**Official** Pakistan in Sri Lanka

[Sanz]

Well, according to sources, Malik is now injured and Afridi has been dropped.

Afridi dropped - because of poor performance or poor behavior or both ? I dont think he is going to get dropped esp after Razzaq and Malik are down. In any case I really would like to see some of the other spinners Pak have got.

 

[Armadillo]

Poor behaviour? that's the first I've heard of it in this series. Pakistan have Arshad Khan as another spinner, that's it I think.

 

[PakPowered]

Quote "Pakistan (possible) Shoaib Malik, Imran Farhat, Younis Khan, Mohammad Yousuf, Inzamam-ul-Haq (capt), Faisal Iqbal, Shahid Afridi, Kamran Akmal (wk), Umar Gul, Mohammad Asif, Danish Kaneria "


Bangladesh should fancy their chances in test match against much a noble and mighty attack, if such a team do take the field, then its clear that both Inzi and Bob don't think that bowlers have much to do in test matches.

I think the team should be like this,

Farhat
Malik
Younis
Inzi
Yousuf
Faisal
Akmal
Asif
Rao
Gul
Danish

No place for Afridi, for he has done nothing with bat and bowl in past few matches. Again this team doesn't have a brilliant attack, but then thats the best we have right now.Don't see how Pakistan can win the match (unless Asif do something special, or Danish for once proves his critics wrong in their lifetime).Forecast says that it will rain, so i think it will be another drawn match.

 

[PakPowered]

Poor behaviour? that's the first I've heard of it in this series. Pakistan have Arshad Khan as another spinner, that's it I think.

Poor performance, not poor behaviour.

If Afridi plays, Pak is then one bowler short, and considering that Afridi has been doing nothing much with the ball, its simply stupidity to stick with Afridi.

 

[PakPowered]

Poor behaviour? that's the first I've heard of it in this series. Pakistan have Arshad Khan as another spinner, that's it I think.

The selectors are of the opinion thta Arshad won't last till world cup, they actually wanted Tahir Khan and Abdur Rehman to stay in Lanka for test matches, but Inzi demanded Arshad Khan.

I don't think Arshad Khan will play, this will be his joy trip.

 

[Armadillo]

Poor performance, not poor behaviour.

If Afridi plays, Pak is then one bowler short, and considering that Afridi has been doing nothing much with the ball, its simply stupidity to stick with Afridi.

Not really, Afridi is known to be inconsistent and he could perform at any time, he's due a performance. Also there are no other allrounders with the squad.

 

[PakPowered]

Not really, Afridi is known to be inconsistent and he could perform at any time, he's due a performance. Also there are no other allrounders with the squad.

There SHOULD BE NO PLACE for bits and pieces allrounders in a test match.

Both Inzi and Bob have been heavily criticized for packing the team with allrounder, the move to drop afridi came after some former cricketers attacked the management for the bizzare approach.

Whats more important, to have a third pacer in the team, or to have a bits and pieces allrounder?? Unless you have a minimum of 2 world class spinners, you can't afford to go into a match with just two pacers.

Afridi is not totally useless, but as things stand, i don't see how he can maintain his place in the team.

 

[chipmonk]

Sri Lanka report Woolmer to ICC
April 3, 2006 - 7:09AM


Sri Lanka have filed a complaint with the International Cricket Council against Pakistan coach Bob Woolmer for interfering with the preparation of the pitch for the second Test.

Woolmer inserted a thin metal spike into the edge of the pitch at team practice and was confronted by ground authorities who claimed he had contravened ICC regulations.

Later, after a heated exchange with Sri Lanka Cricket's chief groundsman Anuruddha Polonowita, Woolmer returned to bounce a cricket ball between the popping crease and the stumps.

Polonowita, who demanded that Woolmer leave the playing square, reported the incident to ICC match referee Alan Hurst alleging Woolmer's actions had contravened ICC regulations.

© 2006 Reuters

 

[RolledOver]

Sri Lanka report Woolmer to ICC
April 3, 2006 - 7:09AM


Sri Lanka have filed a complaint with the International Cricket Council against Pakistan coach Bob Woolmer for interfering with the preparation of the pitch for the second Test.

Woolmer inserted a thin metal spike into the edge of the pitch at team practice and was confronted by ground authorities who claimed he had contravened ICC regulations.

Later, after a heated exchange with Sri Lanka Cricket's chief groundsman Anuruddha Polonowita, Woolmer returned to bounce a cricket ball between the popping crease and the stumps.

Polonowita, who demanded that Woolmer leave the playing square, reported the incident to ICC match referee Alan Hurst alleging Woolmer's actions had contravened ICC regulations.

© 2006 Reuters

I see, this time Woolmer didn't ask belly dancer Afridi to tamper the pitch, and tried to do it himself.

ICC match refree need to keep a close eye on Pak team members and its management.

 

[alternative]

Pakistan has won the toss and elected to field first..

and Sri Lanka are away with 10 for no loss after 5 overs..

 

[Jono]

Come on Sanath!

 

[alternative]

Come on Sanath!

I hope Tharanga strikes.. and How come VAAS aint playing yet..
i read in a srilankan news paper that he is available to play.. stating he was fit and so on..

unless they are making sure they don't aggrevate the injury, i don't see any other reason why he aint there..

 

[RolledOver]

Malik not playing for Pakistan, he must be injured, i wonder who will open with Farhat??

 

[alternative]

beautiful bowling by Mohammed Asif to get rid off both the openers Sanath and Jayasuriya... this will be quite interesting now..

 

[alternative]

beautiful Shots being played by the Sangakarra..

another wicket by Asif as Jayawardena prods at ball outside offstump.. to give a simple catch to slip
3 wickets to Asif now..

 

[Jono]

Its honestly scary how good Asif is already. The potential is there for him to become a truly remarkable bowler.

 

[alternative]

Its honestly scary how good Asif is already. The potential is there for him to become a truly remarkable bowler.

His confidence has been sky high especially from the india's tour to pakistan..

 

[JASON]

I see, this time Woolmer didn't ask belly dancer Afridi to tamper the pitch, and tried to do it himself.

ICC match refree need to keep a close eye on Pak team members and its management.

Seems like a storm in a Tea Cup to me !!

Obviously Woolmer has tried to get on the nerves of the curator who is himself a former Sri Lankan cricketer (not Test Cricketer- represented SL before SL got Test status) , coach and selector of repute.

 

[Xuhaib]

Its honestly scary how good Asif is already. The potential is there for him to become a truly remarkable bowler.

Today was the best i have seen him bowl. Although he bowls well most of the time but today he showed more patience and his resemblence to Glen Mcgrath (bowling wise) was quite scary.

 

[JASON]

Mohammad Asif seems to be continuing his fine bowling from the First Test onto this Test .

This First session is not too dissimilar to the first session of the first Test , except that SL seem to have 2 more wickets in hand .
3/79 at Lunch.