England look firm with T20 series win…..

After one sided finish of test series, we have witnessed one sided ODI series, but in T20’s ignoring the fact who won the series we had an exciting time, with all 3 matches had its crunched moments and equally balance sides, but fielding might cause the edge to English camp. England after losing  Test series  3-0, came back strongly in ODI’s winning 4-0 and continues the form in T20’s. They won the last two games and take the series win with 2-1.

The extraordinary team with the ball during last 20 month or so, look so ordinary when they had white ball in ODI series and T20. The unplayable Saeed, Afridi and Hafeez during the worldcup and even in the followed session with Newzeland, West Indies, SriLanka, Bangladesh and even in the Test series against England, were all smashed for big and almost wicket less in many occasion.  

Also too many changes during the ODI series by Misbah command cause the lost. Not to forget Pakistan have to answer many question as Petersen and Dernbach posted. The questions about Pakistan bowling and majorly batting.

Finding the reason of the loss, need to go through many aspects, well as a writer I have to respect all opinion, by most of which I disagree. One of the reason was Pakistan’s defensive approach, basically critics said Mishbah instead of pushing pressure wait for something to happen. This strategy might work and we have seen worked best in Test series, but do the time changes in ODI and T20, the other rumors was the politics and the lobbing have its place back in the team, as major players does not support Misbah to be captain all format. Or is it the over excitement after the Test win, that over confident undermined the English team and lead to defeat. Or is it the England team who really learn its lesson quickly and with true struggle came back into tour…….

England won 2nd ODI; Fielding was spot on of both sides

It cannot be false to say that England’s on ground fielding led them to second win. Like the first ODI Alastair cook made century and help England post 250 on board. He became the only English captain to make back to back centuries in ODI’s. Pakistan after all the tough time spent on pitch again have no reply for Finn bowling, he again took 4 wickets for. While the praise of England win cannot be stop until Pakistan put a full stop in coming up matches.

 “Pakistan have to field well in order to win the series against England” by Javed Miandad before the start of Series, and guess what the experience of coaching Pakistan team made him to deliver a solid concern. Since the fielding was the only point that differs the England line up from Pakistan. Where England fetches 2 runs at the position of 1, the fielders led us down, while England on ground only allow 1’s instead of 2’s. also good commitment of England’s fielder stop many good drives, which clearly was the difference of 20 runs, the amount Pakistan was failed to chase, And just give up at 230.

It seems like changes worked for England very well, like boopara and Finn, and the transition from test to ODI. But the similar change doesn’t goes in their favor, the transition doesn’t really help the cause. As Pakistan return in the game mostly in the second innings during all three tests. But for ODI’s there never a second chance, therefore Pakistan have to rethink their strategy and batting options. We have to see…..

Pakistani batting order tumbled as they lose against England

Pakistan top order flopped in order to respond to Misbah’s call. The bowlers once again try to constrain English Batsmen to 260, but in response the top batting order fooled their selves on the in swing delivers of Steven finn, the new addition to the ODI squad, so as the lower batting order couldn’t handled the pressure, and took some last breathe as last  Afridi  & Umer Akmal tried their best to hold the ship for some while but failed, the struggle last for 35 over’s and made 130 runs, as England won by 130 runs in the first ODI of four match series.

Not to miss a chance to accept that England did come in one dayer with lot practice and came out of the struggle of Test matches with captain lead from the front with 134 runs, also partnership with Ravi boopara make their name in first match, made 50. All over it was a good and balance side with potential to be match winner and on this occasion they showed it.

In comparison to the two matches’ one between Pakistan vs. Afghanistan played on 10 Feb in Sharja, and one between Pakistan vs. England at Abu Dhabi, one thing was common that was Pakistan poor Fielding. So as England & Afghanistan was looking more promising on the field. Also Pakistan have make their mind clear about the test series they win, and now its time for Pakistan to wake up with its batting selection, and One day is a different bowl game.

This win will boost up the morals of English Team and Pakistan for the next match have to be prepare more and have to come with new strategy or enthusiasm. Not to forget the good moments of Pakistan on the field, as Ajmal took 5 wickets. While England has lot to cheer about the win, the cook’s ton and the finn 4 for……. For the fans we hope for and entertaining match next time, and celebrates more moments.

Spin turns second match in favor of Pakistan

Another match of England vs. Pakistan series ends without going into fifth day. Thanks to spinners, they once again prove that defending low total is the art of determinant bowling. Well good news for Pakistan fans and morn for English lovers. Till the fourth day its all happening in favor of England, but one bad session or I must say that good bowling from spinners of Pakistan took the match away from England.

The Second test brings much happiness to Pakistan camp as defeating rank no.1 Test team is a joyful event. As second Test brings so much to talk about Pakistan leadership, team effort, their bonding and moral, it also raises the alarm for England. A team that hasn’t lost from nine tests has got out twice under 200 margins and once under 100 in the four innings they played. The team has its three players in top ten ranking failed to record any resilience.

Pakistan fans have lot to cheer about. Abdur Rehman took 6-25, his career best effort so far. With that Pakistan lead the series with 2-0. Saeed Ajmal record his 100^th wicket, as Matt Prior became his 100^th victim, he done it in only 19 matches, took minimum matches for Pakistan to complete this record. With that effort step one place up to ranking and is now at 2^nd position. Also with match winning performance of Abdur Rehman he also share the top ten chart with Saeed, as he positioned at 9^th place. Talking about Rankings not to forget the captain (Misbah ul haq) his efforts in first inn made his place to 8^th position on charts.

Second Test surely belongs to Spinners, especially left armers as Monty Penesar took 6 wickets also Rehman took 6 wickets both in 2^nd innings. Abdur Rehman who waited very long for this opportunity as his role with Saeed ajmal is to support him. In the other hand Penesar made his sensational come back. He dismantles the top order and showed some hope to England team. Abdur Rehman soon ruin all their happiness and joy of English camp as they only needed 145 to win but they only manages to made have of it.

Now the worlds eye on the third match between the two teams, to see whether downfall of no.1 test team has just started, because England this year will not play much matches in their home ground, the tough teams like South Africa, Australia and SriLanka waited for their turn. While Pakistan has already proved their point, and nothing much left for Pakistan to prove now, except to make a clean sweep to England. How strong England will prepared for third test, and will Pakistan Spinner make the series sweep happen for team?

Spin Alarming a challenge for England’s top order….

First Test between England and Pakistan has end with Pakistan win by 10 wickets. With the joys of win, a question for England has popped up and that is about there spin playing abilities? Spinners took fifteen wickets in the first match, especially Saeed Ajmal with extraordinary effort and show the way of pavilion to ten England Batsmen. So is it the fear of Saeed Ajmal that over run the mind of English Batsmen, as Umer gul took 4 wickets with leg side deliveries.

The signs of panic showed very early by English players in 1^st innings when only on 10 runs they loss their first wicket, and since then they never come up with better strategy than Pakistan. But ince again the cradet to this victory goes to Pakistan Bowlers, as during last year as well we witnessed many games in which bowler give control of match to the command of Pakistan camp.

On a track which continues to be assumed a good batting track the match ends within three days with no one scored a century, though Mohammed Hafeez gets very close but couldn’t finish with three figures. So is it alarm for both of team to go through their batting order and revise if they can. Now five day gap with two days to left and once again cricket fans are ready to see some exciting Test cricket.

Both of the team have to come in the field with answer that, who learn more from past, will England play with two spinners, since tremlett was almost wicket less in the first match, so why not like Pakistan go with two spinners, and also include a more reliable batsman of spin in batting order, yes the media the experts are talking about Ravi bopara. Only times tell will Strauss boys handle all criticism gracefully, like the test match the media is testing English player temperament off the field.

Also Pakistan has to think about large scores when finding such opportunity and don’t let them flee. As all big names got start but couldn’t maintain it. And will they plan for attacking cricket in the second test or they design their strategy after observing England on ground, they better not to get defensive with their 1-0 lead. The only way to defend it is make it 2-0 by next match. For the fans of both sides and cricket we hope to have a contest of excitement.  

England Series; an opportunity or thread

2012 starts with a challenge in its hands, as the winning run continue in Bangladesh, the real test is now in front of Pakistan team with they face England in coming January. This encounter composed of 3 Tests, 4 ODIs and 3 T20s. World T20 champion England has put up a consistence show accept the last series against India in India. It was quite an unfortunate series with not much good memories.

On the other hand Pakistan also being consistent, considering the aftermath of spot fixing controversy. They are spot on with six consecutive ODI series wins. And three Test series win this year, with Bangladesh Series yet to decide. But in this victory run no big teams like India, England or Australia is included. But with SA they manage a drawn series. So it would be tough to say which team has dominant factor, as England only play once in low bounce, slow tracks this year and terribly disappoint their fans. And Pakistan has a challenge to play against strong batting and bowling unit. 

Among the two teams Pakistan’s batting has continue to be as uncertain as any associate team. Ups and downs in wicket-keepers continues, last two series three different wicket-keepers for three different format is a question, do keeping techniques changes with the format of play? The same question mark is whether Pakistan could continue with the winning run and make another record, and show the world that we are as good as any world’s top team. We’ll see . . . . .