Pakistan vs Srilanka ODI Series

I will put Pakistan favourite for the ODI series against Srilanka. Although there is so much going on within the team still Pakistan have a better chance than Srilanka. Pakistan lost there Practice match against Srilanka A with not a huge margin, but the way srilankans belted the Pakistani bowlers all around the park is a sign of danger. The two new commers from ICL, Rana Naveed and Imaran Nazir both failed in the warm up but I think they will be included in the XI. Pakistan have a mix of fasinating players with Nasir Jamsheed coming back in the side and Imran Nazir another attacker Pakistan have a few other opening options to go with. Umar Akmal is another rising star, the brother of Kamran Akmal he displayed his worth in the warm up match scoring 120* of just 73 balls. Fawad Alam and Abdul Razzaq are in form Yousuf and Younis in the middle order, Misbah and Malik will have to work hard to keep there places in the team. Bowling has always been Pakistan's Strong point, In the fast bowling department Pakistan have Umar Gull, Muhammad Amir, Rana Naveed, Rao Iftikhar, Abdul Razzaq and Spinners Saeed Ajmal and Shahid Afridy.

My Hope: Pakistan must win the series by a margin of 3-2 Atleast!

Imran Nazir, Nasir Jamshed, Younis Khan, Muhammad Yousuf, Misbah-ul-Haq, Umar Akmal, Abdul Razzaq, Shahid Afridy, Shoaib Malik, Fawad Alam, Rana Naveed, Rao Iftikhar, Umar Gull, Muhammad Aamir, Saeed Ajmal.

Interesting Cricket Quotes

"An Indian guy came up to me later and said thank you for saving Test cricket."

Michael Kasprowicz was last man out as Australia lost by two runs in the second Test in Edgbaston 2005. That set the tone for one of the most engrossing Test series in history.

"There's no question he and his bowling tactics were inside my mind that series, and I knew I'd hit rock bottom when one night I rolled over in bed to give my wife Mel a kiss goodnight and all I saw was Freddie Bloody Flintoff."

Adam Gilchrist recalls his nightmare of facing Andrew Flintoff in the 2005 Ashes

I will request the government and WAPDA to at least minimise the excessive load-shedding [power cuts] in Nawan Kali(My Village).

The World Twenty20's leading wicket-taker Umar Gul plans to use his new-found hero status for some social good

"It would be sad if we don't make it, but I have never attached too much importance to Twenty20 cricket, as it is fun cricket. I mean it is more for entertainment, even if it is international cricket. It is all for the crowd."

Younis Khan doesn't seem to care much about Pakistan's heavy defeat to England

"In this form it is better to take it easy and have fun. It is like WWF."

Pakistan captain Younis Khan continues to campaign for fun in Twenty20

Pakistani way of help.

This Actually is the Pakistani way of helping. Whenever u help someone, in return you want a favor from others. I don't remember where I heard this but someone said " In Pakistan the person with a good character is the one who never got a chance", Which I believe is true... Unfortunately :p

Lets Review Cricket.

Yesterday was the last day of the Third and final test match between Pakistan and Srilanka. Everyone including me were expecting Pakistan to win atleast this last test match as they were in such a commanding position entering the 5th day. I'm not an expert on Cricket but still I'm trying to analyze the match :D Srilankans won the toss and put Pakistan into bat on a wicket that had some juice in it. Younis khan said at the toss that he would have batted anyway so both the teams thad their best possible chance. Pakistan started off steadily on a seaming track but lost two quick wickets at the end of first hour. Yousuf and Khurram steadied Pakistan's position but sadly got out in their 90's, Muhammad Yousuf threw his wicket away when he got run out of an over throw. Misbah and Malik at last showed some resistance by taking Pakistan to 281/4 but soon that madness which has happened so many times in this series cost Pakistan 6 wickets for 18 runs and were bundled out for 299. They just don't seen to be comfortable when the ball is moving. Pakistan bowled well and restricted srilankans to 233 and getting a lead of 66 runs. Srilankans were 180/8 when Tilkarathne Dilshan was not given out by Umpire Ian Gould, the catch was obvious but Gould made many mistakes in the match which cost Pakistan much. Dilshan added 53 runs with the last two wickets. Pakistan's second innings started poorly when they were struggling for 67/4 which included the wickets of the two Y's in which Younis khan was given out Lbw by Ian Gould which was a terrible decision. Misbah at last came into some kind of form scoring 50 in the last innings after failing the whole series and that was the pattern he followed against Australia earlier this year. There is for sure something going wrong with Misbah. Well,he should realize that he is 35 now and don't have much time so he should avoid politics and focus on his Cricket. Malik scored a Hundred and saved his place in the team for a while and with his help Pakistan posted 425 giving srilankans a target of impossible 498. Going to the final day Srilanks were 155/3 with dilshan injured and Pakistan had a good chance of winning it but the srilankans responded well and just lost one wicket in the whole day. The reason I think Pakistan couldn't win was the failure of their fast bowlers. Umar Gul totally looked out of sorts not in this match but whole of the series. One plus Pakistan should be given is that they played test cricket after a long time and should be given the benefit of doubt.

Rain O Rain

Written by: Raafay Awan.

Rain O Rain,

Come and wash away my pain.

It's been a long journey,

through this valley of woe,

It's going all wrong,

I've been trying much though.

Where ever there is hope,

the darkness falls,

Where ever I find an opening,

the doors are locked.

But I will keep on trying,

until the day is dawned,

And will never give up,

till the doors are thrashed.

I pray to thee Almighty,

don't ever make me fall,

It's for that very day,

I want to stand all tall.

Road Art