It was funny to read Pakistan former Captain Inzamam-ul-Haq recently blaming Lawson’s inexperience as coach at the International level leading to recent losses against India in both ODI and Test Series. (link is . http://chennaionline.com/colnewsnew/newsitem.asp?NEWSID=%7B9B657005-0F1A-4E5D-918E-520B26003885%7D&CATEGORYNAME=Sports
It was funny indeed because it was his experienced team which had so tamely went down in the World Cup with a very experienced coach in late Bob Woolmer.
Inzamam will also do well to remember that when Pakistan had lost a test series and ODI series on its soil for the first time against India in 2004, he was the skipper (a very experienced one) and the coach of the team was Javed Miandad (another experienced campaigner).
Inzy wants some reasonable time for Malik to prove his mettle, then why not for Lawson to prove his credentials. He should rather be praising the coach and the team for ensuring that it did not go down 0-3 in the test series and at least by 1-4 margin in the ODIs.
One wonders what even Whatmore could have done with a team full with injured pacers, and trying to take on India in India.
Showing posts with label Pakistan. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Pakistan. Show all posts
Wednesday, December 19, 2007
Saturday, December 15, 2007
Younis is a great captaincy material.....
.....but PCB will never give him another opportunity. The reasons are in the link http://atulsondhi.blogspot.com/2007/12/younis-is-great-captaincy-material.html
Tuesday, December 11, 2007
Lawson has thrown the challenge which India might not accept
The final day of the Bangalore test tomorrow holds intriguing possibilities. Pakistan’s coach Geoff Lawson has thrown the challenge that they will go for a win if the score is competitive.
In other words, he has dangled a temptation for India to make it 2-0 by putting Pakistan in a position where their batsmen will go in for their shots.
However, given the fact that it is not everyday that you win a series against Pakistan, it is highly unlikely that Kumble will give them a target of around 4.5 runs per over, which is the only realistic target on this kind of pitch.
India's lead right now is 220 and if the target is to be 315-320 in about 70 overs, the Indian batsmen will have to go at five runs per over in the morning session. That way India will reach the target figure in 18-19 overs, leaving Pakistan with around 70.
But the problem with that kind of target is that it does give Pakistan a realistic chance and it is India who are leading the series right now. Lawson would not have thrown this challenge at India if Pak were leading!
India will be more comfortable with a target score of around 340-345, the same at Kolkatta, and Pakistan having about 60 to 65 overs to chase that. At least five runs per over will be what they will demand of Pakistan to make. However, that will not be the kind of target Pakistan would like to chase. They will end that pursuit after the loss of just one or two wickets.
Anything above five is virtually impossible on this track, especially on the final day, and Pakistan can not realistically expect to chase a total which might need them to go at 5.5 to 6 runs per over. If they try, they will be in real danger of losing an uneven contest.
So Mr Lawson, you can take back your challenge. India would not like to share honours in a series which they have already won.
In other words, he has dangled a temptation for India to make it 2-0 by putting Pakistan in a position where their batsmen will go in for their shots.
However, given the fact that it is not everyday that you win a series against Pakistan, it is highly unlikely that Kumble will give them a target of around 4.5 runs per over, which is the only realistic target on this kind of pitch.
India's lead right now is 220 and if the target is to be 315-320 in about 70 overs, the Indian batsmen will have to go at five runs per over in the morning session. That way India will reach the target figure in 18-19 overs, leaving Pakistan with around 70.
But the problem with that kind of target is that it does give Pakistan a realistic chance and it is India who are leading the series right now. Lawson would not have thrown this challenge at India if Pak were leading!
India will be more comfortable with a target score of around 340-345, the same at Kolkatta, and Pakistan having about 60 to 65 overs to chase that. At least five runs per over will be what they will demand of Pakistan to make. However, that will not be the kind of target Pakistan would like to chase. They will end that pursuit after the loss of just one or two wickets.
Anything above five is virtually impossible on this track, especially on the final day, and Pakistan can not realistically expect to chase a total which might need them to go at 5.5 to 6 runs per over. If they try, they will be in real danger of losing an uneven contest.
So Mr Lawson, you can take back your challenge. India would not like to share honours in a series which they have already won.
Monday, December 10, 2007
Battle of Bangalore. Equal opportunity for both India and Pak
What all can India do on the Fourth day to weed out Pakistan resistance
Just bowl straight and hope for pitch to do something, or pray that the Pakistani players run out of patience. Some times the ball is keeping so low that if it is straight, a wicket is certain.
More overs needed for Yuvraj. His last over today was a revelation. Two of the six deliveries almost got Misbah just because they failed to bounce. May be there is something he can do on this pitch which others can’t.
Realise that they are already 1-0 up in the series and in virtually no chance of losing this test. Crowd the opposition with as many fielders as Possible. Pakistan will be happy to escape with a draw.
Enforce the follow on if the opportunity arises. Pakistan will dread the possibility of batting again without a break on this track.
And what can Pak do to ensure that India remain on the backfoot
Low backlift as Misbah has shown throughout his essay. That will be important to counter the balls which can rattle the stumps by their lack of bounce.
Never lose a run-making opportunity to inch closer to the follow on mark, and then deficit reduction endeavour. There will be ample gaps in the field with the Indians going all out for a kill.
Be more careful against makeshift bowlers. Laxman’s wicket of Sami had almost endangered Pakistan in Kolkatta. Yuvraj is capable of doing the same here.
Pakistan are almost exactly in the same position going into the last two days as at Kolkatta. Indian bowling does not hold much threat. But pitch does.
Just bowl straight and hope for pitch to do something, or pray that the Pakistani players run out of patience. Some times the ball is keeping so low that if it is straight, a wicket is certain.
More overs needed for Yuvraj. His last over today was a revelation. Two of the six deliveries almost got Misbah just because they failed to bounce. May be there is something he can do on this pitch which others can’t.
Realise that they are already 1-0 up in the series and in virtually no chance of losing this test. Crowd the opposition with as many fielders as Possible. Pakistan will be happy to escape with a draw.
Enforce the follow on if the opportunity arises. Pakistan will dread the possibility of batting again without a break on this track.
And what can Pak do to ensure that India remain on the backfoot
Low backlift as Misbah has shown throughout his essay. That will be important to counter the balls which can rattle the stumps by their lack of bounce.
Never lose a run-making opportunity to inch closer to the follow on mark, and then deficit reduction endeavour. There will be ample gaps in the field with the Indians going all out for a kill.
Be more careful against makeshift bowlers. Laxman’s wicket of Sami had almost endangered Pakistan in Kolkatta. Yuvraj is capable of doing the same here.
Pakistan are almost exactly in the same position going into the last two days as at Kolkatta. Indian bowling does not hold much threat. But pitch does.
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