Only ODI: Pakistan to offer no leniency
Afghanistan get taste of the real deal with 1st ODI against Test-playing nation today.
KARACHI:
For Afghanistan, the one-off One-Day International (ODI) against Pakistan – their first against a Test nation – is a chance to taste real action.
For Pakistan, its a potential banana skin as they aim to keep the winning momentum following the Test-series whitewash against England.
While giving full respect to Afghanistan’s progress in international cricket, coach Mohsin Khan and captain Misbahul Haq are determined to beat the promising side in order to maintain that unbeaten streak on the tour.
“No international team can be taken lightly,” Mohsin told The Express Tribune ahead of the fixture at Sharjah Cricket Stadium. “That’s why we’ll take on the field with the aim to win. The players will need to adjust quickly to the shorter format.
“We might test new strategies in the match without compromising on performance.”
Misbah wants to keep winning
Meanwhile, Misbah refused to underestimate the importance of the one-off fixture.
“It’s an important match for us,” said Misbah. “We want to continue our winning momentum before the important series against England. Afghanistan are progressing well in ODIs and Twenty20s but they need time before making an entry in Test cricket.”
The captain also expected a sizeable crowd for the match, the only fixture on Pakistan’s tour of the UAE to be held in Sharjah.
Afghanistan’s chance to shine
War-ravaged Afghanistan’s fairy-tale rise in cricket is a success story in the development and growth of the game.
Afghanistan joined the International Cricket Council (ICC) eleven years ago, rose rapidly on cricket horizons in 2009 when they won the right to one-day status by finishing fifth in the World Cup 2011 qualifiers. They won the qualifying rounds to feature in the 2010 World Twenty20 and in the same year won the Inter-Continental Cup for Associate countries before finishing silver medallists at the Asian Games in China.
Tim Anderson, ICC global development manager, said Afghanistan’s progress is amazing.
“We’re delighted with Afghanistan and they’re a wonderful story for us to tell how you can overcome the challenges and work through the system,” said Anderson, a former Australian junior team captain.
“We’re really excited about Afghanistan and they’re making some great grounds in terms of infrastructure development in and around Kabul. They are making some other centres and making good grounds in administration.”
Anderson praised the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for giving Afghanistan an opportunity to play an ODI against their team.
“Credit to the PCB for allowing Afghanistan to play an ODI and I offer them best wishes in this match as it is important for these growing nations to play bigger teams in order to progress.” (With additional input from AFP)
Media gags imposed
After instructions by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), the team management, headed by Naveed Akram Cheema, has imposed media gags on the players.
The development follows Saeed Ajmal’s interview to the BBC which sparked confusions on his bowling action.
According to a PCB official, all players will have to take permission from the manager before speaking to any section of the media.
“Unlike in the past, now even the coach and captain will have take permission,” said the official. “The decision has been taken to avoid further controversy on the tour.”
Published in The Express Tribune, February 10th, 2012.
For Afghanistan, the one-off One-Day International (ODI) against Pakistan – their first against a Test nation – is a chance to taste real action.
For Pakistan, its a potential banana skin as they aim to keep the winning momentum following the Test-series whitewash against England.
While giving full respect to Afghanistan’s progress in international cricket, coach Mohsin Khan and captain Misbahul Haq are determined to beat the promising side in order to maintain that unbeaten streak on the tour.
“No international team can be taken lightly,” Mohsin told The Express Tribune ahead of the fixture at Sharjah Cricket Stadium. “That’s why we’ll take on the field with the aim to win. The players will need to adjust quickly to the shorter format.
“We might test new strategies in the match without compromising on performance.”
Misbah wants to keep winning
Meanwhile, Misbah refused to underestimate the importance of the one-off fixture.
“It’s an important match for us,” said Misbah. “We want to continue our winning momentum before the important series against England. Afghanistan are progressing well in ODIs and Twenty20s but they need time before making an entry in Test cricket.”
The captain also expected a sizeable crowd for the match, the only fixture on Pakistan’s tour of the UAE to be held in Sharjah.
Afghanistan’s chance to shine
War-ravaged Afghanistan’s fairy-tale rise in cricket is a success story in the development and growth of the game.
Afghanistan joined the International Cricket Council (ICC) eleven years ago, rose rapidly on cricket horizons in 2009 when they won the right to one-day status by finishing fifth in the World Cup 2011 qualifiers. They won the qualifying rounds to feature in the 2010 World Twenty20 and in the same year won the Inter-Continental Cup for Associate countries before finishing silver medallists at the Asian Games in China.
Tim Anderson, ICC global development manager, said Afghanistan’s progress is amazing.
“We’re delighted with Afghanistan and they’re a wonderful story for us to tell how you can overcome the challenges and work through the system,” said Anderson, a former Australian junior team captain.
“We’re really excited about Afghanistan and they’re making some great grounds in terms of infrastructure development in and around Kabul. They are making some other centres and making good grounds in administration.”
Anderson praised the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for giving Afghanistan an opportunity to play an ODI against their team.
“Credit to the PCB for allowing Afghanistan to play an ODI and I offer them best wishes in this match as it is important for these growing nations to play bigger teams in order to progress.” (With additional input from AFP)
Media gags imposed
After instructions by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), the team management, headed by Naveed Akram Cheema, has imposed media gags on the players.
The development follows Saeed Ajmal’s interview to the BBC which sparked confusions on his bowling action.
According to a PCB official, all players will have to take permission from the manager before speaking to any section of the media.
“Unlike in the past, now even the coach and captain will have take permission,” said the official. “The decision has been taken to avoid further controversy on the tour.”
Published in The Express Tribune, February 10th, 2012.