Jalaluddin praises Abbas, openers for ‘special’ display
Former bowler really impressed by pacer’s improvement
Mohammad Abbas of Pakistan bowing, taking 4 West Indies wickets for 56 runs during the 2nd day of the 2nd Test match between West Indies and Pakistan at Kensington Oval, Bridgetown, Barbados on May 1, 2017. PHOTO: AFP
KARACHI:
As Pakistan ended the second day of the second Test in a commanding position, Pakistan’s former Test cricketer Jalaluddin praised openers, Azhar Ali and Ahmad Shahzad, for their resilient display against the West Indies.
“The two openers Azhar and Shahzad, both of whom who failed in the first Test, did well in the second Test by putting up a 155-run opening partnership. That was really impressive,” Jalaluddin told The Express Tribune before adding that Shahzad, who was dropped thrice, was extremely fortunate.
“Shahzad had luck on his side and was very fortunate to be gifted three lives otherwise he could have been walking back to the pavilion as early as the third over,” he said.
The 57-year-old further said that the openers were not that aggressive as they should have been and that Shahzad was especially extremely defensive and wasn’t playing his natural game.
“Shahzad’s run scoring at one time came to as low as three runs off 59 balls; I don’t think a batsman in form would play like this. He certainly chipped in with 70 runs but the way he is playing does not bode well,” he said.
Talking about Pakistan’s mini-collapse when the visitors lost three wickets in the space of just six runs, Jalaluddin said that that is never a good sign. “Pakistan lost three quick wickets and it was of those who played well in the previous Test,” he said. “This is not good. Pakistan surely are unpredictable and giving away wickets so easily is something we don’t expect from them.”
He further said that it was once again Misbahul Haq, the team’s captain, who came to their rescue ensured Pakistan don’t lose any more wickets. “Azhar and Misbah are both senior players and they can take Pakistan to a good position but they will have to make sure that they play aggressive cricket,” he said.
The former Test bowler also praised the bowlers for their work earlier in the day when they restricted West Indies to 312 after the hosts had started the day 286-6.
“The most successful bowler of the day was Muhammad Abbas; he was really special. Muhammad Amir and Abbas were able to break the 132-run partnership of Chase and Holder but West Indies bottom line assured that their team crosses the 300-run mark,” he said.
“Abbas is a good bowler and he has shown improvement in his bowling. You can see the difference in his bowling in the first Test and then now; he certainly has matured and that shows he has been working on his bowling very hard,” he said.
He also said that Abbas has improved his line and length and is bowling according to the situation now. He, however, was not impressed with the spinners’ display. “Both the pacers did well but spinners need to work hard. The ball was turning a lot on the opening day and the spinners were not able to use is effectively. It could have been their day but they failed,” he said.
As Pakistan ended the second day of the second Test in a commanding position, Pakistan’s former Test cricketer Jalaluddin praised openers, Azhar Ali and Ahmad Shahzad, for their resilient display against the West Indies.
“The two openers Azhar and Shahzad, both of whom who failed in the first Test, did well in the second Test by putting up a 155-run opening partnership. That was really impressive,” Jalaluddin told The Express Tribune before adding that Shahzad, who was dropped thrice, was extremely fortunate.
“Shahzad had luck on his side and was very fortunate to be gifted three lives otherwise he could have been walking back to the pavilion as early as the third over,” he said.
Shadab, Shahzad in for West Indies Tests
The 57-year-old further said that the openers were not that aggressive as they should have been and that Shahzad was especially extremely defensive and wasn’t playing his natural game.
“Shahzad’s run scoring at one time came to as low as three runs off 59 balls; I don’t think a batsman in form would play like this. He certainly chipped in with 70 runs but the way he is playing does not bode well,” he said.
Talking about Pakistan’s mini-collapse when the visitors lost three wickets in the space of just six runs, Jalaluddin said that that is never a good sign. “Pakistan lost three quick wickets and it was of those who played well in the previous Test,” he said. “This is not good. Pakistan surely are unpredictable and giving away wickets so easily is something we don’t expect from them.”
Babar, Hasan lead Pakistan to series-levelling victory over West Indies
He further said that it was once again Misbahul Haq, the team’s captain, who came to their rescue ensured Pakistan don’t lose any more wickets. “Azhar and Misbah are both senior players and they can take Pakistan to a good position but they will have to make sure that they play aggressive cricket,” he said.
The former Test bowler also praised the bowlers for their work earlier in the day when they restricted West Indies to 312 after the hosts had started the day 286-6.
“The most successful bowler of the day was Muhammad Abbas; he was really special. Muhammad Amir and Abbas were able to break the 132-run partnership of Chase and Holder but West Indies bottom line assured that their team crosses the 300-run mark,” he said.
“Abbas is a good bowler and he has shown improvement in his bowling. You can see the difference in his bowling in the first Test and then now; he certainly has matured and that shows he has been working on his bowling very hard,” he said.
He also said that Abbas has improved his line and length and is bowling according to the situation now. He, however, was not impressed with the spinners’ display. “Both the pacers did well but spinners need to work hard. The ball was turning a lot on the opening day and the spinners were not able to use is effectively. It could have been their day but they failed,” he said.