***Official*** Pakistan in Zimbabwe

[smash84]

Ajmal to Masakadza, out Bowled!! Two in two for Pakistan.This was a beauty from Ajmal, it pitched and does not turn and goes straight on, Masakadza was playing for the spin and misses it completely as his off stump is uprooted. Masakadza b Ajmal 19(52) [4s-2 6s-1]

 

[Maximas]

you can thank me for that one

 

[Maximas]

@Maximas, have to say that your avatar is the most productive man in the pakistan team so far. Made a few with the bat and now takes the first 2 wickets

still got abit of catching up to get to yours though!

 

[smash84]

well. at this point in time I really can't see Junaid finishing anywhere close to Imran by the end of his career. I wouldn't mind if he does but I really can't see it

 

[Maximas]

no I doubt it as well, good player though.

Hamilton was the key wicket for me, Zimbabwe still have a chance to get a lead or draw close to Pakistan's score though

 

[Prince EWS]

Sibanda Watsoning was very predictable. Masakadza getting a start and then getting out wasn't ideal though; really needed him to make a big score. Out of the remaining batsmen I think only Waller is anything even approaching Test standard and he's still only Zimbabwe's tenth best batsman or so, so the rest could all fall very quickly. I have more hope for a dogged Waller-Utseya partnership than anything else from here.

 

[NUFAN]

Chigumbura to chip in with a quick 14 from 12 balls too.

Such a **** of a player is Elton, bowls like a wicket keeper, bats like a number 10.

 

[Prince EWS]

Chigumbura to chip in with a quick 14 from 12 balls too.

Such a **** of a player is Elton, bowls like a wicket keeper, bats like a number 10.

I think it's been poor management and unfortunate career circumstances with him more than anything. He played so much of his early career during a time when Zimbabwe were self-exiled from Test cricket and the selectors pigeon-holed him as the explosive ODI finisher. There wasn't really much focus on trying to make him develop his First Class cricket as Zimbabwe didn't play any Tests for ages, so the good First Class numbers as he had as a really young player slowly dwindled as he tried to refine his #7 slogging (if such a thing can be done).

He actually goes through some periods when he bowls pretty well but his action is so flawed that he can turn up some days and you just know he's going to go for 8rpo as well.

One of Zimbabwe's most talented youth cricketers and he's been reduced to a clown cricketer really. That's why I would've dropped him ages ago and told him to make big runs and bat for long periods of time in the top order of his domestic side. Lack of footwork aside he has absolutely no idea how to actually build an innings which is his big problem.

 

[NUFAN]

Yeah that makes sense, I wasn't aware of his gun first class record but yeah I can imagine with good reason that he would focus on the short form games. It's funny because I always want him to do well for Zim and would absolutely love to see him score 68 (189) balls or something but it just doesn't happen. How'd he look yesterday with his 2 overs? lol

 

[NUFAN]

Really nice push down the ground from Waller for four off Ajmal. Waller looks a talented batsman, has a bit of Faf du Plessis about him (I'm in the mood of comparing batsman today).

 

[Prince EWS]

Yeah that makes sense, I wasn't aware of his gun first class record but yeah I can imagine with good reason that he would focus on the short form games

Yeah; I think it's been worse for him and Utseya because of the roles they've been pigeon-holed into - they're very much specialist limited overs cricket roles. The blokes who bat in the top order or look to take new ball wickets still have those skills transferable but for much of Chigumbura's career they've been looking for 30 (18) and some partnership breaking pies and that isn't anywhere near as transferable back to Tests as the roles Taylor, Sibanda etc had in ODIs during Zimbabwe's exile. His First Class batting average certainly isn't that great anymore but it used to be before he was asked to focus on that role.

How'd he look yesterday with his 2 overs? lol

Yeah was one of those days where you just knew he was going to bowl pies. His had falls right across and his arm really angles in so he's always had great problems with his line. Sometimes he rocks up and it comes out okay - he's quite effective to left handers when he's bowling well actually - but some days you just know it's pointless right from the start.

 

[Maximas]

2nd Test: Zimbabwe v Bangladesh at Harare, Apr 25-29, 2013 | Cricket Scorecard | ESPN Cricinfo

Elton did pretty well in the first innings of this test match with bat and ball, he has some potential IMO

 

[Flametree]

Rahat Ali looking pretty ordinary here. What's up with Pakistan's famed fast bowling stocks?

 

[NUFAN]

2nd Test: Zimbabwe v Bangladesh at Harare, Apr 25-29, 2013 | Cricket Scorecard | ESPN Cricinfo

Elton did pretty well in the first innings of this test match with bat and ball, he has some potential IMO

First innings he was on fire, second innings he reverted back to his usual self judging by the scorecard.

 

[NUFAN]

Really mature knock on debut from Raza so far and Waller has produced a gem of an innings so far. Pak need some Wahab Riaz in their XI IMO.

 

[Prince EWS]

Yeah; Raza getting to 20 has been a pleasant surprise. The fact that he's on debut and playing against his home country was always bound to make him bat in a bit more of a determined fashion than he's known for but I've been surprised his technique has allowed for it really. Waller and Hamilton were always going to be the straw-clutching hopes for a first innings lead so here's to Waller tonning up.

 

[NUFAN]

Yeah; Raza getting to 20 has been a pleasant surprise. The fact that he's on debut and playing against his home country was always bound to make him bat in a bit more of a determined fashion than he's known for but I've been surprised his technique has allowed for it really. Waller and Hamilton were always going to be the straw-clutching hopes for a first innings lead so here's to Waller tonning up.

Raza hasn't been 100 percent assured throughout his entire innings, but yeah he really has been determined as you say. Runs flowing of late, a quick check on Cricinfo sees Raza scoring 35 (32) Waller 17 (28) from the past 10 overs just from good batting.

 

[NUFAN]

Crucial wicket for Pakistan there, classic off spinners dismissal by Ajmal really. Waller = good, hopefully Razzers Raza gets to hundred on debut. Chiggers in now!

 

[flibbertyjibber]

Zimbabwe doing well so far, lead of 23 with 4 wickets left. Got to survive tonight and hope they can bat for an hour or so in the morning.

 

[Howe_zat]

Trying very hard not to get excited for Zim. Don't think this batting lineup can go for a full 5 days without getting mauled at some point.