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			<title>PAK VS ENG: Pakistan lead by 77 Runs on day two of series-decider Test</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2505179/pak-vs-eng-day-2-begins-at-pakistan-bats-106-runs-at-loss-of-four</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2505179/pak-vs-eng-day-2-begins-at-pakistan-bats-106-runs-at-loss-of-four#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Fri, 25 Oct 24 05:13:21 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[News Desk]]>
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			<category><![CDATA[Sports]]></category>
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			<description>
				<![CDATA[England trail by 62 runs as Sajid Khan and Noman Ali bowl at session three of the Rawalpindi Test.]]>
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				<![CDATA[Pakistan is leading by 77 runs in Session 3, Day 2 of the series-decider Test against England being played in Rawalpindi.

Saud Shakeel&#39;s impressive innings came to a close when he was caught at midwicket off Atkinson&#39;s delivery. His&nbsp;knock of 134 runs off 223 balls was pivotal, transforming Pakistan&#39;s position from 46 for 3 to a commanding lead of 77&nbsp;runs.

Following him, Sajid Khan, also a top scorer of Pakistan&#39;s second innings&nbsp;contributed a quickfire 48 runs off 48 balls, helping hosts establish a&nbsp;lead.

Saud Shakeel&#39;s 100 propels Pakistan towards parity, fading away England&#39;s lead and the hosts trail by 22 runs in session two, Day 2 of the series decider being played in Rawalpindi.

Both teams won one match each during the Multan Tests earlier.

Saud Shakeel notched his 8th Test 50, marking his 6th against England, bringing his tally to eight fifties and three centuries in 15 Test matches.

The fourth wicket partnership added 50 runs off 120 balls, with Shan Masood scoring 18 runs and Saud Shakeel contributing 31 runs, along with one extra run.

The last wicket was of Shan Massod who scored 26 runs of 70 balls. Mohammad Rizwan came in next standing at 8 runs of 15 balls.

Day 1 Summary

Yesterday, England won the toss and seized the initiative on the opening day of the third Test against Pakistan as it finished at 267 runs during the first innings.

Pakistan scored 73 runs for 3 at the end of day one.

Skipper Ben Stokes, winning his first toss in eight attempts, opted to bat first, and England struggled initially, losing wickets at regular intervals.

Jamie Smith led the charge with a crucial 89 runs, his first half-century away from home, and partnered with Gus Atkinson for a vital 107-run stand for the seventh wicket. Atkinson contributed 39 runs, helping England recover from a precarious position of 118 for 6.

Sajid Khan was the standout bowler for Pakistan, claiming 6 wickets for 128 runs in 29.2 overs. His early breakthroughs dismantled England&#39;s batting lineup, leaving them at 56 for 5 at one stage. Ben Duckett provided some stability, scoring 52 runs before succumbing to the spin duo of Sajid and Noman Ali, who finished with figures of 3 for 88.

Pakistan&#39;s chase began poorly, with opener Abdullah Shafique dismissed for 35. The team struggled against England&#39;s spinners, losing three wickets for just 11 runs. Shan Masood and Saud Shakeel remained at the crease, ending the day at 73 for 3, trailing by 194 runs.]]>
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			<title>England’s comprehensive win puts an end to Pakistan's World Cup misery</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2445885/englands-comprehensive-win-puts-an-end-to-pakistans-world-cup-misery</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2445885/englands-comprehensive-win-puts-an-end-to-pakistans-world-cup-misery#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sat, 11 Nov 23 08:04:53 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[newsdesk.]]>
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			<category><![CDATA[Cricket]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2445885</guid>
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				<![CDATA[England won by 93 runs]]>
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				<![CDATA[pk]]>
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			<title>Cricket tour cancellation taken up with UK minister</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2323834/cricket-tour-cancellation-taken-up-with-uk-minister</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2323834/cricket-tour-cancellation-taken-up-with-uk-minister#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Fri, 08 Oct 21 06:02:39 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[APP]]>
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			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2323834</guid>
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				<![CDATA[FM Qureshi says cricket fans were disappointed with cancellation of English cricket team's tour]]>
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				<![CDATA[Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi said on Thursday that he raised the issue of one-sided cancellation of the cricket tour of England to Pakistan with his counterpart during his recent visit to Britain.

In a statement, he said the fans of cricket were disappointed with the cancellation of the tour of the English cricket team to Pakistan.

The cancellation of the visit without any consultation caused loss to the state television, Pakistan Cricket Board and the people of Pakistan, he stated.

Read&nbsp;New Zealand hopeful about rescheduling Pakistan tour

British foreign secretary said that the cancellation of the tour was not the decision of the government but the England Cricket Board (ECB), he added.

The British minister assured that he would convey the reservations of Pakistan to the ECB, Qureshi said. He said such decisions caused issues for the players and cricket fans, adding the England team should look at its schedule to determine when it could visit Pakistan.]]>
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			<title>A child's adorable rendition of Hasan Ali's celebration</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/1436066/childs-adorable-rendition-hasan-alis-celebration</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/1436066/childs-adorable-rendition-hasan-alis-celebration#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Thu, 15 Jun 17 06:05:09 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Sports Desk]]>
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			<category><![CDATA[Sports]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=1436066</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Watch the kid celebrate]]>
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				<![CDATA[Pakistan pacer Hasan Ali stole the show in Wednesday's ICC Champions Trophy thriller against England at Sophia Gardens in Cardiff.

Hasan ran through England's, who were deemed as favourites, batting line-up, sending Jonny Bairstow, Ben Stokes and Eoin Morgan packing.

The young gun has come a long way since his 1-70 against India last week. Hasan currently is the top bowler of the tournament with 10 wickets, one more than Australia Fast-bowler Josh Hazlewood.

Pakistan vanquish mighty England to reach Champions Trophy final

What sets him apart, other than the brilliant form he has been in, is his celebration when dismissing a batsman. In a country where cricketers are perhaps the most looked up to icon, it didn't take long for the exuberant style to catch on. High on the win, this child did a perfect mimic of Hasan's signature moves.

Here is Hasan celebrating the wicket of English batsman Joe Root:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vKIY7vas6js

In a video posted on Twitter, the child, dressed in Barcelona gear, can be seen jumping on the bed, imitating Hasan's style.

https://twitter.com/SportsJournoo/status/875055345005076480?s=08

Captioned as Hasan Ali's biggest fan, the child clearly seems won over by the bowler. His emotions depict the genuine rush cricket fans experienced during Pakistan's journey to the semi-finals - one that would have been impossible without the right-arm paceman.

It wasn't long before the video became viral on social media with over 50 retweets and 131 likes. And people couldn't stop themselves from expressing joy at this heartwarming performance!

‘Confident’ Sarfraz ready to play ‘positive’ cricket against England
https://twitter.com/Emmad81/status/875106188274302976

https://twitter.com/mak_asif/status/875102679764058113

https://twitter.com/bhattmustaq/status/875121810638950401

We spotted another Hasan Ali fan, who thinks he is Super man:

https://twitter.com/ChaudhryAnzar/status/875106739364012033

&nbsp;

&nbsp;]]>
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			<title>A win to savour</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/1163064/a-win-to-savour</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/1163064/a-win-to-savour#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Mon, 15 Aug 16 18:52:29 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[editorial]]>
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			<category><![CDATA[Editorial]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=1163064</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[The drawn series is a fair reflection on both teams, with both sides playing mercurial, engaging cricket]]>
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				<![CDATA[On the 70th Independence Day of the country, Pakistan’s love affair with the Oval had another glorious chapter added to it as Misbahul Haq’s men romped home to a crushing 10-wicket win against England. The Test ended on the fourth day of final match with Pakistan registering not only their fifth win at the venue but also drawing the series 2-2 against a formidable opposition. After an impressive start to the series at Lord’s, Misbah’s men veered off course to crash to bruising defeats at Old Trafford and Edgbaston. But they came back all guns blazing at the Oval — an away venue where they have now won more Tests than any other ground around the world.

Younus Khan finally came good and churned out a double ton of the highest quality to silence his critics for the umpteenth time in his marvellous Test career. His epic effort set up a more than inspired bowling performance by leg-spinner Yasir Shah who overcame his nightmares from the second and third Tests with a five-wicket haul. Yasir set the tone for the win with his three wickets in the dying moments of the third day’s play, a spell that broke the back of the English top order.

The drawn series is a fair reflection on both teams, with both sides playing mercurial, engaging cricket. No one team wrestled the initiative long enough to take a decisive lead in the contest. If Pakistan lorded at Lord’s, England were outrageously good at Old Trafford before clawing back from an almost improbable situation to win at Edgbaston. Pakistan were at their irresistible best at the Oval and grounded the high-flying hosts with a clinical effort. For Misbah — declared man-of-the-series due to his leadership — a drawn series is another feather in his cap. When he reflects back at the contest he will have many memories to cherish albeit he might rue that half an hour of madness at Edgbaston cost Pakistan the game on the final day. Nevertheless, this was a fine performance by an accomplished Test unit, which now finds itself very close to the top of the Test rankings.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 16th, 2016.

Like Opinion &amp; Editorial on Facebook, follow @ETOpEd on Twitter to receive all updates on all our daily pieces.]]>
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			<title>An embarrassing defeat</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/1158180/an-embarrassing-defeat</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/1158180/an-embarrassing-defeat#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Mon, 08 Aug 16 17:19:27 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[editorial]]>
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			<category><![CDATA[Editorial]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=1158180</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[The Lord’s win now seems like a distant memory with Pakistan]]>
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				<![CDATA[On the first two days of the third Test against England, Pakistan were firmly in control. By the time the tourists finished their first innings, they had gathered a 103-run lead and looked set to dominate the latter half of the Test as well. But it all fell apart as England made a roaring comeback with the bat in their second innings before making full use of the fragile nerves of Pakistan batsmen on the last day to record an emphatic 141-run win on their way to an unassailable 2-1 lead in the four-match series. The shell-shocked Pakistan middle-order caved in against reverse swing, with Misbahul Haq, Asad Shafiq, Sarfraz Ahmed and Sami Aslam perishing in a sensational collapse, which saw four wickets falling for a single run. Before the collapse was triggered, the woefully out of sorts Mohammad Hafeez and Younus Khan, besides the first-innings centurion Azhar Ali, had already been sent back to the dressing room.

But Pakistan had already lost their grip on the match by the third day allowing the hosts to first claw back in contention and then wrest firm control of the proceedings as the tired bowlers succumbed to the onslaught initiated by Jonny Bairstow and Moeen Ali. The Lord’s win now seems like a distant memory with Pakistan exposing their frailties with both bat and ball outside the familiar environs of the UAE.

The series is now on the line. If Pakistan are to salvage some pride, they need to turn the tables at their favourite hunting ground in England, at the Oval. Pakistan have four Tests here including a win the last time the two teams met at the venue in 2010. But before entering the Test, the team management need to work out their best combination. Can Pakistan persist with Hafeez whose batting form and poor catching has cost them dearly in the series thus far? Some tough decisions are the need of the hour and must be made to ensure that the tourists restore parity.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 9th, 2016.

Like Opinion &amp; Editorial on Facebook, follow @ETOpEd on Twitter to receive all updates on all our daily pieces.]]>
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			<title>Can Pakistan bounce back?</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/1154553/can-pakistan-bounce-back</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/1154553/can-pakistan-bounce-back#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Tue, 02 Aug 16 18:38:12 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[editorial]]>
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			<category><![CDATA[Editorial]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=1154553</guid>
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				<![CDATA[The highs of Lord’s turned into the lows of Old Trafford in a blink of an eye]]>
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				<![CDATA[The highs of Lord’s turned into the lows of Old Trafford in a blink of an eye. Now as the dust settles after two incredibly contrasting results, Pakistan and England assemble for the third act of the four-match Test series at Edgbaston, Birmingham. While Pakistan have won 10 Tests in England against the hosts, they have never won in Edgbaston — four defeats and three draws in seven Tests. The last time the two teams met at the venue, the tourists were shot down for 72 on the opening day — Pakistan’s lowest-ever score against England. The Edgbaston pitch offers considerable seam movement with the new ball and if the conditions are overcast, the Pakistan top order can find itself in trouble if it continues its lacklustre form.

Conversely, if the batsmen manage to hold their own and post decent scores, the bowlers have the potential to put some pressure on the English batting line-up that looked like a million dollars at Old Trafford, largely due to the sublime form of Alastair Cook and Joe Root. The English middle order can be as wobbly as Pakistan’s top order and despite the thrashing the tourists’ bowlers received in the second Test, they can regain their confidence if they are able to send back Cook and Root early. While history is stacked firmly against Pakistan, Misbahul Haq’s men have a habit of fighting back in adverse situations, and can put England on the back foot if they get their bearings right. The batsmen, bowlers and fielders, not to forget the leader, must have learnt some harsh lessons at Old Trafford and will need to put the harrowing memories behind them if they are to clip the wings of the high-flying hosts. England, on the other hand, won’t have the services of all-rounder Ben Stokes and will feel his absence deeply with both bat and ball. A tough but keenly contested competition is on the cards and here is to hoping that Pakistan give a good account of themselves on this occasion.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 3rd, 2016.

Like Opinion &amp; Editorial on Facebook, follow @ETOpEd on Twitter to receive all updates on all our daily pieces.]]>
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			<title>An abject capitulation</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/1150147/an-abject-capitulation</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/1150147/an-abject-capitulation#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Tue, 26 Jul 16 19:37:45 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[editorial]]>
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			<category><![CDATA[Editorial]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=1150147</guid>
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				<![CDATA[The euphoria of Lord’s didn’t last long as Pakistan crashed to a woeful 330-run defeat at Old Trafford against England]]>
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				<![CDATA[The euphoria of Lord’s didn’t last long as Pakistan crashed to a woeful 330-run defeat in the second Test at Old Trafford against England. For the umpteenth time in recent years, an away tour has exposed the fragility of the Pakistan batting with the top-order caving in to the seam, swing and bounce of English pitches. While the bowlers made the most of, at best, par scores at Lord’s, their failure in the English first innings rubbed off onto the batsmen who crumbled in a heap in both innings. England batsmen Alastair Cook and Joe Root combined for a total of 506 runs with only two dismissals in the Test while the 20 Pakistan wickets in the two innings posted only 432 runs between them. England’s batting showed that the pitch did not have any demons in it, but as soon as the Pakistanis turned up with the bats in hand, it started resembling a minefield. The top-order quartet of Mohammad Hafeez, Shan Masood, Azhar Ali and Younus Khan have had two forgettable Tests now and their lack of runs are making the task a most arduous one for the middle and lower order. Only captain Misbahul Haq and Asad Shafiq have tried to withstand the English bowlers’ onslaught but they came nowhere close to matching the class of Cook and Root at Old Trafford.

The bowling attack of Mohammad Amir, Rahat Ali, Wahab Riaz and Yasir Shah must have been scarred by the comfort with which the England batsmen toyed with them. Yasir, especially, took a fearful battering after his Lord’s heroics. The fielding, too, has been a cause of real concern with dropped catches being a regular feature. After the defeat, Misbah put on a brave face and claimed that his team had the ability to bounce back. One really hopes that his belief in his players is rewarded in the third Test; otherwise the series can turn into a woeful nightmare very quickly. Pakistan need to pull up their socks in quick time before the Birmingham Test kicks off next week.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 27th, 2016.

Like Opinion &amp; Editorial on Facebook, follow @ETOpEd on Twitter to receive all updates on all our daily pieces.]]>
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			<title>Games before the match</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/1141382/games-before-the-match</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/1141382/games-before-the-match#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Wed, 13 Jul 16 18:16:04 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Abdul Majid]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Opinion]]></category>
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				<![CDATA[It is the first time since the 2010 series that the Pakistan team is visiting England]]>
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				<![CDATA[Former Pakistan head coach Waqar Younis, in a recent interview stated that “when you are touring England, it doesn’t matter where you’re from; you just have to be careful with the controversies”. He further added that “there are hawks out there looking at you”.

And right now, these hawks are hovering over the Pakistan cricket team — specifically left-arm pacer Mohammad Amir who has served his ban and completed his rehabilitation but a statistic to note: it is his first wicket in England, after the 2010 spot-fixing controversy, and he was recently welcomed with a headline by BBC where he was referred to as a ‘convicted spot-fixer’.

If we look closely at the series, it is the first time since the 2010 series that the Pakistan team is visiting England. There are a lot of other themes to ponder upon but the English media is adamant on highlighting Amir’s past — one fitting way to put the opponent team’s morale down.

Misbahul Haq is visiting England for the first time in his career to participate in a five-day encounter; also, he is captaining the side whose last visit to the country does not evoke good memories. His legacy will be decided in the English conditions as he is blamed to have led the side to victories in Asian conditions only. However, British media’s reaction to this is, ‘sorry not interested’. Meanwhile, there are a number of players who haven’t played any Test for the national team in England and this would be the first time they would be representing the Pakistani flag but again it is not as interesting as Amir’s case.

The downside of this strategy followed by the British media might be faced by the English team who think that Amir is the only Pakistani bowler who will cause ‘some problems’ for them. With Yasir Shah in Pakistan’s ranks, they have underestimated the effect the leggie can have in the English conditions. Meanwhile, other pacers such as Wahab Riaz, Sohail Khan, Rahat Ali and Imran Khan can also be a handful on the seaming English pitches as was evident during the three-day tour matches against Somerset and Sussex — a fact that the British media did not prefer to focus on.

There is not a shimmer of doubt that Amir will play a significant role in the series but the tactics employed by the British media to hit Pakistan where it hurts them the most can backfire according to former batsman Kevin Pietersen who thinks that this might drive the 24-year-old to perform better than expected to prove his point.

Although there are two groups of people who believe that Amir should or shouldn’t have been allowed to return to international cricket but all of them concur to one opinion that the left-arm pacer is an unbelievably talented operator with the ball.

Thus, when the first ball will be bowled by a Pakistani or an English bowler at Lord’s in the first of the four-match Test series — that’s when the real match will begin, and the media games that cashed in on the pre-series speculations will be answered; however, they should not be expected to die down.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 14th, 2016.

Like Opinion &amp; Editorial on Facebook, follow @ETOpEd on Twitter to receive all updates on all our daily pieces.]]>
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			<title>Needed — change in ODI strategy</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/996338/needed-change-in-odi-strategy</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/996338/needed-change-in-odi-strategy#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sun, 22 Nov 15 18:22:21 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[editorial]]>
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			<category><![CDATA[Editorial]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=996338</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Growing demands of the rapidly evolving ODI game have become almost an insurmountable challenge for the national team]]>
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				<![CDATA[Pakistan suffered yet another One-Day International (ODI) series loss in the UAE with Azhar Ali’s men going down 3-1 to England after a highly disappointing show put up by the national team. In the last two years, Pakistan have soundly been beaten by South Africa, Australia and New Zealand before the latest debacle against England. The growing demands of the rapidly evolving ODI game have become almost an insurmountable challenge for the national team. It is clear that Pakistan are yet to crack the code of the modern ODI game where batsmen are expected to post huge scores at breathtaking pace and bowlers are supposed to aim for wickets rather than merely containing batsmen.

The mindless chopping and changing of the playing-eleven meant that Pakistan were not able to field a settled combination in any match of the series. Besides having to deal with Younus Khan’s surprise retirement, the team management ignored Ahmed Shehzad for the first three games. Newcomer Iftikhar Ahmed was needlessly rushed into the team, and by the time the fourth game was held in Dubai, both Iftikhar and Bilal Asif — who had singlehandedly won Pakistan the series decider against Zimbabwe recently — were chucked out of the playing-eleven. The promising Zafar Gohar was also dropped despite a good debut performance. How exactly does the team management expect newcomers to perform in such an uncertain environment? Coming to the bowling, the tiring fast bowling duo of Wahab Riaz and Mohammad Irfan had nothing left in the tank with Jos Butler unleashing mayhem in the final overs of the last game. The fragile bodies of the two fast bowlers are clearly not being given enough rest. The batsmen, on the other hand, seem clueless when it comes to building huge totals while keeping wickets intact, the primary reason for the series loss. Another worry for Pakistan is that the team management is yet to come to grips with the loss of Mohammad Hafeez as a bowler. Azhar Ali continues to harp on this loss in his media interactions, while ignoring the fact that it has been months since Hafeez was banned and by now Pakistan should have come up with an alternative plan. It is clear that our ODI game and strategy needs some serious overhauling. We suggest that the board and team management get down to accomplishing this task without delay.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 23rd,  2015.

Like Opinion &amp; Editorial on Facebook, follow @ETOpEd on Twitter to receive all updates on all our daily pieces.]]>
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			<title>Waqar wants Pakistan to push England hard</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/992023/waqar-wants-pakistan-to-push-england-hard</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/992023/waqar-wants-pakistan-to-push-england-hard#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sun, 15 Nov 15 15:17:26 +0500</pubDate>
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			<category><![CDATA[Sports]]></category>
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				<![CDATA[The coach says he was not expecting England to play the way they did in the second game on Friday]]>
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				<![CDATA[Head coach Waqar Younis warned his team needed to play out of their skins to take a lead over England when the two teams meet in the third one-day international in Sharjah on Tuesday.

Pakistan went down by 95 runs in the second game in Abu Dhabi to give England a chance to level the four-match series at 1-1.

Pakistan won the first match by six wickets, also in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday.

Waqar said he was not expecting England to play the way they did in the second game on Friday.

"We need to play well to make it 2-1," said Waqar on Sunday. "England bounced back and bounced back well, we probably were not thinking that they are going to play that well so we have to play out of our skins to make it 2-1."

Waqar said Pakistan were poor on Friday, sliding to 188 all out in chase of a 284-run target.

2nd ODI: Hales leads England to win over Pakistan

"Obviously we were expecting a fightback from England but we also played poor cricket in that game. We were not up to the mark in batting and at no time we were in the game and we must make sure it doesn't happen next time."

England opener Alex Hales notched a maiden century to lift England to an impressive 283-5 in their 50 overs, batting which Waqar believed set up the win.

"The way Hales made that hundred was great and when someone scores a hundred at the top of the order your chance of putting a 300 total gets more," said Waqar of the England opener.

"We know our strengths so we will fightback."

Waqar admitted he was surprised over the manner in which senior batsman Younis Khan retired from one-day after the first match following debate over his selection for the series.

"Reality demanded that he should have completed the series," said Waqar of Younis who ended his career on 265 one-day games. "But that is the way he thinks and he is. I am very proud of the way he played the game.

"He will continue to play Test cricket and I am hopeful that he will complete 10,000 Test runs but it was unfortunate way (to retire) and the decision was sudden and that was a big shock for us."

The fourth and final one-day match will be played in Dubai on Friday.

Both teams will also play Twenty20 internationals in Dubai (November 26 and 27) and Sharjah (November 30).]]>
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			<title>England need wins, says assistant coach Farbrace</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/990164/england-need-wins-says-assistant-coach-farbrace</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/990164/england-need-wins-says-assistant-coach-farbrace#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Thu, 12 Nov 15 14:07:32 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[Pakistan thrashed England by six wickets in the first of four one-day matches in Abu Dhabi]]>
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				<![CDATA[England's assistant coach Paul Farbrace insisted on Thursday his new-look one-day side needs to win games rather than talk about developing and learning.

His comments came a day after Pakistan thrashed England by six wickets in the first of four one-day matches in Abu Dhabi.

Farbrace thinks England can still win the series, with the second match, also in Abu Dhabi, on Friday.

"We think we have the ability and the players in our team to win this series," said Farbrace. "We're not here to develop and learn and go away and say 'well, we didn't win the series, but we're learning'.

"That's not what we want. We want to win, and it's really important we do. It is all channeled towards winning the next game."

Pakistan dismissed England for a below-par total of 216 courtesy of 3-35 by lanky paceman Mohammad Irfan while seamer Anwar Ali and spinner Shoaib Malik took two wickets apiece.

&nbsp;

England batting worries skipper after Pakistan defeat

Pakistan then chased down the target in 43.4 overs on the back of an unbeaten 102 by opener Mohammad Hafeez and a run-a-ball 62 not out by Babar Azam.

Farbrace praised left-arm paceman Reece Topley, who captured three wickets to push Pakistan hard at the start of their chase.

"Nobody moves forward at the same pace, but Topley is one who is learning very quickly, and you'd like to think others can do the same.

"International cricket is about learning, very quickly. The best players that do that don't make the same mistakes twice... they're the ones that generally go on and have the better careers.

"That's what we want... people who can learn, think for themselves, act for themselves, be responsible for their game and improve to such an extent they stay in the side and become a first pick and not just an in-and-out fringe player."]]>
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			<title>England’s burnt deck</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/988199/englands-burnt-deck</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/988199/englands-burnt-deck#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Mon, 09 Nov 15 18:48:53 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[Emmad Hameed]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Opinion]]></category>
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				<![CDATA[Since 1982 Pakistan have won at least one Test in all but one of the seven series played]]>
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				<![CDATA[England could have won in Abu Dhabi, England could have drawn in Dubai, and England could have run through Pakistan’s second innings in Sharjah. But at the end of a forlorn month of cricket, England failed to deliver in the crunch moments of all three games and Captain Cook returns home wondering what could have been. Sport is not about what-ifs, it is all about seizing that moment when the contest hangs in the balance, it is all about going for the kill when you get even a sniff, it’s all about being ruthless when the opposition least expects.

Three years ago when England first visited the UAE they were basking in the glory of their recently acquired number one rank in the Test format. Andrew Strauss, the then captain, had a team of superstars but by the end of that contest their reputations were shredded. Bullies like Kevin Pietersen, Jonathan Trott, Ian Bell, Matt Prior, Stuart Broad, Graeme Swann and James Anderson were left gobsmacked by a team that didn’t even have a home ground of its own.

This year, Cook arrived on the back of an overly hyped Ashes triumph against enemy numero uno Australia — the supposed ‘mother of all Test battles’ held seemingly almost every weekend. In Sharjah, he was the second-last man to jump off the burning deck as a 284-run target proved well out of the reach of his charges who were smitten by the vagaries of a fifth-day track. Strauss — now the director of England cricket — watched the carnage unfold from the Sharjah stadium corporate box. Some eyewitnesses claim he turned his head away each time a batsman perished to the wiles of the Pakistani magicians. The minds of Cook’s batsmen wreaked havoc with their techniques as Yasir Shah, Zulfiqar Babar and Shoaib Malik chuckled away at their red-faced opponents, devouring one sorry victim after another.

Since the stunning Karachi heist at the dawn of the new millennium, England have finished losers in seven out of their last nine Tests ‘hosted’ by Pakistan. No wonder the English bowlers and fielders so desperately want to square off with their tormentors in the comforts of their own conditions.

The fast bowling quartet of Anderson, Broad, Mark Wood and Ben Stokes all had a go at Pakistan batsmen in the UAE, reminding them after every boundary or miscue that their techniques would need to rev up for the seam and swing at Lord’s, Edgbaston, Old Trafford and Oval — the venues of the four Tests next year. Some English pundits also jumped on the bandwagon and scoffed at Pakistan’s ascent to number two in the ICC Test rankings, their collective contention being that Misbahul Haq’s men are world beaters at ‘home’ and lambs abroad.

Misbah has seemingly heard the rants of the ‘masters of the game’. Captain cool isn’t throwing in the towel yet. He knows that despite a Pakistan record 20 wins in Tests, there are gaps on his CV. Misbah hasn’t played a single Test in England so his swansong must befit the man and even at his age, the veteran wants to fight it out. Pakistan, meanwhile, have done far better on English shores compared to their rivals when the roles are reversed. Since 1982 Pakistan have won at least one Test in all but one of the seven series played.

The 2006 Oval Test was forfeited when the game was in the grasp of Inzamamul Haq’s team — the only time in the last 33 years that Pakistan didn’t win at least one Test in England. Pakistan won the 1987 series 1-0, won again in 1992 and 1996 — 2-1, 2-0 — and drew the two-match ‘Ashes curtain-raiser’ in 2001. In London, they have tasted a Test win no less than seven times — four at Oval, three at Lord’s. Birmingham and Manchester might be trickier propositions but Pakistan have also eked out a win under Waqar Younis in the 2001 Manchester Test too.

England are likely to leave the pitches for the Tests well-grassed. Pakistan bowlers might not mind that. Wahab Riaz, Imran Khan, Rahat Ali and company should be more than a handful. If the strips are shaved then the ‘Shah of Spin’ Yasir should have their feet tangled. To emulate the 1990s, the most productive Test batting unit in the last one year would have to indeed rev it up; Misbah, Younus Khan, Mohammad Hafeez, Azhar Ali, Asad Shafiq and Sarfraz Ahmed would have the English gunning for their throats. If they manage to hold on, Pakistan should trump the ‘masters’ again.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 10th, 2015.

Like Opinion &amp; Editorial on Facebook, follow @ETOpEd on Twitter to receive all updates on all our daily pieces.]]>
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			<title>Reaching new highs</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/986496/reaching-new-highs</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/986496/reaching-new-highs#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Fri, 06 Nov 15 19:14:02 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[editorial]]>
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			<category><![CDATA[Editorial]]></category>
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				<![CDATA[The series win also confirms that Pakistan’s iron-cast grip on their adopted home of the UAE is as firm as ever]]>
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				<![CDATA[There are certain victories that bring more joy and satisfaction than most other wins usually do. Pakistan’s emphatic victory in the third and final Test of the series against England in the UAE, resulting in a 2-0 series win for the hosts and a remarkable climb up the Test rankings to the number two spot, is an example of such a win. The final day of the series turned into a no-contest within the first 30 minutes of play as the visitors, resuming on the overnight score of 46 for two, crashed to 59 for six in a matter of a few overs. The last rites were administered shortly after lunch by the buoyant Pakistan bunch led astutely by Misbahul Haq, with there being every indication that the Test captain will now delay his retirement to deservedly lead the national team on foreign sojourns next year.

The series win also confirms that Pakistan’s iron-cast grip on their adopted home of the UAE is as firm as ever, with the national team yet to succumb to a series defeat here in the last five years. The Test team can surely rest on its hard-earned laurels for now. However, Misbah, while expressing his pleasure at Pakistan’s ascendance in the Test rankings, made a pertinent remark that his team needs to beat England in their own conditions next year to justify its rank. Pakistan indeed have stern challenges to face in 2016, with Tests in England, Australia and New Zealand. Their ranking, besides the technique and stature of the batsmen, who have looked like a million dollars in home conditions, is likely to be thoroughly tested. One hopes that the national team gives a solid account of its capability in alien conditions as well. An important feature of this series win was the continued phenomenal rise of leg-spinner Yasir Shah. One feels that Yasir and fast bowler Wahab Riaz will be key to any success Pakistan achieves in the backyard of opponents raging for revenge after the humiliation they have suffered in the UAE.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 7th, 2015.

Like Opinion &amp; Editorial on Facebook, follow @ETOpEd on Twitter to receive all updates on all our daily pieces.]]>
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			<title>Pakistan reach unprecedented heights</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/985923/two-good-pakistan-reach-unprecedented-heights</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/985923/two-good-pakistan-reach-unprecedented-heights#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Fri, 06 Nov 15 01:06:58 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[Hosts defeat England by 127 runs to claim series 2-0, go second in the Test rankings]]>
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				<![CDATA[The spin trio of Shoaib Malik, Yasir Shah and Zulfiqar Babar shared nine wickets between themselves to help Pakistan beat England by 127 runs in the third and final Test in Sharjah on Thursday to seal the series 2-0.


Yasir finished with 4-44, Malik — playing in his final Test — took 3-26 while Babar grabbed 2-31 to bundle England out for 156 soon after lunch on day five.

England's Mark Wood out of Pakistan one-dayers

England, set 284 to win, were always on the back foot on a turning pitch, with only skipper Alastair Cook showing some resistance during his 63.

Malik eventually gave Pakistan the prized wicket of Cook, stumped by wicketkeeper Sarfraz Ahmed, to finish with seven wickets in the match.

Yasir had Ben Stokes stumped in the next over for 12 to spark celebrations as Pakistan players embraced each other.

The victory lifts Pakistan to an equal highest ever number two in the Test rankings, a spot which they previously attained only for a few days in August 2006.

3rd Test: Pakistan beat England by 127 runs, win series 2-0

Pakistan skipper Misbahul Haq attributed the win to teamwork. “We finally managed to win and credit to England for fighting well,” said Misbah, reserving special praise for man-of-the-series Yasir. “If you look back at the series everyone contributed, especially Yasir, who won us both the games and was outstanding.”

Yasir finished with 15 wickets in two matches after missing the first through injury.

Misbah added he will take his time before making a decision on retirement. “I will think [about retiring from Tests] because our next series is seven months away,” he said.

Alastair Cook’s men fought well throughout the three Tests and were unlucky not to win the first Test in Abu Dhabi, forced into a draw due to bad light with just 24 runs needed for victory.

3rd Test: Malik’s double helps Pakistan hold stronger fort against England

England dropped to sixth from their pre-series third in the Test rankings.

Cook said playing Pakistan in the UAE is always tough. “We competed really well in all three games but couldn’t dominate Pakistan at critical moments,” he said. “Had we grabbed our chances on the fourth day it would have been different.”

England were rocked right at the start of day five, losing four wickets in the space of 31 balls after resuming at 46-2.

Yasir trapped Joe Root in the second over with a delivery that kept low and caught the batsman in front of the stumps before he could add to his overnight score of six.

Shoaib Malik retires from Tests

James Taylor survived nine deliveries to score two before Babar spun one across his bat for Younus Khan to take the edge in the slip. In the next over, Yasir trapped Jonny Bairstow leg-before for nought.

It became 59-6 when Samit Patel was leg-before in Babar’s next over, leaving England in danger of being bowled out for their lowest total of 72 against Pakistan when they crumbled in Abu Dhabi in 2012.

But an Adil Rashid-Cook stand got England past the 100-mark before Rahat bowled the off-spinner with 15 minutes to go before lunch.

Former cricketers ask Misbah to reconsider retirement plans

Former players praise Pakistan

Former Test player Basit Ali said that it could have been another whitewash for England had Yasir Shah been fit for the first Test, in which Alastair Cook went on to play the third longest Test innings in history in a 528-ball 263.

Yasir constantly troubled Cook in the final two Tests, claiming his wicket thrice, as the England skipper struggled to adjust to the leg-spinner.

“England showed great fight in the first Test but we must not forget that Yasir was missing; it could have been another whitewash for the visitors had he been there,” Basit told The Express Tribune. “Yasir is a genuine match-winner and his presence in the team makes a big difference. Overall it has been a good series for Pakistan with everyone chipping in.”

Pakistan holds second best win/loss ratio in Tests between 2010-2015

Basit stressed that Pakistan need to shift their focus to the ODIs now rather than dwell on the Test series win.

Meanwhile, another former player Shoaib Mohammad lauded the team for the win, adding that Misbah has done the right thing by not announcing his retirement yet. “Misbah has done the right thing by not announcing his retirement,” said Shoaib. “He has been really impressive and there is still that hunger in him, so it would be good for Pakistan if he hung around for another year with important away assignments in England and Australia coming up.”

Published in The Express Tribune, November 6th, 2015.

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			<title>England's Mark Wood out of Pakistan one-dayers</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/986024/englands-mark-wood-out-of-pakistan-one-dayers</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/986024/englands-mark-wood-out-of-pakistan-one-dayers#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Thu, 05 Nov 15 17:51:08 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[Pakistan and England play the first of four ODIs in Abu Dhabi on November 11]]>
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				<![CDATA[England paceman Mark Wood will miss the upcoming one-day international and Twenty20 series against Pakistan in the United Arab Emirates after returning home for treatment on his left ankle, the England and Wales Cricket Board announced Thursday.

Ashes-winner Wood also missed the third and final Test, which Pakistan won by 127 runs in Sharjah to take the series 2-0.

His latest ankle-related problem again raises questions about the ability of the 25-year-old Wood to play several matches in a row ahead of England's Test series in South Africa, which starts in December.

Wood's place in white-ball squads to face Pakistan has been taken by Yorkshire fast bowler Liam Plunkett.

England national selector James Whitaker said in an ECB statement.

"Mark Wood's ankle condition is well known and while we have managed his workloads over the summer and during the Test series against Pakistan, it has been decided that the sensible course of action is to seek further advice from a specialist.

"Liam Plunkett will replace Wood in both squads and, having featured in the ODI side last summer, his inclusion provides Eoin Morgan (England limited overs captain) and Trevor Bayliss (coach) with an experienced pace bowling option in the squad."

Pakistan and England play the first of four ODIs in Abu Dhabi on November 11. The one-day series will be followed by three Twenty20 internationals.]]>
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			<title>Pakistan enjoying the sweet deserts of exile</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/982817/pakistan-enjoying-the-sweet-deserts-of-exile</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/982817/pakistan-enjoying-the-sweet-deserts-of-exile#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sat, 31 Oct 15 17:51:45 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[Taha Anis]]>
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			<category><![CDATA[Sports]]></category>
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				<![CDATA[National side is the only team yet to lose a series at home since Misbahul Haq took over reins back in November 2010]]>
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				<![CDATA[Few environments in nature are harsher than the desert, where if the heat doesn’t get you then unforgiving predators will. The teams that have faced Pakistan there have discovered that too, the hard way.

While a remarkable penchant for scarcely believable implosions still remains very much intact — the first Test was a not so gentle reminder of that trademark trait — the past five years have seen almost unprecedented consistency.

Pakistan are the only team yet to lose a series at home since Misbahul Haq took over the reins back in November 2010. After the win in Dubai, that proud unbeaten streak now stretches to more than five years.

3rd Test Preview: Pakistan seek series win as Misbah signals retirement

Their modus operandi is simple — pile on the runs after batting first and in the draining desert heat, slowly suffocate the opposition. More often than not something gives and, in those moments of weakness, the death grip tightens.

For England, session one on day three was the straw that finally broke the camel’s back. Others, such as Australia last year and England’s own class of 2012, merely surrender without as much as a fight.

Only India — who haven’t played a Test at home in almost two years and will be swimming against the tide when their Test series against South Africa starts on November 5 — have a better win-loss ratio at home.

It is little surprise then, in this age of batsmen, that Pakistan’s overall batting average of 40.97 is second only to India’s 42.45.

England consider third spinner option in Sharjah

In home conditions, there is surely no top seven more resilient than Pakistan’s since Misbah took over. Of the seven that started in Dubai, Sarfraz’s remarkable average of 49.27 stands as the worst of the lot. Ahmed Shehzad and his average of 57.45 at home can’t get a sniff in.

No other team comes even close to boasting such monstrous numbers across the board. South Africa may be able to call upon two beasts in Hashim Amla and AB de Villiers, while also featuring the excellent Faf du Plessis, but their other batsmen just aren’t up to scratch. A similar problem plagues England, India, Australia, New Zealand and Sri Lanka; all of whom have two or even three superb batsmen but then the standards dip drastically.

What makes Pakistan even more lethal is that all of their batsmen can cause irrevocable damage without standing out enough to be targeted or planned against, perhaps with the exception of the two age-defying Goliaths; neither of whom are yet to meet their Davids.

Younus Khan is the only batsman in the world’s top 10, but even Mohammad Hafeez — who is the lowest ranked of the regulars and barely makes it into the top 30 at 29 — averages in excess of 55 during the last two years.  Every single one of these batsmen has put in at least one match-defining performance over the last five years.

After 11 Tests: Yasir on top against world's best leggies

Think Pakistan and you think bowlers — a deadly array of pace and swing, guile and spin — but this side’s successes have been based undisputedly on the batsmen. That may seem like a harsh assessment considering the much-heralded successes of the likes of spin wizards Saeed Ajmal and Yasir Shah.

But few home fast-bowlers have flourished in the UAE, and while the argument stands that the pitches and conditions are hardly pace paradises, the likes of James Anderson, Stuart Broad and even Chanaka Welegedara have outperformed every single Pakistani pacer in the Middle East.

The spinners have been eclipsed by their counterparts also; surprising considering the unabashed praise they have received. The likes of Monty Panesar, Graeme Swann and Imran Khan have all done better than Yasir, Ajmal, Abdur Rehman and Zulfiqar Babar.

While the sample sizes of the away bowlers are understandably low, it is still worrying to see the hosts outclassed in terms of both spin and pace.

Misbah and his men will care little though if their batsmen deliver yet another win at the most famous of all Middle Eastern venues — Sharjah. Win and Pakistan will reach the lofty heights of second in the Test rankings.

Considering they were in the middle of a full-blown crisis just five years ago, this side has given a whole new meaning to the phrase ‘desert a sinking ship’.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 1st, 2015.

Like Sports on Facebook, follow @ETribuneSports on Twitter to stay informed and join in the conversation.]]>
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			<title>All to play for: Series on the line in Sharjah</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/982814/all-to-play-for-series-on-the-line-in-sharjah</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/982814/all-to-play-for-series-on-the-line-in-sharjah#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sat, 31 Oct 15 17:50:30 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[nabeel.hashmi]]>
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			<category><![CDATA[Sports]]></category>
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			<description>
				<![CDATA[Pakistan can seal series, second spot in rankings with third Test win]]>
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				<![CDATA[Hosts Pakistan will go into the third Test against England with a lot to ponder over due to injury to paceman Imran Khan, and the return of vice-captain Azhar Ali in Sharjah.


The think tank is flirting with the idea of going with just Wahab Riaz and three spinners — Yasir Shah, Zulfiqar Babar and Bilal Asif — in their bowling unit, while the simpler option would be to bring in Rahat Ali for Imran.

Azhar’s return also poses a conundrum as to who will give way for the 30-year-old. Shoaib Malik currently occupies Azhar’s regular position at number three but the all-rounder made an impressive double century in the opening Test. Another option may be to drop one of the two openers, with Shan Masood especially under the cosh.

3rd Test Preview: Pakistan seek series win as Misbah signals retirement

The hosts narrowly avoided defeat in the first Test before coming dangerously close to seeing England snatch a draw in the second, and off-spinner Saeed Ajmal feels Pakistan should have been bolder and prepared more spin-friendly tracks.

“The team management and the Pakistan Cricket Board should have asked the curators to prepare turning pitches in this series because England would have struggled to cope with us,” Ajmal, who was the leading wicket-taker and the man of the series when Pakistan whitewashed England in 2012, told The Express Tribune. “I don’t know what sort of fear we have that we aren’t playing to our strengths. When we’ll go to play in England, they would not give us batting pitches but rather green tops where the ball will seam viciously.”

With Yasir out of the first Test, Pakistan struggled to bowl out England and spinner Zulfiqar Babar looked out of sorts with all the responsibility on his shoulders.

Veteran spinner Babar confident Pakistan can upstage England

However, things got better in the second Test with Yasir returning to the playing eleven and the spin duo helped Pakistan to a much-needed victory in Dubai.

However, Ajmal has backed Babar to deliver. “Babar is a fantastic bowler and he’ll win matches for Pakistan,” said the 38-year-old. “He has the skills and the experience but spinners work well in partnership like me and Abdur Rehman did in 2012.”

Yasir, meanwhile, is now second in the bowlers’ ranking in Tests by taking 69 wickets in 11 Tests. He had a session with his childhood hero Shane Warne in Dubai where the Australian shared tips with him.

But Ajmal has warned Yasir not to get too carried away at this early juncture of his career. “No disrespect to Warne. He is a legend but we must not forget we’re talking about a bowler who has become the second best in just 11 Tests, so that shows Yasir is good enough for world cricket,” said Ajmal. “I would urge Yasir to focus on his basics and not think too much about what Warne said.”

Published in The Express Tribune, November 1st, 2015.

Like Sports on Facebook, follow @ETribuneSports on Twitter to stay informed and join in the conversation.]]>
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			<title>3rd Test Preview: Pakistan seek series win as Misbah signals retirement</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/982674/pakistan-seek-series-win-as-farewell-gift-for-misbah-2</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/982674/pakistan-seek-series-win-as-farewell-gift-for-misbah-2#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sat, 31 Oct 15 10:39:26 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[afp]]>
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			<category><![CDATA[Sports]]></category>
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			<description>
				<![CDATA[Home side captain hints he might leave the game at end of the last Test against England at Sharjah]]>
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				<![CDATA[Pakistan's third and final Test against England from Sunday could be a fitting farewell for Misbah-ul-Haq, the country's most successful captain who is mulling his Test future.

The 41-year-old, who quit one-day cricket after the World Cup earlier this year, had suggested that he would leave the game after a two-Test series against India in December-January.

But with relations between the arch-rivals once again strained and with that series in doubt, this England series may be Misbah's last.




Pakistan seek series win as farewell gift for Misbah

"I was trying to make a decision before this Test but now I have just left it," Misbah said on Saturday.

"I will really think about what I should do because there is a long gap before our next series," Misbah added, referring to Pakistan's next series in England in July next year.



Pakistan are 1-0 up against England after winning the second Test by 178 runs in Dubai. The first Test ended in a draw in Abu Dhabi.

A 2-0 series win will lift Pakistan to number two in the ICC (International Cricket Council) Test rankings, previously briefly attained by them for few days in August 2006.



PCB requests Misbah to hang on till 2016 England series



Misbah's personal form and fitness suggest he can carry on, having scored 3, 51, 102 and 87 in the four innings of the series.

But he said a player should leave the game on a high.

"One should think about leaving the game with respect rather than leaving it when he is forced to leave," said Misbah.

Misbah will hope his team does not squander a good opportunity to win another Test series, as they did against New Zealand, who fought back for 1-1 in Sharjah last year.

The Sharjah stadium pitch has been relaid and is likely to help spinners, with leggie Yasir Shah, who took eight wickets in Dubai, and left-armer Zulfiqar Babar, who managed three wickets, playing a key role.



Veteran spinner Babar confident Pakistan can upstage England



Shah worked with legendary Australian spinner Shane Warne in the nets on Thursday.

Pakistan will bring in Azhar Ali -- who missed the first Test with injury and second after his mother-in-law died -- to open the innings in place of Shan Masood.

Also out is paceman Imran Khan after he injured his bowling hand on Friday, making way for fast bowler Rahat Ali.

Asked if Pakistan could bring in a third spinner in Bilal Asif -- cleared of suspect bowling action on Friday -- Misbah replied: "We have been thinking about it."

"But the pitch doesn't look like that sort of a turner where you can go with three spinners."

England, who were routed 3-0 by Pakistan in the United Arab Emirates three years ago, are likely to bring in middle-order batsman James Taylor for Jos Butler, who has failed as wicket-keeper/batsman, managing just 34 in four innings.

I hope to perform better with the bat: Wahab Riaz

If that happens, Jonny Bairstow will keep wicket while seamer Mark Wood will be rested with an ankle problem.

Skipper Alastair Cook said changes would be decided later, with a third spinner Samit Patel in the reckoning as England already have three pacers in James Anderson, Stuart Broad and Ben Stokes.

"That's the major issue we have got to make," said Cook. "So we have to decide 24 hours later, it's really easy after the game, in hindsight that you made the right decision and it will be a tough call."

If England, currently third in the rankings, lose the series 2-0 they will drop to as low as sixth.

Teams (from):

Pakistan: Misbah-ul-Haq (captain), Ahmed Shehzad, Shan Masood, Azhar Ali, Mohammad Hafeez, Fawad Alam, Asad Shafiq, Younis Khan, Shoaib Malik, Sarfraz Ahmed, Yasir Shah, Zulfiqar Babar, Wahab Riaz, Rahat Ali, Junaid Khan, Bilal Asif, Mohammad Rizwan

England: Alastair Cook (capt), Moeen Ali, James Anderson, Samit Patel, Jonny Bairstow, Ian Bell, Stuart Broad, Jos Buttler, Chris Jordan, Alex Hales, Liam Plunkett, Adil Rashid, Joe Root, Ben Stokes, James Taylor

Umpires: Bruce Oxenford (AUS) and Chris Gaffaney (NZL)

TV umpire: Paul Reiffel (AUS)

Match referee: Andy Pycroft (ZIM)]]>
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			<title>Veteran spinner Babar confident Pakistan can upstage England</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/982616/veteran-spinner-babar-confident-pakistan-can-upstage-england</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/982616/veteran-spinner-babar-confident-pakistan-can-upstage-england#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sat, 31 Oct 15 07:57:51 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[afp]]>
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			<category><![CDATA[Sports]]></category>
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			<description>
				<![CDATA[Left-arm spinner talks about home side chances ahead of the final Test]]>
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				<![CDATA[Veteran Pakistan spinner Zulfiqar Babar said on Friday his team needs to stay one step ahead of England when they meet in the third and final Test in Sharjah.

The 36-year-old helped Pakistan win the second Test in Dubai in tandem with leg-spinner Yasir Shah, sharing 11 wickets between them.

The duo have taken over from Saeed Ajmal and Abdul Rehman, who helped Pakistan rout England 3-0 in the United Arab Emirates three years ago.

Pakistan seek series win as farewell gift for Misbah

Rehman is no longer in the reckoning while Ajmal has been struggling with a new bowling action after he was reported last year for his old action.

Babar said Pakistan are confident of winning the third Test starting in Sharjah from Sunday.

"The mood is confident and we want to win the match so that we can take the series and rise in rankings," Babar told media.

Pakistan will go to second in Test rankings, behind South Africa, if they win 2-0.

Babar admitted England have put up good resistance against Pakistan spinners on the challenging pitches in the United Arab Emirates.

"It's tough (bowling against them) because England are here well prepared so we have to use our variety," said Babar, crediting former Sri Lankan master batsman Mahela Jayawardene's help to English batsmen.

"They have come here well prepared and they employed Jayawardene as batting consultant, so they must have learnt good things from him, so we need to be one step ahead of them to get more success," said Babar.

England to rest paceman Wood in third Test

Babar was left alone in the spin attack after leg-spinner Yasir Shah did not play in the drawn first Test in Abu Dhabi, where England posted a big 598-9 declared, due to a back problem.

"It was tough to get them in the first Test but then I realised that we can get the left hander by bowling in the rough and that gave me success," said Babar.

"It was difficult to be without Yasir and I missed him but (Shoaib) Malik also bowled well and in the second Test in Dubai, Yasir came back and I enjoyed bowling with him.

"At times he contained and I attacked, and then he attacked and I contained, so you only get success when you contain and I will always do my part to help the team win," said Babar.]]>
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			<title>Asad Shafiq — the underrated Pakistan batting pivot</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/980963/feature-asad-shafiq-the-underrated-pakistan-batting-pivot</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/980963/feature-asad-shafiq-the-underrated-pakistan-batting-pivot#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Wed, 28 Oct 15 17:43:07 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Emmad Hameed]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Sports]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=980963</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Unsung batsman’s exploits at number six all but forgotten]]>
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				<![CDATA[Azhar Ali, Younus Khan, Misbahul Haq and Sarfraz Ahmed are often credited for the phenomenal resurgence since the Australia series last year, with the quartet having churned out big scores aplenty to provide a refreshing consistency to the much maligned batting department.

Asad Shafiq at number six has made immensely valuable contributions of his own, but his numbers are often overshadowed in the presence of the seasoned Misbah-Younus duo that stride out before him in the order, or the swashbuckler Sarfraz  who follows him at number seven.

A memorable win

The diminutive Karachiite is perhaps the unsung hero of this batting order despite returns that are the best ever for a Pakistani at his number— 2,415 runs at an average of 47.35 per innings — and even comparable to the best from any era.

His century tally after 38 of his 40 Tests (at number six) stands at eight — the same as legendary West Indian batsman Gary Sobers who scored 2,614 runs in 42 Tests at the pivotal spot. Meanwhile, former Pakistan captain Asif Iqbal scored six centuries from this number in the batting order.

In the UAE Tests last year, Azhar, Younus, Misbah, Sarfraz and the openers Ahmed Shehzad and Mohammad Hafeez had all posted big hundreds. Shafiq scored 89 in the first Test of the season against Australia, with the century eluding him before the very last innings of the series.

Yasir earns himself second spot, praise from Warne

New Zealand were on the cusp of a big win after Pakistan’s top order finally wilted on a largely benign Sharjah surface. With the match almost lost, Shafiq unleashed an audacious attack, racing to 137 off 148 balls and scoring 108 runs through boundaries (18 fours and six sixes).

Shafiq has been a model of consistency since that blazing knock. His last 12 Test innings including the Sharjah century have yielded 792 runs at an average of 66. The tally includes three more centuries against Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and England.

The average isn’t inflated by not-outs, with Shafiq being dismissed in each of the 12 innings. More often than not, the right-hander is left to do the bulk of the scoring with tail-enders for company, which results in some soft dismissals.

Pakistan declare on 354-6, England need 491 to win

Only last week — first innings of the Dubai Test — Shafiq was set for his ninth Test ton when an ugly across-the-line swish extinguished his hopes on 89, the shot was inevitable with last man Imran Khan — zero Test runs in seven matches — at the other end for company.

‘England tour vital for my career’

Before departing for the UAE, Shafiq had set his eyes on scoring big against England. In a TV interview, the 29-year-old had spoken about cashing in on his starts. At the end of the Dubai Test, Shafiq heads the Pakistan list of run-getters with 275 runs in four innings.

Pakistan’s next expected Test assignment is a four-match tour of England next June. Shafiq, who made his ODI debut during Pakistan’s last full tour of the UK in 2010, knows the importance of scoring big at the home of cricket.

Malik plays in first test in five years

“The English tour is always demanding on an Asian batsman,” he said. “At the same time, success there is instantly noticed and recognised around the world. I am eager to perform in conditions that are tough for batsmen.”

English commentators Michael Atherton, Ian Botham and David Lloyd are full of praise for Shafiq’s tenacity, temperament and technique. The trio feel that Shafiq is going to be the stand-out Pakistan batsman in the Tests at Lord’s, Old Trafford, Edgbaston and Oval.
Shafiq must be itching to prove them right.
Published in The Express Tribune, October 29th, 2015.

Like Sports on Facebook, follow @ETribuneSports on Twitter to stay informed and join in the conversation.]]>
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			<title>England series: Selectors mull inclusion of Younus in ODI squad</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/980941/england-series-selectors-mull-inclusion-of-younus-in-odi-squad</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/980941/england-series-selectors-mull-inclusion-of-younus-in-odi-squad#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Wed, 28 Oct 15 17:42:23 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[nabeel.hashmi]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Sports]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=980941</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Chief selector Haroon to fly to Dubai to meet team management]]>
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				<![CDATA[Chief selector Haroon Rasheed will fly to Dubai on Saturday to discuss candidates best suited to represent Pakistan in the four-match ODI series against England scheduled to start from November 11.


With all-rounder Haris Sohail out with a knee injury and unlikely to recover in time, selectors are mulling the option of naming veteran Younus Khan in the squad.

However, Younus’ comeback to the limited-over squad has been a bone of contention as the 37-year-old has not featured in the ODI side since the 2015 World Cup. It is precisely to clear the air on the matter that Haroon is travelling to the UAE.

2nd Test: Pakistan beat England in nail-biting finish

“I’m going to Dubai to talk with the team management and captain Azhar Ali about the ODI squad with some debatable points on the agenda,” Haroon told The Express Tribune. “There is no big fuss over the selection of Younus and it’s only about taking all the stakeholders into confidence. Yes, he is in contention for the squad, but we’ll see what happens when we meet.”



While current Test skipper Misbahul Haq and T20I skipper Shahid Afridi announced their retirements after the World Cup in Australia, Younus has repeatedly stated his desire to feature in the ODI squad. The selection committee, led by Haroon, stated ‘resting the veteran’ as the major reason for dropping Younus from the ODI series against Bangladesh and is now considering getting the Mardan-born, who recently broke Javed Miandad’s age-old record of most Test runs, into the ODI side.

“Younus has been a great servant for Pakistan and I don’t want him to sit out of the playing 11 because he doesn’t deserve it. We only want to select him when he is guaranteed a spot in the playing 11 because that is what he deserves. This is just my opinion and others can differ,” added Haroon.

The middle-order batsman has enjoyed a fabulous Test career, scoring 9,071 runs in 103 Tests with the help of 31 centuries and 30 fifties at a staggering average of 54.31.

Quick march: Younus wants to cash every 'big innings' opportunity

However, his ODI career has been indifferent with 7,240 runs in 264 ODIs at an average of 31.34 with seven hundreds and 48 half-centuries.

He last played an ODI in the group match against South Africa, where he contributed with a 37-run knock.

Another point on the selection committee’s agenda would be the selection of fit-again Anwar Ali, who had missed the Zimbabwe series due to a groin injury he picked up during a domestic tournament.

The all-rounder on Tuesday announced that he was raring to go for the series against England and the selectors would consider taking advantage of his pace after recent impressive performances.

Defiant till the end: Pakistan win Test, England the hearts

Haroon also added that opener Raffatullah Mohmand, who impressed with his performance in the recently-concluded domestic tournament, is also on the selector’s radar, while Aamer Yamin, who was sent as a replacement for Anwar and impressed with his 62-run knock in the second ODI, is being considered to be part of the Pakistan A squad, who will play a series with the England Lions. 

Published in The Express Tribune, October 29th, 2015.

Like Sports on Facebook, follow @ETribuneSports on Twitter to stay informed and join in the conversation.]]>
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			<title>A memorable win</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/980186/a-memorable-win</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/980186/a-memorable-win#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Tue, 27 Oct 15 18:52:38 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[editorial]]>
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			<category><![CDATA[Editorial]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=980186</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Overall though the match was dominated by Pakistan, especially after Riaz’s sensational burst on the third morning]]>
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				<![CDATA[Pakistan almost ran out of time and overs before dislodging an incredibly obdurate and plucky England lower-order to record a 178-run win in the second Test in Dubai. The writing was on the wall for the visitors at lunch, precariously placed as they were on 187 for six. Only a handful of overs after lunch should have been enough to administer the last rites. But Adil Rashid, Stuart Broad and Mark Wood made Pakistan toil in the relentless heat. The fatigued fingers of spinners Yasir Shah and Zulfiqar Babar momentarily lost their magic and bite; Wahab Riaz ran in ball after ball— all to no avail. At long last, however, Rashid fell to Yasir, but not before the rookie all-rounder had displayed exemplary defensive technique and application scoring 61 runs off 172 balls in four hours of defiance. Only 6.3 overs were left in the match when Pakistan went into a celebratory overdrive in the backdrop of the setting sun following Rashid’s dismissal.

Overall though the match was dominated by Pakistan, especially after Riaz’s sensational burst on the third morning, his brilliant bowling combined with the wiles of Yasir, ensuring a 136-run lead. The batsmen also gave a good account of themselves with Younus Khan, Misbahul Haq, Asad Shafiq and Mohammad Hafeez scoring freely to set England an insurmountable target. Younus posted the 31st century of his Test career and has now become the first Pakistani player to amass 9,000 Test runs. In addition, his second-innings ton assured him of a place in the top-ten century makers’ list. Misbah’s captaincy was exceptional even in the dying moments of the Test when tired bodies and minds were struggling to concentrate. Pakistan now have a wonderful opportunity of recording a second successive Test series win over England in the UAE. Any complacent thoughts, however, can easily turn the tide the English way. A win in the third Test in Sharjah that starts on November 1 will ensure Pakistan’s rise to number two in the ICC Test rankings. That should provide great motivation to go all out for another memorable win.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 28th, 2015.

Like Opinion &amp; Editorial on Facebook, follow @ETOpEd on Twitter to receive all updates on all our daily pieces.]]>
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			<title>Warne wants to train with Yasir Shah</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/980165/warne-wants-to-train-with-yasir-shah</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/980165/warne-wants-to-train-with-yasir-shah#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Tue, 27 Oct 15 15:21:42 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[afp]]>
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			<category><![CDATA[Sports]]></category>
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				<![CDATA[Legendary Australian leg-spinner said he would like to train with fast-rising Pakistani spinner in the nets]]>
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				<![CDATA[Legendary Australian leg-spinner Shane Warne on Tuesday said he would like to train with fast-rising Pakistan spinner Yasir Shah in the nets, a wish Pakistan management welcomed.

Warne, on a promotional tour to United Arab Emirates (UAE), said he believes Shah is a world class bowler.

"If I could find some time this week, I would love to go down and have a bowl with Yasir, because I am trying to prepare for the Cricket All Stars next week as well," Warne told UAE daily The National.

2nd Test: Yasir Shah's Warne-ing to England

Himself a great of the game who took 708 Test wickets -- second only to Sri Lanka's Muttiah Muralitharan -- Warne is a great admirer of Pakistan's Shah.

Shah, who took eight wickets to help Pakistan win the Dubai Test against England in Dubai on Tuesday, started bowling leg-breaks after watching Warne on television.

Warne met Shah in Adelaide during the World Cup earlier this year and passed on some useful tips to the Pakistani spinner.

England want to measure up Yasir Shah: Trevor Bayliss

Warne and Indian batting legend Sachin Tendulkar are organising three Twenty20 matches for veteran cricketers in United States next month.

The Australian spinner said he is keen to have nets before the matches in USA.

"I am trying to get as much practice in as I can. I might not be that welcome down in the England camp, so I might have to try the Pakistan camp to have a bowl," he said.

"I think he (Shah) is a wonderful bowler. From what I have seen of this (Dubai) Test match, he has got all the toys, I just think he gets a little impatient."

Tendulkar, Warne backs cricket's entry into Olympic

Pakistan team manager Intikhab Alam welcomed Warne's reported request.

"No one has approached us as yet," Alam told AFP. "But if someone does then Warne is welcome because its a common practice that greats pass tips to youngsters and it will be a kind gesture."

Pakistan lead the three-mtach series 1-0 with the final match in Sharjah from Saturday.]]>
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			<title>Dubai good for Test cricket, says Waqar</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/980109/dubai-good-for-test-cricket-says-waqar</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/980109/dubai-good-for-test-cricket-says-waqar#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Tue, 27 Oct 15 13:52:20 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[afp]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Sports]]></category>
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				<![CDATA[The Coach believes that 2nd Test served as good promotion for Test cricket which is often criticised for boring draws]]>
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				<![CDATA[Pakistan's head coach Waqar Younis Tuesday argued Dubai Test was a good advertisement for Test cricket, stressing there were no fears for the longer format of the game.

Pakistan pulled off an exciting last minute win over England by 178 runs in the second Test in Dubai on Monday, with just 6.3 overs left in the game.

England's ninth wicket pair of Adil Rashid (61) and Mark Wood (29) batted for 29.2 overs to put up a resolute 55-run stand and had almost denied Pakistan a victory.

Contrastingly, Pakistan narrowly escaped a defeat in the first Test in Abu Dhabi when bad light denied England of a dramatic win on the final day, with just 25 needed in the last eight overs when the match was finished.

Yasir becomes second best In Test ranking

Waqar believed the Dubai Test served as good promotion of Test cricket, often criticised for boring draws, and which is under threat with the advent of more thrilling Twenty20 matches.

"Yes, the last day of the Test match was a good advert for the game, may be not for us," said Waqar. "I think a Test match going to full distance is an outstanding thing for the game. I think the game of Test cricket won on Monday."

But Waqar disagreed Test cricket was in any danger.

"I don't think Test cricket's future is bleak in any way," said Waqar, himself a paceman of great standing. "Test cricket is the actual cricket and the way Test cricket is going on I think we should appreciate it and there are no dangers to it."

2nd Test: Misbah praises bowlers, England’s resistance

The Pakistan handler did concede however his charges were now playing less Test matches.

"That's an issue that we play less Test cricket," said Waqar. "It has been discussed with the officials as well.

"If you look world-wide all top teams play 15-18 Tests every year and we play six to eight, maximum we play ten, so I think that needs to be improved."

Waqar credited both Pakistan and England for the tremendous fight in the Dubai Test.

"Credit to the boys the way they played the Test, bowlers gave their best and credit must also be given to England, the way they showed resistance and made the overall cricket very good," said Waqar.

Defiant till the end: Pakistan win Test, England the hearts

It was nice to be 1-0 up in the three-match series, Waqar said after the first Test had ended in a draw.

"We have to make it 2-0 in Sharjah," he added before warning England would fight back on Saturday.]]>
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			<title>Younis Khan becomes first Pakistani to score 9,000 Test runs</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/978640/younis-khan-becomes-first-pakistani-to-score-9000-test-runs</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/978640/younis-khan-becomes-first-pakistani-to-score-9000-test-runs#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sat, 24 Oct 15 12:50:45 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[Playing his 103rd Test match, Younis got to the landmark just after tea during second Test versus England]]>
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				<![CDATA[Days after Younis Khan broke Javed Miandad’s record of 8,832 runs in Test matches, the former skipper on Saturday became the first Pakistani batsman to reach 9,000 Test runs.

Playing his 103rd Test match, Younis got to the landmark just after tea, when he pushed England's leg-spinner Adil Rashid for a single.

Earlier, he was involved in a 67-run partnership with Mohammad Hafeez (51) in the second innings to put Pakistan on top after bowling out England for 242 in Dubai.

Younis holds several records for Pakistan in Tests. He is the only Pakistani batsman to have gotten a century against all Test playing nations.

Younis – in a league of his own

At one point, he was the only player to have an average of fifty-plus in all innings of a Test match. He has scored the most centuries (five) batting in the fourth innings and has the best average in the modern era in the fourth innings with 60.59.

The 37-year-old also holds the record for most hundreds by a Pakistani in Test cricket - 30 tonnes.

During the two-Test series against Australia in October 2014, Younis slammed 468 runs at an average of 156, including a magnificent 213 in Abu Dhabi. In the recent series against Sri Lanka, Younis slammed 171 as Pakistan chased down 382, their highest-ever chase in Test history to seal a brilliant 2-1 series win.

This article first appeared on NDTV]]>
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			<title>The narrowest of escapes</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/975660/the-narrowest-of-escapes</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/975660/the-narrowest-of-escapes#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Mon, 19 Oct 15 19:14:14 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[editorial]]>
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			<category><![CDATA[Editorial]]></category>
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				<![CDATA[After four largely drab days, the first Test between Pakistan and England took a cataclysmic turn for the hosts]]>
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				<![CDATA[After four largely drab days, the first Test between Pakistan and England took a cataclysmic turn for the hosts as they almost handed a most unlikely win to the tourists despite posting a monumental first-innings score. The last day of the Test belonged to England leg-spinner Adil Rashid, with the debutant running through Pakistan’s middle and lower order in a woeful second-innings display by Misbahul Haq’s charges. In the end, Pakistan were only saved by poor light, but they know well that they have some serious questions to answer before the second Test starts on October 22. In Yasir Shah’s absence, the bowling attack appeared toothless. With the exception of Wahab Riaz, others, including left-arm spinner Zulfiqar Babar, lacked the penetration needed on the lifeless Abu Dhabi pitch.

The bowlers’ variations looked inadequate against the patience and resolve of England batsmen led brilliantly by Alastair Cook, whose monumental effort overshadowed Shoaib Malik’s scarcely believable comeback to Test cricket. Malik’s 245 was a stunning effort despite the placid nature of the pitch. Azhar Ali’s withdrawal from the Dubai Test now adds more responsibility on Malik’s shoulders, who exceeded expectations in his first Test in five years. The one heartwarming feature of the Abu Dhabi game was Younus Khan becoming Pakistan’s highest run-scorer in Tests surpassing Javed Miandad’s tally. The legendary batsman showed glimpses of his brilliance but will be hoping to score more substantially in the remaining two games after failing to capitalise on useful starts in Abu Dhabi. Pakistan now need to approach the second Test with a positive game plan. Yasir’s return will add sting to the bowling attack and he will have to play a vital role if the hosts are to record a second successive series win against England in the UAE. The batsmen have received a major wake-up call and cannot afford to take England spinners for granted. Hopefully, the pitch in Dubai would be a more sporting one than the lifeless track encountered in Abu Dhabi. Sadly, it’s surfaces like these that keep crowds away from Test cricket. 

Published in The Express Tribune, October 20th, 2015.

Like Opinion &amp; Editorial on Facebook, follow @ETOpEd on Twitter to receive all updates on all our daily pieces.]]>
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			<title>First Pakistan-England Test ends in a draw</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/974552/frist-pakistan-england-test-ends-in-a-draw</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/974552/frist-pakistan-england-test-ends-in-a-draw#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sat, 17 Oct 15 14:03:48 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[England finished at 74-4 when umpires called off play due to bad light eight overs early]]>
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				<![CDATA[Leg-spinner Adil Rashid took a five wicket haul to trigger a Pakistan collapse but England fell 25 runs short of a dramatic win in the first Test in Abu Dhabi on Saturday.

Rashid, who had the worst bowling figures on debut in the first innings of 0-163, had an unbelievable change in his fortunes as he grabbed 5-64 to dismiss Pakistan for 173 on a weary fifth day Sheik Zayed Stadium pitch.

England tried hard to chase down the 99-run target in a possible 19 overs but umpires called off play eight overs early due to bad light with the visitors on 74-4.

Joe Root finished with 33 in the fading light as Pakistan attacked with spinner Zulfiqar Babar (2-27) and Shoaib Malik (2-25) to keep the slate clean in the three-match series.

A result had looked highly unlikely on the fifth morning as England, replying to Pakistan's 523-8 declared, closed their first innings at 598-9.

But Pakistan's notoriously independable batting changed the complexion as Rashid exploited the rough with seven wickets falling for 71 runs, the last five for only 14 in the post tea session.

Read: UAE series: ‘Confident’ Misbah pledges to ‘work hard’ against England

Only skipper Misbah-ul-Haq put up some resistance with 51 on a day when 15 wickets fell, compared to 16 over the first four days.

England went after the target with Jos Butler joining Moeen Ali as opener but Pakistan checked them with some accurate bowling.

England lost Butler (4), Ali (11), Ben Stokes (two) and Jonny Bairstow (15) in the 11 overs.

It was a lucky escape for Pakistan as there have been 14 previous instances when teams had lost a Test after scoring 500 points or more, the highest by Australia when they lost to England after scoring 586 in Sydney in 1894.

Despite a slow and flat pitch both teams will regret missed opportunities which allowed Malik (caught off a no-ball on 40) to hit 245 in his comeback match and Cook scored 263 (dropped on 147 and 173).

The three-match series will resume in Dubai from October 22 with the final Test in Sharjah from November 1.

Pakistan had hoped Younis Khan (45) and Misbah would handle the situation at 47-3 after opener Mohammad Hafeez was run out for 34, failing to beat an excellent throw by Stokes from the covers while taking a sharp single.

But soon after tea, Younis tried to play a big shot off spinner Moeen Ali (2-28) to be caught in the covers while Misbah jumped out to heave the same bowler and was bowled.

The Pakistan skipper hit six boundaries in his 30th Test half century.

Rashid then came into his own, dismissing Zulfiqar Babar (one), Sarfraz Ahmed (27) and Imran Khan in successive overs.

Earlier, it was Anderson (2-30) who enlivened an otherwise dull Test by taking two wickets in an over before lunch.

Anderson dismissed opener Shan Masood (one) and Shoaib Malik (nought) in the third over to leave Pakistan wobbling at 3-2.

Masood, who was bowled after a short delivery from Anderson deflected onto the stumps from the grill of his helmet in the first innings, played on to the same bowler.

Malik, who scored a career best 245 in the first knock, lasted three deliveries before Anderson's bouncer surprised him as his evasive shot landed safely in Jonny Bairstow's hands.

Younis also survived a shaky start, but Hafeez, fresh from his 98 in the first knock, hit four boundaries and a six before his dismissal.

England, resuming at 569-8, had lost Rashid (12) before Stuart Broad (17 not out) and Anderson (three) remained unbeaten.

Left-arm paceman Wahab Riaz was the pick of Pakistan bowlers with 3-125 while Babar finished with 1-183 off 72 overs.]]>
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			<title>Alastair Cooks Pakistan in the Abu Dhabi heat</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/973459/a-bowlers-nightmare-alastair-cooks-pakistan-in-the-abu-dhabi-heat</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/973459/a-bowlers-nightmare-alastair-cooks-pakistan-in-the-abu-dhabi-heat#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Thu, 15 Oct 15 17:11:42 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[England skipper scores unbeaten 168 to leave side 290-3 on largely uneventful day]]>
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				<![CDATA[England captain Alastair Cook dished out a resolute century to lead his team’s remarkable fightback in the first Test against Pakistan in Abu Dhabi on Thursday.


Cook made 168 not out for his 28th hundred — fifth against Pakistan — to anchor England to 290-3 at stumps on the third day on a flat Sheik Zayed Stadium pitch.

Cook added an invaluable 116 for the first wicket with opener Moeen Ali (35) and another 165 for the second wicket with Ian Bell, who made a hard-fought 63.

Joe Root was the other unbeaten batsman on three as England still trail Pakistan’s mammoth first innings total of 523-8 (dec) by 233 runs with seven wickets intact.

Read: 1st Test England stay firm after Malik’s maiden double ton

Pakistan were hoping their big total would put England under pressure but Cook, a better batsman against spin than his teammates, took the fight to the Pakistani bowlers who managed just three wickets in the day.

It could have been only one wicket but paceman Wahab Riaz (2-79) dismissed Bell and nightwatchman Mark Wood (four) in successive overs late on in the day to ensure that the hosts finished the day on a high.

But it was Cook who took the honours with some determined batting. He drove Wahab for an exquisite cover drive for his 10th boundary to complete his century before tea.

When on 93, the England skipper also completed 1,000 runs in only his 11th Test this year; only the second batsman to reach 1,000 runs in 2015 after teammate Root, who is at the crease along with the left-hander.



Read: Malik inspired Pakistan declare at 523-8 in first Test against England

On 101, Cook survived a confident leg-before appeal as he missed a sweep off left-arm spinner Zulfiqar Babar, with Pakistan unsuccessfully challenging Australian umpire Paul Reiffel’s decision.

Babar was again unlucky when substitute fielder Fawad Alam failed to hold on to Cook’s uppish sweep, with the batsman on 147.

Cook took two on that lapse and two balls later completed his 150, off 282 balls, with a single. In all he has so far hit 15 boundaries off 329 balls.

Pakistan also used part-time spinners Shoaib Malik and Asad Shafiq but it turned out to be a nightmarish pitch for the slow bowlers, with 130 overs of spin failing to get a single wicket.

Read: Younis becomes Pakistan's highest run-scorer in Test cricket

England spinners Adil Rashid, Ali, Root and Ben Stokes, who bowled one over of gentle spin, also failed to get a single wicket in a combined total of 70 overs.

Cook and Ali resumed the day at 56-0, bringing up the century stand in the first hour of play as Pakistan attacked through pace at one end and spin from the other.

At 116, left-hander Ali edged an outgoing delivery from paceman Imran Khan to wicket-keeper Sarfraz Ahmed, who took a low catch to his left.

Babar was unlucky not to have Bell four overs before lunch when close-in fielder Shan Masood failed to hold on to a sharp chance at silly point.

Bell, who survived some anxious moments in the second session, hit five boundaries in a snail-paced 199-ball knock before driving Wahab straight to Mohammad Hafeez at backward point. 

Published in The Express Tribune, October 16th, 2015.

Like Sports on Facebook, follow @ETribuneSports on Twitter to stay informed and join in the conversation.]]>
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			<title>The new order: Younus top of the pile</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/972263/the-new-order-younus-top-of-the-pile</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/972263/the-new-order-younus-top-of-the-pile#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Tue, 13 Oct 15 17:44:59 +0500</pubDate>
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			<description>
				<![CDATA[Malik scores century but overshadowed by 37-year-old becoming Pakistan’s top run-getter]]>
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				<![CDATA[Younus Khan became Pakistan’s all-time leading run-scorer on day one of the first Test against England in Abu Dhabi, outshining Shoaib Malik, who hit a fighting hundred to cap an impressive Test return after five years.


Malik was unbeaten on 124 for his third Test hundred to guide Pakistan to 286-4 at close on the opening day at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium.

Malik added an invaluable 168 for the second wicket with opener Mohammad Hafeez who missed out on his century by just two runs after Pakistan won the toss and opted to bat on a flat pitch which is expected to turn more with each passing day.

Read: Younis becomes Pakistan's highest run-scorer in Test cricket

Malik, who has been averaging 100 in ODI cricket this year, has so far hit 14 boundaries in his 230-ball knock.

The highlight of the day though was Younus coming down the track and lofting Moeen Ali over mid-wicket to cross Javed Miandad’s record tally of 8,832 Test runs in style. It has taken Younus, who was dismissed on 38 by England pacer Stuart Broad, just 102 Tests to cross Miandad’s tally, who played 124 Tests.

England’s attack struggled for wickets under hot conditions, bowling some loose deliveries coupled with two dropped catches by Ian Bell, both off James Anderson.

It was Anderson who gave England an early breakthrough when he dismissed Shan Masood for two in bizarre manner, with the left-handed opener taking his eyes off a bouncer. The ball hit the grill of his helmet before crashing onto the stumps.

Read: Younis poised to pass 'legend' Miandad's Pakistan run record

Hafeez and Malik then steadied the innings and batted with resolve. The opener hit 13 boundaries during his 170-ball knock before he tried to play on the leg-side in an attempt to reach his ninth Test hundred, only to walk too far across and be hit in front of middle by Ben Stokes. He challenged Australian umpire Paul Rieffel’s decision but to no avail.

Anderson, who took 2-29, was unlucky not to account for Hafeez earlier on as Bell dropped a regulation catch at second slip when Hafeez was batting on seven.

The 34-year-old took full advantage of the lapse and at 26 hit leg-spinner Adil Rashid to the point boundary to reach 3,000 runs in his 45th Test. He is the 17th Pakistani batsmen to score 3,000 or more runs in Tests.

Read: Misbah, Younus earned the right to choose when to retire Wasim Akram

Malik also had a reprieve when he was caught at gully off Broad on 40, only to see the umpire signalling a no-ball.

Broad then dismissed Younus with a miscued drive, which was well taken by Alastair Cook at an unusual position; close to the non-striker end’s umpire.

Skipper Misbahul Haq became Anderson’s 415th Test wicket when he was adjudged caught behind after England players reviewed the umpire’s decision of not out, taking the Lancashire man to 10th in the list of Test wicket-takers.

England’s misery was completed when Shafiq was also dropped by Bell at ten, spilling an easy catch off Anderson. 

Published in The Express Tribune, October 14th, 2015.

Like Sports on Facebook, follow @ETribuneSports on Twitter to stay informed and join in the conversation.]]>
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			<title>Anderson targets good start in Pakistan series</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/971114/anderson-targets-good-start-in-pakistan-series</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/971114/anderson-targets-good-start-in-pakistan-series#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sun, 11 Oct 15 11:37:55 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[The 33-year-old ready to make a comeback after missing the last two Ashes fixtures]]>
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				<![CDATA[England spearhead James Anderson said he was itching to stage a comeback in the first Test against Pakistan, starting in Abu Dhabi from Tuesday, hoping to get a good start in the series.

The 33-year-old, who missed the final two Tests in England's 3-2 Ashes triumph back home two months ago with a side strain, said he was ready for a tough series.

"I am itching to get going again," said Anderson after England's practice on Sunday. "It was frustrating to miss the last couple of Tests of the summer but I've played a bit for Lancashire (county) which was good and since being out here all of us have acclimatised quite quickly and are raring to go."

With more focus on spinners than fast bowlers on turning pitches in United Arab Emirates (UAE), Anderson stressed the importance of being on target in the searing heat.

Read: Pakistan pose new spin threat for England

"When we came out here last time we bowled 4-5 overs maximum (in a spell) which means you have to be on the money from ball one and put a bit for emphasis on you as a bowler - you can't just ease into a spell. You have to nail it," said Anderson.

"We know we'll have to bowl very well to do that. It's an exciting challenge; the conditions, the heat, if we do perform well it will be very satisfying. And it is very important we start well."

Anderson admitted facing a formidable Pakistan.

"We know they (Pakistan) will be challenging, the heat will be a tough ask for the bowlers and will make it difficult for us. But we've acclimatised well.

"We are excited for the challenge and we've done all we can do be ready for Tuesday. We are aware of how we performed last time we were here," said Anderson, one of four survivours of the 3-0 rout England suffered here in 2012.

Anderson said England have improved in the last three years.

"We've turned things around a little bit, a change in personnel, and as we saw in the Ashes - we lost them in 2013 but then won them back - so it's all about how you prepare and play in that particular series.

"What happened in the past doesn't really matter that much."

Anderson, the leading wicket-taker for his country with 413 in 107 Tests, said beating Pakistan would be a top achievement.

"Especially with Pakistan's record here, it's going to be a big ask and if we do manage to win it would be right up there (with Australia and India)," said Anderson.

Anderson reckoned Pakistan batsman Azhar Ali -- ruled out of the first Test with a foot infection -- will be missed.

Read: Injury blow: Azhar ruled out of first Test against England

"He (Ali) was the guy to get out for them even with their experienced players after him, I thought he was the key wicket for us so he'll be a big miss but they have plenty of other quality players who have made big runs out here."]]>
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			<title>Pakistan pose new spin threat for England</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/971032/pakistan-pose-new-spin-threat-for-england</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/971032/pakistan-pose-new-spin-threat-for-england#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sun, 11 Oct 15 07:00:52 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[Pakistan will rely on its traditional weapon but this time in the hands of leg-spinners Yasir Shah and Zulfiqar Babar]]>
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				<![CDATA[England face the daunting prospect of overcoming Pakistan's new-look spinning line-up as the Ashes winners try to reverse their 3-0 Test whitewash last time around on the dry pitches of the United Arab Emirates.

When they met in the United Arab Emirates in 2012, Pakistan annihilated the then world number one Test team 3-0, thanks to spinners Saeed Ajmal (24 wickets) and Abdul Rehman (19 wickets).

Read: England series will not be easy for Pakistan: Azhar Mahmood

As they begin a three-match Test series in Abu Dhabi from Tuesday, Pakistan will rely on the same weapon but in the hands of leg-spinners Yasir Shah and Zulfiqar Babar who have taken over from Ajmal and Rehman, who were not selected for the series.

England captain Alastair Cook admits the enormity of his team's task.

"I think they have played six or seven series and haven't lost a series. That shows what is in front of us. The great thing in Test cricket is trying to win away from home. It's getting harder and harder," said Cook, one of four survivors of the 2012 Tests.

Ajmal, whose bowling action was questioned back in 2012, was suspended last year but after being cleared with a new style seems to have lost his wicket-taking ability, leaving his career in the balance.

"I don't think (Ajmal's absence) weakens or strengthens them anyway. It's always when you play Pakistan, India or Sri Lanka spin plays a role," Cook said.

Skipper Misbahul Haq is confident Shah will fill the void, having led the country to series wins over Australia in Abu Dhabi last year and in Sri Lanka three months ago.

"The way Yasir is bowling he is a threat to any team," said Misbah, who could retire at the end of the series. "But it's not only about our spinners. It's also about our fast bowlers and the way we bat against their spinners."

Cook admitted Shah poses a variety of challenges.

"He has an outstanding start to his Test career," said Cook. "Sixty wickets in ten games is a great effort and obviously Saeed was a great bowler as well."

Pakistan's batting will revolve around Younis Khan, Misbah, Azhar Ali and Sarfraz Ahmed who have been in great form in the last 12 months.

Younis amassed 468 runs against Australia and hit a match-winning 171 not out in Pakistan's last Test in Sri Lanka, leaving him just 19 behind to overtake Pakistan's highest tally of 8832 set by the great Javed Miandad.

Pakistan have never lost a series in seven attempts (winning four and drawing three) in the UAE, where they have been forced to play due to security fears back home.

Read: Word of advice: Misbah sends Yasir warning England’s way

England's answer to Pakistan's spin will be feeble as leggie Adil Rashid is set to make his Test debut, six years after playing his first one-day international.

Moeen Ali is favourite to play as opener in a makeshift arrangement with additional duties of bowling off-spin, having never opened the innings even in a first-class match.

If that happens, Moeen will be Cook's seventh partner since Andrew Strauss retired in 2012.

Joe Root and Ben Stokes — England's leading performers with the bat — will be tested against the quality spin.

Dubai will host the second Test (October 22-26) with the final match in Sharjah (November 1-5).

Pakistan Team: Misbahul Haq (captain), Ahmed Shehzad, Shan Masood, Azhar Ali, Mohammad Hafeez, Fawad Alam, Asad Shafiq, Younus Khan, Shoaib Malik, Sarfraz Ahmed, Yasir Shah, Zulfiqar Babar, Wahab Riaz, Imran Khan, Rahat Ali, Junaid Khan

England Team: Alastair Cook (captain), Moeen Ali, James Anderson, Samit Patel, Jonny Bairstow, Ian Bell, Stuart Broad, Jos Buttler, Steven Finn, Alex Hales, Liam Plunkett, Adil Rashid, Joe Root, Ben Stokes, James Taylor, Mark Wood

Umpires: Bruce Oxenford (AUS) and Paul Reiffel (AUS)

TV umpire: Sundaram Ravi (IND)

Match referee: Andy Pycroft (ZIM)]]>
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			<title>Tour in review: Mohsin wonders what went wrong</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/343572/tour-in-review-mohsin-wonders-what-went-wrong</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/343572/tour-in-review-mohsin-wonders-what-went-wrong#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Wed, 29 Feb 12 20:23:25 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[fawad.hussain]]>
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			<category><![CDATA[Sports]]></category>
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				<![CDATA[Stunned interim coach says drop in team’s performance beyond him.]]>
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				<![CDATA[Mohsin Khan, Pakistan’s outgoing interim coach, was stunned by the remarkable turnaround in the team’s performance following the stunning Test-series whitewash — and was at a loss to explain  what went wrong in the One-Day Internationals (ODIs) and Twenty20s.


Pakistan whitewashed England 3-0 in the longest format of the game before succumbing 4-0 in the ODI series and 2-1 in the Twenty20 form that marked the tour’s end. The former opener, who served as coach for his third series in a row, found his team a different side altogether in the limited-overs format.

“I’m still stunned by our losses in the limited-overs series,” Mohsin told The Express Tribune. “It’s beyond my understanding as to what went wrong. The same players performed outstandingly in the Test series as well as the series against Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. In the end, it’s really disappointing to see the team end the tour so badly after a brilliant start.”

It was a ‘dream’ stint: Mohsin

However, Mohsin, whose tenure ended after the tour of the UAE, did show his satisfaction with his and the team’s show under him.

“I am not disappointed at all on being removed. In fact, I am completely satisfied with my performance as the coach. We defeated Sri Lanka and Bangladesh and that wasn’t easy. The historical whitewash against England was a dream come true and I feel lucky to be the part of team that inficted such heavy losses on the world’s best Test side.”

The former opener said he was ready to serve the country in any capacity but with ‘dignity and honour’.

‘The team can bounce back’

Meanwhile, Pakistan captain Misbahul Haq said his team has the ability to bounce back strongly from the defeats against England.

“It’s the same team which won all through last year,” Misbah told reporters in Lahore. “It was a bad series but I feel that we can regain the winning momentum by overcoming our weaknesses, especially in our batting.”

The captain reiterated that there was no need of making abrupt changes in the team.

“The debate surprises me. There are talks of changes in captaincy after just one bad series. There’s no need of an overhaul. I don’t think there are any issues with me captaining the side in all three formats.”

Separate teams to be formed with consensus: Ashraf 

Meanwhile, Pakistan Cricket Board Chairman Zaka Ashraf said the board was not in a hurry to make sweeping changes in the team.

“We will be discussing the agenda with the new coach and our former cricketers,” said Ashraf. “Any decision in this regard will be in the best interest of the team. Having separate teams for all formats is a good idea and we want it in the future like England and Australia.”

Whatmore expected today

Dav Whatmore, chosen by the board as the team’s new head coach, is expected to arrive in Lahore today.
According to a PCB official, the former Australian cricketer will sign a two-year contract with Asia Cup being his first assignment with the Pakistan team. Julien Fountain is also expected to join as the fielding coach before the tournament, replacing Ijaz Ahmed. The PCB has given the responsibility of mentoring the fast-bowlers to Sarfraz Nawaz ahead of the Asia Cup with Aqib Javed quitting as bowling coach.
Published in The Express Tribune, March 1st, 2012.]]>
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			<title>Cricket: Misbah warns against sweeping changes</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/343014/cricket-misbah-warns-against-sweeping-changes</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/343014/cricket-misbah-warns-against-sweeping-changes#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Tue, 28 Feb 12 21:33:54 +0500</pubDate>
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			<category><![CDATA[Sports]]></category>
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				<![CDATA[Captain fails to take Pakistan home; wants fans, board to stick with players.]]>
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				<![CDATA[Pakistan captain Misbahul Haq cautioned against a drastic overhaul in personnel after his team crashed to a sensational five-run loss in the third and final Twenty20 against England, which gave the tourists a 2-1 victory in the series.


That followed England’s 4-0 drubbing of Pakistan in the One-Day International series after the national team had beaten the same opponents 3-0 in the Test series. The limited-overs defeats, however, have left question-marks on Misbah’s handling of the team, who said he understood fans’ frustrations but the losses needed to be assessed dispassionately by the Pakistan Cricket Board.

“I think we need to take this decision only after assessing our resources and if you have those resources then do that,” said Misbah. “But if you don’t have quality cricketers, the changes will harm the team. If you change for the sake of change, it will not help.”

Drama in the death overs

Chasing a modest 130, Pakistan were cruising at one stage, needing 23 off the last three overs with Misbah (28) and Umar Akmal (22) adding 37 for the fourth wicket but England pulled back with remarkable determination.

With 13 needed off the final over Shahid Afridi took a couple before he was run out while taking a second off the next. The next three balls produced singles and a wide and with six needed off the final ball, Misbah was bowled to leave Pakistan agonisingly short.

Losing the match from a winning position left the captain disheartened.

“We tried our best but England came back strongly in the last three overs. Credit must be given to them. We should’ve finished the match but we had no answer to their bowling. Stuart Broad gave just four runs in the penultimate over, while Jade Dernbach successfully defended 13 in the last. We were in the game until the last three overs and we had wickets in hand. But we couldn’t finish it. That hurts.”

Meanwhile, England captain Broad was full of praise for his bowlers.

“It was a very good win,” said Broad. “Kevin Pietersen played a good knock and then bowlers showed a lot of character to pull off the win, it was remarkable.”

Earlier, off-spinner Saeed Ajmal finished with four for 23 to restrict England to a modest 129 for six.
Opener Pietersen top-scored with 62, keeping one end intact during his 52-ball knock for his seventh Twenty20 fifty. Pakistan won the first match of the series by eight runs, while England had come out victorious in the second one by 38 runs.
Zaheer Abbas

“It is not only about an individual’s performance as all Pakistan batsmen failed, which is to be blamed for the defeat. England’s bowling, on the other hand, was superb and deserves all the praise.”

  Ramiz Raja

“The team now requires whole-sale changes in the limited-overs formats. A complete but not abrupt overhaul is required. I think we need aggressive batsmen as all current Pakistan batsmen play at a similar pace.”

 Jalaluddin

“Our batsmen struggled to play according to the situation. They should’ve taken chances at the start of the innings in the decisive match but they waited for the death overs. Our fielding wasn’t good either.”

Published in The Express Tribune, February 29th, 2012.]]>
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			<title>After facing defeat, Misbahul Haq admits his team failed to deliver</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/342933/after-facing-defeat-misbahul-haq-admits-his-team-failed-to-deliver</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/342933/after-facing-defeat-misbahul-haq-admits-his-team-failed-to-deliver#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Tue, 28 Feb 12 11:03:29 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[In an interview with Gulf News, captain says his team had no answer to England's good bowling.]]>
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				<![CDATA[As Pakistani cricket fans expressed anger after their team lost against England in the T20 series, captain Misbahul Haq in an interview to Gulf News admitted that the team had failed to deliver.

“I think we are responsible, all those who were playing in the middle failed to finish the game. We should have finished that but we had no answer to their good bowling,” Misbah told Gulf News.

Pakistan lost the match against England by five runs on Monday. Chasing England’s score of 129, Pakistan’s batting line up struggled from the get-go, when opener Mohammed Hafeez got out in the first over, while fellow opener Awais Zia provided some histrionics by scoring 23 runs (28 balls) which included a four and a six.

Misbah, in the interview, said that his team did try but England bowlers were too good. “I think we did try our best but in the last three overs they changed the tempo. Credit must be given to England.”

The captain also termed the defeat a “big disappointment” and said that the time has come for the team to sit down and try to get rid of the weak areas. “Something ought to be done about our batting soon.”

Misbah faced vast criticism from cricket fans over social media networks, many of them demanding that the captain to be removed from the team for making just 13 runs off 26 balls.]]>
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			<title>Cricket: England have the last laugh as Pakistan lose T20 series</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/342485/cricket-england-bat-first-in-third-twenty20</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/342485/cricket-england-bat-first-in-third-twenty20#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Mon, 27 Feb 12 16:42:29 +0500</pubDate>
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			<description>
				<![CDATA[England beat Pakistan by five runs in the last T20, to win the three match series 2-1.]]>
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				<![CDATA[Pakistan lost the third and series deciding T2o match against England, in the three match series, by five runs on Monday.

Chasing England's score of 129, Pakistan's batting line up struggled from the get-go, when opener Mohammed Hafeez got out in the first over, while fellow opener Awais Zia provided some histrionics by scoring 23 runs (28 balls) which included a four and a six.

Asad Shafiq with 34 runs (32 balls) was the highest scorer for the team.

England JW Dernbach was the pick of English bowlers, taking two wickets, including Hafeez's early wicket and captain Misbahul Haq's wicket with the last ball of the innings.

Earlier, Kevin Pietersen made 62, even though Saeed Ajmal bowled brilliantly for Pakistan to take four English wickets, to take England's score to 129 for the loss of six wickets.

Pakistan needed 130 runs off the 20 overs to win the match and the three match series.

England captain Stuart Broad had won the toss and elected to bat in the third and final Twenty20 international against Pakistan at Abu Dhabi Stadium here on Monday.

England kept the same team that lost the first match by eight runs but won the second by 38 runs -- both in Dubai.

Pakistan also remained unchanged, resisting the temptation to play an extra spinner in Abdul Rehman.

England: Stuart Broad (capt), Jonny Bairstow, Ravi Bopara, Jos Buttler, Jade Dernbach, Steven Finn, Craig Kieswetter, Eoin Morgan, Samit Patel, Kevin Pietersen, Graeme Swann

Pakistan: Misbah-ul-Haq (capt), Mohammad Hafeez, Awais Zia, Umar Akmal, Asad Shafiq, Shahid Afridi, Shoaib Malik, Umar Gul, Saeed Ajmal, Aizaz Cheema, Hammad Azam

Umpires: Shozab Raza (PAK) and Zameer Haider (PAK)

Tv umpire: Ahsan Raza (PAK)

Match referee: Jeff Crowe (NZL)]]>
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			<title>Twenty20 series: Misbah rues yet another batting failure</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/342114/twenty20-series-misbah-rues-yet-another-batting-failure</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/342114/twenty20-series-misbah-rues-yet-another-batting-failure#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sun, 26 Feb 12 21:25:08 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[Pakistan lose to England, aim for turnaround in decider today.]]>
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				<![CDATA[After a disappointing 38-run defeat in the second Twenty20, which levelled the series for England, Pakistan will be looking to put behind their dismal show and make a comeback in the decider of the three-match series that takes place today.


The second match saw Pakistan collapsing for a lowly 112 after having been set 151 with captain Misbahul Haq left frustrated at the familiar disintegration.

“I thought 151 was a gettable target because the pitch had nothing for the bowlers,” said Misbah. “But we had a very poor start. That was followed by the loss of regular wickets and you do not win matches after that.”

Bairstow the hero for England

England, who lost the first match by eight runs, made a fine comeback in the series courtesy Jonny Bairstow’s unbeaten 46-ball 60 and fast-bowler Steven Finn’s three wickets.

England captain Stuart Broad, who picked up two wickers, was a delighted man after the victory.

“We talked about the comeback and I think the guys showed a lot of character,” said Broad. “Bairstow showed a lot of character. He showed experience beyond his years to realise that was probably not going to be a 170 pitch, and to make sure we got to a strong 150.”

Misbah also recognised the value of Bairstow’s mature innings.

“He played really well,” said Misbah. “At the time, especially, when they had lost their main players, like Kevin Pietersen and Ravi Bopara, I think he played a wonderful knock. He set the game up for them.”

Meanwhile, England coach Andy Flower believed his team had gained vital experience against Pakistan, which will help them in their bid to defend their World Twenty20 title later this year.

“The experience that those guys gained in a pressure situation against a very good opposition in these conditions will be absolutely vital to our growth as a side,” said Flower.

Pakistan suffer batting blues again

Pakistan were off to a disastrous start as Finn had Mohammad Hafeez caught off the second ball of the innings and then removed Umar Akmal (19). The hosts were dealt further blows when Awais Zia (six), Asad Shafiq (one) and Shoaib Malik (12) were out, leaving Pakistan on 50 for five.

Shahid Afridi (25) lifted the tempo but England hit back by dismissing Misbah (13) before Hammad Azam (21) showed promise in his brief knock but Pakistan were never in the hunt after the young all-rounder’s dismissal.

Earlier, England got off to a flying start, making 35 by the fifth over before Pakistan hit back by dismissing Pietersen, Bopara and Eoin Morgan in the space of 14 runs. Bairstow added a vital 39 for the fifth wicket with Samit Patel (13).

Andy Flower

“At this stage we have to keep an eye on the World Twenty20, which is in seven months’ time and therefore how we play against these spinners in these conditions is vital to our chances in Sri Lanka.”

Published in The Express Tribune, February 27th, 2012.

&nbsp;]]>
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			<title>Second T20: England beat Pakistan by 38 runs to level series</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/341680/second-t20-england-wins-toss-elect-to-bat-first</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/341680/second-t20-england-wins-toss-elect-to-bat-first#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sat, 25 Feb 12 16:17:55 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[reuters]]>
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			<category><![CDATA[Sports]]></category>
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			<description>
				<![CDATA[England restricted Pakistan to 112 as they chased a target of 151. Bairstow is Man of the Match.]]>
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				<![CDATA[Jonny Bairstow and Steven Finn inspired England to a 38-run victory over Pakistan in Dubai on Saturday to level the three-match series of Twenty20 internationals at 1-1.  

England chose to bat first under lights and chalked up 150 for seven with the 22-year-old Bairstow clubbing an unbeaten 60 in 46 balls.

Man of the match Bairstow, son of the late former England wicketkeeper David, belted five fours and two sixes. Opener Craig Kieswetter also chipped in with 31 off 24 deliveries while Pakistan seamer Umar Gul took two for 31 and spinner Saeed Ajmal produced an economical spell of one for 20 in four overs.

Pakistan started their run chase badly, slumping to two for two after losing Mohammad Hafeez for a duck and Asad Shafiq for one.

Wickets continued to fall at regular intervals and Shahid Afridi top-scored with 25 in 23 balls as Pakistan were bowled out for 112 in 18.2 overs.

England captain Stuart Broad and spinner Graeme Swann took two wickets apiece but improving young paceman Finn stole the show by returning figures of three for 30 and running out Ajmal for a duck with a direct hit from close range.

The third and final match will be in Abu Dhabi on Monday.

Pakistan: Mohammad Hafeez, Awais Zia, Asad Shafiq, Umar Akmal (wk), Misbahul Haq (capt), Shoaib Malik, Shahid Afridi, Hammad Azam, Umar Gul, Saeed Ajmal, Aizaz Cheema

England: Kevin Pietersen, Craig Kieswetter (wk), Ravi Bopara, Eoin Morgan, Jonathan Bairstow, Jos Buttler, Samit Patel, Stuart Broad (capt), Graeme Swann, Jade Dernbach, Steven Finn

Umpires: Ahsan Raza (Pakistan) and Zameer Haider (Pakistan)

TV umpire: Shozab Raza (Pakistan)

Match referee: JJ Crowe (New Zealand)]]>
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			<title>PCB planning major reshuffle</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/341327/pcb-planning-major-reshuffle</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/341327/pcb-planning-major-reshuffle#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Fri, 24 Feb 12 20:02:36 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[fawad.hussain]]>
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			<category><![CDATA[Sports]]></category>
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				<![CDATA[Changes expected across the board in the wake of ODI loss.]]>
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				<![CDATA[The 4-0 defeat against England in the One-Day International (ODI) series has gone a long way in prompting the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to consider a major overhaul as part of its plans for the 2015 World Cup.


From having separate teams and captains across the three formats to a change in the selection committee, the PCB will ponder over reshuffling on all aspects as the England series ends with the third and final Twenty20 on February 27.

While Dav Whatmore and Julien Fountain are certain to replace head coach Mohsin Khan and fielding coach Ijaz Ahmed, as confirmed by a PCB official, more changes are also expected. PCB Chairman Zaka Ashraf refused to go into details but said that an overhaul will be considered.

“Everything will be carefully taken into account after the England series is over,” Ashraf told The Express Tribune.

Debate on limited-overs captaincy   

Meanwhile, a PCB official said the issue of  change of captaincy for limited-overs formats will be the main issue under discussion in the coming days. Besides taking input from the new coach, the matter will also be discussed in the governing board meeting on March 1, added the official.

Misbahul Haq, whose brilliant run as skipper was tarnished by the ODI whitewash, was criticised for his defensive approach. Many PCB officials are also unhappy about his interference to get Shoaib Malik included in the side after the former captain was overlooked by the selection committee.

However, a board official said the 37-year-old is likely to retain the leadership.

“There will be consideration and the decision will be made in the best interest of the team,” said the board official before terming Shahid Afridi as a leading candidate for ODI and Twenty20 captaincy. It remains to be seen, however, whether the PCB will be able to reach a consensus before the Asia Cup next month.

Jaffer may complete coaching panel 

According to an official, the coach-hunt committee, led by former captain Intikhab Alam, is also looking for a bowling coach in case the incumbent Aqib Javed leaves for the UAE.

The official said the committee was not interested in hiring a third foreign coach and was looking at the option of former left-arm pacer Salim Jaffer, who has served as a national selector besides coaching domestic sides.

“There’s also a possibility that Fountain will be given added responsibility of helping bowlers because of his experience.”

Shuffle in selection committee on cards  

Meanwhile, a change in the selection committee is also on the cards as Mohammad Illyas is likely to be released from the chief selector’s post. Apart from Mohsin Khan, who was serving as the chief selector before being appointed as interim coach, names of Salahuddin Ahmed and Iqbal Qasim are also doing the rounds.

(Read: ODI whitewash)

Published in The Express Tribune, February 25th, 2012.]]>
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			<title>Twenty20 series: Misbah calls for patient approach</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/341214/misbah-calls-for-patience-on-pakistan-team</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/341214/misbah-calls-for-patience-on-pakistan-team#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Fri, 24 Feb 12 10:50:37 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[Captain pleased with turnaround, aims for series-win today.]]>
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				<![CDATA[Pakistan captain Misbahul Haq hit back at criticism after his side’s 4-0 defeat in the One-Day International (ODI) series against England, urging a change of mindset among detractors.

The ODI series-loss was the first under Misbah’s captaincy.

“I’ve said that even after the Test series win, we have to be patient,” said Misbah following his team’s eight-run win in the first of three Twenty20 internationals on Thursday. “We should talk of the ground realities but we talk on other points. We should talk of the bad performance and the areas where we showed weaknesses.

“We committed mistakes: they scored four hundreds, we managed only four fifties and their bowlers took wickets, ours didn’t.”

Earlier, Umar Gul took three for 18 to inspire Pakistan to a close win. England, the reigning World Twenty20 champions, were cruising at 120 for four after 17 overs, chasing 145, but Gul took two wickets in the 18th over for just three runs to change the complexion of the game, eventually restricting England to 136 for six.

“I had to face a lot of criticism after the ODI defeats, so this win is pleasing. Every win brings joy. We did put up a challenging total and then Gul was outstanding in the final overs.”

Misbah added that Pakistan had under-performed in the past because of such a response to defeats, insisting that his side had not become bad players overnight just because of the loss in the one-day series.

“We have to change this thinking if we are to lift Pakistan cricket,” he said, calling for a more reasoned debate about strengths and weaknesses rather than a potentially counter-productive knee-jerk response to change personnel. “Drastic changes will not help. These same players won us the last six series. Now if, on one defeat against a top team, we change players and captains then we could change six captains till the 2015 World Cup. That can never bring improvement in the Pakistan team.”

Off-spinner Mohammad Hafeez, who finished with two for 18, chipped in with the wickets of Craig Kieswetter (14) and the dangerous Eoin Morgan (14) to leave England at 80 for three, a position from where they should have won but Gul’s spirited bowling made the difference.

England captain Stuart Broad said his team lost wickets at crucial times.

“We were well-set but then lost some crucial wickets at bad times and that failed us on the finish line,” said Broad. “We will have to review this match to show improvement.”

The second match will be played today, while the final match is in Abu Dhabi on February 27.

&nbsp;

Published in The Express Tribune, February 25th, 2012.]]>
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			<title>Pakistan Vs. England: Gul inspires Pakistan to Twenty20 win</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/341084/pakistan-vs-england-gul-inspires-pakistan-to-twenty20-win</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/341084/pakistan-vs-england-gul-inspires-pakistan-to-twenty20-win#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Fri, 24 Feb 12 05:31:13 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[Pakistan captain Misbah-ul Haq said the win was pleasing after being routed in the one-dayers.]]>
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				<![CDATA[Paceman Umar Gul took 3-18 to inspire Pakistan to a thrilling eight-run win in the first of three Twenty20 internationals against England at Dubai Stadium on Thursday.


England, the reigning Twenty20 world champions, were cruising at 120-4 after 17 overs, chasing 145 to win, but Gul took two wickets in the 18th over, for just three runs, to change the complexion of the game, eventually restricting England to 136-6.

Graeme Swann had in the earlier innings, rocked Pakistan’s middle-order with a burst of three wickets off eight balls, restricting them to 144-6 with Shoaib Malik making 39.

Pakistan captain Misbah-ul Haq said the win was pleasing after being routed in the one-dayers.

“I had to face a lot of criticism after the one-day defeats, so it’s pleasing. Every win brings joy,” said Misbah.

The second match will be played here on Saturday.

A slideshow of pictures of the match can be viewed here. 

Published in The Express Tribune, February 24th, 2012.]]>
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			<title>ODI whitewash</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/340784/odi-whitewash</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/340784/odi-whitewash#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Thu, 23 Feb 12 19:39:31 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[editorial]]>
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			<category><![CDATA[Editorial]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=340784</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[It is far better to have whitewashed the English cricket team in the Tests and lost the ODIs rather than vice versa.]]>
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				<![CDATA[After losing four straight One-Day Internationals (ODIs) to England, the temptation may be to make wholesale changes to our team. This feeling should be resisted. Not all cricket matches are equal and on the whole, it is far better to have whitewashed the English cricket team in the Tests and lost the ODIs rather than vice versa.

A string of ODI defeats, while disappointing, doesn’t point to any structural defects in Pakistan cricket nor is it an indictment of the captaincy and coaching of Misbahul Haq and Mohsin Khan, respectively. We lost fair and square to a better team in a format that is notoriously flukey. It is time to learn a few lessons, move on and not create too much fuss about our defeat in the series.

Among the first lessons that need to be learned is that Shoaib Malik and Imran Farhat do not deserve to represent their country ever again. Our team is stuffed with first-rate spinners; having Malik, who contributes little with the bat but can always be relied on to start a mutiny or two within the team, makes little sense beyond the personal loyalty Misbah feels towards him. Similarly, Farhat, whose long, unsuccessful stints in the team have been attributed to the fact that his father-in-law is a selector, needs to be put out to pasture.

These little tweaks aside, Pakistan need to work on some basics that will make them more competitive in ODIs. There is, of course, the perennial question of our complete inability to field well. Taking catches may be a bridge too far to cross but there are other aspects of the game that need some improvement. For one, we seem to have forgotten how to pace an ODI innings, with the gradual acceleration through the innings and a surge at the end simply never materialising. Either we lose too many early wickets, or our designated hitters simply don’t get going. We posted under-par totals throughout the series, putting too much pressure on the bowlers. At the end of the day, we lost to a better team. It is time to learn our lessons and move on.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 24th, 2012.]]>
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			<title>Cricket: Pakistan makes a comeback, wins first T20</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/340772/cricket-pakistan-to-bat-in-first-twenty20</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/340772/cricket-pakistan-to-bat-in-first-twenty20#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Thu, 23 Feb 12 16:20:19 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[reuters]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Sports]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=340772</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[England fell 8 runs short in chasing Pakistan's target of 145 runs. Gul picks three wickets.]]>
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				<![CDATA[Umar Gul and Saeed Ajmal bowled superbly at the death to inspire Pakistan to an eight-run victory over England in the first Twenty20 international in Dubai on Thursday.   

England looked to be cruising to a target of 145 following a quickfire 33 from the in-form Kevin Pietersen and Ravi Bopara's 39 but man-of-the-match Gul dismissed Jos Buttler and Samit Patel with successive deliveries in the 18th over to give Pakistan hope.

Ajmal then bowled a brilliant 19th over of the innings, conceding just four runs, to put Pakistan on the brink of victory with England needing 18 off the last six balls.

Jonny Bairstow and Graeme Swann were unable find the boundary off Junaid Khan's final over and managed just nine runs.

Pakistan, beaten 4-0 in the 50-over one-day series, would clinch the three-match Twenty20 series with victory in the second game in Dubai on Saturday.

England won the toss but Pakistan raced to 36 runs in the first three overs before losing wickets at regular intervals as the scoring rate slowed.

Captain Misbah-ul-Haq struck a huge six in his unbeaten 26 off 26 balls and Shoaib Malik made 39 but Swann completed figures of three for 13 from four miserly overs to restrict Pakistan to 144 for six.

Pietersen, confident following consecutive centuries in the one-day series, struck 13 runs off the first four balls of the England innings and raced to 33 off 21 deliveries before he was brilliantly caught on the leg-side boundary by Asad Shafiq trying to hit his second six.

Bopara made a fluent 39 to put England in control of their chase but Gul returned to dismiss him, Buttler and Patel in rapid succession.

A slideshow of pictures of the match can be viewed here. ]]>
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			<title>Poor selection led to ODI defeats: Former chief selector</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/340289/poor-selection-led-to-odi-defeats-former-chief-selector</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/340289/poor-selection-led-to-odi-defeats-former-chief-selector#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Wed, 22 Feb 12 20:00:42 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[fawad.hussain]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category><category><![CDATA[Sports]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=340289</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Former players divided over change in captaincy in limited-overs formats.]]>
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				<![CDATA[Pakistan have come under heavy fire from former players over their team selection, which they feel was the major reason behind the drubbing handed out by England in the One-Day International (ODI) series in the UAE.


Former Test cricketer and Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chief selector Salahuddin Ahmed believed that besides the poor on-field show by the players, flawed selection led to the heavy defeats in the ODIs after Pakistan had dominated the Test series.

“The selection was very poor,” Salahuddin told The Express Tribune. “The inclusion of all-rounder Shoaib Malik after the team had already been announced disturbed the side’s balance. The selection committee’s decision to overlook Malik was overruled by the captain, which is a proof of player power. The decision disrupted the team’s rhythm and it should have been avoided.”

Salahuddin also criticised Pakistan’s fielding during the series terming it ‘pathetic’. The former chief selector felt that separate teams for all formats should be the way forward for the national team as players like Misbahul Haq, Younus Khan and Azhar Ali were slow starters and pegged the team back in limited-overs matches.

Salahuddin was also critical of Misbah’s captaincy, calling him a defensive leader.

“Shahid Afridi is still the best choice to lead in ODIs and Twenty20s because he is an aggressive player.”

Akhtar unhappy with selection as well

Meanwhile, former fast-bowler Shoaib Akhtar also raised questions over the selection during the series.

“Pakistan need to review their selection in ODIs and Twenty20s,” he said before adding that players like Malik cannot hold their place in the team anymore.

Akhtar was dismayed at the way Pakistan’s pace attack struggled during the series, taking only three wickets compared to that of England’s, which snared 27 scalps. He also disparaged the batting line-up’s approach, which he felt lacked aggression.

‘Pakistan need to work on their bowling’

Legendary former captain Imran Khan believed that the hosts’ weak bowling cost them the series.

“Pakistan need to work on their bowling department,” the former captain told reporters in Dubai. “England bounced back after the Test series defeat due to their strong bowling performance.”

However, Imran backed Misbah to stay on as captain.

“Misbah needs to show more aggression but it is too early to write him off,” he said. “However, he must bat up the order to get good totals. If one captain is doing well in all three forms of the game then there is no use having separate captains.”

Captaincy criteria flawed: Waqar 

Meanwhile, former coach Waqar Younis has questioned the criteria for selecting the captain.

“Since the last two decades Pakistan has been selecting the captain on the basis of his performance,” he said. “This is not an ideal approach because the knowledge and insight of the game that a player has should also be considered apart from performance.”

 ‘Team missed spirit’ 

An official close to the team management said the players lacked spirit during the ODI series, which he believed was the main cause of defeat.

“There was a sudden change in the players’ body language,” he said. “The spirit which was there in the Test series was missing during the ODIs. The players were not as motivated as before, which was the reason behind the decline in performance.”

Published in The Express Tribune, February 23rd, 2012.]]>
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			<title>Cook praises England comeback</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/340292/cook-praises-england-comeback</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/340292/cook-praises-england-comeback#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Wed, 22 Feb 12 19:52:17 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[afp]]>
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			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=340292</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Pietersen hails knock in 4th ODI as his best.]]>
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				<![CDATA[Captain Alastair Cook has said that he was delighted with England’s valiant fightback after their Test rout by Pakistan to register a clean sweep in the One-Day International (ODI) series.


Cook, who scored back-to-back hundreds in the first two matches, said it needed a team effort to change the fortunes.

“It’s a really good comeback,” he said. “I said at the start of the series, if we’re going to turn this round we’re going to need people to stand up and be counted. A number of us have done that. Pakistan had won 14 out of 15 ODIs in a row. For us to win 4-0, in sub-continent-like conditions, is a fantastic achievement.”

Meanwhile, England batsman Kevin Pietersen hailed his century in the final ODI as his best in the 50-over format, saying his hard work with spin coach Mushtaq Ahmed helped him overcome batting blues. Pietersen’s knock was a total contrast from his tally of 67 during the 3-0 rout in the Tests during which he struggled against Pakistan spinners Saeed Ajmal and Abdul Rehman.

“It was probably the best knock I’ve played,” said Pietersen. “The hard work I’ve been putting in with Mushy has paid off. I’ve spent hours and hours with him.”

Published in The Express Tribune, February 23rd, 2012.]]>
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			<title>Cricket: England’s neatly timed turnaround</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/340287/cricket-england%e2%80%99s-neatly-timed-turnaround</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/340287/cricket-england%e2%80%99s-neatly-timed-turnaround#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Wed, 22 Feb 12 19:42:31 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[afp]]>
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			<category><![CDATA[Sports]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=340287</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Misbah rues Pakistan’s poor show after 4-0 ODI series whitewash, his first series-loss as captain.]]>
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				<![CDATA[England exacted revenge on Pakistan by securing a 4-0 clean sweep in the One-Day International (ODI) series after having suffered a similar fate in the Test matches.


A complete turnaround in fortunes in the ODIs saw Kevin Pietersen – whose place in the national team was being questioned after the Test series – hit his second successive century to help a resurgent England beat Pakistan by four wickets in the fourth and final match to help the tourists record their first ODI whitewash over the hosts in 25 years.

Pakistan captain Misbahul Haq, who suffered his first series loss as captain, conceded that England completely outplayed his team in the 50-over format in all departments despite some improvement displayed by the hosts at the latter stages of the series.

“We showed improvement from the last game but England and Pietersen were too good for us,” said Misbah. “All the credit goes to England for playing well in this series. We were below par.”

Misbah bemoans poor show

After the thrashing meted out to England in the Test matches, Misbah would have expected his spinners to dominate the tourists again. But he was clearly surprised at the immense improvement that the opposition batsmen displayed while tackling spin, scoring four centuries during the series compared to the dismal show put up by most in the Pakistan batting line-up.

“England have improved and really batted well since the Tests. They have started playing the spinners well and to get four centuries at the top was remarkable. That was the main difference between the two teams. Pakistan dropped their performance. We also had problems with our team combinations, so we will now have to sit down and think how to turn things around in the Twenty20 matches.”

Meanwhile, Pietersen’s 153-ball career-best 130 – his ninth ODI hundred – helped England chase down 238 after Pakistan finished on 237 all out. He helped England recover from 68 for four with a 109-run stand for the fifth wicket with Craig Kieswetter (43) to maintain his team’s domination.

Earlier, Asad Shafiq and Azhar Ali scored half-centuries but Pakistan were pegged back in the final overs with fast-bowler Jade Dernbach taking four for 45. Shafiq made a 78-ball 65, while Ali made 58.

Pakistan and England now play three Twenty20s, with the first one today, while the remaining matches will be played on February 25 February 27.

Salahuddin Ahmed

“The inclusion of Shoaib Malik after the team announcement disturbed the balance.  The selectors’ decision to overlook Malik was overruled by the captain which is a proof of player power.”

Imran Khan

“Pakistan need to work on their bowling department. England bounced back after the Test series defeat due to their strong bowling performance. We lacked depth in both bowling and batting.”

Mudassar Nazar

“The slump was the result of bad team selection. Pakistan never played with the right combination. Fitness is a problem and the failure of the openers to put up solid stands also has to be addressed.”

Published in The Express Tribune, February 23rd, 2012.]]>
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			<title>Pakistan look to redress balance in T20</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/340163/pakistan-look-to-redress-balance-in-t20</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/340163/pakistan-look-to-redress-balance-in-t20#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Wed, 22 Feb 12 13:01:47 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[afp]]>
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			<category><![CDATA[Sports]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=340163</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[I think we need to learn from England on how they transformed their fortunes in ODIs, says Misbah.]]>
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				<![CDATA[Pakistan captain Misbahul Haq said his side are desperate to redress the balance in a Twenty20 international against England Thursday after a one-day series whitewash by the tourists.

Pakistan were Tuesday routed 4-0 by England, who showed a big improvement from their 3-0 defeat in the preceding three-Test series.

Misbah wants his side to regain the upper hand, but also wants to use the match as a stepping stone towards the World Twenty20 series later this year.

"This is a very important series for us, more so because we won the Tests, they won the ODIs and now it's almost the decider," said Misbah.

"And if you consider that this is World Twenty20 year, it's very important for us to come back."

England will defend the title they won in the West Indies in 2010 when Sri Lanka host the fourth edition of the World Twenty20.

"I think we need to learn from England on how they transformed their fortunes in ODIs, and I am confident that my boys can do that," added Misbah.

"I don't think we were dispirited, because the team wants a win desperately and that's why we were like that. Everybody was trying to give one hundred percent and when it slips out of your hand it seems you are disjointed."

Pakistan will ring some changes, with experienced batsman Younis Khan and Azhar Ali returning home while dashing uncapped left-handed opener Awais Zia joins the Twenty20 squad.

England have retained Alastair Cook, originally not named in the Twenty20 squad, after he showed great form in scoring back-to-back hundreds in the first two one-day matches.

England paceman Stuart Broad meanwhile said his side would be using every opportunity possible to help prepare them for the defence of their World Twenty20 title.

"Of course, we need to make use of every game we have because there isn't many leading to the World Twenty20. And that being in the sub-continent we need to really make use of these conditions," said Broad.

"It makes these games pretty important. We are not looking to these matches as a warm-up, we are looking to win this series and that is what we will be focusing on," added Broad.

"Cookie is keen to play Twenty20 cricket. He has made that pretty obvious. He has been kept on in the squad because obviously we have got some injury concerns in the squad," said Broad of Cook, retained as cover-up for injured Ravi Bopara.]]>
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			<title>Greats back Misbah to lead Pakistan</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/340160/greats-back-misbah-to-lead-pakistan</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/340160/greats-back-misbah-to-lead-pakistan#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Wed, 22 Feb 12 12:46:30 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[afp]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category><category><![CDATA[Sports]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=340160</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Misbah has committed some mistakes but we should back him, says Imran Khan.]]>
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				<![CDATA[Former players rallied round Pakistan captain Misbahul Haq on Wednesday despite his side's woeful showing in the 4-0 one-day series mauling by England.

Pakistan failed to carry the momentum of their 3-0 Test whitewash of England in the UAE into the one dayers, losing all four games to suggest they will be vulnerable to their resurgent rivals in the Twenty20 series starting Thursday.

England strolled to a four-wicket win in the fourth game in Dubai on Tuesday, with Kevin Pietersen hitting a second successive hundred.

The sudden slump in form prompted former captain Imran Khan to bemoan a lack of depth in Pakistan's squad.

"England lifted itself after the Test defeat while Pakistan failed to carry on the good work," Khan told reporters. "We lacked depth in bowling and batting and that helped England win all the matches."

But the legendary all-rounder backed captain Misbah to continue as skipper in the short form of the game, having already led a remarkable revival of the Test side.

"Misbah needs to show more aggression but its early to write him off," said Khan, who led Pakistan to their only World Cup win in 1992. "Misbah must bat up the order to get good totals."

Khan rejected the suggestion the side would be better served by separate captains for the three forms of the game.

"If one captain is doing well in all three forms of the game then there is no use having separate captains," said Khan.

Former spinner Iqbal Qasim also backed Misbah, urging critics to give him time to turn around the side's one-day fortunes.

"He has committed some mistakes but we should back him," he said, adding that the team appeared to relax in the one-day series after their Test win.

"There was lack of consistency in the selection, sometimes they played with four spinners and just one seamer which affected their performance," he said.

Qasim said Pakistan must chose specialists for Tests and limited overs.

"Like other teams we should also designate some players for Tests, some for one-day and some for Twenty20 because this has proved beneficial for other teams," said Qasim.

Fans have been less supportive, criticising Misbah despite Pakistan's recent Test successes.

"Bring back Shahid Afridi as captain because Misbah lacks aggression, both as captain and batsman," said student Rehan Mahmood. "We need to have an aggressive captain like Afridi."]]>
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			<title>Daredevil Pietersen relishes 'best one-day knock'</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/340140/daredevil-pietersen-relishes-best-one-day-knock</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/340140/daredevil-pietersen-relishes-best-one-day-knock#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Wed, 22 Feb 12 10:41:12 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[afp]]>
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			<category><![CDATA[Sports]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=340140</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Swashbuckling England batsman Kevin Pietersen hailed his century as his best in one-day cricket.]]>
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				<![CDATA[Swashbuckling England batsman Kevin Pietersen hailed his century on Tuesday as his best in one-day cricket, saying his hard work with spin coach Mushtaq Ahmed helped him overcome batting blues.

The 31-year-old hit a match-winning 130 to steer England to a four-wicket win after being set a 239-run target by Pakistan, giving his team a 4-0 clean sweep of the series.

Pietersen's knock was a total contrast from his tally of 67 during the 3-0 rout in the preceding three-Tests during which he struggled against Pakistan's spin duo of Saeed Ajmal and Abdul Rehman.

But since his transfer to Indian Premier League side Delhi Daredevils for this year's tournament was announced in January, Pietersen has hit back-to-back hundreds in England's wins.

Pietersen termed this week's as his best, surpassing his previous highest one-day score of 116 made against South Africa at Centurion in 2005.

"I am allowed to say it was probably the best one I've played," Pietersen said on Tuesday.

"The hard work I've been putting in with Mushy has paid off. I've spent hours and hours with him. I came in early today, early the other day (to practise)," he said of his work with the former Pakistan leg-spinner.

Pietersen said he knew he had to bat through the innings after England lost captain Alastair Cook for four in the first over in their run-chase.

"I like to really calm things down and just watch the ball and play it. I thought that the total they had, if I batted for 50 overs and took the game deep and batted with a bit of experience, we could come close.

"I just wanted to take the game deep, and I wanted to target bowlers as well. I think that was the key to the success. You need experience, lots of it, in order to keep the situation very simple - and back your ability."

Nevertheless, Pietersen said he still has a lot to learn

"You need a lot of confidence in your ability. I am not the finished article by any stretch of the imagination. But wow, I thoroughly enjoyed it (the innings)."

Pakistan and England now play three Twenty20 internationals, with the first here on Thursday. The remaining two matches will be played in Dubai (February 25) and Abu Dhabi (February 27).]]>
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			<title>Cook, Misbah praise England's comeback win</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/340134/cook-misbah-praise-englands-comeback-win</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/340134/cook-misbah-praise-englands-comeback-win#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Wed, 22 Feb 12 10:19:54 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[afp]]>
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			<category><![CDATA[Sports]]></category>
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			<description>
				<![CDATA[Rival captains Alastair Cook and Misbahul Haq agree that England staged a valiant fight-back.]]>
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				<![CDATA[Rival captains Alastair Cook and Misbahul Haq on Tuesday agreed that England staged a valiant fight-back after their Test rout by Pakistan to register a clean sweep in the one-day series.

England, who lost the preceding three-Test series 3-0, came back strongly to rout Pakistan 4-0 in the one-day series, finishing with a hard-fought, four-wicket win in the final match on Tuesday.

The victory also helped England overtake Pakistan in the International Cricket Council one-day rankings, moving into fifth spot and pushing down the South Asian side to sixth.

Cook, who scored back-to-back hundreds in the first two matches, said it needed a team effort to change the fortunes.

"It's a really good comeback. I said at the start of the series, if we're going to turn this round we're going to need people to stand up and be counted. A number of us have done that," said Cook.

Cook said the win was more significant given the weather conditions.

"Pakistan had won 14 out of 15 one-dayers in a row. For us to win 4-0, in sub-continent-like conditions, is a fantastic achievement," said Cook, whose team was thrashed 5-0 in India last year.

"What happened in India, when we lost 5-0, gave us a chance to put that to be and say, 'this is what we need to do if we want to improve'. I couldn't have asked any more from our team, the way we've responded after India defeat," said Cook.

Pakistan scored 237 on the back of solid half-centuries from Asad Shafiq (65) and Azhar Ali (58) but were restricted in the final overs by paceman Jade Dernbach, who finished with a career-best 4-45.

Kevin Pietersen hit a career-best 130 to steer England to their first-ever whitewash over Pakistan since 1987.

"KP will take all the headlines for an amazing innings but it's great to see Craig (Kieswetter) come in when we're 60 for four - in a new position for him - and look as comfortable as he did," said Cook of the wicket-keeper, who made 43.

Cook also praised paceman Steven Finn who registered identical career-best figures of 4-34 in the first two matches and finished the series with 13 wickets.

"The last 10 one-day games Finn has played, he's been excellent," said Cook, who will stay as cover up for the three Twenty20 internationals starting here from Thursday.

For his part, Misbah said that England lifted itself in the ODIs.

"England have improved and really batted well since the Tests. They've started playing the spinners well and to get four centuries at the top was remarkable," he said.

"That's the main difference between the two teams. Pakistan dropped their performance. We also had problems with our combinations, so we have to sit down and think how to change this in the Twenty20 matches."

The remaining two Twenty20 will be played in Dubai (February 25) and Abu Dhabi (February 27).]]>
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