Cricket Update: England thrash Pakistan by 354 runs in the first test match
http://www.senore.com/Cricket/A-Young-c41367 side yes, but still that does not mean that a team can keep repeating the same mistakes over and over. It is said that to err is human, but to repeat that again and again is insane. A good team always learns from its mistakes, there is an analysis of the match they lost and questions are asked as to why they lost. Following that, there is a new strategy that focuses on what not to do. Looking at Pakistan side there certainly is a lack of that.
In the last, at least 2 to 3 years, the general flaw in Pakistan team had been their batting. The bowling has been competitive to say the least. One thing though that the board and the management would have to make sure is that, despite the big loss in the first test they should not revert back to the one step forward 2 steps back policy. That means one hopes they once again do not turn to players like Muhammd Yousuf, Younis Khan and Misbah Ul Haq, because in all fairness they were part of the team in last few years and the results were not much different. The young lot under Salman Butt did manage to beat http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Australia-c746, which in itself is a big achievement. If these players are not allowed proper time to make their own mistakes, they will never learn, but having said that, they do need to learn quickly.
The 1st test was all but over, on the 3rd day when Pakistan were given a target of 435 to chase in the 2nd innings. Considering how difficult they made the target against Australia look, this was certainly out of their reach. In addition, to lose 3 wickets before close of play, everyone knew the 4th day will just be a formality. Playing for pride though is still something that these young players need to learn. Losing by margins of more than 300 is certainly not the way to go.
England from the start of the 4th day were on the attack with close in fiddlers hogging the batsmen. It was not long when England got the first wicket of the day, Imran Farhat in a typical fashion edged one to the slips off the bowling of Anderson and Straus made no mistake. Next in was the man many believe is the best talent to come out of Pakistan cricket since Inzamam, Umar Akmal, though has hardly looked anything like that in the 3 tests in England this season. The young right hander seems to be confused between attacking and defensive style of play, and every time he comes out to bat, he looks like a man trying to walk on water. He was LBW to Anderson and night watchman Muhammad Aamer followed soon. The slide continued and Pakistan team was made to look like a mediocre club side by the consistent swing bowling by England. Pakistan was eventually all out for just 80 runs, handing England a win by 354 runs in the end. James Anderson picked up 11 wickets in the match and was the chief destroyer. England leads the 4 match series 1-0.
Pakistan team would certainly have to go back to the drawing board and look back on a dismal test match. Expect some changes in the next test, Kamran Akmal after dropping 2 catches and missing a stump may finally get the axe. While Shoaib Malik might make way for Yasser Hammed as a specialist batsman, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Danish-Kaneria-c1314 after 3 unimpressive test matches on tour will hopefully be sidelined and Saeed Ajmal will definitely be a better choice.
There is not much time before the 2nd test starts, so Pakistan would have to re-gather quickly and get ready to another tough task ahead of them.
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