Pak vs Eng Test Series 2012: Pakistani off-spinners eye for a Clean Sweep…

With the dawn of 2012, no one expected that World’s #1 test team England will fall like nine pins in front of the fraught Pakistan team in UAE. The magical bowling of off-spinner Saeed Ajmal thrashed the English batting line up, where the introduction of ‘teesra’ a new delivery by him, made everyone stunned. Using of ‘teesra’, as hinted by Saeed Ajmal was considered as a deception and many English batsmen just gave a cheesy smile to it. English batsmen thought that it is just a hoax to let their morale down and to confuse them before the match. However, the bewildering bamboozle of ‘doosra’ and ‘teesra’ bowled by Saeed Ajmal made their mockery into a loud cry. No one expected that there is a secret arsenal hiding in the hands of the Pakistani off-spinner.

Although, Pakistan has won the series by 2-0, the third and last test is just round the corner. Pakistan team is quite hopeful to take the world’s number one test team to task by winning the third test match on the Arabian Soil. English team has already faced too much criticism and trying to recuperate from their current position. Pakistan team, on the other hand, after experiencing so many reprehensible incidents in the recent past, is quite committed to take the front seat. Let’s hope the magic of off spinners continue in the following 3^rd test match to be played in Dubai and Pakistan wins the match by 3-0.

 

Famous Indian Player Yuvraj Singh Recuperating from Lung Tumour Surgery

Although batting on a sticky wicket off the field for quite sometime, Yuvraj Singh, the Indian glitzy all rounder is now convalescing from a lung tumor surgery. Yuvraj Singh, 29 faced the traumatic situation when he was at the IPL since then he was not able to come out from the troubled waters, one injury after the other and then ultimately it was disclosed that he is facing a non malignant lung tumor.

He is currently not playing against Australia in the home series and will not be in action in the ODI series against the West Indies. After a successful operation he is feeling better now as he believes God has given him a new life. He is all geared up with a new spirit to dazzle the cricket ground in 2012. Yuvraj Singh is one player who has always been emotional in every match and takes it as a challenge. He is never seen worn out on the field and always on his toes. Not only the Indian fans but whoever watches cricket around the globe likes his game whether he is with the bat or bowl.

We wish him the very best and hope that he will soon join team India and entertain his millions of fans across the globe.

 

Golden Time of Cricket Teams: Pakistan 1989-1992

A notorious selection it was, perchance. Pakistan, despite all their victories, has never shown resilience and consistency, even during their 1992 World Cup triumph.  They flirted with the game during the league matches in 1992 World Cup. Had the downpour not interceded soon after the Pakistani batting line up was sent to the pavilion for just 74 by the Englishmen, Pakistan would have been out from the tournament. As it was the superb captaincy of Imran Khan, Javed Mianadad’s optimum dexterity and Wasim Akram’s magical in-swingers that produced some unforgettable moments of Pakistani cricket to grab the crystal the trophy.

The killer combination of two ‘W’s –Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis along with some  irrepressible performances by  Javed Miandad, Salim Malik, Inzamam-ul-Haq and Aamir Sohail, Pakistan possessed all the ingredients to dominate the game during 1989-1992.

During 1989-1992 Pakistan not only ruled the cricket world but also they won The Champions Trophy by defeating West Indies and India in UAE. Furthemore, a memorable performance of Pakistan at The Nehru Cup where the green shirts defeated Australia, India, England, West Indies and Sri Lanka on the Indian soil. The Australasia Cup ( India, Bangladesh, Australia, Sri Lanka and New Zealand were defeated) and The Wills Trophy (again defeating West Indies and India) played in UAE were some of the memorable moments of Pakistan cricket history.

The Glitz & Blitz of Muhammad Hafeez

He is pacified, he is unwearied, he is none other than Muhammad Hafeez who has bestowed his excellent skills to Pakistan not only with bat but also with his neat bowling. Furthermore, he has saved so many runs due to his feverish vigilance in the ground.  An under-hyped cricketer with some magnificent performances has finally brought him in limelight on the ICC ODI bowlers ranking table.

In the third ODI against Bangladesh, this Pakistani spinner took three wickets at the most crucial time of the game and turned the match in favor of Pakistan. This is not the first time; he is always a handy bowler and had been supporting Pakistan’s main bowling attack for quite some time. Not only he aided Pakistan in winning the series with a clean sweep, Mohammad Hafeez also got the honor of becoming the third player to register 30 wickets and a double of 1000 runs in the cricket calendar year. Prior to him, Sanath Jayasuriya of Sri Lanka was the first player to bag this title in 1997. South African legendary cricketer Jacques Kallis is the second who has achieved this feat in 2000 and 2002. Currently Muhammad Hafeez is on the second slot on the ICC ODI bowlers ranking, following is her peer Saeed Ajmal who is holding the top position on the chart.

Humaira Asad

Test cricket team records: Sri lanka vs West Indies (tests)

1. Sri lankans are known as “The Lions” in the cricketing world while west Indians are famous as “Windies”.
2. A Ranatunga was leading the Sri Lankan team in its first test match against the west Indies. While RB Richardson led the Windies.
3. First test match between the two sides was played in Moratuwa on 8^th December 1993.
4. Umpires for the match were KT Francis and TM Samarasinghe.
5. M Jayawardena,Kumar Sangkarra and Muralitharan have always been prominent against Windies. On the other hand, Chris Gayle and Dwayne Bravo have always been exceptional. Courtney Walsh performed brilliantly in tests for Windies.
6. Courtney Walsh of West Indies holds the record for taking 5 wickets in a test inning while giving just a run.
7. 15 test matches have been played so far between the two countries.
8. Winning ratio for the Sri Lankans is 40% while that for Windies is 20%.
9. Sri lanka has scored 627-9 (dec.) in Colombo in Nov 2001 while highest score for WI is580-9 in Galle in Nov 2010.
10. Highest individual score for WI player against Sri Lankans is 333 by Chris Gayle in Galle in 2010 while highest score by SL player is by HP Tillakaratne 204* in November 2001 in Colombo.
11. Muttiah Muralitharan 8-46 in Kandy 2005 while CD Collymore took 7-57 in Kingston in 2003.
12. CO Browne got four dismissals in St John’s in 1997 and H Jayawardena also had 4 dismissals in providence in 2008.
13. Last test on 1-5 December, 2010 in Pallekelle. 

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