Monday, February 26, 2018

PSL Entertains!


Posted by Q at Monday, February 26, 2018 Pitched (7)
Such is the charm of T20 leagues that in very short time they seem to throw so much entertainment at you that it all seems like a whirlwind. One can never really get bored!

We have witnessed only 4 days of action in the PSL and it already seems like so much action!

In just 4 days we have already witnessed:

Umar Akmal's genius and stupidity in the span of two games.

Why Mohammad Aamer is a notch above all the other bowlers.

Hopelessness that is Lahore Qalandars.

The future in the form of Umaid Asif and Ibtisham Sheikh.

Shahid Afridi stealing hearts with some quality bowling and a magical catch.

Reminders why Kumar Sangakkara retired too early.

Reminders why Mohammad Sami continues to play.

Darren Sammy vouching for Pakistani talent.

Potential finalists in Multan Sultans and Karachi Kings.

How Mohammad Hafeez continues to destroy mediocre bowling.

Imad Wasim (being the shoda that he is) copy a footballer's celebration.

A last over close finish.

A legendary hug.

Shoaib Malik showing why he is the best T20 batsman in Pakistan.

And so much more...

Even though we have witnessed only one close game out of the seven that have been played, there has been plenty of exciting entertainment.

The new boys in the league, Multan Sultans, look like the strongest team.

Multan along with Karachi Kings are my early picks for the two finalists. Their upcoming match on 10th March is something I am already looking forward to. It will be a cracker!

In two games, Ibtisam Sheikh has shown us that the art of leg spin will never perish from Pakistan.

It is quite amazing how a young kid can be discovered, drafted into the playing XI, and end up dominating batsmen on the world stage.

His Cricinfo profile says he is almost 20, Rameez Raja insists he is 16, and he looks not a day above 15!

Whatever the age, what a bowler Pakistan have found, and all of a sudden Pakistan is spoilt for choices when it comes to leggies.

Umaid Asif continued his form from where he left off in the recently concluded National T20 Cup where he was the leading wicket taker.

His debut 4 wicket haul showed everyone that he has the talent to succeed at the highest level.

In just 4 days, there has been plenty to cheer about in the PSL. 

But my moment of the Pakistan Super League in these 4 days has got to be this catch from Pakistan's biggest superstar who still continues to enthrall us! Lala bahit Aala!

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Tuesday, February 20, 2018

Countdown to the IPL Extravaganza


Posted by Q at Tuesday, February 20, 2018 Pitched (8)
Indian Premier League (IPL), a carnival of cricket, brings together cricketers from around the world to exhibit their talent for hefty moolah. The non-stop, action-packed event spanning over one-and-half months springs many a surprise - at times intense soft on other, but always exciting, energetic and entertaining.

IPL 2018 edition starts on April 07, and the final is scheduled to be on May 27 at Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai.

Potential Show Stealers



Chris Lynn
The Australian set the stage ablaze in last year's IPL edition, giving Kolkata Knight Riders explosive starts game-after-game. Lynn piled 384 runs at an audacious strike rate of 158. In the Big Bash League (BBL) this season, the volatile right-hander accumulated 127 runs in four matches at a staggering strike rate of 162.82.

Colin Munro
The New Zealander's brute display of sheer power-hitting and stellar form makes him a force to reckon with. In 2018 alone, the left-handed opener has amassed 367 runs at astounding strike rate of 192.14.

Mitchell Starc
Quick, at times unplayable, there is no bowler as fierce as the Australian. Royal Challengers missed the searing pace of Starc exceedingly in the last two seasons. If the left-arm quick remains available for the entire tournament, we are in for a treat!

Ben Stokes
There was nobody as sought after as Ben Stokes among fantasy cricket in India enthusiasts in last edition of IPL. Stokes has made plenty of headlines for the wrong reasons lately. The Englishman displayed great all-round skills in last year's edition to be chosen as the Most Valuable Player for Rising Pune Supergiant.

AB de Villiers
Mr. 360 AB de Villiers, the superman of cricket, is a cricketer with overflowing potential. So far in his IPL career, de Villiers has slammed 3 tons and has won 15 man-of-the-match awards. With Gayle's exit from RCB troop, the role of AB becomes all-important. Sure, he is the one who revels in responsibility.

Rohit Sharma
Rohit Sharma is more than an hot-blooded batsman who has 3 ODI doubles to his name, but an able leader with three titles in the bag in the space of 5 years. His batting ability and headship makes Mumbai Indians one of the favourites again this year.

Virat Kohli
There is no better run machine in the world. He is touted the only one who can reach the summit of Sachin's 100 hundreds. It would not be a surprise if we get to witness a repeat of IPL 2016 season, in which Kohli piled 973 runs in 16 innings, studded with 4 hundreds.

Jasprit Bumrah
Jasprit is in the mould of Lasith Malinga. Just like the latter, he has made himself a reputation for possessing an eerie ability to crush the toes and mastery in death bowling.

Teams that can go over the line

Mumbai Indians
If they play to their potential, there is no stopping defending champions Mumbai from going all the way. In Rohit Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah, Evin Lewis, Pat Cummins, Keiron Pollard and Hardik Pandya, they have an excellent mix to begin their title defence.

Royal Challengers Bangalore
Led by Virat Kohli, there is no other team that will be more frantic for IPL trophy. With AB de Villiers, McCullum and DeKock in their ranks, they are quite strong contenders this year.

Delhi Daredevils
No other franchise has bolstered their squad to an extent Daredevils did. They got hold of a proven leader in Gambhir besides T20 specialists like Jason Roy, Glen Maxwell and Colin Munro. Plus, they've got Chris Morris and Kagiso Rabada to complete a terrific overseas troupe.

Sunrisers Hyderabad
Sunrisers Hyderabad have balanced their squad right. In David Warner, they have a admirable commander who will be accompanied by in-form Dhawan at the top. With experience of Bhuvi, guile of Rashid khan and all-round capabilities of Shakib Al Hasan, Sunrisers are one exciting unit.

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Sunday, February 11, 2018

PSL 2018: All you wanted to know about Pakistan Super League Season 3 and the new exciting stars on the Horizon


Posted by Q at Sunday, February 11, 2018 Pitched (3)
Pakistan aren't playing enough international cricket, but the annual Pakistan Super League is right round the corner and this year, the league has an additional team - the Multan Sultans.

With the additional team, new and exciting players combined with the Pakistan and International stars, this year's PSL promises to be bigger and better than the two previous editions.

Here is everything you need to know about the teams participating in PSL 2018.
























QUETTA GLADIATORS
Captain: Sarfraz Ahmed
Pakistani Stars: Asad Shafiq, Anwar Ali, Mohammad Nawaz, Umar Amin
International Stars: Kevin Pietersen, Shane Watson, Jason Roy, Rilee, Rossouw, Mahmudullah, Albie Morkel
Player to watch our for: Jofra Archer

 Jofra Archer

This 22 year old Barbados born English cricketer was recently picked up for over a million dollars by Rajasthan Royals for the IPL. He has no international experience but his domestic cricket exploits have been doing the rounds of the cricketing circles.

He consistently clocks at over 90mph, he was the highest wicket taker in division two country cricket in 2017, and he had all the batsmen jumping around in the Big Bash League where he was the second highest wicket taker with 16 wickets in 12 games.

He is a valuable pick for Quetta Gladiators and has the potential to rip through batting line ups in the upcoming PSL.

 KARACHI KINGS
Captain: Imad Wasim
Pakistani Stars: Shahid Afridi, Mohammad Aamir, Usman Khan, Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan
International Stars: Ravi Bopara, Eoin Morgan, Lendl Simmons, David Wiese
Player to watch our for: Hasan Mohsin

 Hasan Mohsin

 This 20-year old allrounder from Karachi shone for Pakistan in the U19 World Cup in 2016, where he was among the leading run scorers and wicket takers in the tournament.

In U19 World Cup he scored 293 runs at an average of 98 and a strike rate of 96; and he picked up 11 wickets at an average of 15.

In domestic cricket since then, he has not flourished just as yet, but the PSL provides him the perfect stage to show the world his talent with both bat and ball.


























LAHORE QALANDARS
Captain: Brendon McCullum
Pakistani Stars: Fakhar Zaman, Umar Akmal, Yasir Shah, Aamer Yamin, Bilawal Bhatti
International Stars: Chris Lynn, Sunil Narine, Mustafizur Rahman, Dinesh Ramdin, Mitchell McClenaghan
Player to watch our for: Shaheen Afridi

 Shaheen Shah Afridi

He is only 17 and is already making waves in the cricket world. Standing tall at 6'6 and hailing from the same region as Shahid Afridi, this Afridi bowls at 150kph+ and recently had the world notice him in the U19 World Cup where he picked up 11 wickets at an average of 14.

He has played only 2 first class matches and his his debut first class match for KRL he rocked Rawal Pindi with a haul of 8-39, which immediately brought him to the forefront of the emerging fast bowlers in Pakistan's domestic circuit.

The PSL is the perfect platform for Shaheen to showcase his talent with the ball to the world.
























ISLAMABAD UNITED
Captain: Misbah Ul Haq
Pakistani Stars: Shadab Khan, Rumman Raees, Faheem Ashraf
International Stars: Sam Billings, Samuel Badree, Luke Ronchi, JP Duminy, Andre Russell, Alex Hales
Player to watch our for: Sahibzada Farhan

 Sahibzada Farhan

 With one season of domestic cricket behind him, this 21 year old from the Northern Areas of Pakistan has rapidly made a reputation of being a hard hitting opening batsman.

In 17 List A games for Peshawar he has hit 831 runs at an average of 49 and a strike rate of 88. In 9 T20 matches he averages 46 and has a strike rate of 111, which makes him an ideal batsman for the PSL.

He could be key at the top of the order for Islamabad United and a decent run in the PSL may give him the chance to partner with Fakhar Zaman in international cricket.
























PESHAWAR ZALMI
Captain: Darren Sammy
Pakistani Stars: Mohammad Hafeez, Kamran Akmal, Haris Sohail, Hasan Ali, Wahab Riaz, Hammad Azam
International Stars: Tamim Iqbal, Dwayne Bravo, Chris Jordan, Shakib Al Hasan, Andre Fletcher, Evin Lewis
Player to watch our for: Sameen Gul

 Sameen Gul
He is only 19 and this past year has been his breakthrough year in First Class cricket. In only 13 matches, he has picked up 62 wickets at an average of 15 and a strike rate of 30.

He was part of Pakistan's U19 squad for the World Cup in 2016, where he did not shine as expected; however since then he has developed rapidly and has been taking big strides in Pakistan's first class circuit.

 MULTAN SULTANS

Captain: Shoaib Malik
Pakistani Stars: Ahmed Shehzad, Sohail Tanvir, Sohaib Maqsood, Junaid Khan, Umar Gul, Mohammad Irfan
International Stars: Kumar Sangakkara, Darren Bravo, Keiron Pollard, Imran Tahir, Thisara Perrera
Player to watch our for: Zahir Khan

 Zahir Khan

 This 19 year old left arm chinaman bowler from Afghanistan has been rocking it in the domestic circuit. Batsmen have been unable to pick him and he has been able to pick up a heap of wickets in all forms of the game.

He has a tally of 31 wickets in 6 first class matches, 12 wickets in 5 List A matches, and 15 wickets in 8 T20 matches.

He has a sub-20 average in all forms of the game and can prove to be a wildcard for the Multan Sultans.

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Thursday, February 8, 2018

Kohli's Remarkable 100


Posted by Q at Thursday, February 08, 2018 Pitched (1)
Watching Virat Kohli bat yesterday was a delight like never before.

He has scored so many hundreds in such short time that it almost feels like an every day occurrence. No doubt each of his century is a spectacle but yesterday's innings was in my view one of his best, if not THE best.

He was out there for 49 of the 50 overs, he faced more than half of those, and he remained unbeaten.

But that is not what made it such a delight to watch. Why I found this innings to be magnificent was the fact that Kohli scored only 60 runs in boundaries, meaning that 100 of his runs were scored by running between the wickets.

Yet he had a strike rate in excess of 100.

I have never seen a batsman as consistent as Kohli. His fitness, his timing, his running between the wickets, the way he paces his innings, and his ability to hit big - it is all top class.

Soon after his innings ended, I was amazed that he had made 100 runs in singles and doubles. I felt that it was quite a rare achievement and didn't think it happened many times in ODIs, if at all.

So this morning I tried to find out which other batsmen had achieved the feat of scoring 100 runs in an ODI by running between the wickets.

Turns out, it has happened only 4 times before, and Kohli's was the 5th such instance. Only 5 times in 3,971 ODIs!


Quite remarkable.

With every innings he inches closer to Sachin's record of hundreds in ODIs and overall. With every innings he shows why he is the best in the world.

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Friday, February 2, 2018

India Looking to Make Amends with the White Ball


Posted by Q at Friday, February 02, 2018 No Comments
The third and final Test played at the Wanderers between South Africa and India had it all as far as pulsating Test matches go: from a lively pitch, where 40 wickets fell in three and a half days, to the umpires stepping in and taking the players off the ground for their safety after a ball crashed into Dean Elgar’s helmet. The captains unanimously agreed that the show must go on and out the South Africans came to face the music on the fourth day.


A monumental collapse, where the Proteas lost 9 wickets for 53 runs, saw South Africa fall short of the 241 run target set by India. A consolidatory victory for India but that was about it as far as any real satisfaction goes as they eventually went down 2-1 to South Africa in the series.

 Kohli will see the six-game ODI series as the chance to win a series in South Africa and salvage some pride before they head home and begin gearing up for an immensely tough fixture list during 2018. Shastri’s men will leave for England after the IPL comes to an end and will then travel to Australia towards the end of the year. That is about as tough as it comes for the Indians as far as touring fixtures go and having already been beaten in their first test series of the year by South Africa, the need to find some momentum is crucial.

The chance is there for India to use the momentum from the test in Johannesburg to their advantage as they tackle du Plessis' charges. Having already beaten India in the Tests, the Proteas could have their eyes on the Australians who touch down on South African shores for a four-Test series in March. Ottis Gibson’s men are 8/11 in the latest cricket odds to beat Australia at home for the first time since readmission, so India may have an opportunity to drive the knife in with the attention of the Proteas shifting towards the threat coming from Australia.

The Indian batsman will have to do a far better job of supporting Kohli than they did in the Tests if India they are to win the ODI series. The Indian captain was the leading run scorer overall during the Tests but still saw his side fail to capitalize on his brilliance at the crease by getting out cheaply and not showing the same hunger and fight Kohli had.

An ODI win in South Africa will help settle the Indians before their whirlwind year ahead picks up pace. Failure to do so will put them under an unnecessary amount of pressure and will have them with their backs to the wall going forward. Many of the batsman on the tour will be hoping to rekindle their touch with the willow and the change to the white ball may help as they are given licenses to come out and play, throwing off the shackles of fear that can arise in the test arena. 

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