http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Sri-Lanka-c758 – 1st Test – Pakistani players to watch out
After a convincing tour of Zimbabwe, the Men In Green will lock horns with a struggling Sri Lankan contingent in the first Test match, which will be played in the scorching heat of Abu Dhabi today, October 18, 2011.
With off-field distractions on the rise, the start of the series will finally allow many of the Pakistani players to turn their focus and face an opposition, which is hungry for success on it.
The Lankan http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Mohsin-Hasan-Khan-c77595
taking over from http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Waqar-Younis-Maitla-c96193 on interim basis.
Playing at Abu Dhabi won’t be easy, considering the heat factor; however, many of the Pakistani players have performed well in the only Test match played at this venue- a high scoring drawn affair against http://www.senore.com/Cricket/South-Africa-c757.
Bettor has locked a few Men In Green players to watch out, in a crucial opener of the series.
http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Mohammad-Hafeez-c76898
Arguably the most inform player in the team, Hafeez had a stupendous tour of Zimbabwe where he emerged as the Player of the Series. A consistent performer for the national team over the past 12 months, the team will be banking on him to provide good starts,
and he for one will be looking to prove his mettle against a relatively stronger opposition. His off-spin also comes in handy and can be relied upon in the field.
Azhar Ali
A solid technique and the ability to bat for longer periods have seen http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Azhar-Ali-c46890 taking a permanent spot in the Test team. Still not at ease while playing the short ball but the pitches in UAE will ideally suit him and he will be looking to add some notable
contributions for the team throughout the series.
In 13 Test matches, the player have yet to score a century, however, an average of 38.26 suggests that there is plenty of potential, which needs to be exploited.
http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Saeed-Ajmal-c87859
The off-spinner, which started his international career at 30, has been a consistent performer in the shorter version of the game. With leg spinner, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Danish-Kaneria-c1314 not selected due to his ongoing row with the PCB, it has given Ajmal the opportunity to perform
in the longer format as well.
His progress at the Test level has been slow but gradually the off-spinner is finding his feet. In total, he has played in 12 matches, taken 56 wickets with an average, which is always improving. He will have to do most of the bowling on slow pitches and
keep the opponents guessing with his varieties.
http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Umar-Gul-c94604
The most experience bowler in the Men In Green line up, Gul will be making a return to the Test side after being rested for the http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Zimbabwe-c3045 Tour. A stint in the English domestic was important but it is the longer version in which the player needs to achieve
consistency.
When in prime form, he will trouble the best of batters and his extra pace and accuracy will be the key. His average of 34.41 is not ideal but the onus remains on him to make sure that he leads the line well.
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