Tuesday, May 26, 2009

RBS 20-20 Cup Continues: Razzak Smashes Ton, Fawad in Form, Tanvir Picks Wickets

The day started with the news of why Shoaib Akhtar did not lead the Islamabad Leopards last night, and ended with the first century of the RBS 20-20 Cup.

Apparently the PCB contacted the Islamabad Cricket Association and told them that if they included Shoaib, he would be in violation of his central contract by not following the advice of PCB's medical experts.

That ends the genital warts saga, or maybe not so. Shoaib still has to speak and he will soon I think.

The 1st century of the RBS 20-20 Cup came from the bat of ICL rebel Abdul Razzak, who smashed the Quetta Bears for 8 sixes and 8 boundaries in a belligerent knock of 109 off only 51 deliveries.

Razzak raced to his 100 off only 48 balls; what was even more remarkable was that his 2nd 50 came off only 15 deliveries.

In hindsight, maybe the PCB should have fought harder for the inclusion of the ICL players in the World Twenty20 squad.

Salman Butt (31 off 20) continued his run of thirties; atleast he was more attacking than yesterday, but his opening partner Ahmed Shehzad failed to open his account.

With every innings I wonder why Nasir Jamshed is not in Pakistan's squad for the 20-20 world cup. For the 2nd day in a row he out shone Butt and Ahmed, with a knock of 58.

Razzak and Nasir ensured a huge total for the Lahore Lions, which was too big for the Bears who ended up losing by 74 runs.

The Lions are looking extremely strong - particularly the batting. Kamran Akmal has not had a hit yet in 2 matches, but he has been brilliant behind the stumps - 5 dismissals in 2 days and no drops - good going Kami!

The Karachi Dolphins, my favorites for the tournament, kicked off their campaign today with a big win over the Abottabad Rhinos.

For some reason Shahid Afridi is not leading the Dolhpins; Khalid Latif is. Found that quite strange considering that Afridi has led them to a couple of finals over the last few years.

Nevertheless, Afridi (34 off 20) was in fine form with the bat, but surprisingly he didn't pick up any wickets.

Fawad Alam as always showed once again why he is so highly rated on the domestic circuit -his 70 runs came off a mere 36 deliveries and inclued 11 boundaries; he even picked up 2 wickets with his left armers.

Pakistan need to make sure they get him in the XI once the World Twenty20 starts.

Alam was involved in a 100 run partnership with the Dolphin's opener and captain, Khalid Latif who smashed a 50 ball 81. His innings included 5 sixes and 7 fours and was another reminder to the PCB selectors about their wrong choice of openers for the 20-20 world cup.

Shahzaib Hasan though, who has been picked as the reserve opener, finally showed us why Younis Khan rates him so highly with an aggressive knock of 56 while opening the innings for the Karachi Zebras.

He has to do a bit more though to show me that he is a better bet than Nasir or Khalid.

Younis Khan (38 off 28) had another good day with the bat, however he led the Panthers to their 2nd loss in as many days. His and Pakistan's strike bowler Umar Gul though had another lacklustre day - he has now gone 2 matches without a wicket.

Misbah continues to be absent from the Faisalabad Wolves' ranks, and his stand-in Mohammad Hafeez continues to shine. He followed up his 74 and 3-5 yesterday with a 56 ball 79 and 3-14 against the Rawal Pindi Rams today.

Hafeez unfortunately will remain a domestic star; he has been unable to translate similar success in previous seasons at the international level.

Sohail Tanvir finally hit some form picking up 3 wickets today, but his effort was not enough to avoid a 2nd loss for the Rams.

After 2 days, the Wolves, Stallions, Dolphins, and the Leopards are leading their groups, with the latter 3 looking set for the Semi Finals.

The Lions look like the strongest team but they face a tough challenge against the Wolves tomorrow, the winner of which will win the race to the semi finals.

Make your pitch on this post...



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4 Pitched:

  1. Stani Army said...
     

    Gul looks down on pace for some reason. In the UAE against Aus he was well below pace. We need him back to his best as now that Shoaibs gone, he's our fastest bowler.

    I'm not sure who you'd take out of the team to put in Fawad Alam. I wouldn't drop Malik for Alam.

    People talk of his average being better than so and so but that's because he has not played many innings. He may average 49 in international t20 but his highest score is just 23. It's the not outs that have propelled his average.

    Great prospect, don't get me wrong but I don't think he'll get in to our current team.

  2. Q said...
     

    Stani: I wouldn't drop Malik either.. if u can get Kamran or Afridi to open, it creates a position in the middle order.. use Alam for that. That's my case.

    Plus I wasn't talking abt his international average.. take a look at his domestic record..

    48 first class matches, ave: 56.75 - that is better than Yousuf, Younis, Malik, Misbah.. and many other bigger names. He has scored runs in huge numbers.. including a triple ton and 3 tons on the academy tour to Kenya and Zimbabwe last year.

    List A, 59 matches, Ave: 44.73

    Twenty20, 26 matches, Ave: 43.72

    Not many boast a record like that.

    As for Gul.. he's a great 20-20 bowler.. somethings not working for him in the RBS...

  3. Stani Army said...
     

    Thing is Q, we can't compare his first class record with the first class record of International players because theyre not there most of the time.

    If Yousuf, Younis, Malik, Misbah were playing first class all the time then they would make runs for fun.

    Yes, his first class average may be better than Yousuf, Younis, Malik, Misbah but is he better than them? Surely not.

    What would be your t20 side then Q?....from the squad picked.

  4. Q said...
     

    We can only know is he's better than them or not if he gets a chance to prove it at the international level. He hasn't had the fair chances, that's all what my point is.

    The guys that I mention did not have a similar record before they broke into the Pak team..

    As for my T20 team from the squad, I would like it to be (in batting order):

    Salman Butt
    Shahid Afridi
    Younis Khan
    Kamran Akmal
    Shoaib Malik
    Misbah
    Fawad Alam
    Sohail Tanvir
    Umar Gul
    Mohammad Aamer
    Saeed Ajmal

    Though I don't think that is the team that will play. I think Arafat might play instead of Aamer, and instead of Alam, there will be an opener - Shehzad or Shahzaib, whoever tickles Younises fancy..

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