Youngsters come to the fore for Pakistan in a dismal series - Opinion
Pakistan’s 1-0 loss to Sri Lanka in the recently concluded Test series, along with a 3-1 defeat in the ODIs, has left the subcontinent giant with plenty to contemplate about. Despite being outplayed in the ODI series, Pakistan’s performances in the longer
format have been boosted by the contributions of their young guns. Lesser experienced, yet equally significant players, such as Asad Shafiq and Azhar Ali, have performed with assurance with both registering centuries in the series. It is thus, not all gloomy
for Pakistan, which has lost a series for the first time since 2010, to http://www.senore.com/Cricket/England-c56013.
http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Asad-Shafiq-c46208’s solid technique on a green top at Pallekele where he managed to register 75 and 100* a piece in each innings, was a sign of defiance. Sri Lanka had made key inroads into a largely fragile, line up but Shafiq’s relentlessness hinted at a player
who demonstrated maturity when the going was tough. His straight bat and composure helped him tackle the likes of Kulasekara and Thisara Perera by guiding the ball into the gaps. His cover driving was of pure beauty as well, as being able to caress the ball
through the offside was a pretty site for a batsman, whose has historically succumbed to good quality seam bowling. The same can also be said about Azhar Ali, where his critics were put to rest after he scored a classy 136 in the second innings of the test
match. Ali’s contribution was almost a game changer for Pakistan as his punchy stroke play, which included 13 boundaries, helped Pakistan post a score of 380, which was more than formidable on that wicket.
Ali’s batting was based upon the purest of principles. His ability to nudge the ball into the gaps and wait for the rare loose delivery, acts as a lesson for other young players who have faltered by exhibiting outlandish stroke play. Vague flashbacks of
Umar Akmal’s erratic shots at Lords in 2010, when Pakistan were taking on http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Australia-c746 come to mind. Ali and Shafiq’s game play however, was of stark contrast and for the first time in many games, Pakistan looked as if its batsman were purposeful in their objectives.
Even in a losing cause in the fourth match of the ODI series, Ali’s graceful 81 pinpointed at a possible, permanent fixture at the top of the order. The opening slot has been something that Pakistan has historically struggled with and numerous experimentations
had not yielded desired results. http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Pakistan-c755 a chance at overhauling the
target. These batsmen have demonstrated tremendous character in times when others have faltered.
In the bowling department, Junaid Khan’s rise as a pack leader in the longest format of the game also gives his country plenty to smile about. His five wicket hauls in consecutive Test matches at the SSC and Pallekele have made him a long term prospect.
Junaid Khan’s ability to extract seam movement and bounce at the SSC is of special significance, given that the nature of the bone dry surface he has had to deal with has been conducive for spin bowling and expansive stroke play. His consistent contributions
could help fill in the vacuum which had been left unattended in the fast bowling department for Pakistan.
Pakistan is currently ranked fourth on the http://www.senore.com/Cricket/ICC-World-Cup-2011-c100625 Test rankings. With future tours lingering around the corner, young players maturing into the game is a positive sign for Misbah Ul Haq, who has been captaining this team with a considerable amount of success.
They might not have won the series against http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Sri-Lanka-c758 in both formats this time around, but there is plenty to be optimistic about.
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