England s test tour of Pakistan

 

England have begun their tour of Pakistan on a fantastic note by winning the Rawalpindi test by 74 runs margin .England's win was even more remarkable as they scored at a rate of more than six runs an over in both their innings and their bowlers did a fantastic  job to bowl Pakistan out twice on a flat pitch.

Pakistan didn't get their bowling attack right as they played with inexperienced bowlers. Pakistan handed out debuts to three bowlers namely Haris Rauf, Zahid Mahmood and Mohammad Ali.  No wonder England piled up mammoth total of 657 runs in their first innings.

In the end I  would like to say that England  has a modern approach to test cricket as they score with a run rate of 6 runs an over and their strike rates is much above Pakistani batsmen who play old fashioned cricket. If Pakistani curators prepare huge turning tracks then I hope Pakistan is able to make a comeback in Multan and Karachi test matches.

Pakistan has reached the Semi Finals of the Twenty20 World Cup 2022

The miracle has happened as miraculously for Pakistan the Netherlands defeated South Africa which means Pakistan has qualified  for the semi finals twice in two Twenty20 World Cups. South Africa are chokers and the chokers tag suits them. 

Against Bangladesh which was a virtual quarter final for Pakistan   Babar Azam and Muhammad Rizwan finally found some form with a 57 run opening partnership. Shaheen Afridi has  also returned to full form and fitness and that is looking like a good omen for Pakistan.

In the end I would like to say that Pakistan is looking good with the middle order looking good and having a formidable bowling line up. This Twenty20 World Cup 2022 in Australia looks like the 1992 World Cup which  also was held in Australia for Pakistan. Well I hope that comes true as I wish Pakistan to win the 2022 Twenty20 World Cup.

Pakistan knocked out of of Twenty20 World cup 2022

 Pakistan in all probability have been knocked out of Twenty20 World cup 2022 in the super 12s. South Africa will most probably beat Netherlands and India in all probability will beat Zimbabwe in their last super 12 matches.

I can't understand Pakistan cricket team that how can they defeat a strong team like South Africa and lose to a minnow team like.     Zimbabwe. To me Pakistan couldn't recover from the shock defeat to India in their earlier match when Virat Kohli stole the match from Pakistan's grasp. That shock defeat resulted in Pakistan's failure to win against Zimbabwe.

In the end I would like to say had luck gone in Pakistan s favour against India and Zimbabwe, Pakistan would have qualified for the semi finals in the Twenty20 World cup 2022 in Australia.

Review of Pakistan vs England T20 series 2022

 

Pakistan's performance in their home series was not that good as they lost the series  3-4 to England.. Their performance in the last two matches was pathetic to say the least as England defeated them like school boys and they were very one sided contests. If Mohammed Rizwan and Babar Azam dont perform as openers they are doomed for a low score. Pakistan's middle order is a cause  of big concern.

   The middle order batsmen comprising of batsman like Iftikhar Ahmed, Khushdil Shah and  Asif Ali always lets the team down.  They not only score few runs but when they do score they score these runs with a pathetic strike rate. 

  Shan Masood did well at number 3 or 4 in the batting order scoring two fifties.in the series. He is one batsman who is consistent and provides the middle order with much stability. I think Fakhar Zaman should be in the team as he is the only reliable power hitter in the team. 

In the end I would like to say Pakistan did well in the series uptill the fifth match in the series but their performance in the last two matches was not upto the mark. If their middle order starts clicking the Pakistan team will be hard to beat.

England's tour of Pakistan

 

England's tour of Pakistan is a welcome return of international cricket in Pakistan. Now Pakistan is no longer a no-go zone in cricketing world and we no longer have to depend on neutral venues like the UAE for our home matches.

England start as clear favourites over Pakistan in this home series of 7 matches played in Karachi and Lahore. England have got great strikers and clean hittters in their batting line up whereas Pakistan only have Asif Ali who can really hit the ball hard. Asif Ali is not dependable as was seen in his performances in Asia Cup. Pakistan have included Shan Masood who will give stability in the middle order.

Pakistan  once again depend a lot on the opening pair of Mohammad Rizwan and Babar Azam. Of which Babar Azam is in poor form as indicated by his performance in Asia Cup. Things are looking gloomy for Pakistan with Babar Azam not in good form and Shaheen Afridi absent due to Injury.

In the end I would like to say with England winning the last Twenty20 series 2-1 in 2021 against Pakistan. England are the clear favourites over Pakistan in this series too.

Pakistan's performance in Asia Cup 2022

a 

Pakistan's performance in Asia Cup was good as they reached the final of Asia Cup 2022.  This was Pakistan's best performance in Asia Cup since  the  2014  Asia Cup as they were runners up in 2022 Asia Cup. In 2016 Asia Cup they failed to go beyond first round and in 2018 Asia Cup they were eliminated in super four losing to India and Bangladesh.

Pakistan won after a good chase in the super four clash against India. Against Afghanistan they faltered chasing a target of 130 which was modest by any means. They were reduced to 118 for 9 at                          one stage before Naseem Shah struck two sixes to rescue Pakistan and become a national hero.           Pakistan defeated Afghanistan by just one wicket in the super four to reach the final of the tournament.

Pakistan were  unlucky  in the final that Fakhar Zaman got out early as he is one batsman who scores his runs quickly. He is the only clean striker and hitter in the Pakistani  batting line up.

Overall I would say that Pakistan did pretty well in the tournament as they defeated arch rivals India on the route to the final against Sri Lanka. Had Pakistan restricted Sri Lanka  to a modest total  of 130 or 140 runs after restricting them to 68 for 5 at one stage Pakistan would have probably won the tournament.                                                   

Asia Cup 2022

Pakistan I am afraid are not the favourites for the Asia  Cup 2022. 

            

                     India on the otherhand look like a strong contender for Asia  Cup.     India have a very strong batting line up  with several star players playing.     Their bowling is very tight showing variation.                   They look like a good all round team.   The Indian team is currently in     great form  and they just dont rely on one or two players.   

Whereas Pakistan cricket team relies on Mohammad Rizwan and  Babar Azam opening pair a lot. If one of them get out Pakistan is doomed for a low total/ Shaheen Afridi is also not playing in Asia cup due to  injury    Shaheen Afridis absence is a big blow as he is one bowler   who gets the main batsmen in opposition out.   The rest of Pakistan's bowling is ordinary.

In the end I predict Pakistan to reach atleast  the Final of Asia Cup as Pakistan is pretty good twenty20 side and the rest of the opposition that is Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Afghanistan are not that strong.