Re: Pakistani team arrives in India
listen to me… as i mentioned in my first post. i saw that picture in a local newspaper two days ago. MALLU apnay jaisi pictures hi dein gay na. I wont mention the name of the paper cz I do not want to promote that paper which was owned by pakistanis for years but ab saaray malluon ka qabza hai 
Re: Pakistani team arrives in India
ok baba TNWBe theek hai!
Re: Pakistani team arrives in India
**Bowlers give India the bounce
March 03, 2005**
It used to be about Sachin versus Shoaib. Battle lines for the latest edition of the Indo-Pak rivalry, though, have been redrafted to read Pathan versus Youhana.
More than the names, what is interesting is the shifting nature of the contest – where it used to be Indian batsmen versus the Pak bowlers, the results of the upcoming battle will largely be determined by how the Indian bowlers perform against the Pak batsmen.
When Pakistan go into the first Test at Mohali in less than a week, thus, they will pin their hopes on their capricious young openers and an experienced middle-order to snatch the advantage. Meanwhile India’s bowling, which once was perceived as the weak link in such contests, is now emerging as its strength.
“The Indian bowlers performed very well in Pakistan last year,” the team’s vice captain, Rahul Dravid, told rediff.com on Wednesday. “I am not sure whether they will have a psychological advantage. But Pakistan will definitely rely more on their batsmen, because they don’t have much experience in the bowling department.”
The story of India’s ascendancy in bowling was scripted during the team’s 2003-'04 tour of Pakistan.
India won two of three Tests; in these, its bowlers took 126, 77, 72.5 and 54 overs to skittle Pakistan in the four innings. And though all frontline batsmen save VVS Laxman and Akash Chopra returned with a series average of over fifty, it was the bowling that turned the tide in India’s favour.
The trio of Anil Kumble (15 wickets), Irfan Pathan (12) and Laxmipathy Balaji (12) topped the wicket-takers’ list. Pakistan’s best bowlers, Shoaib Akhtar, Danish Kaneria and Mohammed Sami, could bag only seven wickets each.
Dravid thus was underlining what has been common knowledge since Fredrick Spofforth scalped 14 English wickets to launch the Ashes: it is the bowlers who win you Tests.
An inability to produce match-winning bowlers has been India’s undoing until recently; it explains why India has won only 81 Tests out of the 382 it has played till date.
The country has produced quality bowlers, but only rarely have their careers intersected to form a potent combination. The current crop of bowlers, thus, is an aberration – match-winners all, peaking at pretty much the same time and forming what is potentially a lethal combination.
“Definitely the success of the bowlers is always crucial for the team,” Dravid said. “Australia is such a successful team because they have three bowlers who average in the high twenties. Our bowlers are young and they have to start averaging at least in the low 20s. But, hopefully, we are forming a very good combination.”
What the team found most heartening in Pakistan was the performance of its fast bowlers Balaji and Pathan. India, for once, was able to beat Pakistan at their own game – pace.
Kiran More, India’s chairman of selectors, says, “It’s not that India hasn’t depended on fast bowlers earlier. We have had match-winners like Kapil Dev, but now with the fresh crop of pace bowlers we are definitely stronger than Pakistan in the fast bowling department. They have pace and swing to disturb the best batsmen.”
Even as India’s stock in fast bowling has grown, Pakistan has been plagued by a steady depletion in resources. The furious fast men from across the border who in the past tormented India’s best batsmen are now a memory; the current lineup lacks that sheen, that class, that fire.
The retirement of Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis left a big void. Shoaib Akhtar, heir to the mantle of the two Ws, misses more matches than he plays, and Abdul Razzaq and Mohammed Sami have promised more than they have delivered.
Interestingly, India has an edge in the spin department as well. While Danish Kaneria is Pakistan’s biggest hope, India holds two aces in Anil Kumble and Harbhajan Singh.
Former all-rounder Robin Singh, though is a little cautious while reading too much into India’s bowling performance on the Pakistan tour.
“They were in very good form last year. But both Balaji and Pathan are coming out of an injury,” Singh said. “We’ll have to see how well they can come back. Since Balaji hasn’t played much domestic cricket, I’m not sure whether he’ll get a chance in the playing eleven. But, definitely, if they are able to do well they’ll [Balaji and Pathan] make life miserable for the Pakistanis.”
Imran Khan and Akram agree that Pakistan does not have enough firepower to trouble the fancied Indian batsmen. Pakistan’s recent series against Australia was a clear indication of this – the team struggled to scalp 20 wickets. Thus, it was left to their batsmen to salvage some pride.
Indications are that the story of the coming series will be pretty much the same.
http://in.rediff.com/cricket/2005/mar/03pak.htm
Re: Pakistani team arrives in India
Malik worried over Test future
Pakistan’s Shoaib Malik fears he will never achieve his full potential as an all-rounder because of doubts about the legality of his bowling action.
He insists he cannot fully straighten his arm after fracturing his shoulder in a collison with team-mate Shahid Afridi four years ago.
“Doctors have said if I have surgery, it will put me out of the game for at least six months,” said Malik.
“Even then, they don’t guarantee my shoulder will regain its strength.”
Off-spinner Malik is unlikely to bowl in the Test series in India, starting next week.
Although new International Cricket Council rules make it legal for a bowler to straighten his arm up to 15 degrees, instead of five degrees for spinners as previously, it is believed Malik cannot even meet that requirement.
Pakistan are resigned to the likelihood of not being able to use Shoaib Malik as a bowler on the tour of India.
The Pakistan Cricket Board has asked the ICC to clear the action of the all-rounder on medical grounds, but are not hopeful.
“We have asked the ICC to permit him to bowl again but I don’t think he will get the reprieve,” PCB chairman Shaharyar Khan said.
Malik’s action was reported after a tri-series final in Lahore last October.
It was the second time since 2000 his action had been reported to the ICC by match officials.
Since than he has undergone two test sessions in Perth under the supervision of biomechanics specialist professor Bruce Elliot and bowling coach Daryl Foster.
Malik, who has taken 80 wickets in 91 one-day internationals and eight in eight Tests, did not bowl on the recent tour of Australia.
Story from BBC SPORT:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/sport2/hi/cricket/other_international/pakistan/4319415.stm
Published: 2005/03/04 15:47:03 GMT
© BBC MMV
Re: Pakistani team arrives in India
Kaneria ready to seize the limelight
By Oliver Brett
"I am more than 100% ready for the challenge
Danish Kaneria on the India series
At 24 years old, Danish Kaneria is making the sometimes awkward transition from a youngster bursting with potential to a stalwart of Pakistan’s bowling unit.
He was the side’s only specialist spinner in Australia recently, where he was frequently made to bowl long spells in conditions that did him few favours.
In 150 overs of toil in three Tests Down Under, Kaneria took 15 wickets at an average of 37.33, including an exhausting 7-188 from 49.3 overs in Sydney.
Now, the leggie faces his most important assignment to date in the Test series in India.
It is a challenge Kaneria’s Essex captain Ronnie Irani feels he can stand up to on the way to greatness.
“He could become the number one spin bowler in the world,” the former England all-rounder told BBC Sport.
"He’s got a lot to live up to with Shane Warne and Muttiah Muralitharan around but I would say he’s number three behind those two and hot on their heels.
"You can always improve as a bowler whatever your art is. I wouldn’t say he’s still learning the art of leg-spin but I would say he’s improving all the time.
KANERIA FACTFILE
Born: 16.12.1980 in Karachi
Test debut: v England, Faisalabad, 2000
Test record: 102 wickets at 29.47, including eight five-wicket hauls
“He has all the deliveries - leg-spinner, top-spinner, googly, flipper - every single variety a leg-spin bowler can bowl. He’s got the lot.”
However, Irani does not see Kaneria winning Tests in India on his own.
He said: “Indians play spin very well. The wickets will turn but I am not sure Danish will win Pakistan the series, though I do think he will be their leading wicket-taker.”
Kaneria himself has been talking a big game in recent days - perhaps buoyed by the recent arrival of his first child, a daughter for him and wife Dharmeta.
“The tour of Australia has given me the much-needed confidence to tackle Indian batsmen,” he said. “I am more than 100% ready for the challenge.”
One important marker in Kaneria’s learning curve was his first season at Essex in 2004, where again he had adapt fast to alien conditions.
The year was marred by wet weather - particularly at the start and the end of season - and the Asia Cup intervened halfway through when he seemed poised to make a big impact.
That took Kaneria to the dutsbowls of Colombo and he had to adjust all over again when he returned to the green wickets of England.
But by the end of the season, with 63 wickets at 25.5 to his name, he had impressed Essex enough for them to offer him a fresh two-year contract, which he gleefully accepted.
Chelmsford, however, will take a back seat in his mind as he prepares to face India with the hope of a nation resting on his shoulders.
Glenn McGrath-style, Kaneria even announced that he has a “target” in the shape of Rahul Dravid.
And he added: “Everyone says that Indian spinners are superior to us. This could be a blessing in disguise and would free our minds to perform.”
The rest of Pakistan is sincerely hoping that he is talking sense.
Story from BBC SPORT:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/sport1/hi/cricket/other_international/pakistan/4275211.stm
Published: 2005/03/04 10:02:50 GMT
© BBC MMV
Re: Pakistani team arrives in India
so who is going to open the thread for the first test.
Re: Pakistani team arrives in India
OK let me open the the thread for the first test
here it goes........
Re: Pakistani team arrives in India
here we go again…shivsena ke waapis keera hogaya
**Shiv Sena against Delhi ODI
March 06, 2005 21:03 IST**
The Delhi unit of Shiv Sena on Sunday threatened not to allow the sixth one-dayer between India and Pakistan to be played in the capital on April 17.
“The Indo-Pak match in Delhi will not be allowed to take place at any cost,” Delhi unit chief Jai Bhagwan Goel was quoted as having told a gathering of party activists in New Delhi, according to a Shiv Sena release.
Goel said this at the inauguration of a district office of the outfit in Mayur Vihar in East Delhi.
“While Pakistan is sending terrorists belonging to outfits like the Lashker-e-Toiba with the aim of destabilising out country, Government of India has invited the Pakistani cricket team here and holding matches, which is an example of our government’s twisted thinking,” he said.
Shiv Sena has been opposing Pakistan taking part in sporting activities in India. The party activists had last month attempted to dig up the pitch in Mohali, which is hosting the opening Indo-Pak Test from Tuesday.
http://in.rediff.com/cricket/2005/mar/06sena.htm
Re: Pakistani team arrives in India
people like balls thackray should be made to do a honest day's work. these nuts have overstaued their welcome
Re: Pakistani team arrives in India
i know apart from this a$$hole... India has indeed been welcoming...great to see ppl in india wearing flags for both countries
Re: Pakistani team arrives in India
^ only they were the real original flags of pakistan .. yet to see a real flag waved/drawn by an indian.
Re: Pakistani team arrives in India
man don't be soo negative
Re: Pakistani team arrives in India
not being negative .. but 'respect' plays a very significant role in everything specially when you talk about 'friendship and 'hospitality'.
Re: Pakistani team arrives in India
tindey, this may not be very palatable but I do feel it is tougher for Indians to feel as open and warm towards pakistanis as a group (not as individuals) as it was for pakistanis to the visitors from India.
That's because many of us feel we have been in the receiving end of much violence spawned and sanctioned by pakistani institutions. It's certainly getting better I think but you have to keep that in mind.
At an individual level. I assure you there are very few Indians who would not help a visitor from Pakistan (they may not help a fellow Indian as much!)
Re: Pakistani team arrives in India
**Published: 7/3/2005, 08:55 (UAE)
‘We’ve not forgotten the defeat’
By A Correspondent **
Mohammad Sami will be carrying the burden of Pakistan’s pace bowling attack in the absence of Shoaib Akhtar in the forthcoming series against India. Following are excerpts from an interview:
Gulf News: Are you tense at the thought of bowling to an opener [Sehwag] who scored 309 runs in Multan when India visited Pakistan last year?
Mohammad Sami: I can only say that Virender Sehwag is a good batsman. But the past is the past. Can anyone score 300 runs in all the matches? It would be a new series from Mohali.
GN: Any special plans to contain Sehwag?
MS: Of course! But I am not going to disclose them. We have plans not only for him, but for all the other Indian batsmen as well.
GN: Are you facing any additional pressure with the absence of Shoaib Akhtar?
MS: It is a big blow that Shoaib isn’t here. We all have to work a little extra to do well for the team in his absence. There will be pressure in cricket, but we don’t want to put ourselves under any additional pressure thinking about Shoaib’s absence.
GN: So you will not miss him at the other end. Everyone talks about fast bowlers hunting in pairs: Wasim-Waqar, Lillee-Thompson, Walsh-Ambrose …
MS: When a pair settles down for a reasonable period of time, they miss each other when somebody is absent. The rhythm is lost.
But at the same time one has to be prepared to erase this feeling. Rana has come up well. At the moment, we have to consolidate here in the Test series.
GN: You’ve got 48 Test wickets in 18 Tests with an average of 40-plus - are you happy with these figures?
MS: I know that I’m not quite successful in Tests, but my one-day performance is quite okay. I’ll try to do well in this series.
GN: What did you say to Kaif when he hit you for two consecutive boundaries at Dharamshala?
MS: I just used two words. It was a just a joke, there was no sledging. You can ask him. Again I must repeat that I was joking.
GN: Don’t you think a fast bowler should be aggressive?
MS: You can’t visualise the mind from outside. It varies from person to person. Take the case of Rana. He looks innocent but mentally he is a very aggressive cricketer.
GN: Are you planning to target just Sehwag or are there any others?
MS: Our target will be all the six or seven Indian batsmen. Personally, I have learnt a lot on the tour of Australia. I will utilise my experience during this tour.
We have been watching videos and having discussions with coach Bob Woolmer. We will try to implement those things. And if we can, it would be an entertaining series. We are looking forward to playing a better brand of cricket.
GN: So, can you predict the outcome of this series?
MS: Difficult to predict. But we are here to fight. Let me tell you one thing : we have not forgotten the last defeat at home.
http://www.gulfnews.com/Articles/SportNF.asp?ArticleID=155120