to very good warm up matches and we’re are coming closer and closer to the first test which begins 13th of july. What a tour this will be. Pakistan hoping to do what they did last winter and England are trying to get in form. I sides are equal in my opinion both were and still are good sides.
can everyone post the latest news they got about the england series here so that we dont have to open seperate threads…we’re saving trees that way
Woolmer sharpens Pakistan’s focus
Pakistan are determined to capitalise on England’s injury problems in the forthcoming Test series.
England go into the series in urgent need of a lift after a 5-0 whitewash in the one-dayers against Sri Lanka.
"If England’s inexperienced bowlers don’t come right, it’s an advantage - but we can’t expect that to happen.
“Test cricket is a very different ball game. Lord’s, big crowd, people lift their game in those situations,” said Pakistan coach Bob Woolmer.
Pakistan have not lost a Test since May 2005 and beat England 2-0 on home soil at the end of last year.
But Woolmer told BBC Sport: "We need to recognise that what’s past is past and we have to concentrate and focus on what we’re doing at the time.
“It’s always nice to win series but we have to put those away at the time and carry on playing good cricket.”
Pakistan have injury problems of their own with Shoaib Akhtar still recovering from a stress fracture in his ankle and Rona Naved-ul-Hasan hampered in his preparations by a groin problem.
Woolmer said he would have a better idea of whether Naved would be fit for the first Test at the end of the week. "Rana’s condition is not quite as serious as we thought it originally. He’s going through a series of fitness tests every day and is responding nicely. “He’s bowled (in the nests) and is pain-free, but it’s only off a short run-up. It’s when he has to run in and put some effort in that we’ll see what’s happening,” he added.
How are you all? It will be interested to watch Pakistan vs England matches InshaAllah. Please tell me, I have ordered "ATN" and "ARY" channel few days ago. Will the matches be shown any of among those channels?
Our batting has improved a lot Alhumdullillah. Look at our batsmen, they are in such a great form including
Imran Farhat (strong batting skills)
Salman Butt (plays well in his form)
Shoaib Malik (most consistent batsman)
Younis Khan (hero of the test matches)
Mohammed Yusuf (can make partnership with any batsman)
Inzamam Ul Haq (can singly handle the game)
Kamran Akmal (can play in the pressure)
Abdul Razzaq (got hitting skills)
We just need to work on our bowling. Why do we use Afridi and Malik with combine those two as a special spinners? We need a specialist spinner like Kaneria, Saqlain and Mushtaq. Afridi and Malik are not talented spinner, they are just like our part-time spinners. They cannot become equal to our talented spinners. Therefore, we need atleast our 5 bowlers. We need bowlers and bowlers now. Shoaib Akhtar was our best test bowler, along with Danish Kaneria. These two bowlers have been into a great form in test matches. They are to be called match winners of our team. Now Shoaib Akhtar has terminated playing for a while due to his injury. Which bowler can take a place of Shoaib Akhtar? Even Shahid Nazir cannot make a difference. The only new best bowler we have found is Mohammed Asif, let's hope he does well in the test matches InshaAllah and the rest of bowlers too. Rana hasn't produce best results in test matches as compared to ODI matches.
Strauss named as England captain
Cricinfo staff
July 4, 2006
Andrew Strauss has been appointed as England's captain for the first Test against Pakistan at Lord's next week.
Strauss, who led the one-day side to a 5-0 drubbing in the recent series against Sri Lanka, is not, however, a long-term appointment. He is set to hand the reins back to Andrew Flintoff, who captained England in their two most recent Test series against Sri Lanka and India, as soon as Flintoff has recovered from an ankle injury.
And so another stand-in stands in for England's Ashes captain, Michael Vaughan, whose career is slipping ever closer to an untimely end. First there was Marcus Trescothick, who fled the tour of India in mysterious circumstances, then there was Flintoff. And now Strauss.
"We are fortunate to have a very capable deputy available in Andrew Strauss and he will continue to lead the Test side in Andrew Flintoff's absence," said England's chairman of selectors, David Graveney. "Andrew Flintoff will have his ankle re-assessed in the next few days and we will have a clearer idea then of when he will be able to return to the team and take over the captaincy."
The situation is bizarrely reminiscent to the debacle that England faced in the summer of 2001, when Nasser Hussain suffered a fractured finger and of his ten remaining team-mates, only the irrepressible Darren Gough expressed an interest in leading the team out at Lord's. The job eventually fell to the reluctant former skipper, Mike Atherton, and the end result was another crushing defeat.
Strauss did, however, express his enthusiasm at picking up the poisoned chalice, as he becomes the fifth England captain in eight Tests at Lord's: "It will be a great honour to captain England in a Test Match for the first time," he said, "and to lead the team out at Lord's will be a special moment for me.
"I fully respect the decision the selectors have taken and will be happy to play under Andrew's captaincy," he added. "He proved to be an inspirational captain in the Test series in India and everyone in the dressing-room is hoping that he can make a speedy return to the side."
England will be missing Michael Vaughan, Simon Jones and Andrew Flintoff (probably). Without these 3 main players, there would be no fun playing against England. These three main players make a stronger team. I hope you all think the same too.
Forget Simon Jones and Vaughan, I don’t think they are interested in playing any country/series other than Ashes as they are turned to ashes when playing aginst any other series/country
Imran Farhat (strong batting skills)
Salman Butt (plays well in his form)
Shoaib Malik (most consistent batsman)
Younis Khan (hero of the test matches)
Mohammed Yusuf (can make partnership with any batsman)
Inzamam Ul Haq (can singly handle the game)
Kamran Akmal (can play in the pressure)
Abdul Razzaq (got hitting skills)
Rao Iftikhar, Mohammad Sami and Arshad Khan had to be fitted in there somewhere, yes?
I will just have myself a go here.
** Rao Iftikhar** (The greatest pace bowler to step foot on the boundaries of this earth since Wasim/Waqar era)
** Mohammad Sami** (The long-lost father of McGrath, Pollock and Imran Khan combined)
** Arshad Khan** (Currently enjoying the prime form of his life, Arshad Khan has surpassed Warne in all abilities, including those off-the-field activities. The spin that his delivery generates is much greater than any number of degrees Warne has exemplified before, including the supposed 'ball of the century', as it was termed by many. Arshad Khan has taken Pakistan to many victories, and the statistics will scream at you for saying otherwise. Arshad Khan is a proven and tested match-winning formula for Pakistan which has been working wonders for many years now. A heap of domestic matches plus the international matches have been won because Arshad maintained a very very tight line and length and didn't allow the ball to be hit anywhere inside the boundaries of the ground. The camera crew was put on high alert at all times during his bowling stunts. The word "aerial" comes to mind right about now.)
Rao Iftikhar (The greatest pace bowler to step foot on the boundaries of this earth since Wasim/Waqar era)
Mohammad Sami (The long-lost father of McGrath, Pollock and Imran Khan combined)
Arshad Khan (Currently enjoying the prime form of his life, Arshad Khan has surpassed Warne in all abilities, including those off-the-field activities. The spin that his delivery generates is much greater than any number of degrees Warne has exemplified before, including the supposed 'ball of the century', as it was termed by many. Arshad Khan has taken Pakistan to many victories, and the statistics will scream at you for saying otherwise. Arshad Khan is a proven and tested match-winning formula for Pakistan which has been working wonders for many years now. A heap of domestic matches plus the international matches have been won because Arshad maintained a very very tight line and length and didn't allow the ball to be hit anywhere inside the boundaries of the ground. The camera crew was put on high alert at all times during his bowling stunts. The word "aerial" comes to mind right about now.)
Brother, I was talking about our strong batting abilities that each player has. Arshad Khan can bowl great but he has no near skills as to Kaneria, Saqlain and Mushtaq. He doesn't spin more, but he is a fine ODI bowler. Now he is too old and he works in a bank. Therefore, the cricket career ends for him. Mohammed Sami needs to work on his form, sometimes he is hype and sometimes he is not accurate. He needs to be more accurate. Rao Ifhtikhar is a fine bowler. He has ability to swing the ball, but he needs to pace up his bowling to become aggressive bowler.
Sorry Captain1 bhai and Dhobi_bhai. I didn't read description of 3 players deeply. I thought Dhobi_bhai was positive with all the players. Captain1, if you wish to delete my previous post, you are welcome to.
May anyone please answer this question please since I am asking this second time. Is "ATN" or "ARY" broadcasting any cricket match? I ordered these channels few days ago. I have no idea of of those channels regarding showing any cricket match. Do they atleast show highlights? Image if paklinks broadcast cricket matches, then our Khail Khilari section can be bright.
ARY won’t be showing it. Dishnetwork PPV is covering the series in US.
ATN probably is a Canadian channel which is not shown over here in US. However, I think they are going to show the series in Canada since it is there on their website. http://www.asiantelevision.com/cricket.htm
Brother 9 days are not far away. Well, none of those two channels that I have listed above are showing then I will not be watching cricket unless it is for free. I cannot pay because I do not have any paypal accounts online.
Very nice article ^^ :k:
nicely summarized to the weakness and positive points of both the teams, simply put difference between losing and winning a test and ODI series.
Rock_Express, great article. Thanks for sharing. It will be a close series and the teams that plays with passion and commitment will win it all. There is alot at stake and no one has the advantage.
Flintoff is the key for England, if he finds his form, with both bat and bowl, England will be in a very good position. Also, Kevin Pieterson along with Micheal Hoggard can play the supporting roles.
Inzimam-ul-Haq for Pakistan. Like the article says, it is his farewell and Inzi relishes these moments. It will be a historic series for sure. For Pakistan, its all about form and consistency, and if our players find it, we are good to go.
The England selectors are waiting for a report on Matthew Hoggard after he needed two stitches in his right hand.
Team-mate Tim Bresnan trod on Hoggard’s hand during an exercise session on the third morning of the England A match against Pakistan at Canterbury.
He was cut on the palm below his thumb and taken to to hospital for treatment.
Hoggard later returned to the ground with his hand bandaged and is not expected to bowl during the remainder of the game.
England take on Pakistan in the first Test of a four-match series at Lord’s on Thursday and losing Hoggard would be a major blow.
He passed 200 Test wickets during the recent series against Sri Lanka and is currently fifth in the LG ICC Test bowler rankings, with only Muttiah Muralitharan, Makhaya Ntini, Shane Warne and Glenn McGrath ahead of him. England’s seam bowling options for Lord’s are already limited because of injuries to Andrew Flintoff (ankle), Simon Jones (knee) and James Anderson (back).
thora sa sabar karey 