SPIN TWINS GUIDE PAKISTAN TO A HISTORAL SERIES WIN

 The undervalued underdogs of the cricket world now seemed to be on a rapid rise to their past glorious position as they were during late 80's and early to mid 90's. It’s not long ago, when I was hearing many people murmuring, to ban them for the sake of the game, which even then, was quite harsh as one could see terrorism, mismanagement & corruption exist in may parts of the world. But surely that period was arguably the worst period in green shirt's cricket history, with team's below par performance, spot fixing misery, unity and disciplinary problems within team and cricket board

Current scenario makes us evident that they had learned great lessons from that gloomy period and now they deserved respect. Soon after the three players were sent to jail, Pakistan started their winning ways with consistency, winnings bilateral series against New Zealand in their home after drawing couple of  test against South African and a narrow one day series defeat by 3-2 and then reaching semi-finals of world cup.

But the appointment of uncontroversial, resilient, determined and discipline captain, MISBAH-UL-HAQ (yet to be defeated in any series as captain) has take Pakistan to new heights and with the support of new chairman Zaka Ashraf and management, Pakistan has become the team to beat.

Misbah is often being heavily criticized for his defensive and steady approach especially while batting, but this approach has proved to be blessing in disguise for Pakistan and this victory over the top rated side in test rankings has answered each and everyone. 

 Infact world have appreciated their outstanding performance. Even the Indian media, (against their historical tendency), have praised the current owner of number 5 test spot.

Also the international commentators were compelled to praise, as I find Sanjay Manjrekar tweeting: 'Well done Pakistan!

Masters of unpredictable brilliance!'

And Pommie also congratulating Pakistan :-)

After Ajmal’s heroics in the first test which came to end only in 3 days, second time around England better their resistance for one additional day of play as they were comprehensively beaten in their innings to finally lose a test series after being undefeated in their previous nine. England dominate first 3 days of the 2nd test only to bundled out for 72 (their lowest score ever against the host away from home) on a penultimate day of the match.

Unarguably the best spin duo of the recent times held responsible for the devastating batting collapses of visitors. Three out of four innings, they were completely out of their sorts.English top 7 may average more to slow bowler than pacers but they might have faced spin bowlers of this quality for the first time. Ajmal pick 7 more to add to his tally of 10 in the first test and the duo was well supported by Mohammad Hafeez but Abu Dhabi test would be unforgettable for the orthodox left arm spin from either team as both Panesar and Abdur Rehman took 6-for in the 2nd innings. Abdur Rehman had his first 5-for and what a moment having it against the best team in spite not having got big score to defend.

The unexpected heroics started before as host had not even pass the 70 run deficit when four of their top order batmen had depart and then a 88 run association was handy between Asad Shafique and Azhar Ali as it does make difference in the end and suddenly from nowhere, they are on the verge of historical clean sweep against inventors of the game.

INDIA THRASHED BY IMPRESSIVE AUSSIES

 India continue their miserable run in test arena on foreign soil by suffering yet another whitewash after 4-0 defeat in England in 2011,this time against mighty Australian side.

They were completely outplayed in every department of the game and deservingly met their 7th test series whitewash defeat in history (3 or more test in a series) which is the highest number of this type of humiliation by any team.

Their opener can't gave them good starts, middle order continue to struggle on fast, bouncy and lively wickets, their heavyweight but condition-oriented batting line-up seemed to be utterly impotent.Only Kohli could score a century otherwise batting was almost at its worst. Sachin was also seemed to be under pressure regarding 100^th hundred hype as he was not able to score big.

As one can expect, Indian bowlers struggled to take wickets, Clarke and co. piled up huge scores to eliminate any chance of Indian team even able to compete.

Michael Clarke was the highest run getter of the series with a double and a triple century (only the 3rd batsman in the history to do so in the same series after the great Bradman and Hammond)

Ponting also revive his diminishing reputation with couple of big tons to make sure that over-rated visitors continues to struggle. Occasional burst from Zaheer and Yadav couldn’t harm Aussies, which  were quite organized even in their rebuilding phase.

 

Just midway through the series, there was lots of  talking engoing on regarding future of the three veterans-Sachin, dravid and Laxman. It now seems to be end of a great era of Indian batting and now for regaining the respect, many efforts will be required and it would be a long process. Furthermore Indian tendency of losing outside subcontinent and in testing conditions is also worth questioning about their abilities, mental toughness and handling of quality pace bowling. 

Apart from performance, their abusing acts,the frustration that they showed to crowd and living in the past that they were used to winning back in India showed their attitude and lack of professionalism.  

2nd Test on historically a batting friendly venue

After the England's misery due to Ajmal's mystery in the first test, all eyes are set for yet another exciting & absorbing contest from tomorrow in Abu Dhabi, a ground looking forward for  4^th double hundred in its only 3^rd test match.

Exclusion of  Tremlett and Cheema are the only expected changes from England and Pakistan respectively on a pitch usually considered nightmare for the bowlers. No major changes are expected from both the teams as host looking forward to carry on momentum whereas visitor to fight back from their shameful defeat.

Once again all eyes will be on Saeed Ajmal (now in top 3 in the latest ICC test bowler’s rankings), he has to delivered continuously to prove to the world that he is currently the best spinner around. Toss could be an important factor as some grass was on the wicket couple of days before the match (which may have been removed).

PAKISTAN-ENGLAND SERIES 2012

Finally the most anticipating test series of 2012 has began with the further rise of mysterious offie(Saeed Ajmal),who destroys English batting lineup with his second ten-for to help Pakistan a 10 wkts victory in the first test of the series.
Saeed Ajmal took career best 7/55 in the first innings to fold visitors for only 192,from where they could never recovered and loss the test after more then a year.