Pakistan VS South Africa - ODI series.

LahoriMunda · September 28, 2003, 8:48pm




September 29   -  Arrival in Lahore
   October 1      -  Practice one-day game in Lahore
   October 3      -  First one-day international in Lahore
   October 5      -  Second one-day international in Lahore
   October 7      -  Third one-day international in Faisalabad
   October 10     -  Fourth one-day international in Rawalpindi
   October 12     -  Fifth one-day international in Rawalpindi
   October 17-21  -  First Test in Lahore
   October 24-28  -  Second Test in Faisalabad

“All the matches in the new programme are distributed in Lahore, Rawalpindi and Faisalabad,” said Rameez Raja, the PCB chief executive. “We felt sorry for the people of Karachi and Peshawar, but the decision is taken to save the tour.”

LahoriMunda · September 28, 2003, 8:50pm

**South Africa depart for Pakistan tour **

Telford Vice - September 28, 2003

There’s no turning back now for South Africa, as they finally flew out of Johannesburg to begin their delayed tour of Pakistan. They were meant to have left a week ago, but a bomb blast in Karachi temporarily derailed the tour a day before the squad’s scheduled departure.

The Pakistanis hastily offered a revised itinerary from which the perceived hotspots of Karachi and Peshawar had been removed. The three originally scheduled Test matches became two, and three one-day internationals became five.

The United Cricket Board (UCB) accepted plan B, and **the tour was back on, only for the alarm bells to be set ringing once more on Saturday in the wake of a bomb that exploded aboard a Karachi bus and wounded 13 people.

But the squad assembled in Johannesburg on Sunday morning, and jetted out at 12.15pm (GMT). Crucial to their departure, it seems, is the presence in Pakistan of UCB commercial director Ian Smith and police security expert Ben van Deventer, who were members of the delegation that visited the country two weeks ago to assess safety. **

“We’ve contacted our security people in Lahore, and reassurances have been given for our safety,” Gerald de Kock, the UCB’s media manager, told Wisden CricInfo before the squad’s departure on Sunday. “The players have accepted it. They were part of a conference call we had this morning with Ian Smith and Ben van Deventer.”

The chief executive of the South African Cricketers’ Association, Tony Irish, echoed De Kock’s comments. **“The security guys are over there, they say it’s safe and we have to put our trust in them.” **

The South Africans have been promised presidential security by the Pakistanis. That should help set their minds at ease, but it will add to the strain of a tour that, even without added complications, is invariably among the more difficult on the international circuit.

“It will undoubtedly be a challenging tour,” said Irish. “But this is a bold side and I think that’s how they will approach it.”

TomSawyer · September 28, 2003, 8:54pm

What do you think the odi result be? Barring unforeseen circumstances I'd say 3:2 pakistan

LahoriMunda · September 28, 2003, 9:12pm

To be honest I think it would take a lot from Pakistan to overcome the South Africans. I think ever since they refused to come to Pakistan people have been thinking emotionally about us kicking South African's ass. Although after the world cup they dropped some players too and started somewhat of a rebuilding process but they still have a lot of established players in their side. We have a young and immature team. Our record against South Africa sucks even with the experienced team. We have some talented crickets but they will have to raise their game up a notch to match South Africans. We were tested even against the Bengali's well we didn’t have the full strength bowling but batting has been very inconsistent apart from Youhana.

I think we have a good enough bowling line up with Sami, Shoaib and Mushtaq. If our batsman perform consistently I think we are in with a good chance of clinching the series, if they perform in patches like they mostly do then South Africa will walk all over us. Pullock is a container; we need to just nudge him around for one's and two's. Our emotionally charged batsmen try to hit out and loose their wicket. If we put a little thinking and planning I hope we will be able to overcome the South Africans.

All the best the Pakistan and Inshallah we will take the African’s head on and prove that rebuilding doesn’t mean we are not a strong side anymore. I think Shoaib Malik, Shoaib Akhtar, Sami & Youhana will be the keys players for Pakistan.

yaasir · September 28, 2003, 9:30pm

I would't be surprised if Pakistan gets whitewashed in the ODI's...but IM hoping our young guns can prove that they can face quality oppositions. Inzamam, Youhana, Younis, Rashid, Shoiab and Saqlain Mushtaq really need to step up if Pakistan is to have any chance of winning against SA.

kingshah · September 28, 2003, 10:47pm

i disagree with yasir. i think pakistan will win the ODI, however the tests will be lot more harder to win.

a1kashur · September 28, 2003, 11:05pm

it will be very hard for SA to whitewash Pakistan in 5-ODI series. However, in 2-Test series it is possible.

I hope Pakistan put up a good fight in ODIs and Test matches! And inshallah, Pakistan will win both ODI/Test series.

Changez_like · September 28, 2003, 11:45pm

[QUOTE]
*Originally posted by a1kashur: *
it will be very hard for SA to whitewash Pakistan in 5-ODI series. However, in 2-Test series it is possible...
[/QUOTE]

You are forgetting pre-WC tour to SA, we were fully charged after crushing ZA but our almost full strength team was demolished.

Talha · September 29, 2003, 4:27am

i think this will be a good series - and a real test of Pakistan side - even though both Pakistan and South Africa are good teams however - South Africa does have an advantage over Pakistan

Pace-attack: South Africa has Makhaya Ntini, Shaun Pollock - and Pakistan has Shoaib Akhtar, Mohammad Sami

Middle order batsmen: South Africa has Boeta Dippenaar, Gary Kirsten, Neil McKenzie - and Pakistan has Younis Khan, Inzamam-ul-Haq and Yousuf Youhana.

All-rounders: South Africa has Andrew Hall, Jacques Kallis - and Pakistan has Abdul Razzaq, Shoaib Malik.

Spinners: South Africa have only experienced Paul Adams compare to Pakistan who got both Saqlain Mushtaq and Mushtaq Ahmed - a little edge of Pakistan over South Africa here.

When it comes to openers - the equation changes entirely - Pakistan does not have the same calibre as South Africans do - both Graeme Smith and Herschelle Gibbs are experienced players - and it is the experience that Pakistan does not have at the top - this is where the series(Test and ODI) favors South Africa than Pakistan but things could change - Pakistan side is unpredictable.

lyallpur_larka · September 29, 2003, 5:44am

[QUOTE]
*Originally posted by Talha: *
i think this will be a good series - and a real test of Pakistan side - even though both Pakistan and South Africa are good teams however - South Africa does have an advantage over Pakistan

Pace-attack: South Africa has Makhaya Ntini, Shaun Pollock - and Pakistan has Shoaib Akhtar, Mohammad Sami

i wouldnt necessairly say SA has the advantage here, obviously pollock is their key, but ntini is questionable... i would rate it fairly even although we could deploy the 3-headed monster of sami, shoaib and gul

Middle order batsmen: South Africa has Boeta Dippenaar, Gary Kirsten, Neil McKenzie - and Pakistan has Younis Khan, Inzamam-ul-Haq and Yousuf Youhana.

Dippenaar, mckenzie and kirsten....hmmm i dont know how u can say that is better than inzi, youhanna, and khan....infact i would say our 3 are better

All-rounders: South Africa has Andrew Hall, Jacques Kallis - and Pakistan has Abdul Razzaq, Shoaib Malik.

kallis is a world class allrounder... as for hall, i dont think he is any better than razzaq when he is on his game...

Spinners: South Africa have only experienced Paul Adams compare to Pakistan who got both Saqlain Mushtaq and Mushtaq Ahmed - a little edge of Pakistan over South Africa here.

i agree, but i think the edge is a little more than "slight"

When it comes to openers - the equation changes entirely - Pakistan does not have the same calibre as South Africans do - both Graeme Smith and Herschelle Gibbs are experienced players - and it is the experience that Pakistan does not have at the top - this is where the series(Test and ODI) favors South Africa than Pakistan but things could change - Pakistan side is unpredictable.

i dont think anybody can disagree with this, hameed will really have to prove himself, inshallah he will, but as for hafeez i dont know.... he could get roasted if he's opening

ehsan · September 29, 2003, 6:29am

I think SA has the edge in ODI's but Pakistan will give them a fight especially with Shoaib, Sami and Mushtaq back in the fold. I think 3/2 to SA.

I would be delighted if I am proved wrong and Pak wins.

UMAIR316 · September 29, 2003, 7:06pm

I have to tell the truth, I think the result would be the exact replica of what happend in december-January tour of last year.

Proteas will win 4-1 in one dayers
and test will go Proteas way 2-0.

Faisal · September 29, 2003, 7:12pm

[QUOTE]
*Originally posted by ehsan: *
I would be delighted if I am proved wrong and Pak wins.
[/QUOTE]
You already assumed Pak will win twice. Tall order, if you ask me. I'll be delighted if Pak puts up a worth while fight. Thats all I ask. :-)

ehsan · September 29, 2003, 7:46pm

[QUOTE]
*Originally posted by Faisal: *
You already assumed Pak will win twice. Tall order, if you ask me. I'll be delighted if Pak puts up a worth while fight. Thats all I ask. :-)
[/QUOTE]

I meant win the series.

Faisal · September 29, 2003, 8:18pm

Yeah, I know.. but still to expect that Pak will win two matches against Afrikaans…?

ehsan · September 29, 2003, 9:00pm

One can but hope, you never know.

Talha · September 29, 2003, 10:53pm

lyallpur larka - don’t get me wrong - where did i compare Shaun Pollock with Shoaib Akhtar - or Gary Kirsten with Inzamam-ul-haq? what i meant to say that if South Africa has question - then Pakistan has got answer but not in the opening pair dept - and when Pakistan losses two wickets in a quick session(as it does happen) - forget about the recovery.

Saqlain Mushtaq hasn’t been a spinner as he was once used to be - and frankly Paul Adams will be tested as well in this series - as for Mushtaq Ahmed - he’s a world class performer but then he hasn’t played International Cricket for 2 years and no Cricket on Pakistan’s soil so there will be pressure on him too as expectations are high!

LahoriMunda · September 29, 2003, 11:04pm

**Miandad plans to exploit South African chokers **

Wisden CricInfo staff - September 29, 2003

Javed Miandad, the Pakistan coach, said he plans to exploit South Africa’s supposed weakness of being chokers, an accusation first levelled at them by Steve Waugh, the Australian captain.

As the South Africans belatedly touched down to play five one-day internationals and two Tests, Miandad welcomed them with the statement:** “We have seen their videos and have discussed their weak areas. As Steve Waugh put it, they are chokers in crunch matches. We will try to capitalize on it.” **

Waugh first tagged them as bottlers when they toured Australia in 1997-98 and when they blew that infamous semi-final in the 1999 World Cup. To give Waugh more ammunition, they recently flopped in the NatWest Series final against England, and then lost the final Test at The Oval to let England steal a 2-2 draw.

**“We look forward to an exciting series after the uncertainty over the tour,” said Miandad, “We welcome them with open arms and it’s a big learning opportunity for our young team.”

Miandad believes Pakistan’s strength lies in their bowling with Shoaib Akhtar and Mohammad Sami providing the pace and Mushtaq Ahmed and Saqlain Mushtaq the spin. He said, “bowling is our strength but we have to put enough runs on the board so that we could dictate terms.” **

The five-match ODI series starts with a day-night match at Lahore on October 3.

Faisal · September 29, 2003, 11:05pm

[QUOTE]
*Originally posted by Talha: *
as expectations are high!
[/QUOTE]
I, for one, will have the lowest possible expectations. Pakistani team never performs, when the expectations are high. Never. Never. Never. We perform best as the underdogs... which we obviously are, right now, against the South Africans.

LahoriMunda · September 29, 2003, 11:11pm

**English curator says no specific pitches for South Africa series **

Wisden CricInfo staff - September 29, 2003

Andy Atkinson, an English curator in charge of the pitches during the Pakistan and South Africa series, and a pitch adviser for the ICC, promised to prepare quality pitches with pace and bounce fair to both sides.

Atkinson, who worked in South Africa from 1993 to 2001, said: “I am here to make quality cricket pitches but there are no specific targets of making spin tracks to support the home team.” He continued: "I came here two years ago, the soil has no problem, but maybe the way the pitches are made here is a problem. The conditions are much similar to South Africa, the clay content is the same and grass is of the same quality. The whole idea is to make consistent pitches in Pakistan."

The Pakistan board sought Atkinson’s help after criticism of the pitches by Rashid Latif, former captain, Javed Miandad, the coach and Tauqir Zia, PCB chairman. After his tour of Pakistan, Atkinson will fly to Bangladesh to supervise the preparations of the pitches for the ICC Junior World Cup to be held in January and February.

Atkinson always has high praise for Australia’s wickets, but rejected Steve Waugh’s demand for uniform pitches. **“It is impossible to have uniform pitches all over the world because atmospheric conditions are different,” he said. “They would be detrimental for world cricket.” **

I guess its a good thing,we need Sami and Shoaib firing and then Razzler getting a little assistance from the pitch too. Lets see what Saqlain & Mushtaq (whichever happens to play) can do on these pitches.