Pakistan vs. Australia Test Series: Pakistan vs. Leicestershire Match Review and Predictions
Pakistan Coach Waqar Younis along with the on-tour team management will find it difficult to come up with a final playing XI for the upcoming test match against http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Australia-c746 at Lord’s on Tuesday. During the practice match against Leicestershire, almost all Pakistani batsmen performed while some of the senior and more experienced batsman failed to impress. Umar Amin, Azhar Ali and Yasir Hameed all performed with the bat and managed to set up a decent score on the board. Imran Farhat and Shoaib Malik failed miserably while the rest of the team looked in good shape. Imran Farhat and Malik are expected to be the sure shot picks for the next test match however things are looking different following some good performance by the reinforcements.
Leicestershire posted a score of 296-7 and declared their innings on the first day of the match. Pakistan rested Shahid Afridi and Umar Akmal for the match while giving a chance to Yasir Hameed, Azhar Ali and Umar Amin. All three players stood up to the occasion and performed well. This performance has given some food for thought to the captain and coach for the first match. Imran Farhat chances look bleak following his unimpressive innings against Leicestershire however Shoaib Malik is likely to retain his position because of his experience and impressive average of 36.11 in Tests’. A lot responsibility will be on the shoulders of Salman Butt and Shoaib Malik. http://www.senore.com/Cricket/A-Young-c41367 team which is lacking the experience of test cricket. Butt and Malik are seen as the two cricketers who can make an impact on their Australian counterparts. Shahid Afridi is a proven T20 player but his credentials as a test player will come under intense scrutiny in first test. Afridi is more famous for his hard hitting strokes and his temperament in test cricket will be duly tested on next Tuesday.
Imran Farhat was the lone disappointment in the 3 Day match since he could only manage six runs before driving a catch to Dan Masters. Farhat scored three runs in an innings which spanned over a period of 34 balls. There was nothing impressive from the left-handed batsman while http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Shahid-Afridi-c2482, the stylish left-handed batsman was also playing the role of the stand-in skipper.
Azhar Ali was another youngster who is hoping to make his debut at Lord’s. Ali remained not out during his 41 runs against http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Leicestershire-c807 in a patient innins. The youngster who fancies a chance in the national team successfully managed to handle 127 balls after being retired hurt by the coach in order to give other batsmen to spend time in the middle. Umar Amin, another youngster who is praised for his flawless technique, was impressive and scored an unbeaten 51 from 72 balls. Amin has a superb average of 41.81 in first class cricket and his strong performances in the domestic set-up have already earned him a debut in ODI’s.
Consequently, Coach Waqar Younis and captain Shahid face a tough task of picking up the playing eleven. Umar Akmal, who was rested for the practice match, will be back in the team along with Shahid Afridi. Imran Farhat, Azhar Ali, Yasir Hameed and Umar Amin are fighting for two positions in the team. If recent performances are a barometer, Farhat is out of race following his unimpressive performance against Leicestershire. Yasir was criticized for playing against the line during his early attempts with team. He has however made some technical adjustments that have paid off well. 20-year old Umar Amin has previously impressed as well with his 73 runs against http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Canterbury-c775 two weeks back. Umar fearlessly played some free flowing drives on both sides of the wicket.
So far no one is for sure in playing eleven a part from Salman Butt, Shahid Afridi, Mohammad Aamer and Umar Gul. However, things will only get clear once the final team is announced. It is a good sign for Pakistan cricket that they have prepared such wonderful back-up cricketers who will keep mounting pressure on the playing XI to perform.
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