KitSports » Rahat Ali

Pakistan, West Indies ready for pink ball challenge

kit-sports editor — Thu, 13 Oct 2016 07:45:09 +0000

In-form Pakistan are ready to launch a pink-ball spin assault on struggling West Indies when they do battle in Asia`s first day-night Test from Thursday in Dubai.

Pakistan have been on a roll since their 2-2 series draw in England in August, which briefly lifted them to number one position in world cricket`s Test rankings for the first time.

Arch-rivals India relegated Pakistan to number two with recent victory over New Zealand but Misbah-ul-Haq`s men have a prime opportunity to close the gap in the three-match series against the West Indies and are strong favourites.

Pakistan captain Misbah said he was relishing the prospect of a day-night Test, where play will be from 3:30 pm to 10:30 pm (1130 GMT to 1830 GMT) with two breaks of 30 minutes, in what is nominally a “home” series for Pakistan.

“It`s exciting because I think the future belongs to day-night Tests,” said Misbah, whose team will be missing senior batsman Younis Khan, recovering from dengue fever.

Pakistan have included in-form batsman Babar Azam, 21, for his first Test after he racked up 360 runs during the one-day series against the West Indies.

But misfiring openers Mohammad Hafeez and Shan Masood have been axed from the squad which levelled the four-match Test series against England.

The West Indies, routed by Pakistan 3-0 in both Twenty20 and one-day series preceding the Tests, come in as clear underdogs.

Coach Phil Simmons, who guided them to the World Twenty20 title in April this year, was sacked prior to this tour after the team lost 2-0 to India in a four-match series in August.

But captain Jason Holder said the West Indies — down in eighth in the Test rankings — are ready to bounce back.

“We have some new faces in Tests so we will do our best,” said Holder.

Experts, however, see Pakistan`s spin duo of Yasir Shah and Zulfiqar Babar proving too much for the spin-wary West Indian batsmen, especially in the unfamiliar day-night format with the pink ball and under lights. Australia staged the inaugural day-night Test against New Zealand in Adelaide last November — the first in Test cricket`s 140-year history.

The innovation has been brought in to address the dwindling crowds in Test cricket — floodlit matches encourage those at work during the day to attend — and has met with initial success.

The Adelaide Test attracted 123,000 spectators and an average television audience of two million.

But players from both sides complained about the pink ball’s movement and durability, as well as the difficulty batsmen faced seeing it under lights.

Pakistan have accumulated more experience than the West Indies under lights, adopting the coloured ball concept six years ago for the final of their domestic premier first-class tournament.

Pakistan have more than one reason to do well in Dubai — as well as grabbing a slice of Test history the match is their 400th Test since playing their first in India in 1952.

A win will not only cap a historic occasion but will also give Pakistan momentum for their pink-ball Tests in Australia in December.

The remaining two Tests against the West Indies will be in Abu Dhabi (October 21-25) and Sharjah (October 30-November 3).

Teams (from): Pakistan: Misbah-ul-Haq (captain), Azhar Ali, Sami Aslam, Asad Shafiq, Babar Azam, Sarfraz Ahmed, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Amir, Wahab Riaz, Yasir Shah, Zulfiqar Babar, Rahat Ali, Sohail Khan, Imran Khan

West Indies: Jason Holder (captain), Kraigg Brathwaite (vice captain), Devendra Bishoo, Jermaine Blackwood, Carlos Brathwaite, Darren Bravo, Roston Chase, Miguel Cummins, Shane Dowrich, Shannon Gabriel, Shai Hope, Leon Johnson, Alzarri Joseph, Marlon Samuels, Jomel Warrican

Umpires: Richard Illingworth (ENG) and Paul Reiffel (AUS) TV umpire: Ian Gould (ENG), Match referee: Jeff Corwe (NZL).

Hafeez leads Pakistan’s fightback in final Test …

kit-sports editor — Wed, 04 Nov 2015 00:24:02 +0000

DUBAI: Opener Mohammad Hafeez notched a brilliant 97 under pressure to help Pakistan stage a comeback in the third and final Test against England in Sharjah on Tuesday.

The 35-year-old was just three runs away from his ninth Test hundred as he took Pakistan to 146-3 at the close on the third day at Sharjah stadium, leading by 74 runs with seven wickets intact.

Nightwatchman Rahat Ali was the other not out batsman on nought as Pakistan lost the key wicket of Younis Khan for 14, trapped leg-before by fast bowler Stuart Broad with just two overs to go in the day.

But Hafeez held the innings together well, smashing nine boundaries and three sixes during his aggressive 155-ball knock as Pakistan seek to avoid squandering a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.

Pakistan won the second Test in Dubai while the first Test ended in a draw in Abu Dhabi.

Earlier, off-spinner Shoaib Malik took a career best 4-33 as England were bowled out for 306 in their first innings, taking a 72-run lead over Pakistan’s total of 234. James Taylor top-scored with 76.

Pakistan were lucky not to lose Hafeez after Australian umpire Bruce Oxenford gave him caught behind off paceman James Anderson in the fifth over of the innings with the score on four.

But Hafeez, then on two, challenged the decision and got away on referral as television replays showed there was a gap between ball and bat, much to the relief of the Pakistan camp.

Hafeez said he was happy to lead the fightback.

“We needed a good start and I am happy that Ali and I gave that,” said Hafeez. “We need to bat like this tomorrow as well to post a challenging target for England and I am hopeful that we will do that.”

Pakistan were off to a confident start of 101 — only their second 50-plus opening stand in Sharjah — with Hafeez earning the lead by hitting spinner Samit Patel for a four and then taking three runs.

He completed his 13th Test half-century with another boundary off Patel and then hoisted James Anderson for a six and four to post the 100-mark.

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.