Showing posts with label Danish Kaneria. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Danish Kaneria. Show all posts
Monday, October 12, 2015

How Pakistan's Bowlers have Tormented England


Posted by Q at Monday, October 12, 2015 Pitched (2)
While no series brings with it as much excitement as Pakistan vs India, it is also true that no series provides for nerve wrecking and dramatic test victories for Pakistan the way a test series against England does.

From Fazal Mahmood in 1954 to Saeed Ajmal in 2012, Pakistan's pacers and spinners have been tormenting England's batsmen in tests and orchestrating test wins in games Pakistan had no business winning.

Imran Khan and Mudassar Nazar did it in the 80s; Wasim-Waqar-Mushtaq did throughout the 90s; Shoaib Akhtar-Danish Kaneria-Saqlain Mushtaq did in the 2000s; and most recently Saeed Ajmal and Abdur Rehman did it in the 2010s.

Given the way some of the Pakistan vs England tests have unraveled in the past, I am looking forward to witnessing Yasir Shah run through the England batting line up on the final afternoon of a test match while chasing a moderate target.

It has happened repeatedly against England and it may as well happen again.

Fazal Mahmood single handedly and successfully defended 168 at the Oval in 1954.

Waqar Younis and Mushtaq Ahmed combined to bowl England out for 243 after they were 168-1 on the final afternoon at Lord's in 1996 to win a match that was heading towards a draw.

Wasim Akram and Mushtaq Ahmed did something similar at the Oval in 1996, bowling England out for 242 after they had reached 136-1 to ensure that the game ends in a draw. 

Waqar Younis and Saqlain Mushtaq ran through England and bowled them out for 261, after they were 146-0, at Old Trafford in 2001 to win a match that was heading towards a draw.

Shoaib Akhtar and Danish Kaneria combined to bowl England out for 175, 22 runs short of a moderate target of 198, which should have been easily achieved, in Multan in 2005.

Saeed Ajmal and Abdur Rehman crushed England, bowling them out for a mere 72 in Abu Dhabi in 2012. All England needed for a win was 145!

These are victories forever etched in the memories of Pakistan fans purely because of the way they were achieved. On the back of magical spells that struck on England like a bolt of lightning leaving them clueless about what hit them!

It is victories like this that make being a Pakistan fan so damn exciting!

I dont think Pakistan has scripted such test wins against other opposition, which is what makes a test series against England all the more exciting for me.

I can't wait for the test match to get underway tomorrow.

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Monday, June 22, 2015

Yasir Shah has made World Cricket better!


Posted by Q at Monday, June 22, 2015 Pitched (1)
Pakistan has had a strong track record of producing world class leg spinners. In fact, besides Australia, Pakistan is the only cricket nation that has given cricket a constant stream of leg spinners that have gone on to become match winners.

While Australia have had the likes of Richie Benaud, Bill O'Reilly, Arthur Mailey, Clarie Grimmet, Stuart Macgill, and the best ever Shane Warne, Pakistan have produced Intikhab Alam, Mushtaq Ahmed, Shahid Afridi, Danish Kaneria, and the master of the googly Abdul Qadir.

The newest leg spinner in town, Pakistan's Yasir Shah, is another one of the same breed - a world class match winning leg spinner!

Yasir's 7 wicket haul in the second innings against Sri Lanka ensured a win for Pakistan in a test that was looking to meander towards a draw. His 7-76 is now a record for the best bowling figures ever by an overseas bowler in a test in Sri Lanka.

What is even better is that Yasir broke a record (7-94), which was previously held by the best leg spinner ever to play the game - Shane Warne. 

Warne has publicly praised Yasir a number of times, He has tweeted a lot of praise and also spoken on TV about how he believes that Yasir is the best leg spinner in the world today. There aren't many around these days, but the two that are prominent are both from Pakistan - Yasir Shah and Imran Tahir.

And Yasir Shah, with every game, is proving Shane Warne correct and showing the world why he is really the best leggie in the business.

Surely he has a long way to go, but the start of his test career has been phenomenal! With 46 wickets in only 8 tests, Yasir is on the verge of creating a Pakistan record. With only 4 wickets in the next test, he will become the fastest bowler to 50 test wickets for Pakistan. Not only faster than any spinner to play for Pakistan, but faster than all of our bowling legends.


There are only 18 bowlers in this world who have picked up 50 wickets in 9 tests or less; and only 3 bowlers have achieved that in the past 40 years - Macgill, Philander, and Ashwin. The record feat for a leg spinner is also 9 tests - jointly held by Australia's Arthur Mailey and Stuart Macgill. 

Yasir Shah is all set to join the legendary leagues of the best.


Yasir has not only achieved personal milestones in his short career; his bowling efforts have resulted in historic test wins for Pakistan.

He made his debut against Australia in the UAE last year and his 12 wickets in the 2 tests at an average of only 17 were instrumental in Pakistan beating Australia in a test series for the first time in 20 years.

He was among the wickets again in test wins over New Zealand and Bangladesh.

And now, he has become the chief architect of Pakistan's first test win in Sri Lanka for 9 years.

If he continues in the same vein, Pakistan will win a lot more tests and will surely climb higher in the test rankings. A series win over Sri Lanka will put them at 3rd, behind only Australia and South Africa.

Leg spin bowling was never the same since Shane Warne retired. It had been a long time since cricket had seen a bowler mesmerizing batsmen with leggies, googlies, and faster ones. So thank God for the emergence of Yasir Shah for there are few better sights than seeing a batsman troubled by the wiles of a leg spinner.

Pakistan and world cricket are definitely richer with a bowler like Yasir Shah.

He will go on to create Pakistan records, maybe even world records, but the best part will always be that the world once again has someone who can spin it at good pace past the batsmen, dip it alarmingly fast, get it to zip through at pace, and turn it back into them deceivingly well!

Above all, he can do all this all day long with a smile on his face!

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Friday, December 17, 2010

We Deserve Answers


Posted by Q at Friday, December 17, 2010 Pitched (4)
What is going on in Pakistan cricket?

Yes we all heard that the ICC gave the PCB an ultimatum about cleaning up their act and getting their house in order.

But what exactly has the PCB been up to since then?

A lot for sure, but why have we, the general public, been kept in the dark?

First Kamran Akmal was not selected for the series against South Africa. Initially there was news about an appendicitis operation, but then even when he was fit, and Haider ran away, the senior Akmal was not selected.

Even Akmal was unsure as to why he was not selected and he requested the ICC for information on whether he was under any suspicion regarding spot fixing. The ICC gave him a letter clearing him!

Then there was the Danish Kaneria issue. A day before the test players were to fly out to the UAE for the series against South Africa, the PCB disallowed Kaneria from joining the team.

Why!?

And then came the news that the ICC has asked the PCB to not consider Kamran Akmal, Danish Kaneria, and Shoaib Malik in the initial pool of 30 players for the ICC World Cup!

Why!?

Yes we all know that there are suspicions regarding match fixing or spot fixing, but what exactly are those suspicions? Does the ICC have have reservations or the PCB? Do any of them have any evidence? Why are there conflicting reports every where? Why aren't the PCB or the ICC coming out in the open and publicly telling us what is going on? Why is everything going on behind closed doors?

Yes, we would like to see Pakistan cricket cleaned up, but whatever is being done regarding it, I believe the general public deserve the right to know.

The latest news now is that the PCB's integrity committee has grilled Akmal, Malik, and Kaneria and has asked them certain questions - what questions!?

We deserve answers!

Not from the players, but from the PCB and the ICC!

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Tuesday, July 21, 2009

Unbelievable!


Posted by Q at Tuesday, July 21, 2009 Pitched (3)
I've been running around but I've caught some cricket in between; I caught England's 75-year-misery-wiping-out win at Lord's and also some of the action from the 3rd test between Pakistan and Sri Lanka.

Here's some stuff that I found quite difficult to believe.

  1. England's win at Lord's.

  2. Michael Clarke's century, which came with hardly any runs on the board. Was that a first?

  3. Andrew Flintoff's 5-for. I know he is good; I did not think he still had it in him. Awesome display!

  4. Stuart Broad going for under 4 an over.

  5. Graeme Swann picking his first wicket of the series on Day 9.

  6. Pakistan losing their last 8 wickets for 96 runs. Well not unbelievable really but after 3 collapses they surely should have been more wary.

  7. A batsman shouldering arms to Younis Khan and getting bowled. Just brilliant!

  8. Danish Kaneria looking threatening. Is it really him or is it just the Sri Lankans?

  9. The number of bad umpiring decisions in both these tests; where is the review system?

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Friday, July 3, 2009

Pakistan set to play an overseas test after 17 months!


Posted by Q at Friday, July 03, 2009 Pitched (14)
Sri Lanka have never beaten Pakistan in a test series at home.

In fact the last time Sri Lanka won a test match against Pakistan at home, many of Pakistan's squad members were in their diapers; while some had not even come into this world.

That is an intriguing statistic, considering that Sri Lanka have beaten Australia, South Africa, India, and England at home in a test series in the last decade.

So what has kept Pakistan from losing a test match in Sri Lanka?

The last time they were there in 2006, Shoaib Malik's magnificent rearguard as opener saved Pakistan a test, while Mohammad Asif, in his pre-doping days, won another with his wily swinging deliveries.

Pakistan won that 2-test series 1-0.

In their tour prior to that in 2000, it was Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis who bowled Pakistan to victory in the first 2 tests before rain played spoilt sport in the 3rd.

Both of Pakistan's test series wins in Sri Lanka in this decade have come through pace and swing.

That is another intriguing statistic considering that Sri Lanka largely rely on their spinners and prepare pitches to suit the same.

This time round however, Pakistan do not possess the guile of a Mohammad Asif, nor the pace and skill of a Wasim Akram or Waqar Younis.

Umar Gul has been a revelation on T20Is, and has had some success in ODIs, but in test matches he is yet to produce a magical spell or two since his 5-for against India in Lahore in 2005.

While the other two pacers, Mohammad Aamer and Abdur Rauf, are yet to play a test match.

Hence, I doubt pace will be the key for Pakistan in this series.

On the spin front, Danish Kaneria has been a disappointment in my books; Saeed Ajmal is another member of the bowling attack who is yet to play a test match.

With such an inexperienced attack, Pakistan is going to find it tough to keep their test record in Sri Lanka intact.

I'm not sure what Pakistan's team composition is going be like, but going by what has happened in the past, I believe Khansahab is right in saying that they need to play all 3 pacers in Gul, Aamer, and Rauf.

That would leave space for only 1 spinner and I reckon it should be Ajmal.

But then Pakistan will be going in with as many as 3 debutant bowlers.

Wise or not, you tell me?

The batting doesn't seem to be a worry in my view.

Salman, Khurram, Younis, Yousuf, Misbah look like a solid line up on paper; they have it in them to deliver as well.

Barring Salman, all are very good players of spin; countering Murali and Mendis will not be a problem for them.

The number 6 spot is where the question mark is - Shoaib Malik, Faisal Iqbal, or Fawad Alam?

Recent form suggests it should be Fawad; continuity suggests it should be Faisal; Younis Khan's logic of not dropping seniors suggests it should be Malik.

Who will Younis go with?

I believe it is a good problem to have; either of the 3 are more than handy batsmen to have at number 6.

Come tomorrow, Pakistan will take the field for their 1st overseas test in 17 months.

That's a hell of a long time not to have toured anywhere for a test series.

Will Pakistan make the most of it and live up to their repuation in Sri Lanka?

Its up to Younis Khan to lift his troops up again for another fight.

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Wednesday, July 1, 2009

Pakistan's Bowling is a Worry


Posted by Q at Wednesday, July 01, 2009 Pitched (21)
Yes Pakistan's bowlers were the best on show at the World Twenty20, but bowling in test matches is a completely different ball game.

In almost 128 overs, Pakistan's bowlers managed to pick up only 7 wickets of a Sri Lankan XI; with all due respect to them they were a second string Sri Lankan batting line up.

There was no King Sanga, no Jayawardene, no Dilshan.

Umar Gul did not play against the Sri Lanka XI; but the other pacers - Aamer, Rauf, and Razzaq did.

Only Rauf managed to pick a wicket in the two innings.

While Kaneria and Ajmal, who are expected to be the key strikers for Pakistan in the tests, bowled 63.4 overs between them and picked up a total of 3 wickets.

That does not bode well for Pakistan's spinners, or the pacers for that matter.

What are they going to do when they come up against the real Sri Lanka?

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Tuesday, February 24, 2009

Younis Khan's 22 & a Dig at Damith...


Posted by Q at Tuesday, February 24, 2009 Pitched (10)
I know both my posts today have been regarding Younis Khan, but I couldn't leave it at that.

There has been 24 hours of play in this test match and Younis has been on the field for 22 of those hours.

I'm sure Shahrukh Khan will have no objection now to calling him King Khan.

Before I sign off for the day, I just want to point out one more thing.

Damith, my Sri Lankan friend over at Flyslip, pointed out that Pakistan's spinners bowled 82 overs between them for 310 runs and picked up 5 wickets.

That doesn't look all that bad now Damith, does it?

Your Murali and Splendid Mendis: 115 overs, 300 runs, and 2 wickets.

Not bad I say from Danish and Malik.

And you can't really compare Danish and Malik, who is merely a part timer, to the leading wicket taker in the world and Splendid, can you?

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Saturday, March 1, 2008

Sohail Khan and Anwar Ali Rip Apart Baluchistan - Sindh Win inside 2 Days.


Posted by Q at Saturday, March 01, 2008 No Comments
Sohail Khan took 6-21 in 9.2 overs including a wicket in each of his first 5 overs to demolish Baluchistan in their 2nd innings on the 2nd day at the National Stadium in Karachi (NSK) in the 3rd set of matches of the Pentangular Trophy.
In what was an extraordinary match between Sindh and Baluchistan, 18 wickets fell on day 1 and another 16 on day 2 as Sindh won the match by 6 wickets before close of play on the second day.

Shahid Afridi, who had just landed from a flight from the US 6 hours earlier, won the toss and sent Baluchistan in on a green top at the NSK - similar to the pitch on which Irfan Pathan took a hatrick in the first over of a test match a couple of years ago.

The Baluchis were bowled out for 187 with Anwar Ali, the star of Pakistan's victorious U-19 WC campaign in 2006, picking up 4-41. Anwar ripped through the heart of Baluchistan's batting as he dismissed 3 middle order batsman in the space of a few deliveries for 1 run during his second spell. He was well supported by Afridi and Danish Kaneria who picked up 2 wickets each.

Sindh failed to capitalize on their bowler's effort and ended day 1 on 131-8. They were then bowled out for 139 on the 2nd morning conceding a 50 run 1st innings lead. Khalid Latif, Khurram Manzoor, Naumanullah, Fawad Alam, Shahid Afridi, Sarfraz Ahmed all failed to get going and it was only Faisal Iqbal who held the innings together with a well made 52.
What was to follow was absolute carnage as Sohail Khan and Anwar Ali bowled 17 overs in tandem and picked up 6-21 and 3-12 to bowl the Baluchis out for 42.

Sindh got to their target of 91 after losing 4 wickets, with Pakistan prospects Khalid, Khurram, Naumanullah, and Fawad failing yet again.

Sohail Khan has been touted as the next best thing in Pakistan bowling throughout this season - he has broken several domestic records in his first first-class season in Pakistan and at 23 seems to be a good bet for the future. If he can remain injury free, could be leading Pakistan's attack along with Mohammad Asif very soon.
Anwar Ali has been considered as a bright prospect for a long time now because of his performances at the U15 and U19 levels, however he had lost his way in the last 2 years playing on dead tracks around Pakistan. He has shown immense potential during the Pentangular Trophy and should also be playing for Pakistan sooner rather than later.

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