rated teams for this tournament qualified for final, the world champions sit out even after Tendulkar’s 100^th century and Virat kholi’s 183, Bangladesh for the first time will play final of Asia cup, and now we assume that its going to be an excitement match on Thursday 22 march.