Pakistan vs Sri Lanka in UAE Oct-Nov 2011/12

[Papa_Smurf]

I'm bitterly disappointed with sri lanka, they had a very good world cup and then had several series in which to really make a big impact. England, Australia and now here. they disappointed in the first two and look to be doing the same here.

sanga and jayawardene need a second wind of form, recently they've been too reliant on mathews.

To be fair, they've only lost two Tests from those series. One of them due to a freak session in Cardiff. I was expecting them to struggle post Murli and Malinga, but they haven't done that bad. Despite what happened today, the batting is pretty solid. They just need wicket-taking bowlers.

 

[aussie1st]

Pakistan batting is looking good so far, this would have been the question mark coming into this match.

SL are following us in struggling in the batting department after losing 2 bowlers, must be the confidence in knowing whatever you get your bowlers will back you up.

 

[Paki007]

Quite a nice start of this Match for Pakistan.Wasn't expecting Junaid to perform That well.He was looking a complete different bowlers from I have seen him in the past.Another good performance by Professor.He is having a dream run this year.We should post a lead of something around 200 and then we'll have a strong chance to Win this Match which i wasn't expecting before this match.Still i think it won;t be an easy job to bowl out Lankans in the Second Innings.We'll have to toil hard in these conditions.May Ajmal will be more handy Later on

 

[Rohit Doshi]

Pakistan batting has been pretty good but they are playing way too slowly. Taufeeq Umar 211 balls for 60? Are you serious this is not a damp pitch for sure where you need to keep your wickets by playing slowly. 151 runs in 65 overs man this test is too boring to watch. If Pakistan see's UAE as their home from now on then they should try and set a nice test wicket inplace of this road block. Reminds me of the boring Ahmadabad pitch of Motera Stadium

 

[angryangy]

Pakistan batting is looking good so far, this would have been the question mark coming into this match.

SL are following us in struggling in the batting department after losing 2 bowlers, must be the confidence in knowing whatever you get your bowlers will back you up.

I don't think Sri Lanka were ever that consistent. Even with Murali or Malinga, they made under 200 more often than they made more than 400

 

[AnshtheDj]

Sri Lanka may not have won test matches as consistently as they did with Murali, but they have had more draws than lost matches this year.
When they crumbled for 82 in the 2nd innings of the 1st test match, only to lose the match against England this year , I thought SL are in for a white-wash at the hands of the Poms who were on a high after triumphant Ashes tour. But they showed some real fight in drawing the next 2 matches to the same England team, who vanquished a much-hyped India next month 4-0. SL have limited bowling resources without Murali and Malinga. Also initially mysterious Mendis has been decoded by India and Pakistan although he will continue to be mysterious for teams ENG,AUS,SA,NZ,WI,ZIM. So they need to find a few wicket-taking bowlers in test matches.

I really loved the way Pakistan bowled on the 1st day on a benign pitch. They, along with AUS,ENG are the teams on the fore-front as far quality international fast bowling resources are concerned. They have always been a good bowling side and they continue to breed quality fast bowlers. International cricket needs more of Pakistan. They were quite entertaining and competitive in ICC events in last few years examples being ICC WT20'07, ICC WT20'09, ICC CWC'11.

 

[Paki007]

This match is gonna be Draw.Pakistan will Declare/all out with 300 lead after the end of 3rd day then Sri Lanka will have to bat 2 days to avoid a defeat which is not a big task on this dead pitch.And Pakistan's Negative approach will allow this result.The main reason of this negative approach in the batting by Pakistan is , Pakistan had some serious collapse on even dead pitches in recent times and also the way taufeeq and azhar played i felt they are just playing for their place

 

[sami ullah khan]

^I think you are being too harsh. Remember, our batting has sucked for a long time now. Azhar and Taufiq are trying to ensure that no collapse is ensued and are therefore being a little too slow. I am sure batsmen will look to be more aggressive today and build a lead of around 250. But you never know with our batting. We might not even get a lead of 150.
Junaid Khan has impressed me a lot with his passion and aggression. Aizaz Cheema also bowled his heart out in such trying conditions and got the prize wicket of Sangakara. Our bowling continues to be our strength. Somethings never change .

 

[Paki007]

^i had given two reasons one of them was:

The main reason of this negative approach in the batting by Pakistan is , Pakistan had some serious collapse on even dead pitches in recent times

ah wanted that Azhar gets a 100 but the same story continues He has scored 9 Fifties now but not a single hundred

Again a boring session comes to an end that what you would expect when Taufeeq is playing.jUST 77 runs added.I don't think 250 lead would give us an innings vicory.Want a crushing win that's why may be i was a little harsh

 

[Ahmad Shah]

Pakistan batted nicely till now,being 438 for 4 at the moment with Shafiq who has just arrived to the crease and Taufeeq closing in to a double century on 192 well,whats next.

 

[Paki007]

Misbah made this one the Best sesSION OF PakiSTAN batting.Now Pakistan should post a 300 lead and may be declare just before the stumps to try to pick up a wicket or more

 

[Paki007]

Mathews Didn't bowl...any special reason?

 

[AnshtheDj]

Our bowling continues to be our strength. Somethings never change .

Like!!

 

[sami ullah khan]

He is got a few niggles. He has not bowled for a while now.
What is Asad Shafique doing. Its atrocious watching him bat.

 

[BKB1991]

Probably trying to keep his place. Which in all fairness is understandable.

Junaid getting a five wicket haul against Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka going down below 200 in batting conditions.
Taufeeq getting a double hundred
Pakistan getting a 500 + score
Pakistan having a 300 + first innings lead.

This is surely some fixing going on