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Inevitable South African success to continue in ODI and Test Series (Part 2)

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Inevitable South African success to continue in ODI and Test Series (Part 2)
(Continuation of Part 1’s discussion on the international cricketing credentials of Pakistan and South Africa in the UAE encounter)
The problem in the Pakistan batting line up lies in the top order batsmen. The top three batsmen average 29 in the last two years and there are only three century partnerships among them.
Although, the major reason for Pakistan’s T20 defeat was the batting collapse, but the question arises, why wasn’t former captain Younis Khan included in the playing eleven? He also holds a fine T20 record.
Other than the batting collapse, one should also throw light on the bowling display of the Pakistanis.
In the T20 format the top five international bowlers include http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Shahid-Afridi-c2482, Saeed Ajmal and not to mention the in-swing full length bowling of Umar Gul. All apparently failed to make major contributions in the T20 encounter, but the skipper Afridi believes
the bowlers did a good job considering the batting friendly conditions the Abu Dhabi cricket track offered.
With high hopes based on the potential of the Pakistani cricket team, and skipper, coach, and the cricket board’s utmost positivity regarding the T20 defeats and that the national team would give performances in the 50-over game.
Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) officials supported the team’s performance in UAE. Reason being that this is the first international cricketing event after the recent controversial English tour and with the certain consideration that the national cricket team
would require time to bring their ball-game together.
Another major reason is the insulting image of Pakistani cricket in the international fraternity that they cannot hold international series in their homeland. They require several requests, special favours and help from the other international cricketing
teams, boards and countries.
Keeping all present life facts and figures aside one should know the other side of the story as well. South Africa is among the top three cricketing sides in both ODI and Test cricket. If one looks at the ODI team performances from 26th October
2008 onwards, he or she will realise that the African team has won 24 and lost 9 from the 33 ODI matches played by them.
Not to forget, South Africa is on top of the ICC ODI rankings. But one should keep in mind the last nine matches played by the African team have all been won by them, and from those nine consecutive victories eight wins are against the Zimbabwean cricket
team.
Other factors and statistics such as, South African batsmen have performed poorly against Pakistan’s spin bowling wrath. And their major cricketing stars such as Jacques Kallis and Graeme Smith don’t have the best ODI credentials against Pakistan.
On the other hand, the newly founded talent of http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Dale-c52110 Steyn will be going up against Pakistan for the first time in the 50-over game. Even, Johan Botha’s bowling average against Pakistan’s batting line-up in the last five ODI is a sky-rocketing 102.50 and
his economy rate jumps to 5.06 from his career’s rate of 4.62.
Last but not the least is the fielding display in the middle. Pakistan’s team seemed to be farmers chasing after chickens in a farm, while the South African team was diving, running, and literally doing anything to stop a run or two. South Africa’s superiority
in the fielding department was evident as always.
It is time which could be a better judge of matters. Will the cricketing greats in both sides deliver or not, as http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Pakistan-c755 in the upcoming series.  
 

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