Pakistan lose Test Series 2 - 1

After injuries and wickets were discussed more than actual performances, the series against South Africa came to an end, with South Africa winning the third test on the 3rd day, and winning the series 2 - 1.

Its interesting that after the third straight series for Pakistan, the positives remain the same, and so do the negatives. Discussing these really does feel like Deja Vu!

Yousuf, Younis and Inzamam demonstrated once again their indispensability to the middle order, and it was interesting that each innings required atleast one of them to fire, and when they did, the results were apparent. However, there were enough instances where none of the three fired, which is why the team lost the series rather than coming out with a winning advantage. Mohammad Asif once again, drug related issues aside, demonstrated why he is one of the leading talents in international cricket. Sending down 125 overs in 6 innings demonstrates his fitness and his commitment to the team. However, one must recognize that this isn't a long-term viable situation, where a fast bowler sends down spinner like overs. Its a recipe for injuries and for disaster.

On the negative side, even though Imran Farhat was just behind the troika in his runs in the series, neither he nor Mohammad Hafeez were able to assert themselves as the key opening duo. This really does leave the doors open for Salman Butt or Imran Nazir, who really just need to assert themselves to gain access to the squad. Yasir Hameed had one good innings, but was again unable to demonstrate a reason to make him a permanent fixture in the squad.

Injuries played a major role in Pakistan's performance in South Africa. Pakistan's two other premiere fast bowlers, Shoaib Akhtar and Umar Gul, were unable to play due to injuries, while Shoaib Malik also missed the bulk of the series. Pakistan surely did miss Abdul Razzaq's middle order contributions with the bat, and then his bowling as well. Its been a long time since Pakistan's most talented bowlers were able to take the field together: Shoaib Akhtar, Mohammad Asif and Umar Gul. Pakistan has to figure out a better fitness regime, or some other means of ensuring that their players become more resilient, rather than being injured more time than not. While Woolmer has been blaming the schedule, and the itinerary, perhaps he should be blaming his own team for being unable to maintain appropriate levels of fitness and training.

Another area of concern which has arisen over the past few months, has been Kamran Akmal's poor showing behind the stumps. While he remains a key member of the squad in spirit, and has shown himself to be a fighter with the bat, it is his ability with the gloves which he has to fine tune to ensure his position in the squad long term.

So at the end of the series, we are left where we were at the start, with no areas being clarified, and only further muddling. And for the next few months, any discussion for the test squad will be put aside to concentrate on the all important World Cup. But I'm sure we'll hear more about that.

Pakistan lose to South Africa

Just after lunch on the fifth day, South Africa completed their win over Pakistan. Winning by seven wickets, South Africa's performance was built upon careful, meticulous batting and incisive bowling, neither of which Pakistan was able to display.

The inability of the bowlers, apart from Kaneria and Asif, to display any penetrative ability on a wicket which was obviously swinging and giving good bounce, is somewhat concerning. Neither of Shahid Nazir or Rana Naved were able to do anything substantial, and who knows, a couple of wickets here and there, and perhaps Pakistan may have had a shot to win this match. The batting was solid, without that added edge to take the team to another level. In both innings, multiple batsmen got good starts but no one was able to convert it into a match winning performance. Pakistan should be pleased with Imran Farhat and Yasir Hameed who had good innings and hopefully will be able to parlay that into a solid tour. Pakistan's man of the match was clearly Mohammad Asif, who took seven wickets in the match and showed that he hadn't missed a beat despite being away for the last few months. Yet one feels, that for Pakistan Yousuf, Shoaib and Umar could not possibly return sooner!

Technorati Tags: pakistan, cricket, mohammad asif, imran farhat, yasir hameed

I'm sure they're wishing he was a bowler

Yasir Hameed is fit again.

Yasir Hameed denies comments previously reported

In a previous entry here and in many papers in the Pakistani media, Yasir Hameed was targetted for making controversial remarks about being selected for the Pakistan A side. Yasir defends himself, and actually says that he wanted to delay involvement in the tournament, so he could get married, rather than any discomfort with the PCB or ego issues with playing for the A side. I must say, this almost seems like a mea culpa to me, as opposed to a statement of correction, but I could be wrong.

Yasir Hameed unhappy

Well, it appears that Yasir Hameed is unhappy, and not afraid to speak about it. It appears that Yasir is unhappy with having to play for the Pakistan A side, and feels that he should either only play for the national team or not at all. Lets be clear here, this is a batsman who has an average of 30 odd since he scored two centuries in his debut match against Bangladesh. I think he needs to calm down here, and realize that he is contending for the Pakistani team at a time where Salman Butt, Bazid Khan, Imran Farhat, Asim Kamal, Farhan Adil, Mohammad Hafeez, Taufeeq Umar, Naved Latif, Faisal Iqbal, Misbah-ul-Haq and Faisal Athar are but a few of the names, with reasonably similar statistics vying for an upper order and opening spot in the Pakistani national team. Tough on them all, and may the best man win.

Hameed out, but is Farhat in?

Imran Farhat has made a resounding point in his favour to be selected for the first test against India. After India had a highly satisfying innings with 6 of their batsmen scoring 50s, and Dhoni doing some entertaining, Imran Farhat sprayed an aggressive and dominating 107 against a strong and representative Indian attack. Accompanied by Hasan Raza's dominating 75, a stand of 160 revealed Imran's confidence and return to form.

Hot on the presses though, is Yasir Hameed's illness. Felt by many as being the most likely person to accompany Salman Butt at the #1/#2 position, Yasir has come down with typhoid, and is likely going to miss the entire series. Tough luck for him.

For those who might not know, Imran Farhat has played in 15 tests for Pakistan, with an average of around 30. If one removes the series in New Zealand and Australia, where he struggled, his average is sitting around 36, which is not something to laugh at. Further, at the domestic level, he has been prolific, with an average of over 80 so far this season. With Yasir Hameed out, this may represent the best opportunity Imran Farhat has had in some time to cement himself with a good performance at home.