Pakistan ambush fear ! Pak vs Aus

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Pakistan ambush fear
By JON PIERIK

AUSTRALIAN captain Steve Waugh last night admitted he knew little about Pakistan’s mystery line-up and fears it could produce an ambush in the first Test beginning here on Thursday.

The Australians will attempt to gather as much information as possible on Pakistan’s revamped team in the lead-up to the Test but obtaining in-depth analysis on low-profile players of sub-continent teams is notoriously difficult.

**Rocked by the withdrawals of senior players Wasim Akram, Saeed Anwar, Yousuf Youhana and Inzamam-ul-Haq, Pakistani selectors have had little choice but to turn to a new generation of talent. ** :frowning:

Replacing a combined 271 games of Test experience are inexperienced openers Taufeeq Umar and Imran Farhat, middle-order batsmen Hasan Raza and Faisal Iqbal, talented young leg-spinner Danish Kaneria, fast bowler Mohammad Zahid and uncapped allrounder Rana Naved-ul-Hasan.

The seven have managed just 28 Tests while only Zahid and Iqbal have played a Test or a one-day game against Australia.

“That could mean it’s a bit more dangerous because you don’t know the other players,” Waugh said.

**"They’ve got a lot of talent. Every time you go there (Pakistan) and play in first-class cricket you’re quite amazed at the talent they’ve got there.

“I’m sure they’ll pull someone out who does very well in Test cricket without us even knowing (about him).” ** :k: :hehe:

Waugh has yet to see the wicket at the P. Saravanamuttu Stadium, the Test venue, but early indications are it will be green and bouncy and suit Australia’s pace attack of Glenn McGrath, Jason Gillespie and Brett Lee.

The captain said he would consider giving off-spinner Nathan Hauritz his first Test cap if the wicket looked anything like the sharp-turning deck the Australian one-day side encountered against Sri Lanka in Friday’s Champions Trophy semi-final.

**Experienced off-spinner Saqlain Mushtaq, regarded as one of the premier slow bowlers in the world, returns to the Pakistani team after missing recent one-day tournaments because of family problems.

Mushtaq has troubled the Australians in the past, particularly with his “doosrah” delivery, a ball that is released like a conventional off-spinner but surprises batsmen when it turns the other way. ** :k: :k: :hehe:

Australia’s struggle against the turning ball on Asian wickets were again exposed by Sri Lanka’s spinners in Friday’s semi-final.

Mushtaq, no doubt, will look to exploit this weakness.

“The other night some of the guys hadn’t had a lot of batting I don’t think and, when you come out and the ball’s turning three foot, it’s not easy,” Waugh said.

“That’s not an excuse, you’ve got to learn to play it better.”

source : Herald Sun Australia

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I simply can't wait, even though the odds are against Pakistan, like Waugh said, the talent is there but lets hope our talent can overcome their strong batsman and bowlers.
The weather doesn't look good so there might be chance of some rain.

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umair, when is the match buddy? can u post the schedule?

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Date Match Venue
==== ===== =====
October

3-7 1st Test Colombo (P.Saravanamuttu Stadium)
11-15 2nd Test Sharjah
19-23 3rd Test Sharjah

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[QUOTE]
*Originally posted by Spock: *
umair, when is the match buddy? can u post the schedule?
[/QUOTE]



Date        Match                  Venue          Time
====      =====               =====         ===== 
October

3-7         1st Test            Colombo        4:00 Am GMT
11-15     2nd Test            Sharjah
19-23     3rd Test            Sharjah

That means in USA East the match will start around 10 or 11 but 75% times Cricnfo is usually wrong but its somewhere close.

Spock and Question, will you guys be showing the matches if its on Dishnetwork.

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Can't wait for the clash! ;)

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[QUOTE]
*Originally posted by Pakistani Tiger: *
Can't wait for the clash! ;)
[/QUOTE]

The clash of the giants!!

Only that one giant has his arms and legs missing.

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Tactics comes from BRAIN not from legs and arms :slight_smile:

:smokin:

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Yeah they come from brain but eventually one has to use his arms and legs to fight the other giant! :smiley:

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You mean latoon kay bhoot batoon say nahi mantay :hehe:

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Pakistan Hopeful For Sharjah Tests

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) are hopeful that two Tests against Australia in Sharjah later this month will go ahead.

Australian batsman Ricky Ponting has expressed concerns about entering the Gulf state with the possibility of military action against nearby Iraq.

PCB director Chishty Mujahid confirmed, however, that there had been no correspondence with Australian officials over the issue.

As far as we are concerned, we have heard nothing officially from the Australian cricket board about their players having doubts over playing in Sharjah," Mujahid commented.

**"We are confident of the matches behind on held on schedule.

“Unless something flares up in the next few days to cause concern, I don’t see any problems in the matches being held in Sharjah.” **

The series between the two sides begins in Colombo on Thursday before moving on to the United Arab Emirates, with the second Test scheduled for 11 October.

Ponting had suggested on Sunday that the some members of the team had been alarmed at the current situation in the Gulf.

“I suppose you do get a bit worried when you sit back and see some of the news that’s coming on the television over here,” he said

Australia pulled out of a tour to Zimbabwe earlier this year because of worries about the safety of their team.

Pakistan, meanwhile, claim they have lost £16m following the cancellation of various tours and claims for compensation have so far been turned down by the International Cricket Council.

But a proposal to allow countries requiring financial assistance to borrow against future revenues is to be discussed at an ICC meeting in Colombo this week.

“Financially we are already struggling because of being forced to shift the series to neutral venues,” Mujahid confirmed.

**“We are lucky to have got a title sponsor for this series but we really can’t afford any more changes in our plans.” **

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Australian Skipper Uncertain About Pakistan’s New Faces

COLOMBO, Sept 30: Australian Test captain Steve Waugh is not entirely sure whether he will know some of the players who turn out for Pakistan in the first cricket Test starting Thursday.

Pakistan has been hit by withdrawals and injuries to senior players while others have been dumped, meaning a bevy of young and unproven Pakistanis will take on the world champion in the first of three Tests at neutral venues.

“I’m not even sure who’s in their team to tell you the truth,” Waugh said.

**"The young Pakistani players have got a lot of talent and I’m sure they’ll pull out someone who does very well at Test cricket without us even knowing about them.

“With other countries you know what you’re going to get but with Pakistan, half the time they don’t even know what they’ve got.” **

The changes include openers Imran Farhat and Taufiq Umar, middle-order batsmen Hasan Raza and Faisal Iqbal, leg-spinner Danish Kaneria and fast bowler Mohammad Zahid, who have all played for Pakistan in Tests or One-day Internationals.

Those six have played only 28 Tests between them. Uncapped allrounder Rana Naveed-ul-Hasan also makes the squad.

Waugh said the injuries to middle-order batsmen Inzamam-ul-Haq and Yousuf Youhana were a big blow.

"Inzamam’s a big loss, particularly on the flat, low Sharjah wickets where he likes to dominate.

**“And Youhana’s probably one of their better batters as well so that leaves a big hole in their batting.” ** :teary3:

Waugh said Australia’s line-up had not been discussed but said the pitch conditions would dictate whether young Queenslander Nathan Hauritz played his first Test.

**“I think you’d have to consider two spinners if the wicket’s like it was for the (Champions Trophy) semifinal the other night, you’d be silly not to look at it - but the word is the Test wicket will have a bit of grass on it.” **

**Mark needs runs **

SYDNEY: Veteran batsman Mark Waugh has conceded he needs to start scoring some centuries if he is to hold on to his cherished place in the Australian Test team.

The 37-year-old senior batsman is under pressure to hold on to his place in the Test side after he and his twin brother, Steve, were dropped from the national one-day squad this year.

“Yeah, I think I need runs,” Waugh told Australian Associated Press in Colombo on Monday ahead of Australia’s first Test against Pakistan that begins there this week.

**"Last summer I made a lot of 30s and 40s and realistically I need to make 100s or 70s and 80s so, yeah, I think I’ve got to make some runs.

“But I’m not putting any more pressure on myself than normal, I’m just going to go out there and enjoy it and whatever happens, happens.” **

The series against Pakistan, which is being played in Sri Lanka and the United Arab Emirates because of security fears in Pakistan, precedes a five-Test Ashes series with England at home starting in November.

Waugh said he had felt some pressure over the past couple of years, but will try to avoid negative thoughts before the Pakistan Test series, which starts on Thursday.

“Before the game is when you’ve got time to think, especially in a place like this where there’s not a lot a do - you just try to have think positively,” he said.

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*Waqar speaks out on Australian series prospects
*Pakistan Cricket Board - 1 October 2002 **

Pakistan captain Waqar Younis Tuesday pinned hopes on his young guns and dismissed impressions that it would be a one-sided test series against Australia.

"The young boys which we have here are talented and probably the best available. Naturally, any captain would feel uncomfortable going into a test series without experienced players, but I have complete confidence in the abilities of these youngsters," Waqar said from Colombo over telephone.

Pakistan have included Taufeeq Umer, Imran Farhat, Hasan Raza, Faisal Iqbal, Naved-ul-Hasan, Danish Kaneria and Mohammad Zahid in the absence of Wasim Akram, Inzamam-ul-Haq, Yousuf Youhana, Shahid Afridi and Saeed Anwar for the series starting at Colombo from Thursday.

"I believe this is the best opportunity for these youngsters to rise to the occasion and prove their mettle. I believe this is a lifetime opportunity because a good performance against Australia will do a world of good to the confidence and morale to these players. The chance is there and its open but it is entirely up to the players to grab it."

"I agree the Australia are a formidable team but this Pakistan team is also well focused and training hard for the upcoming games. I know that the people have completely ruled us out but I have been member of Pakistan teams that has won games against all odds or when the chips were down."

"I don't see why we can't turn things around this time also. But yes, this is going to be hard series and we will have to play out of our skins."

"I am not afraid of losing because it is part of the game. The team has not done well recently but we are hoping that we would be able to change things. Here, I must appreciate my team. It is emerging as a well-knit squad, the boys are helping and motivating each other. They look committed and purposeful and I don't see any reason why we can't produce good results."

The second test will be played at Sharjah from Oct 11 while the third will also start at Sharjah from Oct 19. The series was shifted to neutral venue because of security concerns.

Samiul Hasan
G.M. Media
October 1, 2002

© PCB

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http://www-usa.cricket.org/link_to_database/ARCHIVE/CRICKET_NEWS/2002/OCT/070588_CI_01OCT2002.html

Pakistan cricket board says no more neutral venues

Pakistan have refused to play cricket at neutral venues again, complaining that the financial losses are too great at the ICC executive meeting at Colombo on Tuesday.

Pakistan cricket has lost an estimated $11 million in cancelled tours after the US invasion of Afghanistan last year that destabilised the entire region.

Earlier in the year West Indies refused to tour, forcing the series to be relocated to Sharjah. Australia’s scheduled three-Test tour this month is also to be played overseas, split between Sharjah and Colombo.

ICC chief executive Malcolm Speed said: “General Zia said that this would be the last tour that Pakistan agrees to play at a neutral venue – that does not work for Pakistan. The revenue that is lost by playing at a neutral venue is significant.”

Moreover, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chief, General Tauquir Zia, insisted that the International Cricket Council (ICC) impose financial penalties on countries that refuse to tour because of political reasons.

“Pakistan quite correctly is very concerned about the volume of cricket that it is playing at home and General Zia argued very strongly that there should be some changes made to accommodate Pakistan’s position,” said Speed.

"Their primary concern was the inability of Pakistan and India to play each other and the loss of revenue from that, especially considering the fact that they are due to play each other three times in the next six years.

"He has asked the ICC to look at the agreement that sits around the ICC ten-year program and try to try to come up with two major mechanisms.

"Firstly - similar to what is happening to Zimbabwe - to have a standing safety commission that can go into a country and make a judgment as to whether it is safe to play there.

"Secondly, to draw a distinction between safety and politics and be in a position to impose penalties where the refusal of players is for political reasons.

"No one has a problem with the safety, we are though wrestling with the political issue, which is a difficult issue and management has been given the task of going away and coming back with a draft document that will address these issues.

“It might not be Pakistan and India that have the problem next time, and we want a long-term solution,” he concluded

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Soon as Ehsan Mani takes over ICC after the World Cup, I think alot of things will go Pakistan's way.
Countries refusing to play for non security reasons like India should be punished heavily for refusing to tour their designated countries.
It would be even better if things settled down in Pakistan and ICC might hold another multi nation tournament kind of like Champions Trophy in Pakistan.
Very good decision by Tauqir Zia, neutral countries should only host One Day events and tests should be left for only home teams to host.