After a high scoring draw in the first Test, the Pakistan team re-established their ascendency over Bangladesh in the second and final Test, winning the series. This came as a welcome relief to the Pakistani fans following the travails of the ODI and T20 series. With a wicket offering a modicum of support to the bowlers, the Pakistani bowlers quickly imposed themselves. It was heartening to see young spinner Yasir Shah imparting so much energy on the ball. The ball that dismissed Kayes in the second innings came out of the rough and turned so sharply that all the batsman could do was flail ineffectually. Certainly a delivery that would have elicited an approving nod from Abdul Qadir or Shane Warne.
Pakistan’s batting also looked rock solid, with Azhar Ali anchoring the side with a double hundred. Azhar is displaying an emotional steadiness that is the hallmark of a sheet anchor, a role that Misbah and Younus have been playing of late. Younus and Mohammad Shafiq also scored hundreds with the feisty Sarfraz chipping in with an unbeaten cameo. Misbah showed that he is every bit as fast a scorer as anyone else. It has been the exigency of a brittle batting lineup that forced him to forgo the long ball and hold the innings together in the past. He showed his ball striking ability in the second innings with a rapid fire 80 odd to set up a challenging score for the opponents in the fourth innings.
This loss is going to take some shine off the Bangladesh team’s outstanding performances in the shorter formats. But they should not be overly concerned. It seems as if they have gained some much needed self-belief. It could be the coaching staff that was visible on the side lines. Heath Streak was a consistent performer with ball and bat for Zimbabwe. He also led from the front in a calm and confident manner. Perhaps that attitude may have rubbed off on the home team as they looked more West Indian than Bangladesh in all matches except the second Test. They would be a welcome addition to the three South Asian teams already established in the world cricket order. Bangladesh may have got Test status too early and could have struggled with the high expectations of their countrymen. But that seems to be in the past. The body language of their players was good and they came on the ground expecting to perform. This they did until the Pakistanis finally caught up in the second Test.
But then playing Bangladesh in Dhaka is not the same as facing Australia at Perth or England at Leeds with the ball doing all sorts of swinging and seaming. That would be the true test. Let us not rule out New Zealand, South Africa and India. The former two have as a good a pace attack as any while the Indians have classy batsmen deep into their lineup. Our players have to face up to and overcome these daunting challenges before they can be compared with some of our great teams of the past.
For Pakistan, the bright spot was the leg spin of Yasir Shah. He looked really good, extracting bounce and turn. With proper handling and exposure, he could be the real deal. Some of his deliveries were absolute stunners. Sarfraz is also a find. He is clearly the best keeper and does not give his wicket away easily. He thrives on the big stage and it looks as if he belongs there. Wahab Riaz is a tear away pacer who should serve Pakistan well in the next few years, fitness permitting. Junaid Khan and Imran Khan were hitting the right spots more often than not. Hafeez is another star performer and his bowling showed no side effects from his change of action. His batting is calm and solid and he should be a captaincy candidate when the admirable Misbah calls it a day. Misbah and Younus look as good as ever and as physically fit as ever and should be judged solely on their performance rather than their age. They also have a very good attitude on the field and would be role models for the younger lot.
These players will form the core of the Pakistan team for the next two or three seasons. Their performance against one of the weakest teams on the circuit is certainly mixed at best but the way they came back at the end should be encouraging. Pakistan has been hampered in the past few years with an absence of international cricket. But they have found a good home ground in the UAE. This should not lull the PCB into slumber because a lot needs to be done on the domestic front. The pitches have to be made livelier. For that, bigger squares are required so that the same pitches are not played and rolled into extinction. The local balls are getting better but need to be further improved. The stadium facilities are basic and need to be improved if people are to come and buy tickets for domestic matches.
But the biggest issue is that there are no regional affiliations for the first class teams in the country. Even the IPL has tried to give a regional look to their setup, with some success. What it does is to make the people identify with their home team. Few will be excited to watch a match between Habib Bank and Khan Research Laboratories. But if the same teams, with the same players were playing for Rawalpindi versus Faisalabad it would be a wholly different ball game. Let the present team owning corporations bid for the teams. They would still have their publicity, the players, but they will also have the huge bonus of a fan following. It is common sense but sometimes that is a rare commodity.
Shaharyar Khan has stated that Pakistan would be playing a series against India in the UAE. Should that take place, it would make for a great spectacle with their respective diasporas out in huge numbers. Cricket will be all the better for it.
Pakistan’s batting also looked rock solid, with Azhar Ali anchoring the side with a double hundred. Azhar is displaying an emotional steadiness that is the hallmark of a sheet anchor, a role that Misbah and Younus have been playing of late. Younus and Mohammad Shafiq also scored hundreds with the feisty Sarfraz chipping in with an unbeaten cameo. Misbah showed that he is every bit as fast a scorer as anyone else. It has been the exigency of a brittle batting lineup that forced him to forgo the long ball and hold the innings together in the past. He showed his ball striking ability in the second innings with a rapid fire 80 odd to set up a challenging score for the opponents in the fourth innings.
Pakistan's batting looked rock solid with Azhar Ali anchoring the side
This loss is going to take some shine off the Bangladesh team’s outstanding performances in the shorter formats. But they should not be overly concerned. It seems as if they have gained some much needed self-belief. It could be the coaching staff that was visible on the side lines. Heath Streak was a consistent performer with ball and bat for Zimbabwe. He also led from the front in a calm and confident manner. Perhaps that attitude may have rubbed off on the home team as they looked more West Indian than Bangladesh in all matches except the second Test. They would be a welcome addition to the three South Asian teams already established in the world cricket order. Bangladesh may have got Test status too early and could have struggled with the high expectations of their countrymen. But that seems to be in the past. The body language of their players was good and they came on the ground expecting to perform. This they did until the Pakistanis finally caught up in the second Test.
But then playing Bangladesh in Dhaka is not the same as facing Australia at Perth or England at Leeds with the ball doing all sorts of swinging and seaming. That would be the true test. Let us not rule out New Zealand, South Africa and India. The former two have as a good a pace attack as any while the Indians have classy batsmen deep into their lineup. Our players have to face up to and overcome these daunting challenges before they can be compared with some of our great teams of the past.
For Pakistan, the bright spot was the leg spin of Yasir Shah. He looked really good, extracting bounce and turn. With proper handling and exposure, he could be the real deal. Some of his deliveries were absolute stunners. Sarfraz is also a find. He is clearly the best keeper and does not give his wicket away easily. He thrives on the big stage and it looks as if he belongs there. Wahab Riaz is a tear away pacer who should serve Pakistan well in the next few years, fitness permitting. Junaid Khan and Imran Khan were hitting the right spots more often than not. Hafeez is another star performer and his bowling showed no side effects from his change of action. His batting is calm and solid and he should be a captaincy candidate when the admirable Misbah calls it a day. Misbah and Younus look as good as ever and as physically fit as ever and should be judged solely on their performance rather than their age. They also have a very good attitude on the field and would be role models for the younger lot.
The bright spot was the leg spin of Yasir Shah
These players will form the core of the Pakistan team for the next two or three seasons. Their performance against one of the weakest teams on the circuit is certainly mixed at best but the way they came back at the end should be encouraging. Pakistan has been hampered in the past few years with an absence of international cricket. But they have found a good home ground in the UAE. This should not lull the PCB into slumber because a lot needs to be done on the domestic front. The pitches have to be made livelier. For that, bigger squares are required so that the same pitches are not played and rolled into extinction. The local balls are getting better but need to be further improved. The stadium facilities are basic and need to be improved if people are to come and buy tickets for domestic matches.
But the biggest issue is that there are no regional affiliations for the first class teams in the country. Even the IPL has tried to give a regional look to their setup, with some success. What it does is to make the people identify with their home team. Few will be excited to watch a match between Habib Bank and Khan Research Laboratories. But if the same teams, with the same players were playing for Rawalpindi versus Faisalabad it would be a wholly different ball game. Let the present team owning corporations bid for the teams. They would still have their publicity, the players, but they will also have the huge bonus of a fan following. It is common sense but sometimes that is a rare commodity.
Shaharyar Khan has stated that Pakistan would be playing a series against India in the UAE. Should that take place, it would make for a great spectacle with their respective diasporas out in huge numbers. Cricket will be all the better for it.