Adil Najam
UPDATE:
India won the TwentyTwenty final in a thriller, after setting Pakistan 158 to win and then bowling Pakistan out (with three balls to spare) for 152. IK Pathan from India was names Man of the Match for very tidy bowling (3/16 from 4 overs) while Pakistan’s Shahid Afridi was named Man of the Series.
ORIGINAL POST:
I have resisted writing about the Twenty20 Cricket Tournament in South Africa till now. But now I can resist no more. All is set for a thriller final game against India.
What more could one ask for… well, actually, one could ask for Pakistan’s TwentyTwenty winning streak to continue into the Final game against India in Johannesburg on Monday!
Pakistan is on a roll. And this is no fluke. The victories against Australia and Sri Lanka were brilliant and breezing past New Zealand in the semi-final today proved that this is not just a lucky streak.
The young team under a young captain and a new coach seems to have finally found its stride. And it is about time…
Much of our cricket coverage this last year has been depressing. Umpire controversies, a disastrous World Cup Exit, death of a coach, players misbehaving, and more. So, this good news is very welcome. It is all the more welcome because other news these days is much less than welcome.
India, too, has had a spectacular T20 tournament. In fact, the most memorable moments of the tournament till now were the 6 sixes in an over by Yuvraj against England.
That the game between India and Pakistan in the T20 tournament had ended in a tie will make the anticipation about the final even more nail-biting.
Neither team goes in as favorites. Both go in on a roll. Its should be one great game!
I think India’s triumph will be short lived. As we get back to regular cricket (one day and Test) our intrinsic weaknesses will start showing again. And soon the other teams will catch up on the T20 thing too. So, lets enjoy the honeymoon while it lasts. I dont want to offend my Pakistani friends, but I think the same is true for them too. Both teams have some real problems in their teams and these will show again when we get to real cricket.
Its always good to have a batsman of his caliber back in pakistan team. He is no doubt the backbone of Pakistan Batting.
Muhammad Yousaf has just broken off from Indian League…
Clearly the Gujarat Govt heard you Adnan.
“Guj govt declares Rs five lakh award for Pathan brothers”
http://in.news.yahoo.com/070926/20/6l8em.html
http://www.expressindia.com/latest-news/Guj-govt-d eclares-Rs-5-lac-award-for-Pathan-bros/221415/
Adnan,
I like all humans like it when appreciated…but am not sure if you were complimenting or criticising my comments..ouch !
Pls clarify…
I think Dhoni should captain in all forms of the game.
Sachin, Dravid and Ganguly should not play one day cricket (Ganguly can be considered as an opener, Dravid as wicketkeeper batsman…but sachin is big no no…I have seen him play since 1989 and feel since 1999 he is not the force he once was..given a choice I would prefer Sehwag or Uthappa as openers in ODI’s).In Tests these three can be played for maybe 6-12 months but with a plan to transition to other players.(Because apart from Ganguly none of these guys play with courage. Dravid plays risk free shots so is fine for tests till he is in form but dont expect him to change games, Sachin is clever in making 40-50’s or even hundreds by just staying there without changing flow of game in reality..but against good teams that loses you games rather than wins them)
I also hope they give Raina and Kaif a chance again as these guys can bat and field well. Also try some young bowlers like Ishaant sharma and another bowler from Kashmir..i think Abid Ali..
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