Re: Pakistan Vs Zimbabwe , 1st Test, Harare
Who said we have longest tail? :D
Thanks to Ajmal otherwise it was going to be an embarrassing total IMHO.
Kuch Saaal Cricket Team apni tail par roti hay
bari mushkil say hoti hay tail key lambi partnership
No doubt an interesting match and surely there will be a result win/lose EXCEPT Rain and Boycott of Zim over payment :p
Re: Pakistan Vs Zimbabwe , 1st Test, Harare
Once again, Misbah-ul-Haq walked out with his team having lost early wickets, and began more adventurously than you’d expect from him in the first session of a Test. Along with Azhar Ali, Misbah extricated Pakistan from the hole caused by the top-order’s failure. After lunch, the pitch had settled down a bit, and both Misbah and Azhar reached their half-centuries. The stand had grown to 93, and the pair was looking comfortable in the middle.
This was supposed to be the big challenge for Zimbabwe - could their bowlers keep the pressure on when the conditions eased out? They didn’t have to, as Misbah attempted one of those occasional, unpredictable big hits over the leg side and miscued to short midwicket. Prosper Utseya had even more to celebrate soon after, as Asad Shafiq also tried a wild slog and ended up inside-edging it to leg slip for 4.
Zimbabwe’s bowlers could take more credit for the wickets in the morning session. The basis of their early success was a steady line and length, constantly questioning the batsmen around off stump and getting the odd delivery to swerve around or bounce awkwardly. They posed enough of a threat to give the stand-in captain, Hamilton Masakadza, the confidence to put three slips in place for much of the first hour. Panyangara and Chatara had the ball snaking both ways, and the batsmen guessing.
Mohammad Hafeez had racked up the runs in the recent limited-overs matches, but his Test form has been suspect this year. The South Africa Tests had been a humbling experience for Hafeez, and there weren’t many runs today either as he again poked outside off, handing second slip an easy catch.
**His opening partner, Khurram Manzoor, had even more at stake as he was playing his first Test in three-and-a-half years. He was cautious early on, not attempting anything flashy, and had seen off 11 overs when a big incutter from Panyangara struck him on the pads. The ball looked like it would sail over the stumps, but the umpire disagreed and Manzoor had to trudge off. **
Younis Khan began his innings looking for quick singles, and he was dismissed when the ball spun back onto the stumps after an attempted forward defence. Younis had taken a couple of steps down the track after playing the delivery and could only watch the ball roll back towards the base of middle stump.
Zimbabwe were cock-a-hoop at that stage, but Misbah and Azhar slowly deflated them over the next couple of hours. The frontline trio kept testing the batsmen but the odd loose ball crept in, which Misbah profited off. He didn’t bat in a manner that has earned him the nickname tuk-tuk, but went for his strokes and he was rewarded especially towards the end of the morning session as Elton Chigumbura and Utseya offered some easy runs.
Pakistan began in a similarly confident mode after lunch and Zimbabwe’s limited attack seemed set for a struggle. Azhar had a bit of a battle through the forties, taking his time to complete the final steps of his half-century but Pakistan were slowly levelling the game. The responsibility on Azhar grew after the ordinary strokes from Misbah and Shafiq left Pakistan at 132 for 5, and he continued to bat sensibly.
Zimbabwe’s bowlers built on the advantage soon after tea, getting three quick wickets, and the innings seemed set for an early finish when Azhar nicked to the slips. **Pakistan were still some way away from their previous lowest total against Zimbabwe (231), but Zimbabwe just couldn’t deliver the final blows. **
Though Ajmal may not have the most orthodox technique, his merry swinging of the bat proved extremely effective late in the day. He signaled how he was going to play with a murderous straight hit over Utseya’s head early in his innings. With Junaid flailing at everything but somehow staying in the middle, the partnership began to swell. Zimbabwe turned to the new ball in search of the breakthrough but **that only quickened the run-flow with Ajmal’s hook for six off Chatara among the highlights. **
The home team’s frustration continued as the pair resisted for more than an hour, and it wasn’t till the final over of the day that Junaid finally edged to the keeper, after countless misses. Ajmal was still unbeaten on 49, and the stand of 67 had lent some respectability to Pakistan’s innings.
Re: Pakistan Vs Zimbabwe , 1st Test, Harare
YK closing in on 100 test catches
Most catches (except Keepers)
Restored attachments:
Re: Pakistan Vs Zimbabwe , 1st Test, Harare
In absence of Taylor and Williams, Pakistan have great advantage BUT you can expect any thing from Pakistan on some special day :D
Re: Pakistan Vs Zimbabwe , 1st Test, Harare
Saeed Ajmal’s unbeaten 49 kept Pakistan alive as they finished the first day on 249 for 9 against Zimbabwe in Harare
Re: Pakistan Vs Zimbabwe , 1st Test, Harare
wow! Saeed Ajmal scored an unbeaten 49...amazing stuff!
i hope and wish he'll get his first 'half century' tomorrow when the game resumes. i hope FarHat Ali will not get out on his FIRST and the over's LAST ball, thus depriving Ajmal of his FIRST 50!
It will be his 2nd Fifty InshaAllah
Re: Pakistan Vs Zimbabwe , 1st Test, Harare
**by Aamir Sohail (10th August, 2013)**
Shocked at Taufeeq Umar’s Omission
The decision to drop Taufeeq (Umar) is a shocker. In Pakistan’s Test squad at the moment there are 10 or 11 players who I feel are automatic choices and Taufeeq is one of them and to see him omitted is confusing. The problem is that when the selectors are pressurised they make adjustments to the squad regarding individuals instead of planning ahead.
There is also the element of continuity and stability. Taufeeq and Mohammad Hafeez had forged a good partnership and understanding at the top of the order and now that has been ended. Taufeeq’s record in the region is also very good and that just adds to the confusion regarding his omission. I’m puzzled and shocked at the decision and it really doesn’t make any sense.
(http://www.pakpassion.net/sohail-speaks/im-shocked-at-taufeeq-umars-omission-aamir-sohail)
Re: Pakistan Vs Zimbabwe , 1st Test, Harare
Interesting
Ishan Jain: "1 ball remaining in the over, 1 run for Ajmal to score 50, 1 wicket for Zimbabwe, 1 run for Pakistan to reach 250..OMG, now this game is just on the edge!"
Re: Pakistan Vs Zimbabwe , 1st Test, Harare
Pakistan 249/9 (90.0 ov) Saeed Ajmal 49*
Re: Pakistan Vs Zimbabwe , 1st Test, Harare
249/10 :( ..
I hope Pakistani pacers will trouble Zim in the morning. I don't know why Irfan not in team. Lets see how Raht will bowl
Re: Pakistan Vs Zimbabwe , 1st Test, Harare
18/0
Agree with these guys Except they forgot to take Abdur Rehman name .....
Razaaq: "I fail to see how this pakistani bowling line up is as strong as the fans are saying, yes Junaid is good yet fairly inexperienced and Ajmal is a genius, but that's about it guys"
Abdul Mannan Ch.: "We are having too much hopes with Junaid Khan. Had he been failed, then what Pakistan would do next. No back-up of pace attack. Preferably T-20 Captain, should open bowling from one side to get early break- through to put pressure on Zimb."
3.5
Rahat Ali to Sibanda, FOUR, full and outside off, Sibanda gets confidently forward and cracks that in front of point for four
3.2
Rahat Ali to Sibanda, FOUR, this time Sibanda shows off how well he can play the off drive, a touch overpitched from Rahat,a crisp drive down the ground, Mawoyo has to scurry out of the way of that one
2.3
Junaid Khan to Mawoyo, FOUR, superb from Mawoyo, little effort from him as he just times that pitched-up delivery to the left of the bowler, races through mid-off for four, good-looking shot that
0.5
Junaid Khan to Mawoyo, FOUR, pitches this up, better line just outside off, inviting the drive, Mawoyo accepts the invitation, looks to send that through the off side, an edgy shot past the slips instead
Re: Pakistan Vs Zimbabwe , 1st Test, Harare
So Pakistan will again depend on Spinners or Pacers will provide some break through 
Re: Pakistan Vs Zimbabwe , 1st Test, Harare
I think Misbah should give ball to A Rehman
Re: Pakistan Vs Zimbabwe , 1st Test, Harare
Junaid 
25/1
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8.1
Junaid Khan to Mawoyo, OUT, the change in angle works straightaway, Mawoyo has nicked it through to the keeper, the ball angled in and seamed away just a touch, Mawoyo didn't cover for the movement and edges it through, Pakistan have the first breakthrough
**TMK Mawoyo c †Adnan Akmal b Junaid Khan 13 (26b 2x4 0x6) SR: 50.00 **
Re: Pakistan Vs Zimbabwe , 1st Test, Harare
chalo ji first break through. well done junaid
Re: Pakistan Vs Zimbabwe , 1st Test, Harare
66/1 (22 overs) :hinna:
Highlights
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20.4
Rahat Ali to Sibanda, FOUR, that’s too short, Sibanda moves back and across before swivelling to pull the ball hard over the the infield at midwicket, Zimbabwe are surging before lunch
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19.4
Saeed Ajmal to H Masakadza, SIX, there’s a loud sound after Masakadza’s tremendous straight hit crashes into something over the sightscreen! Ajmal over-pitched and Masakadza got under it and lofted with a perfectly straight bat
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18.6
Rahat Ali to Sibanda, FOUR, a half-volley on off stump and Sibanda drives once again, straighter this time and without much forward movement, the ball races to the long-off boundary
18.4
Rahat Ali to Sibanda, FOUR, a full toss and Sibanda greets it with a front-foot off drive, hitting the ball along the ground to the extra cover boundary
18.1
Rahat Ali to Sibanda, FOUR, short of a length on the pads, Sibanda stays in his crease and glances to the fine-leg boundary
Re: Pakistan Vs Zimbabwe , 1st Test, Harare
Well, congrats to Zimbabwe. They have showed Pakistani batsmen how to bat on this pitch. Really determined effort from them during the first session, 67/1 from 24 overs at Lunch. Highlight was the six off Saeed Ajmal. Just confidence against one of the best off spinners in the world. Misbah bhai, panic button press kar do ab.
Re: Pakistan Vs Zimbabwe , 1st Test, Harare
Sibanda gone 
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26.6
Junaid Khan to Sibanda, OUT, gone this time, the angle from round the stumps has worked for Junaid. It was on length outside off to be driven and Sibanda did so but he manages only an edge to the keeper this time
**V Sibanda c †Adnan Akmal b Junaid Khan 31 (85b 6x4 0x6) SR: 36.47 **
Re: Pakistan Vs Zimbabwe , 1st Test, Harare
3 down
Re: Pakistan Vs Zimbabwe , 1st Test, Harare
Bhai ko ghussa naheen dilwanay ka ray 
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27.1
Saeed Ajmal to H Masakadza, OUT
**H Masakadza b Saeed Ajmal 19 (52b 2x4 1x6) SR: 36.53 **