Whether you see these tags as justified or just another typical case of tall poppy syndrome directed at both through jealous minds. You have to again applaud the lovely part that Fate has played between the two. As we wait with baited breath for a series between the two early in 2012, that will prove or disprove everything that is known and indeed unknown about the two TeamsSo let us run the rule over both the Teams.Pakistan
My SquadThe series is going to be played in the UAE, where it is likely to be a series involving attritional Test Cricket in batting friend conditions. Keeping this in mind, Pakistan already has a very accomplished and complete bowling attack with both pace and swing well stocked. Though they might need to reinforce their batting, that has performed very admirably against the weaker Teams, but against England’s vaunted attack it will pose a real challenge for them. So my Squad would be as follows:Batsmen: Misbah ul Huq (C), Taufeeq Umar, Mohammad Harfeez, Azhar Ali, Younis Khan, Asad Shafique, Umar Akmal, Usman SalahuddinWicket Keepers:Adnan Akmal, Sarfraz AhmedPace Bowlers:Umar Gul, Junaid Khan, Aizaz Cheema, Sadaf HussainSpinners:Saeed Ajmal, Abdur Rehman, Yasir ShahPakistans Strengths and WeaknessesIn watching Pakistan string together over a year of very impressive results, you would have to be ‘blind Freddy’ not to see the sincere strength in their bowling. The key characteristic of its might is its completeness in both pace and spin, and adding to the threat is the eclectic nature of the bowlers in both.Just looking at their spin corps, that will excel on the dry and dusty UAE pitches. starting with Saeed Ajmal, you have in my mind undoubtedly the best spinner in World Cricket at present, and possessing arguably the most lethal ball in the game in his doosra.
This video shows him making a very good player of spin in Shivnarine Chanderpaul look very silly with his ‘doosra’. WOWZER!- What a delivery!Adding to his threat is the perfect partner for him in the left handed varieties of Abdur Rehman, and then the very refined off spin from Mohammad Harfeez. Both not too dusty either, when you look at their figuresAbdur Rehman: 2011 record, 32 wickets, average 25.90, economy rate 2.26 runs per overMohammad Harfeez: 2011 record: 15 wickets, average 23.60, economy rate 2.28 runs per overBoth combining real wicket taking threat with tight run saving bowlingThe spin will be the highlight act of the attack, but do not be foolish enough to under estimate the pedigree of their pace bowlers. Headed by the big hearted Umar Gul, who has gained so much respect by leading the attack after the sad demise of both Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Amir. His results of taking 29 wickets with an average of 25.41, while bowling in unforgiving conditions for a paceman shows his abilities.In the left arm pace and superlative swing of Junaid Khan, the name of Mohammad Amir has been quickly forgotten with his pace, and masterful swing. Throw in the big hearted and strong as an ox Aizaz Cheema, and you see an attack that is reminiscent of its spin corp in having a lovely balanceThe bowling, I have little doubt will give England’s very accomplished batting line up a real shake up. Making the main question for Pakistan is whether its batting can withstand England’s equally excellent bowling attack?I am torn over whether over I have complete belief in the pedigree of its batting against real quality bowling. Which England will represent in abundance, and then throw in their exceptional fielding, and they strangle the life out of most batting line ups with their relentless onslaught of sincere pressure.
Just look at the real mess they made of India’s vaunted batting line up recently
Assisting Pakistan in this quest is the likelihood of batting friendly conditions that will likely blunt England’s pace battery.
The openers of Taufeeq and Mohammad Harfeez will hold the key for Pakistan in the series. In the respect that they need to shield the very decent middle order by taking the shine off the new ball, and giving good starts. Which of late they have given the Team starts of over 50 in 3 of their last 7 innings. Showing promise, but put in perspective by the weakness of both Sri Lanka’s and Bangladesh’s attacks. In the 4 Tests at the start of the year against New Zealand, and then the West Indies, they failed to post one opening partnership of over 50.
So the jury is out on them.
If they do have a good series, the results on the rest of the batting will be profound. For it will allow them to face the threatening spin of Graeme Swann with the likelihood of defensive fields, which duly eliminates a lot of ways he can dismiss them.Subtle changes need to be made to the batting line up for this series. In respect to more attacking might being added to its line up of resoluteness. This in the view, that England with its tight bowling and A grade fielding will dry up the scoring rate in the sincerest manner putting extreme pressure on the batting.
Umar Akmal, after his exile from the Test team needs to be inserted at 5 in the line up to provide that attack player to excel with the stone wallers.
Also, the batting weak Adman Akmal in the Keepers role needs to be replaced by the more batting savvy Sarfraz AhmedIf the batting can support the excellent bowling attack, then Pakistan has a very good chance in this seriesKey Man: Younis Khan
The man known as YK is one of the best batsmen in World cricket. In 2011 he has averaged 87.50 with 2 centuries and 4 50′s, and in this upcoming series if he bats as he can. It could be the decisive in making the batting perform at a level to support the expected excellence of its bowling. Duly giving Pakistan a great chance in this series.EnglandSquad:Andrew Strauss (capt), Alastair Cook, Jonathan Trott, Kevin Pietersen, Ian Bell, Eoin Morgan, Matt Prior, Tim Bresnan, Stuart Broad, Graeme Swann, James Anderson, Chris Tremlett, Steven Finn, Ravi Bopara, Monty Panesar, Steven DaviesClass, Class, and more class in this squad. Then the name of Ravi Bopara is seen………..
Can anyone please explain to me why he is in the Squad, when there are so many better options like James Hildreth, James Taylor, Samit Patel, and even the very under appreciated all round talents of Chris Woakes.
Load of old Codswallop- I [email protected]#*#@$!The Strengths and Weaknesses of EnglandThe biggest question mark for England going into this series is their ability to adapt to the conditions adequately enough to win.This is a question mark on both its batting and bowling in Asian conditions. The main query against the batting is their performance against spin. Which, when you look at past performances of the current English batsmen in Asia that thery is pretty much put to bed.
Andrew Strauss: 14 innings, average 41.00 (career average 41.98), and 3 centuriesAlistair Cook: 18 innings, average 57.75 (career average 49.72), and 4 centuriesIan Bell: 25 innings, average 44.13 (career average 49.28), and 2 centuriesKevin Pietersen: 25 innings, average 40.95 (career average 50.48), and 2 centuriesJonathan Trott: 4 innings and an average of 34Hardly figures that back up the belief that Englands batsmen will struggle in Asia, and then they do not include Eoin Morgan, who with his dancing feet, and unorthodox mannerisms will well and truly rankle most spinners. Then the excellent Matt Prior at 7, who has averaged 64.87 with 3 centuries in 2011, and the host of all rounders that follow him. Making England bat down to 10 in its line up!
Whether or not they can take that a step further, and seriously threaten England with defeat, I very much doubt. In the view, that England is a very complete side full of sincerely classy players, that all have such belief in their pedigree, and also their team mates
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