Pakistan in South Africa
Printed From: Cricket World
Category: Current Matches
Forum Name: Current Matches
Forum Discription: Series Comments
URL: http://www.cricketworld.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=7479
Printed Date: 18 May 2013 at 6:38pm
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 9.71 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: Pakistan in South Africa
Posted By: Sledger
Subject: Pakistan in South Africa
Date Posted: 01 February 2013 at 7:39am
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So the test series gets underway in an hour's time and it's a big day for Graeme Smith. Not only is it his 100th test as captain (remarkable that!) , but it's his 32nd birthday as well. He's been the skipper for 10 years now and as much as I've criticised him over the years , he's still there and has an enviable record. That he averages almost 50 as an opener is amazing and 2nd only to Sehwag of modern players - and Sehwag has played most of his tests on those featherbeds in India. Good luck to Smith , I just hope there are plenty at Wanderers to see him take the field today. As for the series (3 tests and any number of one dayers) I think Pakistan's attack will ask plenty more questions than NZ did , but their batting looks pretty fragile. The visitors haven't much of a record in SA and I can't see them winning a test here. I'll be at Newlands on the 14th to see them up close and really hope they stretch the locals. Really looking forward to seeing the 7 footer in the nets as well - can't wait to get a cricked neck !  ------------- Mental disintegration works for me !! |
Replies:
Posted By: Clobber
Date Posted: 01 February 2013 at 9:11am
| 100 Tests as captain by the age of 32 is really quite mind boggling, isn't it? It will be just typical of Smith if he makes a ton today as well. |
Posted By: Clobber
Date Posted: 01 February 2013 at 10:27am
| ah well, maybe not |
Posted By: sam_ahmed
Date Posted: 01 February 2013 at 3:50pm
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what a terrific performance by pakistan first up, of all bowlers it was Mohammed Hafeez who got 4 wickets, and pakistan have cleaned up the world's best test side for just 253!!! Junaid and Gul bowled well and I thought the selection of Rahat Ali was a very poor one, Irfan was there and even if he was not to be selected the Ehsan Adil, who was in the squad before Rahat was flied in should have got the nod. Nonetheless time now for the Pakistani batsmen to show some resilience tomorrow and hopefully someone score a big hundred. ------------- God is a better planner... so whenever u'r plan fails, cheer up... God has a better plan for you! |
Posted By: Clobber
Date Posted: 02 February 2013 at 12:39am
| I shudder to think what would have been said about England if they had lost 5 wickets for nothing to part time spinners |
Posted By: Clobber
Date Posted: 03 February 2013 at 2:36pm
| I am a bit confused by Smith's captaincy here. Not enforcing the follow on was bizarre and must have been the best news the Pakistan room had all day. Then declaring today and throwing away the opportunity to let the batsmen thoroughly demoralise them in the field, all very odd. |
Posted By: Sledger
Date Posted: 05 February 2013 at 7:49am
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The possible reason for declaring was because of dodgy weather around Clobs. Joburg has had seriously heavy rain these past two weeks and there was some forecast for Sunday/Monday. Luckily it missed Wanderers and was wet further east. To the result though - fantastic bowling yet again by Dale Steyn - he's amazing! He's matured so well and now thinks batsmen out , rather than just blasting them away. Wanderers always gives plenty fo work to the slip cordon/wicket keeper but 11 catches for AB was still something else! Of course that equalled Jack Russell's effort back in 1995 - well done AB ! So SA continue to hammer all comers and I can't see any way back for Pakistan in this series. I'll be at Newlands next week and SA's record here is really good. It'll be a good surface to bat on , the weather's been very hot and sunny for weeks now and will be next week as well. Whilst Pakistan should make better scores , I still see SA making much bigger ones. It might go into the 5th day , but the home side still have too much firepower and will win again. ------------- Mental disintegration works for me !! |
Posted By: sam_ahmed
Date Posted: 05 February 2013 at 7:32pm
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Very disappointing stuff from Pakistan and I do see logic in Smith not enforcing the follow on, the lead was around 200 and Smith surely wanted to take out any possibility of a comeback, a score of 350 by Pakistan against some what tiring bowlers could have given RSA a tricky chase considering pakistan's strong bowling attack. also as sledge has rightly said the weather was unpredictable. Pakistan have missed Taufeeq Umer very badly, they needed a better opener and perhaps Hafeez could have batted at 3, also the latest injury to haris Sohail means that pakistan don't have any option but to stick with the batting line up. Very disappointed b Younus Khan's performances despite being the senior member of the side. on bowling front, Rahat is almost certain to miss out and hopefully Irfan will get the nod, if not Irfan than Tanvir Ahmed as he is also a very capable batsmen. ------------- God is a better planner... so whenever u'r plan fails, cheer up... God has a better plan for you! |
Posted By: alpesh
Date Posted: 14 February 2013 at 5:05pm
| Younis Khan in my opinion one of the sub continents batsman who always comes up big in SA or Aus. Great technic and cool under pressure. Brilliant knock. If I was picking a subcontinent side (combined ) to face SA or Aus in these conditions Id pick him alongside Dravid as two must have batsmen |
Posted By: Sledger
Date Posted: 19 February 2013 at 9:30am
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So the series tied up 2-0 with one still to play. Fine effort by the home side after a very close contest until the Pakistani collapse on the 4th morning. Terrific bowling by Ajmal , but not enough support to level the series. So SA win 6 consecutive series , confirming that they're the best test side in the world - and by some margin methinks. The final test starts on Friday and it's going to take some effort to prevent a 3-0 whitewash. ------------- Mental disintegration works for me !! |