**Official** Pakistan and Sri Lanka in UAE

[smash84]

Good old fashioned Test cricket played out today. Pakistan remained patient in the face of some good disciplined SL bowling. Suranga Lakmal the pick for me, got some shape through the air and the odd one did just enough off the pitch, but his areas were most impressive. Very unlucky to end the day wicketless, not very often Mahela will drop such a straightforward chance at second slip.

One area of concern for SL should be the performance of Rangana Herath. Looking less likely to get the breakthorugh than the part-timer Dilshan, who got the odd one to really rip. Herath got little out of the wicket and while remaining economical, SL will hope he has more impact as the Test goes on.

While credit should be given to SL for the way they bowled, I always think whether conditions were such that the batting side could not be a little more proactive and put some pressure back on the bowlers. I'm all for digging in and making a big score and ensuring you do not give your wicket away, but again the innings in general looked very one paced on a pitch that looked comfortable to bat on and there has to be a balance. Pakistan have got themselves into a very good position, and Azhar Ali did a fantastic job in reaching his first Test century. Looks an excellent prospect.

I was all in favour of Umar Akmal learning more about his trade back in domestic cricket, and his form has been outstanding, but I'm sure they will be eager to get him back into this side as he adds some positivity and urgency, aswell as being supremely talented. Cannot imagine he would have let Herath retain such economical figures despite barely getting a ball to turn.

Pakistan definitely in the box seat, another good day tomorrow will once again leave SL having to bat in the second innings to save their skins for the second time in the series. Suppose with Sanga in this kind of form, you wouldn't bet against him sticking to his side of the bargain.

great summary from Woodster yet again.

Mate CW would be poorer without you. And you should post more often

 

[r3alist]

Attacking instincts are only good with decent shot selection. Akmal is not there yet.

I think people expect change too quickly, this team will still carry a lot of scars in it's collective psyche, ansld it's full of young inexperienced guys, I can see why they don't free their arms, but I also hope they muster the balls to do it and take that leap in confidence, the ability is there, it just needs time, and realistic expectations.

 

[smash84]

awta.

Akmal has a spine but no brains. Misbah seems to have a brain but no spine. I think we need a good combo of both somewhere down the line

 

[Woodster]

great summary from Woodster yet again.

Mate CW would be poorer without you. And you should post more often

Ha ha, you're so kind. Thanks. I do try and get on as frequently as possible.

Attacking instincts are only good with decent shot selection. Akmal is not there yet.

I think people expect change too quickly, this team will still carry a lot of scars in it's collective psyche, ansld it's full of young inexperienced guys, I can see why they don't free their arms, but I also hope they muster the balls to do it and take that leap in confidence, the ability is there, it just needs time, and realistic expectations.

awta.

Akmal has a spine but no brains. Misbah seems to have a brain but no spine. I think we need a good combo of both somewhere down the line

Agree with both of you on the Akmal issue and I'm not suggesting Pakistan turn straight back to him. I think they're aware of how important he will be in the future, and it could do more harm than good by rushing his selection back into the side, though it would not necessarily come as a great surprise.

Akmal needed to go back to domestic cricket and learn how to play long innings, how to build an innings. Some of his dismissals in Test cricket have been thoroughly frustrating because he can just gift his wicket away, yet it is important he retains his positive instinct, it's just knowing when to attack and when to sit in and be more patient.

 

[r3alist]

But the kid has a future ahead of him, no doubt about it.

Except it depends in how quickly he can mentally mature, and also will a large akmal presence in the Pakistan camp end up having an insidious influence?

It's a hard one to weigh up, I quite liked him being dropped and told to mature, a good move by team management, and I don't say that often.

 

[smash84]

the problem with Pakistan is that once you are out of sight you are out of mind i.e. once you are dropped from the national squad it becomes very difficult to get back in. More so than other places I think

 

[Woodster]

Perhaps if Akmal is made to work exceptionally hard to regain his place in the side, it won't be a bad thing. May make him grow up and realise his responsibilities when he returns and not take his place in the side for granted.

 

[r3alist]

I think that's the logic, I think.

 

[Howe_zat]

the problem with Pakistan is that once you are out of sight you are out of mind i.e. once you are dropped from the national squad it becomes very difficult to get back in. More so than other places I think

 

[smash84]

lol.......I forgot to add unless you have the right links in the board

 

[Prince EWS]

the problem with Pakistan is that once you are out of sight you are out of mind i.e. once you are dropped from the national squad it becomes very difficult to get back in. More so than other places I think

I actually reckon this is less true with Pakistan than basically every other nation. Massive revolving door policy in general.

 

[ganeshran]

Actually in Pakistan cricket, you never know when you will be back. Taufeeq Umar, Imran Farhat, Malik all seemed to be out of the side for good. Lo and Behold, all are back in the space of 2 series.

 

[smash84]

hmmm........you guys might be right actually.maybe I should say that your return is the most unpredictable once you are out of the pakistan side......you might not get selected for years and then return as captain of the national side

 

[Agent Nationaux]

Pakistanis are generally more emotional.

 

[Agent Nationaux]

Who would you guys have for Misbah and Younis's replacements in the future. For me Fawad for Younis and Umar Akmal for Misbah.

 

[Xuhaib]

I am confused. Is Lanka playing poorly, or Pakistan playing well, or both?

is that a nice way of saying Pakistan is ****?

 

[Xuhaib]

Pakistan badly needs an enforcer in its middle order. Azhar, Misbah & YK are all solid but they don't have the ability of hurting the opposition someone playing the KP role will add a lot to this batting line up.

 

[salman85]

Weren't you the one constantly whining about our fragile battingline?And now that the batting line has achieved some amount of credibility in the last two matches,you want an enforcer?

What exactly makes you happy?Scoring 1500 runs in an innings at a run-rate of 6/over and getting the opposition out for 10 runs in an innings with their run rate 0.5/over?

 

[Xuhaib]

Weren't you the one constantly whining about our fragile battingline?And now that the batting line has achieved some amount of credibility in the last two matches,you want an enforcer?

What exactly makes you happy?Scoring 1500 runs in an innings at a run-rate of 6/over and getting the opposition out for 10 runs in an innings with their run rate 0.5/over?

Its a case of continuous improvement my friend.

Take an example of 80's Australia They were completely on the rocks the resurgence started withe steady batsman like Border, Steve Waugh, Geoff Marsh once there was stability in the side they did not sit back on the same formula they brought in flashy stroke players like Mark Waugh, Ricky Ponting and others the whole process turned them in to a world beating side.

Yes our batting has improved a lot in the last 12 months however that does not mean there is no room for improvement an agressive middle order batsman with Misbah,Younis and Azhar will be an ideal foil for this side.

 

[Himannv]

What exactly makes you happy?Scoring 1500 runs in an innings at a run-rate of 6/over and getting the opposition out for 10 runs in an innings with their run rate 0.5/over?

That would make anyone happy tbh.