KitSports » Ahmed Shehzad

Pakistan makes solid start in third Test

kit-sports editor — Fri, 12 May 2017 01:15:13 +0000

An unbeaten 85 by Azhar Ali and 55 from Babar Azam put Pakistan in a solid position at 169 for two at stumps on a rain-shortened first day of the third and final Test against the West Indies at Windsor Park in Dominica on Wednesday.

Fresh from a workman-like first innings century despite defeat in the second Test, Ali was again a model of composure in progressing towards another significant innings after over five hours at the crease during which he faced 219 deliveries, stroking two sixes and seven fours.

His confidence dented after enduring the indignity of a “pair” in that loss in Barbados, Azam was less assured at the start of his innings and needed a generous slice of luck to get to his second half-century of the series. Leg-spinner Devendra Bishoo should have claimed his wicket but the right-hander, on 28, was badly missed by wicketkeeper Shane Dowrich just as play resumed in the early afternoon following the first of two stoppages for a steady, persistent drizzle.

That lapse added to the increasing list of costly errors in the field for the West Indies during this 2017 international season in the Caribbean as the pair extended their second-wicket partnership to 120 when Azam eventually departed in a long final session, offering a simple catch to Kieran Powell at first slip off Alzarri Joseph.

Younis Khan, who together with captain Misbah ul Haq is playing his farewell Test, will resume in partnership with Ali on the second morning, weather permitting.

Further compounding the home side’s woes after Jason Holder won the toss and chose to bowl first in heavily overcast conditions was the lack of potency of his prime opening bowler, Shannon Gabriel.

Although economical, Gabriel could not recapture the hostility that wrecked Pakistan’s second innings on the final day of the second Test in Barbados.

Sharing the new ball with Gabriel, Joseph was completely out of sorts in his first spell, prompting the introduction of Roston Chase’s off-spin within the first hour’s play.

That resulted in the visitors’ only casualty of the morning. Shan Masood, playing his first match of the series in place of the unwell Ahmed Shehzad, reached nine off 30 deliveries and prodded indecisively at a delivery from Chase for Holder to take the straightforward catch at second slip.

Apart from the recall of Masood, Hasan Ali is making his debut at the expense of leg-spinner Shadab Khan, who struggled in his first appearance in the second Test.

Pakistan have never won a Test series in the Caribbean on seven previous tours while the West Indies are seeking a first Test series triumph in five years against a team ranked higher than themselves.

Scoreboard at stumps on the opening day of the third and final Test between the West Indies and Pakistan at Windsor Park in Dominica on Wednesday.

Sri Lanka out to make amends today

kit-sports editor — Wed, 15 Jul 2015 02:17:39 +0000

Sri Lanka are likely make a change in their bowling attack for the second aOne Day International against visiting Pakistanis at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium in Kandy today.

Both teams were hard at practice under lights last night and it looked like Lankans were focusing on making a few changes in their bowling attack.

Sri Lanka, having lost the first one dayer at Dambulla on Saturday will be out to make amends by emerging victorious today to make it one all.

Commenting on the team’s approach in today’s game and the recovery after the loss in Dambulla, Sri Lanka skipper Angelo Mathews said that they had a good training session in the last two days. “We can’t do too many things to get everything right in two days, its just the mental approach . We have to be mentally prepared and focused to take on the Pakistanis,” said Mathews at a press briefing held at the Pallekele Stadium prior to the practice session last evening.’

According to Sri Lanka skipper Angelo Mathews, it is highly unlikely to see a change in the Lankan batting order for today’s game.

“As of now . I don’t like to meddle too much with the batting order . We just want the team to settle down . The result might not come initially. But we need to stick to the same batting line up. However we may keep the options open. It is a 50-over game. When it comes to 50-over or T20 I think you should always keep your options open. Also you should give a fair run for the players in certain positions.

Especially I don’t fancy changing the batting order too much,” Mathews added.

However, poor performances by the Lankan bowlers during the first ODI in Dambulla have left no other option for the selectors but to go ahead with a change.

“Pakistan batsmen were confident against spin in Dambulla. They will continue to attack with good foot-movement

We have discussed about that and our bowlers know that. We should make necessary changes when needed,” added Mathews. The Lankan spinners conceded more than 127 runs in less than 20 overs, taking only one wicket with Seekkuge Prasanna giving away 72 runs during his nine overs. However, Mathews said that changes will be done after analyzing the conditions during the final practice session.

“Conditions are different here and we will take them into consideration. We should look at the dew factor when we train under lights and if we see that it could affect the game, a change in the bowling attack is likely. We have to decide after practices. Rains have been predicted for today’s game”

Sri Lanka will be looking to catch up after losing the first game at Dambulla last week. A dominant all-round performance by Mohammad Hafeez steered Pakistan to a six-wicket victory over the homesters last Saturday where the off-spinner grabbed four wickets and hammered a blistering knock of 103.

Pakistan will be looking to secure their place in the forthcoming ICC Championships and a series win against the Lankans will keep West Indies out of the tournament with the Pakistanis entering it

The Teams

Sri Lanka (from): Kusal Perera, Tillakaratne Dilshan, Lahiru Thirimanne, Upul Tharanga, Angelo Mathews (capt.), Dinesh Chandimal (wk), Milinda Siriwardene, Thisara Perera/ Nuwan Pradeep, Sachithra Senanayake, Lasith Malinga, Suranga Lakmal, Seekuge Prasanna, Sachith Pathirana.

Pakistan (probable): Azhar Ali (capt.), Ahmed Shehzad, Mohammad Hafeez, Babar Azam, Shoaib Malik, Mohammad Rizwan, Sarfraz Ahmed (wk), Anwar Ali, Yasir Shah, Rahat Ali, Mohammad Irfan

Sri Lanka – Pakistan: renew rivalry in One Day format

kit-sports editor — Sat, 11 Jul 2015 02:33:47 +0000

Sri Lanka and Pakistan will renew their rivalry in the One Day format when the two teams meet each other in a day game starting today at the Rangiri Dambulla International Cricket Stadium

Pakistan having already clinched the Test series 2/1 has been elevated to number three in the Test ranking , will now look forward to winning the ODI series against Sri Lanka which will make them eligible to take part in the 2017 Champions Trophy to be held in England.

Pakistan at the moment is placed ninth in the ICC ODI rankings, and they will have to beat Sri Lanka to go one step up and occupy the number eight spot to play in the Champions Trophy.

While the visitors will go all out to achieve their objective ,Sri Lanka will try to make amends by winning the series as they did on the last occasion when the two teams met last August. Sri Lanka beat Pakistan at the same venue.

The Lankans with the return of veteran T.M.Dilshan, explosive opener Kusal Janith Perera and with the experience of Angelo Mathews, Lahiru Thirmanne, Upul Tharanga, Dinesh Chandimal and Thisara Perera should hold the batting together.

The return of Lasith Malinga along with Seekuge Prasanna and Sachitra Senanayake should provide variety in the bowling.

The Pakistanis too are in a team building process. They will be led by Azhar Ali the prolific run scorer. And there are wicket keeper Sarfraz Ahmed, Mohammed Hafeez Ahmed Shehzad, and Ashad Shafiq. With the absence of Riyaz Wahab who was injured during the first Test in Galle, the six foot seven inch Mohammed Irfan Rahat Ali and Yasir Shah should form a good combination.

The teams:

Sri Lanka (from): Angelo Mathews (Captain) T.M.Dilshan, Kusal Janith Perera, Upul Tharanga, Lahiru Thirimanne, Dinesh Chandimal, Milinda Siriwardene, Ashan Priyanjan, Nuwan Pradeep, Thisara Perera, Suranga Lakmal, Lasith Malinga, Sachitra Senanayake, Seekuge Prasanna, Sachith Pathirana.

Pakistan (from): Azhar Ali (Captain), Sarfraz Ahmed (V.Captain), Mohammed Hafeez, Ahmed Shehzad, Azar Shafiq, Imad Wasim, Shoib Malik, Yasir Shah, Rahat Ali, Barba Azam, Bilal Asif, Eshan Adil, Mohammed Irfan.

Sri Lanka will walk into their first Test

kit-sports editor — Fri, 03 Jul 2015 00:48:01 +0000

Sri Lanka will walk into their first Test in 15 years without Kumar Sangakkara or Mahela Jayawardene in their team at the third and final Test match starting from today at Pallekele.
The match will be the decider of the series, as the two teams have tied the series 1-1 so far even though both those matches were interrupted several times due to rain which will also be the case in Pallekele too.
“This is the first match without those two (Kumar and Mahela), and sometimes it’ll be hard but we have to get on with it and play our natural game. We are going for the win even though we may lose the series by attempting so,” said Lahiru Thirimanne the Vice Captain of the side.
Upul Tharanga has been brought in to replace Sangakkara who isn’t available for this mach due to his contract with Surrey, and Thirimanne predicted that Tharanga will straightaway walk into the number three position. “It (Tharanga at number 3) will be the long term choice. Hopefully Tharanga will perform and establish his position,” said Thirimanne.
Thirimanne also reckoned that Pallekale traditionally will assist fast bowlers hence they would prefer to go with three fast bowlers and one spinner, even though the home team’s young fast bowling prospect Dushmantha Chameera is suffering from injury.
“Chameera is suffering from a side strain and he is 50-50 at the moment, He will have to undergo a fitness test tomorrow.”
The leader of the attack, Rangana Herath may be given a rest in the third Test as the home team may go with young Tharindu Kaushal who was busy at training yesterday while Rangana Herath took the day off. Herath was out of touch during last two matches taking 2 wickets for 218 runs.
Also there is a possibility of bringing back Kusal Perera to number seven instead of Kithuruwan Vithanage who hasn’t done much to justify his place from the last two Tests.
Meanwhile, Pakistan will do two obvious changes as Mohammad Hafeez and Wahab Riaz are set to miss the second Test with opener Shan Masood who was in good form during Pakistan ‘A’ series set to take the guard along with Ahmed Shehzad.
Hafeez has been granted an Indian Visa after early rejection and will leave the country today to his bowling Test in Chennai after being reported for a suspect bowling action during the first Test in Galle.
Sri Lanka Squad : Angelo Mathews (Captain), Kaushal Silva, Dimuth Karunaratne, Upul Tharanga, Lahiru Thirimanne, Dinesh Chandimal, Kithuruwan Vithanage, Jehan Mubarak, Kusal Perera, Dilruwan Perera, Tharindu Kaushal, Dammika Prasad, Rangana Herath, Nuwan Pradeep, Dushmantha Chameera, Suranga Lakmal
Pakistan squad: Ahmed Shehzad, Shan Masood, Azhar Ali (vc), Misbah-ul-Haq (capt), Younis Khan, Asad Shafiq, Haris Sohail, Sarfraz Ahmed (wk), Yasir Shah, Zulfiqar Babar, Junaid Khan, Imran Khan, Ehsan Adil.
“Sri Lanka will be without two of their big players for the first time from a long time and there won’t be a better opportunity for us to win the series,” said visiting skipper Misbah ul-Haq who made his intentions clear before the deciding Test.
Misbah also said that they too will be keen to go with three fast bowlers. He added that leg spinner Yasir Shah who has been threatening Sri Lanka right throughout the series is someone who could be effective at any venue. Pakistan’s most experienced player, Younis Khan has not clicked during the series as he usually does in Sri Lanka.
“No worries, he is a kind of player who could really score big runs from nowhere. From these sort of players, a big innings is always around the corner and that could be today (Friday),” said Misbah.
Either team who will win the series will occupy the number three position of the ranking which will be another reason for the two teams to go for the kill. Pakistan and Sri Lanka remain at number 6 and 7 respectively at the ranking with points 97 and 96 respectively.