Mathews, Malinga extend Australia’s losing streak

By Syed Khalid Mahmood

It was not very long ago when the Australians were busy in thrashing one opponent after another in nearly every format of the game. They were slow starters to some extent in the latest version, Twenty20 Internationals, but their overall dominance in international cricket was legendary.

Well now it’s the other way round for the Aussies. Their losing streak has been extending and there’s very little to suggest if it will stop. The manner in which they lost the first One-day International against Sri Lanka at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) on November 3 their think-tank must have got worried and they need to do something to arrest the decline.

Australia appeared to be in total control when they had reduced the visitors to 107 for eight while defending a total of 239. Little idea they had that the game would be snatched from such a commanding position.

The world record ninth wicket stand between Angelo Matthews and Lasith Malinga thrilled the huge number of Sri Lankan supporters at the MCG but it shattered the Aussies, already running short of confidence due to string of defeats.

Mathews and Malinga eclipsed the long standing record of Kapil Dev and Syed Kirmani who had rescued India from a similarly precarious position in the game against Zimbabwe during the 1983 World Cup.

Comparing the two huge ninth wicket stands, the one between Mathews and Malinga was more unlikely. While both Kapil Dev and Kirmani were recognized batsmen they also were pitted against an inexperienced team which was yet to be allotted the full membership of the International Cricket Council (ICC).

No disrespect meant to the accomplishment of Kapil Dev and Kirmani but they had put together what indeed had turned out to be the match winning partnership while batting first.

The situation was comparatively more tense when Malinga, a fast bowler not possessing batting credentials, walked in to join Mathews, a promising all-rounder but nowhere near to the class of the great Kapil Dev yet

It was incredible how Mathews and Malinga turned it around against the Aussies at the MCG, the venue of many of their historic conquests. The Sri Lankans have had very poor record in Australia before the start of the current tour and one thought they had run out of steam once more when the two got together.

Their 132-run partnership was not broken until the scores had been tied and Australia’s chances of winning the game had been blown away. Malinga, having blasted his maiden ODI half-century, was short of the crease when attempting what would have been the winning run.

It was Sri Lanka’s good luck that a man as vastly experienced as Muttiah Muralitharan, no rabbit with the bat, walked in at number 11 and he completed the job in style with the assured Mathews at the other end.

The Sri Lankan victory overshadowed the impressive international debut of left-arm spinner Xavier Doherty who claimed four wickets to bring Australia back in the game after Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene had threatened to make it a one-sided contest.

Australia’s innings was rocked by Thisara Perera whose five-wicket haul limited the hosts to 239 despite the recovery led by the ever-dependable Michael Hussey who remained undefeated with 71 containing just one boundary and as many as 50 singles.

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South Africa narrowly survive another miracle

By Syed Khalid Mahmood

While other teams dream about bringing about a miracle once in a blue moon Pakistan’s cricketers have been brought up watching such upsets as being part and parcel of their usual business.

Take it positively or otherwise the fact remains that Pakistan could never be ruled out of the game until they are finally beaten. Abdul Razzaq was the architect of a win in the most unlikely of circumstances in the second One-day International against South Africa in Abu Dhabi.

South Africa, despite having been blown out by Razzaq the other night, must have reckoned that the match was in their grab when they dismissed the danger man with Pakistan still needing 76 runs in the last eight overs with only four wickets standing in the third ODI in Dubai.

South Africa held all the cards in their pocket at this stage, in their bid to defend the total of 228. Their bowlers had been on target and there was not much to complain either from the fielders.

The boundaries had dried up and the task of getting nearly 10 runs every over with not much batting resources left it needed yet another miraculous onslaught to alter the course of the proceedings.

I had written while analyzing the second ODI that when Pakistan get on the rampage every other thing takes back seat. I had pointed out that it was Abdul Razzaq who caused the damage to South Africa but it could have been Shoaib Akhtar too in the similar role.

Well it was not Shoaib Akhtar but it was the unlikely duo of Fawad Alam and Wahab Riaz who cut South Africa to size to very nearly pull off yet another incredible win. Both of them stunned everyone with their heroics.

South Africa, who bowled and fielded terribly in the final phase of the game when they actually needed to seal the fate with just normal game, came perilously close to losing yet another tie which they had in their bag all the time.

The sloppy work of the South Africans, who are known otherwise for their brilliance in the field, didn’t cost them the game but it must have provided them enough shock to keep them unsettled for sometime.

The South African batsmen, with the sole exception of Hashim Amla, were found wanting in conditions that were not all that demanding. The dismissal of A B de Villiers courtesy a rank bad decision by third umpire, Zamir Haider, didn’t help their cause either.

The International Cricket Council (ICC), which is headquartered in Dubai where the match was taking place, should do away with the policy of ‘risking’ home umpires in One-day Internationals because obviously such decisions create a bad feeling among the affected team.

Amla held the South African innings together with another masterful century, his fifth of the year in the ODIs. It’s quite amazing how he has improved him game over the last couple of years.

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Call it a miracle or a fluke that’s how Pakistan cricket lives

By Syed Khalid Mahmood

Never rule Pakistan out of any contest has been a famous saying. You are never sure when the Nature will collaborate with them to achieve the impossible. We have seen it so many times when they have performed wonders in the unlikeliest of circumstances.

The latest episode was witnessed in the second One-day International between Pakistan and South Africa in Abu Dhabi on October 31 with Abdul Razzaq being the catalyst of bringing about another miracle.

I had mentioned in my write-up on October 30 that unless and until something very dramatic happens or the external factors come into play in a big way, South Africa should be winning the remaining four ODIs and both the Test matches that follow without much botheration.

There was not even the remotest possibility of Pakistan winning the game when they had lost their top five batsmen with many more runs required at a very demanding asking rate. That’s why the majority of the cricket enthusiasts back home had either switched off their television sets or changed the channel to watch something that had an element of entertainment or fun in it.

It was only when they woke up in the morning they learnt about the miracle having taken place in the desert with Abdul Razzaq having blasted a kind of century that would have made even the likes of Don Bradman and Viv Richards proud.

That’s the beauty of Pakistan cricket. You never know when any of their batter will turn the master blaster of the century. It was Abdul Razzaq’s night. It could have belonged to anyone else too. I would not have been surprised even if Shoaib Akhtar played that kind of cameo having come at number eleven.

I think it was exactly a year ago at the same venue when Daniel Vettori and his team had narrowly survived an even bigger embarrassment when the last pair of Mohammad Aamer and Saeed Ajmal had turned it around with a huge partnership.

Vettori, I suppose, would remember that night for a long time. Known and respected for bowling the tightest of line and length that keeps even the most fluent of batsmen guessing, the champion left-arm spinner was whacked for a couple of sixes in an over by Aamer of all people.

The one-wicket victory has opened Pakistan’s account in the series but it’s not expected to cause much discomfort or anxiety in the South African camp. Having suffered similar fate against the same opponents a few times in the past as well they must have known that there’s no point in taking Pakistan for granted irrespective of their form, fitness or anything.

While the South Africans would be looking to prevent another miracle during the course of the ongoing series Pakistan would be hoping for the repeat of such an act a few more times which obviously seems unlikely but cannot be ruled out entirely.

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Sri Lanka off to a winning start in Australia

By Syed Khalid Mahmood

The Sri Lankans haven’t had particularly pleasing memories of their past tours of Australia. They have been at the receiving end more often than not and it was an odd country where they had not been able to come good despite so much promise.

Things appear different now with the once impregnable Australians having become vulnerable now and the Sri Lankans having made advancements in world cricket with the discovery of a few most talented youngsters.

It has become evident in the very first encounter between the two sides that it’s a different ball game now. Watching the Sri Lankans dominate the hosts at the WACA in Perth on October 31 was an unusual sight but not totally unexpected.

Sri Lanka looked the more formidable of the two combatants but more importantly they were able to translate their supremacy into a massive win in the one-off Twenty20 International.

Sri Lanka were in total control of the proceedings from the outset and they didn’t allow the Aussies to stage a forceful comeback as they had earlier this year in their clash in the Caribbean during the ICC World T20.

The only period when the Australians threatened to pull it back was when Brad Haddin and Steve Smith were putting together a big partnership but their dismissal in one Suraj Randiv over prevented an onslaught in the death overs.

The Sri Lankan bowling remained hostile yet accurate. Speedster Lasith Malinga was guilty of spraying a few wides down the leg side but that hardly mattered in the final count. The fast bowling was terrific and the spin duo of Randiv and that man Mutiah Muralitharan was spot on.

Australia, having slumped to 43 for five in the 11th over, did give themselves a sniff by recovering to 133 for eight in the allotted 20 overs. Getting 90 runs off the last 10 overs was quite an accomplishment but the damage had been done in the first half of their innings.

The Sri Lankan fielding was top class and it played a key role in the limited the hosts. The running catch Dilhara Fernando took to get rid of the threatening Michael Clarke represented the improved skills of the visitors. It was a spectacular one-handed catch that stunned the spectators.

With the bowlers and the fielders having done the job, the task was made easier for their batsmen and they latched on the opportunity. The target of 134 was unlikely to tease the visitors and they did get it very comfortably indeed.

Such a marvelous start should inspire the Sri Lankans in the upcoming ODI series and they should have greater confidence now after having overpowered the hosts so decisively in the T20 game. I think Sri Lanka have their best chance to beat Australia in Australia.

The Sri Lankans, the form in which they are in, must be regretting having just three ODIs besides the one T20 during the tour. The Australians need to lift their game to be in the better frame of mind for upcoming Ashes battle.

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South Africa on course of whitewashing Pakistan

By Syed Khalid Mahmood

I incline to agree with the observations of the former South African coach, Mickey Arthur, that Pakistan, being at an absolute low, stand no chance whatsoever of coming to terms with the Proteas in the ongoing series in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

South Africa, after having overwhelmed Pakistan in both the Twenty20 Internationals, cruised to a most comfortable victory in the first of the five One-day Internationals at Abu Dhabi on October 29.

Unless and until something very dramatic happens or the external factors come into play in a big way, South Africa should be winning the remaining four ODIs and both the Test matches that follow without much botheration.

“I can't see us having any trouble beating them. Our real test will come when we play against India at home at the end of the year," Aurthur, now coach of Western Australia after he resigned from the Proteas job in January, said while mentioning the problems surrounding the Pakistan team at the moment.

I don’t think anybody will argue with Arthur at this stage. The momentum is with South Africa and they have a balanced and strong outfit for every format of the game while Pakistan find themselves in an exactly the opposite situation.

Thanks to Ijaz Butt and his cronies, Pakistan have had problems in finding a regular captain besides fielding a settled team for the last couple of years. Far too many changes with total disregard to merit have pushed the Pakistan cricket to a corner from where they can only dip further.

If we talk purely in terms of cricket, there’s a huge gap between the two teams. The South African outfit is not only super-fit and agile but they seem to be playing with purpose. They have a goal in their mind and they are executing their plans accordingly.

The World Cup, less than six months away, is very much in their minds and they are doing their best to raise the level of their game. They have had the problem of choking in the big tournaments in the past and I am sure they would be working overtime to overcome this chronic weakness of theirs.

The South African youngsters have come to the party in a big way which augurs well for the future of their cricket. The young guns will certainly keep the veterans on their toes and there will be pressure on the seasoned campaigners to perform consistently or be replaced.

The performance of Jacques Kallis, returning to the side after a layoff, would delight their team management and his all-round expertise would be immensely helpful to their cause. It’s quite extraordinary how Hashim Amla has transformed his game, having become a dasher top of the order.

A B de Villiers, as he showed in the first ODI, has no problems in keeping the scoreboard moving as will while Graeme Smith and J P Duminy also have also hit form without wasting time.

The pace of Morne Morkel can frighten the best of batsmen and he’s going to be a major threat for Pakistan. With another genuine fast bowler in Dale Steyn raring to go at the other end it can only mean further trouble for their opponents.

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Shoaib Siddiqui inaugurates Sindh bowling tournament

By Syed Khalid Mahmood

The sports department of the Government of Sindh has been taking keen interest in carrying out its responsibilities and ensuring healthy activities for the youth of the province on a regular basis for the last couple of years.

Having proactively supported the regular as well as the indigenous sports, it’s very heartening to find them promoting the newer games that don’t generally get recognized at the government level.

Bowling is one of the most popular games among the youth of the urban areas and boys and girls are passionate about it in a big way. Even the elders are into it as well. It may not be entirely classified as an elite sport but it’s commonly practiced mainly at the big social clubs.

The Sindh Tenpin Bowling Association (STBA) took the initiative of organizing the Sindh Inter League Bowling Tournament 2010 at the Thunder Pins housed in Karachi’s famous Millennium Mall located on Rashid Minhas Road, Guslshan-e-Iqbal.

Tremendous enthusiasm was witnessed as the tournament was inaugurated by the popular figure of Shoaib Ahmad Siddiqui, Secretary, Sports and Youth Affairs, Government of Sindh, who was the chief guest in the opening ceremony.

In his brief speech on the occasion he acknowledged the massive following of bowling and expressed the hope that the organizers will continue to work with the same zeal to hold competitions in future.

“The government remains committed to patronizing healthy and sporting activities in the society. We are more than glad to extend our support to the game of bowling,” Shoaib Siddiqui added.

“We have been promoting bowling and we are discovering bowling stars. We have had to face tough challenges in launching the Sindh Inter League Bowling Tournament 2010 which is a major initiative and accomplishment of a milestone of sorts in the history of bowling in Pakistan,” Romis Ali, General Secretary, STBA, said in the welcome speech.

Meanwhile 70% of the players qualified for the second round in both amateur and master categories. Robert was on the top with 739 points with Aleem Agha placed at position with 730 points. Naseem Ahmed claimed third position with 697 points.

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South Africa draw first blood unconvincingly

By Syed Khalid Mahmood

Can you imagine chasing a target of exactly run a ball for the entire length of a T20innings on the flattest of pitches in conditions near perfect for batting with so much of hassles and uncertainties?

The South Africans certainly won the first Twenty20 International against Pakistan by six wickets in the end with quite a few deliveries left in Abhu Dhabi on October 26 but it wasn’t the kind of chase that would have lifted their spirits.

The only way Pakistan could have won the match, after being dismissed for 119, was to bowl South Africa out. That looked very much a possibility when South Africa had crashed to 26 for three after 5.1 overs.

It was really amazing to find the South African top-order looking like novices against a bowling attack that wasn’t high in confidence either. Shoaib Akhtar, whose fitness always remains a cause of concern, was spearheading the attack after sometime and Abdul Razzaq was entrusted with the new ball a bit surprisingly.

Neither of them would have been operating with the new ball if Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Aamer had been there. Yet the credit goes to the South African batsmen to have kept the contest alive until the very end.

If the likes of Graeme Smith, Loots Bosman and A B de Villiers were found demanding in conditions devoid of any pressure then one can understand what their fate could be in a closer or more significant match.

That explains why the South Africans have been proving as chokers in nearly every major event. They have had a better record as far as bilateral series are concerned but the uncertain manner in which they overcame Pakistan while chasing the easiest of targets leaves a question mark about their abilities.

The pace of Lonwabo Tsotsobe and the spin of Johan Botha combined excellently to send Pakistan crashing to 119 all out inside 20 overs. It’s not often that any team gets bowled out in T20 game but you can never rule out such possibilities when experimentations are being carried out rather senselessly.

Pakistan’s batting has let them down on so many occasions and the kind of combination they fielded in the opening game there’s little doubt that a lot needs to be done to enhance their efficiency.

South Africa remained on top of the Pakistan batsmen and even Shahid Afridi’s typically agricultural shots didn’t derail them. The returning Misbah-ul-Haq struggled to get his timing right and there was not much he could have done against a balanced and potent bowling attack.

The match was won and lost in the first session and there were very few people who thought in terms of Pakistan staging a comeback. The failure of Smith, Bosman and de Villiers prevented the match from becoming a totally one-sided affair.

The 66-run fourth wicket partnership between Colin Ingram and JP Duminy brought the South Africans back in control and even the dismissal of the latter couldn’t change the course of the proceedings.

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Naqvi brothers excel in Sindh Swimming

By Syed Khalid Mahmood

Brothers Mazhar Naqvi and Mustafa Naqvi came up with standout performance to guide the Karachi Club to title victory in the 50th Sindh Swimming Championship 2010 staged at the Karachi Gymkhana.

The Naqvi brothers displayed their brilliants skills at the Karachi Gymkhana Swimming Pool which brought to an end the 15-year-old dominance of the famous Habib Public School.

The teenaged Mazhar in particular was absolutely brilliant grabbing as many as seven gold medals. He emerged triumphant in 50, 100, 200 freestyle and 50,100, 200 meter in open category besides being a component of the winning 4x100 Relay medley relay. He was the unanimous choice for the award of the province's best men swimmer.

Mazhar, who also broke a few long-standing records, was easily the most versatile all-round swimmer in the two-day gala and was adjudged the best swimmer in the open category. He broke as many as four records during the course of the championship held over the weekend.

"My first ambition is to win a gold medal in men nationals in freestyle and later desire to represent Pakistan in South Asian Games and Asian Games," Mazhar, a 17-year-old student of Lecole School of Advance Studies, remarked after his terrific performance.

He complimented his rival and friend Aneeq Anwar for his outstanding performances in the competition.

"We are desirous of improving the overall standard of Sindh province in swimming. We are also eager to make our presence felt in a big way at the national level,” Mazhar added.

Deriving inspiration from his elder brother, Mustafa stole the limelight in the Under-16 age category by grabbing as many as four gold and seven silver medals. He won the gold in 50, 100 meter butterfly 200 meter freestyle and 50-meter breast stroke.

Mazhar and Mustufa faced some challenge from the immensely talented Aneeq Anwar, who also displayed superb performance in open as well as Under-16 contest. Aneeq and Mustafa were jointly declared the best swimmer in U-16 competition.

Aneeq, a student of Defence Public School, pocketed five gold medals and as many silver medals to also emerge as one of the stars of the championship.

Karachi Club dominated the event as they accumulated 198 points to lead over 300 swimmers contest. Karachi Grammar School secured second position with an aggregate of 167 points pushing the holders Habib Pubic School to the third position with a tally of 139 points.

Mazhar Naqvi (Open), Aneeq Anwar and Mustufa Naqvi (U-16), Saad Amin (U-12), Muhammad Bilal Qasim (U-14), Reza Munir (U-10) and Mirshah Pasha (U-8) were declared as the best swimmers in their respective categories.

Member National Assembly and famous television personality, Khushbakhat Shujaat, was the chief guest in the presentation ceremony and she distributed medals and trophies among the outstanding performers.

The President of the Karachi Gymkhana, Younus Rizwani, was also present on the occasion alongwith the top officials of the Sindh Swimming Association, Shahbaz Qureshi and Mohammad Ali Shishmahal.

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