Rampant Pakistan win all five in league rounds

From Ehsan Qureshi in Sharjah

(Pakistan News & Features Services)

Pakistan remained undefeated in Group-II league rounds of the ICC T20 World Cup as they hammered Scotland by 72 runs in their fifth and final outing at the Sharjah Stadium on November 7. 

Electing to bat, after winning the toss, Pakistan amassed 184 for the loss of four wickets in the allotted 20 overs and then restricted Scotland to 117 for six in the stipulated overs to emerge triumphant with hints of conviction. 

As witnessed during their previous game against Namibia, they got off to a cautious start but exploded in the death over to post a mammoth total which proved well out of reach of their opponents. 

The Scots were found clueless in pursuit of the big total and it proved to be a mismatch as the Pakistan's spin-cum-pace attack gave nothing away. All the bowlers were bang on target, gearing up for the knockout games.

Veteran Shoaib Malik got the opportunity to demonstrate his continued hunger for success as he smashed an unbeaten on 54 off just 18 balls with half a dozen towering sixes.

Skipper Babar Azam, on the other hand, simply extended his brilliant form when making 66 off 47 balls with the help of five fours and three sixes. 

Knowing their tactics, there was hardly any surprise in watching Pakistan make only 35 runs without losing any wicket in the six overs of power play which was exactly the same score at this particular stage in the match against Namibia. 

The Scots were put to sword in the final phase of the innings as the duo of Shoaib and Babar plundered the bowling at will. There were flurry of boundaries and the last 35 balls produced as many 89 runs which raised the total into mammoth proportions. 

By virtue of becoming the Group II champions, Pakistan will now clash with the Group I runners-up Australia in the second semifinal at Dubai Cricket Stadium on November 11 while the Group I leaders England will be up against New Zealand, the Group II runners-up, in the first pre-final on November 10. The final will be played in Dubai on November 14.

readmore »»

Pakistan eye Scot scalp to remain unbeaten in league rounds

From Ehsan Qureshi in Sharjah 

(Pakistan News & Features Services)

Babar Azam’s Team Pakistan will be aiming to extend their winning streak in the league rounds of ICC T20 World Cup as they prepare to take on Scotland in Sharjah on November 7. It has been the happy hunting ground for the green shirts over the years and they appear poised to end their league campaign with another powerful victory. 

Less than a couple of weeks ago, Pakistan had outsmarted New Zealand at the Sharjah Cricket Ground with Asif Ali’s three huge sixes and Shoaib Malik's brilliance rotation of strike. 

Victories in their previous four games over the quartet of India, New Zealand, Afghanistan and Namibia, have built a big reputation for Pakistan and they are being tipped to lift the trophy. They only need to sustain the momentum in the knockout games to capture the crown which looks at a striking distance now. 

Pakistan will be returning to arena after a gap of five days with three-day rest for the game. The big question being asked was whether Pakistan will field allow a couple new players as they have already assured a place in the semifinals. 

It remains to be seen if Haider Ali, Usman Qadir or Muhammad Nawaz will be tried against Scotland or will they continue to be benched. 

Although there’s a tradition of sorts in Pakistan cricket of not altering the winning combination but trying out new boys could be helpful in testing their skills ahead of the semifinals. 

Pakistan’s coaching staff is expected to work out plan for improving performance in their six overs power play. This is one vital area which sets impetus to boost good total and the think-thank must find ways to deal with it. 

It may be recalled that Pakistan had struggled initially against Namibia scoring only 29 runs in six overs and there were as many as 14 dot balls during the first three overs. 

Batting supremo Babar and Muhammad Rizwan will continue to hold the key to provide exhilarating start when only two fielders out of circles. With Babar and Rizwan expected to extend their brilliance with the bat, Pakistan will be looking forward to Shaheen Shah Afridi, Hasan Ali, Haris Rauf, Imad Wasim and Shadab Khan at their best in the upcoming crunch games. 

I feel that leg spin and googly bowler Usman Qadir could be tried out in the game against Scotland who don’t seem not very comfortable in combating such variety of bowling as was witnessed in their struggles in tackling the Indian spinners the other night in Dubai. 

Kyle Coetzer's Scotland, after offering New Zealand a tough fight, were actually blown away by India. They were bowled out by the rampaging trio of Ravindra Jadeja, Muhammad Shani and Jasprit Bumrah for only 85. The Scots, however, cannot be taken lightly as George Munsey, Richie Berrington, Michael Leask and Mathew Cross are dangerous batters.

readmore »»

Rizwan, Babar excel as Pakistan first team to storm into semis

By Ehsan Qureshi in Abu Dhabi 

(Pakistan News & Features Services)

Muhammad Rizwan and skipper Babar Azam smashed sparkling half centuries as Pakistan crushed Namibia by 45 runs at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi, to become the first team to storm into the semifinals of ICC T20 World Cup on November 2.

Interestingly and surprisingly, Pakistan recovered from slow start to post their highest score of the tournament so far. After amassing a huge total of 189 for two in the stipulated over, they restricted their opponents to 144 for five to win the match by 45 runs. It was their fourth consecutive victory in the event. 

After accumulating only 29 runs in the six overs of power play and just doubling the score in the next four overs, the trio of Babar, Rizwan and Muhammad Hafeez went on a rampage mustering a whopping 131 in the last 10 overs much to the delight of their supportive crowd. 

Pakistan, opting to bat first after calling correctly for a change, might have started to regret their decision when the first three overs witnessed as many as 14 dot balls. 

The Pakistan openers, Babar and Rizwan, were clearly struggling against the Namibian attack at the start of their innings. But the situation in the second half of the innings and the Pakistani batters got into their elements. 

Rizwan was in a punishing mood taking 24 runs in the last over from Johannes Smit, slamming four fours and a towering sixer. 

Skipper Babar made 71 off 49 balls with seven boundaries. It was his third half-century in four matches. Rizwan anchored the innings with unconquered 79 off 50 balls, studded with eight fours and four sixes. The Namibian bowlers were found wanting when the well-set openers carried out the well planned onslaught. 

Hafeez sustained the momentum and blasted an unbeaten 32 after facing only 16 balls and it included five strikes to ropes. His lusty hitting ensured that the Pakistan total approached mammoth proportions.

Chasing a formidable target 190, Namibia was never really in the hunt against a disciplined bowling attack. Spearhead Shaheen Shah Afridi didn’t pick any wicket and David Wesie spoiled his figures further with an unexpected counterattack in the final over.

Namibia, making their maiden appearance in the T20 World Cup, had created history of sorts by toppling Scotland earlier in the tournament. But they found the rampaging Pakistan side too hot to handle.

readmore »»

The Butler blast in desert

By Ehsan Qureshi in UAE 

  (Pakistan News & Features Services)

The pitches in the ongoing T20 World Cup in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), particularly in Sharjah, have not been conducive to free flowing batsmen and they have had to exercise greater caution in taking the bowlers to the cleaners. 

England, having won their previous three matches, had their backs to the wall at the halfway stage of their innings against Sri Lanka on November 2 and they were expected to be contained to below par total. 

But there was a man in the middle by the name of Jos Butler who thought otherwise. Butler is known for playing big shots but the manner he constructed and finished his knock was well and truly spectacular to say the least. 

Yes he went on to complete the most incredible of centuries on the final of the innings and it was a maximum. His unbeaten century provided England enough runs to bowl out the Sri Lankans despite the dew factor. 

Although the England bowlers also played their role in taking their side to fourth successive win, the night belonged to Butler. Quite deservedly he was adjudged as Man of the Match for his sparkling century. 

Butler remained undefeated on 101 off 67 balls which didn’t look all that amazing but the fact that he enabled England to add 116 in the last 10 overs after collecting only 47 in the first 10 was more significant in turning the game around. 

He showed once more how to trust one's own abilities. He refrained from taking risks when the situation demanded of him to show restraint. Once his eyes were set and he had measured the bowling, there was no stopping him. It was one of the best T20 knocks to have been played under pressure. 

Butler’s terrific batting made amends for the ordinary performances of other power hitters in the England ranks and he will indeed be considered one of the major threats for the opponents in the upcoming knockout games.

readmore »»

T20 World Cup: Pakistan looking to cement place in semis, India face elimination

By Ehsan Qureshi in UAE

(Pakistan News & Features Services)

Babar Azam's Team Pakistan, fresh from consecutive victories over the fancied trio of India, New Zealand and Afghanistan, look forward to securing their spot in the semifinals of ICC T20 World Cup when they take on minnows Namibia here at the Shaikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi on November 2. 

Pakistan will be going hard at the young African nation to sustain their winning momentum and top form. In my opinion, they are unlikely to make any changes in their winning combination although they will be expected better performance from veteran Muhammad Hafeez, Fakhar Zaman and Hasan Ali ahead of the crunch knockout games. 

The Pakistan players will be expected to keep their feet at the ground because of the highly unpredictable nature of the shorter format where an odd brilliance could change fortunes against the run of play. 

The mood in Pakistan camp is cheerful and buoyant. After two days of complete rest, main players have had extensive training session at ICC Academy Ground Dubai on November 1. 

However what was witnessed at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on October 31 was truly incredible as India tumbled once more against New Zealand and now Virat Kohli’s men in blue are at brink of elimination from the event they are hosting. 

Team India and their staunch supporters seemed to be paying for their arrogance, overconfident approach and not treating their opponents fairly in the arena. This is huge lesson and tragedy for Indian cricket despite everything in their favour they suffered ignominy. 

After witnessing Indian powerplay when they lost cream of their batting, the writing was very much on the wall for them. I witnessed the training sessions of the Pakistan reserves at the ICC Academy. 

When returning, I had come across hundreds of Indian deserting the Dubai Stadium after 10 overs of New Zealand innings. The spectators, which included elderly men and women coming along with their families, were deeply hurt, disappointed and dismayed with below par show by the highly rated Indian team. 

When I spoke to one cricket lover, Arvind from Chennai, he expressed his disappointment at India’s tame defeats but complimented Pakistan and New Zealand for their resounding triumph. A big fan of Babar Azam, he expected Pakistan to win the trophy now. When I tried to speak to a couple of young ladies for their reaction they just vanished after knowing that I came from Pakistan media.

readmore »»

Asif Ali: Now a hero

By Ehsan Qureshi in Dubai 

(Pakistan News & Features Services)

This is the story of Pakistan cricket. Starting from nowhere (zero) and going to become the hot-favourites (super hero). This is story of the ICC T20 World Cup 2021 as far as Pakistan and their latest six-hitting sensation Asif Ali are concerned. 

Not long ago, there was hue and cry from all quarters when Asif was selected in the Pakistan squad for T20 World Cup. The criticism appeared justified because the highly talented middle-order batsman had failed to live up to expectations the in Pakistan Super League (PSL) as well as in the Caribbean Premier League (CPL). 

Despite all the pressure to drop him, the chief selector, Muhammad Wasim, other members of the selection committee and skipper Babar Azam kept faith in him. Now finally Asif has delivered at the biggest stage to silence his critics. 

With Pakistan thrashing India by a record margin of 10 wickets in the opening game, the morale of the whole team was boosted and every member of the team felt motivated. The confidence level of the whole team got sky-rocketed and Pakistan, all of a sudden, became the team to watch out for. 

The expectations were on the higher side when Pakistan took the field against New Zealand, after having bulldozed India. But as we have watched on numerous occasions in the past, the Blackcaps, led by Kane Williamson, refused to give up even while defending a low total and the match looked in their grasp when they picked up a few quick wickets. 

Just as the Pakistani supporters were beginning to get tense and worried, Asif entered the arena and changed the complexion of the game with his flurry of sixes. 

In the company of the vastly experienced Shoaib Malik, he steered Pakistan to a dazzling win which boosted their hopes to qualify for the semifinals round. It literally changed the mood of the nation because India and Blackcaps were favorites to progress into the knock out round. 

The story was repeated in the following game which was played in a rather charged atmosphere against Afghanistan. It was Asif again who took Pakistan home when chips were down at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium 

The Afghanistan section of the crowd was preparing to celebrate victory as Pakistan lost Fakhar Zaman, Muhammad Hafeez and captain Babar Azam in quick succession. But at the othe end, Asif was thinking differently. Pakistan needed 24 off 12 balls. 

It was a tall order for Pakistan as Bangladesh had lost narrowly to the West Indies in similar situation just a few hours ago. Then what people watched at the ground was unbelievable and amazing. 

Asif banged Afghanistan’s medium pacer Karim Janat for four towering sixes to make hell for him and the Pakistan supporters were jubilant and ecstatic with celebrations having erupted across the globe. 

Now Pakistan feature among the favourites for the crown. But you cannot depend on only Asif because this is team and each and every player has to contribute vigorously to ensure they repeat 2009 history to add a new feather in their cap. 

On a personal note, Asif may be looking forward to replicate his own efforts of winning the trophy in the same manner as he had enabled Islamabad United to win the PSL in 2018 with his towering sixes in the final.

readmore »»

Pakistan wins tension packed encounter to move closer T20 World Cup semis

By Ehsan Qureshi in Dubai 

(Pakistan News & Features Services)

Pakistan inched closer towards claiming spot in the semifinal rounds of ICC T20 World Cup with tension and drama packed five-wicket victory over Afghanistan at Dubai International Cricket Stadium on October 29. 

For the second match running, Asif Ali emerged as the hero when he hoisted Karim Janat for four sixes in the 19th over to seal the fate of the dramatic match in front of an enthusiastic and vociferous crowd. They shouted Pakistan Zindabad and Pakistan Aa Gaya Maidan Main as Pakistan completed their win after a few hiccups. 

The new finisher Asif smashed an unbeaten 25, under pressure, after facing just seven balls in blink of an eye. Pakistan had lost Fakhar Zaman (30), Muhammad Hafeez (10) and Shoaib Malik (19) as the asking rate kept mounting. 

The Pakistan captain, Babar Azam, played a decent knock of fifty but he could not finish the game. Having successfully reviewed leg-before decision which had gone against him, he was cleaned by the same bowler, Rashid Khan, while attempting a cross-batted swipe. 

Earlier Afghanistan staged a grand recovery, after having been reduced to 35 for four at the end of six-over power play, to post a competitive total of 147 for seven in their 20 overs. Skipper Muhammad Nabi and Najibullah Zadran lifted them from a precarious 76 for six in 13th over with a fighting unbroken 71-runs stand off 43 balls. 

The Afghanistan contingent, which outnumbered Pakistanis in the stands, was silenced by brilliant performance of Imad Wasim, Shaheen Shah Afridi and Haris Rauf. They removed the dangerous power hitter Hazratullah Zazai for five-ball duck and Muhammad Shahzad for only eight in first 16 balls to put them under pressure. When Rehmanullah Gulbaz and Gulbadin Naib went for ten runs apiece, the Afghanistan batting was in tatters. But experienced Nabi and Gulbadin stood firm against spin cum peace attack to keep them in the contest. 

Due to the intense rivalry between two neighboring countries, the UAE Police remained on high alert in order to avoid any untoward incident. The match was contested in a tense atmosphere as supporters of both teams expected their respective countries to run away with the game.

readmore »»

Babar eyes T20 World Cup semis berth by blasting Afghanistan

By Ehsan Qureshi in Dubai

(Pakistan News & Features Services)

High-flying Team Pakistan will be aiming semifinal berth of the ongoing ICC T20 World Cup by blasting Afghanistan in the third round match at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on October 29.

Skipper Babar Azam and his team have made a great impact and stamped authority by overwhelming favorites India and New Zealand in their first couple of matches to catch the attention of cricketing world. 

Pakistan, it may be recalled, had suffered huge setback when New Zealand, captained by Tim Latham, abruptly deserted the tour on September 13 on account of mysterious security threat and England followed suit. 

Pakistan’s preparations for the T20 World Cup were disrupted by the cancellation of both their home series and they were not being rated among the favorites for winning the trophy. But, as always, they lived to the reputation of producing the goods when least expected of them. 

They re-emerged on the horizon from nowhere to give India a heavy dose followed by teaching the Black Caps a security threat lesson by Haris Rauf with sizzling bombing of their powerful batting line up. 

However Pakistan’s match with Afghanistan remains of prime importance because of unpredictable nature of their opponents who are known and feared for performing giant-killing acts. 

Containing or getting rid of the big-hitting Hazratullah Zazai, Muhammad Shahzad and captain Muhammad Nabi early on and smart handling of top spinners Najibullah Zadran Mujeeb-ur-Rahman will also be crucial in Pakistan’s bid to progress to the knockout rounds. 

Keeping in view the confidence level and the current form of the green shirts, Pakistan appear firmly placed to retain their top place in the points table with another crushing victory on October 29.

 Pakistan’s resounding victory over India is still echoing in the nook and corner of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and everyone remained full of praise for Babar, Muhammad Rizwan, Shaheen Shah Afridi who brought to an end the supremacy of their fancied arch-rivals. 

The electronic media in particular with some former cricketers and analysts have been under fire for underestimating and even ridiculing the Pakistan team. However the Indian captain, Virat Kohli, won the hearts of cricket lovers across the globe with his sporting gesture of smiling and hugging Muhammad Rizwan who hit the winning runs. Kohli was widely hailed as a sporting giant. 

With Pakistan on song, Kane Williamson’s New Zealand team and Kohli’s India would now be left battling for second semifinal. One of these two teams is certain to be eliminated before the knockout rounds and much will depend on the fate of their clash on October 31.  

In the meantime, Australia, having never won a T20 World Cup title, brightened their chances for the semifinals when they thrashed Sri Lanka by seven wickets at Dubai International Stadium on October 28.    

The 2010 champions England stayed at the top of the points table in the Group-II with two emphatic wins, followed by Australia who have also won both their matches. Explosive left-hander David Warner returned to form with a dazzling 68 off 42 balls studded with ten fours as Australia chased down 155 for three in 17 overs. Skipper Aaron Finch smashed a rapid 37 off 23 deliveries spiced with five fours and brace of sixes. Steve Smith returned undefeated to ensure a cakewalk victory 

Earlier sent to bat, Sri Lanka were restricted to 154 for six in the allotted 20 overs. Kausal Perera and Charith Asalanka both hit 35. Leg-spinner Adam Zampa brought the Aussies on top with his spell of four overs, returning the impressive figures of two for 12 while left-arm speedster Mitchell Starc also snapped up a couple of scalps.

readmore »»