Outdoor Sports, Activities, and Recreation
| Test triumph against Proteas good omen ahead of World Cup 2007 |
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nzamam's boys look prepared to deliver in the biggest cricketing extravaganza in the Caribbean islands because they have proved that have learnt to win away from home under mounting pressure When Pakistan won against West Indies in the home series in recent months, many an analyst accredited it to the advantage of home crowds and home grounds to certain extent. And feared that though capable, the 'unpredictable' outfit would not be able to continue with their newly-got form and consistency in their away series in South Africa, where the playing conditions had always been adverse to the Asians. However, with their good show abroad, they have proved their detractors as wrong as Pakistan have played satisfactorily so far in the ongoing series. Pakistan's continued consistency in form and approach to the game is good omen right before the mega cricketing event -- World Cup 2007 -- set to be staged in the Caribbean islands in March-April this year. It may be recalled here that in the first Test against Proteas at Centurion, Pakistan experienced a mini-collapse, which was halted by Inzamam and Kamran Akmal on the first day of the Test. Moreover, specialist bowlers put on a good fight in the first Test and kept Pakistan in the game for a while adding valuable runs to get their team to a respectable position if not securing a winning total. And, in the second Test, it was an exhibition of what we may call a real cricket. Pakistan were ahead from day one and maintained their supremacy till the end despite fielding lapses and blunders by Kamran Akmal behind the wickets. The South Africa put on good resistance and tried to be in the game, but Pakistan frustrated all such moves. And in the end Younis Khan and Kamran Akmal through their good batting turned the table on them. As we all know it is not easy for the teams from the Sub-continent to win in South Africa on fast tracks where ball moves around. As such, it is the biggest win for Pakistan. The win, with a day to spare, leveled the series, which will be decided in the third and final Test being played at Newlands in Cape Town. As for South Africa, the defeat ended a streak of three successive wins by them. The win in an away Test is of added significance in the context of the coming World Cup, which will be an away affair. It is morale-boosting stuff for Pakistan camp. The most striking feature of the Pakistan game since their series against West Indies at home has been consistency in their form and approach to the game. Whether they win or lose, they fight hard to be in the game. Their approach has changed the thinking of Pakistan cricket crazy public, who have long been looking upon their national team as an 'unpredictable outfit' prone to sudden collapses under pressure. Now, they have started pinning high hopes on the 'Green Caps' for the WC. At Post Elizabeth, Pakistan were definitely under pressure (with five down) but they played very well, especially Younis as the senior partner. The Pakistan five-wicket win at St George's Park seems to be the best of Inzamam's captaincy career spanning over many an year. Definitely Pakistan were under pressure (with five down) but they played very well, especially Inzamam, Kamran Akmal, Younis as the senior partners in the side. Inzamam was named man of the match for his unbeaten 92 in the first innings which gave Pakistan a crucial lead of 141 after South Africa were bowled out for 124 on the first day. Younis Khan and Kamran Akmal, who came together when Pakistan were a shaky 92 for five in their second innings and took them to the victory target of 191 with an unbeaten partnership of 99. Younis made 67 not out and Akmal 57 not out. All kudos to batting maestros Inzmam, Muhammed Yousuf, Younis Khan and opening bowler Mohammad Asif, who playing in his eighth Test, took five for 76 in 38 overs in the second innings when Pakistan were reduced to three front-line bowlers following an injury to first innings destroyer Shoaib Akhtar. He bowled very well, moving the ball both ways. The most striking feature of his form was that he bowled with his control. We are very happy that a new boy has bowled with his control. As far Younis, he played a solid innings apart from a difficult caught and bowled chance low down to Shaun Pollock when he had five, while Akmal batted aggressively. Pakistan needed someone to take the game by the scruff of the neck and Kamran Akmal did that. Akmal hurried to his half-century off 61 balls with five more fours. And what had been a tense contest ended shortly before tea with a flurry of strokes. The third Test is underway but the most important in the pipeline is the five-match one-day series against SA. We also want to win the one-day series because we're really hoping to have our World Cup squad together and performing well. We've got as many as five (one-day) games before the World Cup for preparation so we've got to look at that as the most important series. The win in Test is a huge one and has definitely brightened the prospect of the team for World Cup. It has changed the thinking of the Pak cricket lovers, who have started pinning high hopes on them. Right now they are right on track. That's even their detractors have begun to putting faith in them for the showcase event in March-April. However, what is a bit disturbing ahead of the mega event is the fitness dilemma that Pakistan faces. The big worry now is injuries and the fitness problems. Shoaib tore a hamstring muscle during his four-wicket haul in the second Test against South Africa in Port Elizabeth last week and was unable to bowl in the second innings. Umar Gul has injured his ankle and missed both the Tests at Centurion and Port Elizabeth. Both the pacers are part of Pakistan's 30-man provisional squad for the World Cup and are two of our strike bowlers. The duo will miss the coming five-match one-day series against the Proteas. It's a massive call to go into an ODIs ahead of World Cup without both of them. The matter of fact is that the big worry now is injury. If our key players go into World Cup with these injuries, it will be costly. Pakistan need to discuss these things and sit down with them and see what they can do. Moreover, in fielding, particular wicket-keeping was a sad affair in the Second Test. Kamran Akmal was a failure behind wickets and had he not shined with the bat along with Younis Khan, he would have faced music for the same. But now that he has compensated with his skills in batting, he escaped the wrath. The purpose to say is that our players still have one-day series against South Africa to iron out flaws and boost confidence. They have as many as five one-day games for preparation so they've got to look at that as the most important. The team should not feel complacent as Pakistan team still has a long way to not only show fighting spirit in the coming One-Day series against SA also embark upon the World Cup campaign in style. Overall, now Inzamam's boys look prepared to deliver in the biggest cricketing extravaganza in the Caribbean islands because they have proved that have learnt to win away from home under mounting pressure. They have proved that away success is no flash in the pan as they fought hard to win the second Test at Port Elizabeth. Pakistan's strength on the current tour and beyond is experience, with hard-hitting batsman Inzamam, Muhamemd Yousuf, Younis Khan, pacer Muhammed Asif, Umar Gul backed by leg-spinner Danish Kaneria, performing with the enthusiasm of the youth. The emergence of young all rounder Shoaib Malik after fitness dilemma also augurs well for Pakistan ahead of World Cup. Muhammed Yousuf has in recent months exceeded expectations in cricket with back-to-back performances. One hopes that Pakistan, champion in 1992, head to the Caribbean with players in good spirits and in imperious form. My name is Zishan.I am a pakistan cricket fan and write reviews and opinions about the cricketing events at <a href="http://crichome.blogspot.com">Home of Cricket</a> I also write reviews about latest Gadgets at <a href="http://techiebuz.blogspot.com">Gadgets n Software</a> Read more at: http://www.ArticlePros.com/recreation_and_sports/outdoor_sports/article-58667.html. |
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