Pakistan vs England: Spinning magic, wreaking havoc

Ajmal, Rehman can help Pakist­an become world number one: Mohsin.


Fawad Hussain January 30, 2012

KARACHI:


In stark comparison to the 1990s when Pakistan were blessed with the pace duo of Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis who won the team several matches and destroyed the strongest batting line-ups, the team now relies on death by spin, with Saeed Ajmal and Abdur Rehman drawing the world’s best to their knees.


The duo’s performance won hearts and praise - from opposition and fans alike – and impressed coach Mohsin Khan who has termed the combination a great weapon to have.

“These two have developed into a great combination,” Mohsin told The Express Tribune. “It’s not just this series. Their efforts have really helped Pakistan in the past as well. Both are hardworking and consistent. The special thing about the pair is that it can win matches and contain the opposition by restricting the run-flow. They have become match-winners.”

The two spinners have shared 29 wickets in the first two Tests – Ajmal with 17 and Rehman with 12 – to steer Pakistan to an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series. Their performance also helped improve their International Cricket Council rankings and marked the first time since September 1988 that two Pakistan spinners are ranked in the top 10.

Rehman is ranked ninth and Ajmal is second to leader Dale Steyn.

‘Pair has a big future’

Mohsin added that the left-armer has shown a vast amount of improvement and his consistent hard work was paying off.

“Rehman has been consistent for a long time. He offers a supporting role to Ajmal who is our top spinner but has also become a match-winner.”

The interim coach added that both spinners can play a big role in making the side a top Test team.

“Both are already playing a major role. Both show a lot of promise and put in a lot of hard work to keep fit.”

Miandad predicts duo to maintain excellence

Meanwhile, former captain Javed Miandad agreed that the duo has become an integral part of the Pakistan team.

“This pair is very effective,” said Miandad in an interview. “Just like Wasim and Waqar who were effective on pacer-friendly pitches, Ajmal and Rehman have proven their brilliance on slow pitches. I’m confident that these two bowlers will continue to haunt opposition on such tracks.

“Rehman contains the batsmen well who try to hit out from the other end when Ajmal is bowling.”

The pair will get a chance to add to England’s misery when the third Test begins on Friday.


Mohsin Khan

“It’s not just during this series. Ajmal and Rehman’s efforts have really helped Pakistan in the past as well. Both have shown a lot of promise and continue to put in a lot of hard work to keep fit.”

Javed Miandad

“Just like the pairing of Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis, who were effective on pacer-friendly pitches, Ajmal and Rehman have consistently proven their brilliance on slow, turning tracks.”

Published in The Express Tribune, January 31st, 2012

COMMENTS (2)

HRo | 12 years ago | Reply

Hope it will work for a long time..However there is no comparison with two Ws

KZ | 12 years ago | Reply

where is Ijaz Butt?

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