Pakistan in Sri Lanka (2012)

Pakistan are back in action for a full series against Sri Lanka, for me Pakistan start as favorites in all the three formats of the game, perhaps the only question mark will be on the T20's as the Lankan players have got some good exposure in the IPL, however Pakistan have been a very good T20 unit and the inclusion of some of the T20 specialists should help.

Yes right Sam with the quality that we have currently of keepers for T20 and Odi's Kamran is much better so i would like to see him back for T20 Cup and Nazir too and i really dont see even 1% improvement in Sami since last time hi played dont we have any better bowlers? i'm sure we have but why are they not getting picked?

2nd T20 today, hoping for a much improved performance from the green machine... need to get the combination right today.

Yes good comeback by Green Machine but i'm still not happy with the team there need to be so many change if they are to win the Fun cup/T20 cup - my team would be =

Imran Nazir
Afridi (yes i really want to see him opening atleast he can win 1 match out of 10 on his own                                                                  he is been wasted so down)
Kamran Akmal
Umer Akmal
Hafeez
Malik
Hammad
Razzaq
Tanvir/Arafat
Gul
Ajmal

No need of Sami to give away the game every time Ajmal - Hafeez or Afridi keeping it tight.

Mahela and Sanga will milk Sami, come the test matches. He is fast, but THAT IS IT. No variation, no movement, no control. 

what happened to Pakistan in the 2nd ODI is something that is likely to happen to them every time they chase a big score, the batting just isn't there. It's foolish to play 6 bowlers when you are already thin on the batting front, I cannot really see a place for anyone other than Kamran as a wicket keeper in the side, and an all rounder is a must, may be Hammad, Malik, Razzaq or Arafat.

7 wickets for 13 runs, lost 4 wickets in one over and a hatrick for perera! wow! What a defeat for Pakistan, that is how you should lose so that people can remember!!! 

The best thing that could have happened has happened to Pakistan, I was thinking all along that this win will again prompt them to live 3-4 series in the illusion that they have the right players.

Mathews is a fine player - cool and calm. He has a bright future. The problem with Pakistan apart from the fielding bit is the team balance at the moment. With Sarfaraz in the side, Pakistan do not have the luxury to have a seaming all-rounder. This is where the captain was left with no choice but to bowl Sami out. Sarfaraz is a pretty ordinary player and is only in the team because of the Chief Selector's regional preference, just as in the case of Sami. Hafeez's time will be up pretty soon if he continues this way - I have never ever rated his as a batsman. He  just hit a purple patch las year but he has one flaw too many to be opening the batting. He cannot hold his place for long as a specialist batsman.

In a way, I am happy that Sami, Safaraz and Hafeez have put consistently poor performances and hope that they are shown the door. Pakistan should have Kamran Akmal opening the batting in ODIs, he provides the luxury of playing a Razzaq-like all-rounder and gives the right balance to the team.

Glad for Azhar Ali - the guy has a long bright future ahead. Reminds me of Saleem Malik a bit. Pakistan should do well in test macthes as the comination is pretty good there.

Yep, the thing with guys like Hafeez, is that they will hit good patches now and again, but definitely not long term solutions.  He's an attractive stroke player though.  Not sure why Sami is given so many chances though.

And lastly, you just gotta love Angelo Matthews.  Does he budge under pressure? Not at all.  It seems that being out of the game is his biggest motivation.  Its when you see the very best of him!!

You are right, Virat Kohli is one of the best Batsmen in the world right now. But if you look at the start of his carreer then wasnt that good. he has improved his game and he was helped by his captain. He bats at no. 3 where they have Top Batsmen arround him.
Now have a look at Pakistani management how they trated the talent of Umar Akmal. Misbah always plays his innings and never changes his game and demands from Umar Akmal always quick runs. For me Umar Akmal has all the shots which virat has but unfortunately not the right team.

Ahmed Shehzad is also talented player but never got that chance to prove it.

that is because he has the time to build his innings. Umar Akmal arrives at the crease mostly with 15 overs to spare and mostly with Misbah, Younus at the other end. He dont have the time to settle.
Even Inzmam used to send the young Batsmen at the wrong time to the middle.

Sri Lanka won the toss and there was no surprise when they elected to bat first.  Solid start too , with Dilshan passing  50 at about a run a ball !   84-1 after just 21 overs - they take some beating in their own backyard .

Pakistan in extremely bad situation but then again the umpiring has been extremely poor, I'd much rather see quality umpires, be it neutral or non-neutral for test matches rather than see people like Ian Gould making such stupid decisions, don't understand why can't Aleem dar, Asad Rauf or even Dharmasena officiate in this series, this or there should be a DRS compulsory for test matches, you cannot have different rules for different series, absolutely pathetic. 

Umpiring in this game is extra ordinary really WHY we don't put this UDRS for every series - I really wish in coming matches of India umpire makes 10 out of 10 wrong decision against them so finally we can have it for every series. Umpire has cost Pakistan atleast 150 runs.


Edited by mystery - 24 June 2012 at 12:16pm