< 1 minute read By going away, not updating the site properly and then doing a half-arsed round-up post on a Monday morning, even though we don’t really know what happened because we weren’t actually paying any attention. Pakistan won a one-day series against India We did actually watch some of this. And by
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Pakistan’s spin bowling all-rounders exploit a weakness and the Twenty20 format
< 1 minute read Australia faced two overs of pace bowling during their defeat today. Pakistan captain Mohammad Hafeez saw that it was not broke and therefore declined the opportunity to attempt repairs. It’s interesting how a very specific batting weakness can be exploited in Twenty20. If spin causes some damage, the incoming batsmen
Continue readingKamran Akmal’s back
< 1 minute read As in ‘returned’. He hasn’t got ankylosing spondylitis or anything. Or has he? Actually, that would explain a lot. Lack of core mobility would probably have an impact on catching ability and could potentially give rise to the level of pan-handed buffoonery exhibited by Kamran Akmal. Actually, on second thoughts,
Continue readingDoes anyone know what a back yard is?
< 1 minute read Samit Patel said of playing Pakistan: “It would be a great achievement to beat them 4-0 in their own backyard.” Yes, it would, considering you’re in the Middle East. There seems to be an issue defining ‘back yard’. Kevin Pietersen used the same term last week. As a rule of
Continue readingWhy we enjoyed England being thrashed by Pakistan
2 minute read What about Pakistan, eh? Talk about feisty. They’ve just won a Test match after being bowled out for 99 on the first day. That’s exceptional. Pakistan seem a really hard team. They’re not too flashy; not too dynamic with the bat; but they fight like a sack of drunk badgers.
Continue readingAzhar Ali has a long way to go and a long time to get there
< 1 minute read If Azhar Ali knows that speed equals distance over time, it doesn’t unduly concern him. This is a batsman who will not be rushed. With a train to catch in ten minutes’ time and the station five minutes from his house, Azhar’s sitting in his dressing gown with a cup
Continue readingFreaky Friday for England and Pakistan
< 1 minute read England and Pakistan seem to have swapped identities at some point in the recent past. Pakistan are all obdurate and professional, while England try to make up for their catastrophic batting with ever more spectacular bowling efforts. There’s a limit to what the poor bowlers will be able to achieve
Continue readingMohsin Khan’s dad qualities
< 1 minute read Pakistan had a job to do, but most of the players were just dicking about. Umar Gul was ragging round on his BMX, Mohammad Hafeez was telling naughty jokes and Kamran Akmal was skulking in the shrubbery, encouraging his brothers to smoke cigarettes. Misbah-ul-Haq was trying to get everybody to
Continue readingEngland’s batsmen and spin in the fourth innings
2 minute read England’s second innings batting card looks a bit binary code, but the truth is they weren’t qualified for this job. The batsman v bowler duel generally favours the batsman, but the balance can shift towards the bowler due to the pitch, the weather and the match situation. In Abu Dhabi,
Continue readingPakistan secure narrow win over England
< 1 minute read Pakistan held their nerve throughout a challenging 15-run chase on a mostly lifeless day three pitch and secured a narrow 10-wicket win over a thoroughly professional England side. England kept it tight and the pressure built, but with one eye on the clock, Mohammad Hafeez and Taufeeq Umar timed their
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