World Cricket II

**steveaustin** · 21st November 2010, 12:53 PM

South Africa 354/6 (106.0 ov)

Tanvir on debut takes 5-wicket haul.

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**Plum** · 21st November 2010, 01:25 PM

Pakistan should get debutants for all their matches. Guys come in with a bang and then either fizzle out or sell out. And they keep finding new players. Especially bowlers

**steveaustin** · 21st November 2010, 04:00 PM

I think, one of the main reasons for fizzle out or sell out is PCB. The need of the hour for young Pak. cricketers is a mentor like Imran Khan in PCB. It looks like PCB is not looking after the needs of the youngsters. The reason for they keep finding new players is that there are many prodigious talents. Most of them belong to small towns and not to the two of main cricket centres - Lahore and Karachi. Why a country like Pak. needed a guidance of Imran?? The Pak. Cricket history clearly depicts the greatness of Imran Khan.

In late-80s and earlier 90s, it was Imran Khan's belief in the youngsters' abilities rewarded them handsome dividends. Imran Khan was impressed with what he had seen and pushed for the selection of many youngsters. Then the new generation of Pak. test cricketers was being broken in as Imran looked towards his main ambition, to win a series against the mighty West Indies. At one point, he came very close to a home series win against them during 1986 after bundling out the might WI for a paltry 53 in the first test. Then again, he almost won a away series against them during 1987-88. On both occasions, even though the series was just levelled at 1-1, it was dominated by Pakistan with considerable help from the wily leggie Abdul Qadir and the young greatest left armer in the history Wasim.

Till Imran was there, the more talented few, as is the Pak. tradition, were directly inducted into the Pak. side. Lack of playing fields, improper equipments and absence of coaches did not hampered the development of Pak of prodigious talent. Almost many of them must have started cricket on the street. Once upon a time, when asked about his selection Imran said that a tightly rolled cotton slings for a ball, any wood plank, two bricks for wickets is enough for a boy to bowl, bat and field on any surface in the world.

Aquib Javed was the first youngster to be catapulated from nowhere into the test team. When Imran first saw Aquib, then 16 year old from Sheikhupura, he was instantly impressed. Imran played him in India for a benefit match and later taken him to NZ and Australia. Aquib could not have asked for a better mentor. Though his performance on those tours were not exceptional, he became the second youngest Test cricketer at that time. As long as Imran was there, he was in his elements and there were always pleasant surprise inclusions in the team. Then, came Waqar Younus from Burewala. The first time when Imran saw him in a Multan Division match and Waqar immediately offered a contract. At that time, Waqar was included to play the Champions trophy in Sharjah and straightaway he became the sensation. During the speed checks in Sharjah, he was faster than Marshall, Winston Benjamin and Wasim. Waqar came fully equipped and he needed only minor tips and adjustments, when he played in his first match unlike Aquib, for which none is better than Imran. When Imran was looking after the spin department, he found Mushtaq Ahmed, who was a slow motion Qadir. In fact, he has not matched Qadir's eight different varieties of delivery, but was strong on the basics. But he played his role very well in the 1992 world cup win of Pakistan.

During 1989, Imran tried a middle order wristy, left-handed batsman to open the innings and he was succeeded only after few matches. Till then, Imran persisted with Saeed Anwar in his team. Later, Imran saw the performance of big Inzy in the junior World cup in Australia and he was impressed. As they say, rest is history. Only a few Imran brought-ups were failed because of the lack of support from PCB as well as no mentor like Imran was available to them.

Confusious said.
“If you think in terms of a year, plant a seed; if in terms of ten years, plant trees; if in terms of 100 years, teach the people.”

That's what Imran Khan did.

**steveaustin** · 21st November 2010, 05:04 PM

SA on top after devils' double ton

South Africa 581/9 (152.0 ov)

AB de Villiers 275* (415b 23x4 6x6)
M Morkel 35* (37b 5x4)

Devil's going crazy. Is it a T-20 or Test???? Another Triple Ton on the cards.

Current partnership 104 runs, 12.4 overs, RR: 8.21 (de Villiers 69, Morkel 35)

"Well well well... I think Waqar should try to take the last wicket. Come on Waqar"

**steveaustin** · 21st November 2010, 05:13 PM

Abraham Benjamin de Villiers becomes the highest individual scorer for SA by breaking Graeme Smith's record of 277. ABD has scored his last 64 runs off just 34 deliveries contained 5 sixes.

Surprise!!! Surprise!!! Surprise!!!
Proteas have declared..... devils' chance of scoring the first triple ton for SA has vanished.
GC Smith

**sivank** · 21st November 2010, 08:06 PM

I have a small doubt. SA and Pak are plöaying their Tests in Abudhabi and the playing hours are between 10 and 17 hours. Is ist not too hot to play during these hours in gulf. Or is the stadium covered with a roof.

veppathula kabalam karainjudhume adhaan ketten. (Idhu soppana sundhari ya yaaru vachu irukka maadhiri kostin. dhayavu senju yaarum odhaikkaadheenga)