Indian Premier League and Cricket News by IPL Cricket Forum

Tri Nation Series

Team in Review: Pakistan

Pakistan are a very good side but they miss an all rounder like Azhar Mahmood or Abdul Razzak who probably were not handled properly by the board and the selectors and ended up joining the Indian Cricket League. A genuine all rounder in the team and this could be the side to beat.

Led by Shoaib Malik they had a clean sweep over Bangladesh in April. Exclusion of Asif has made India firm favorites to lift the trophy.

Batting

Batting looks very strong with middle order having the likes of Younis, Yousuf and Shoaib Malik forming the back bone.

Salman Butt and Kamran Akmal, a left right combination at the top can spoil the line and length of bowlers. Butt was the highest scorer in the series against Bangladesh with over 400 runs in 5 matches. Akmal is coming in with some good batting and wicket keeping performances in the IPL.

Younis, Yousuf and Malik all are capable of dropping anchor as well as taking on the bowling in the later overs. Misbah and Afridi can be devastating down the order.

Tanvir is a good lower batsman with decent technique and may even be promoted as a pinch hitter. Even Gul has shown that he can contribute with the bat as well.

Batting meter

Aggression – 7

Reliability – 8

Bowling

Tanvir and Gul are in superb form and these are ominous signs for the other two teams. Tanvir was the highest wicket taker in the recently concluded Indian Premier League (IPL) in India and had an economy of just about a run a ball. He was superb with the variations in his line, length and pace. Gul was very sharp in the games he played and kept bowling yorkers at will.

The problem for Pakistan starts after this. With Asif now out of the series the opposition now just have to make sure that they play out Gul and Tanvir safely and can take the attack to the other bowlers. They may get a wicket or two in the process but the batsmen will have better chances. Rao Iftikhar is almost certain to play and the fourth bowler is going to be Sohail Khan or Wahab Riaz. Fifth bowlers quota is likely to be filled up by Afridi and Shoaib Malik.

Afridi has been in good bowling form and has bowled all ten overs more often than not. This has lent flexibility to the team and options to the captain.

Bowling Meter

Wicket taking ability – 7

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