Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi has challenged his side to build on last week’s Twenty20 wins over Australia in the two-Test series between the countries that starts at Lord’s today.
Pakistan failed to win a single international match on a tour of Australia concluded this year, sparking a series of bans and fines imposed on several players by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).
The fall-out meant a youthful squad arrived in England without its two leading Test batsmen in former captains Mohammad Yousuf and Younus Khan, who both had disciplinary action taken against them by the PCB, but the way Pakistan beat Australia in back-to-back Twenty20s at Edgbaston suggests a bowling attack featuring Umar Gul and teenage left-arm quick Mohammad Aamer, set to be bolstered by leg-spinner Danish Kaneria and paceman Mohammad Asif, will pose problems.
However, the key factor in determining the outcome of the series is whether Pakistan’s batsmen can score enough runs. If they can, they could yet triumph in a series being played in England after top-class international cricket in Pakistan was suspended following last year’s armed attack on Sri Lanka’s team bus in Lahore.
Leg-spinning all-rounder Afridi, who hasn’t played Test cricket since 2006 in order to concentrate on one-day formats, became captain despite being penalized himself for biting the ball in Australia.
Nevertheless, it appears his side are rallying behind him.
“I think now we have regained our winning habit, we must work harder to maintain it,” Afridi said.
He admitted, however, that Yousuf and Younus had left a large hole in Pakistan’s top order.
“Obviously, we will miss their experience, but right now I am focusing completely on the team I have,” Afridi said. “They are the ones who will fight for Pakistan in the Test matches and I retain confidence they can do this.”
In the absence of Yousuf and Younus, who both average more than 50 in Tests, the only member of the Pakistan top six who averages more than 40 is the gifted Umar Akmal — and he has played just six Tests.
“I think their depth is going to be tested,” Australia’s Michael Hussey said. “You take Younus Khan and Mohammad Yousuf out of that team and you’re losing two outstanding, classy players. That’s going to be a big loss, particularly in the Test match arena.”
“It’s going to be very hard to find those runs that those guys consistently score in Test match cricket, but their bowling attack looks outstanding. They’re very well balanced and they cover all bases very well,” he said.
Pakistan who, if the Twenty20s are any guide, can be assured of vocal backing from British-based supporters, are embarking upon a run of six Tests in seven weeks, with four matches in England against their hosts after the Australia series.
“It is a very hectic schedule,” Pakistan coach Waqar Younis said. “It is a tough tour for the youngsters, but also a learning tour for them. In many ways, it is like a restart for Pakistan.”
It is also a landmark series as it will be the first time Tests in England have not featured the England team since a 1912 triangular tournament, where Australia and South Africa made up the three competing teams.
Both Australia wicketkeeper Tim Paine, deputizing for the injured Brad Haddin, and leg-spinner Steven Smith are likely to make their Test debuts at Lord’s.
With Paine and swing bowler Ben Hilfenhaus set to join captain and star batsman Ricky Ponting in the 11, Tasmania — a state with just 2.5 percent of Australia’s population — could have three players in the Test side for the first time.
US track and field athletes have about four dozen pieces to choose from when assembling their uniforms at the Olympics. The one grabbing the most attention is a high-cut leotard that barely covers the bikini line and has triggered debate between those who think it is sexist and others who say they do not need the Internet to make sure they have good uniforms. Among those critical or laughing at the uniforms included Paralympian Femita Ayanbeku, sprinter Britton Wilson and even athletes from other countries such as Britain’s Abigail Irozuru, who wrote on social media: “Was ANY female athlete consulted in
Forget Real Madrid, Manchester City or Paris Saint-Germain, the world’s best soccer team — statistically speaking — might be a little-known outfit from the closed central Asian nation of Turkmenistan. Founded last year, Arkadag, named in honor of former Turkmen president Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow, have been unstoppable, notching up 36 consecutive domestic victories in a run still ongoing. The side have not lost a single competitive match and swept to a league and cup double in their inaugural season — success unthinkable almost anywhere else. However, in Turkmenistan, it could hardly have gone any other way. The energy-rich country is one of the most closed
Four-time NBA all-star DeMarcus Cousins arrived in Taiwan with his family early yesterday to finish his renewed contract with the Taiwan Beer Leopards in the T1 League. Cousins initially played a four-game contract with the Leopards in January. On March 18, the Taoyuan-based team announced that Cousins had renewed his contract. “Hi what’s up Leopard fans, I’m back. I’m excited to be back and can’t wait to join the team,” Cousins said in a video posted on the Leopard’s Facebook page. “Most of all, can’t wait to see you guys, the fans, next weekend. So make sure you come out and support the Beer
Former US Masters champion Zach Johnson was left embarrassed after a foul-mouthed response to ironic cheers from spectators after a triple bogey at Augusta National on Friday. Johnson, the 2007 Masters winner, missed the cut after his three-over-par round of 75 left him on seven-over 151 for 36 holes, his six on the par-three 12th playing a big role in his downfall. Television footage showed Johnson reacting to sarcastic cheers and applause when he tapped in for the triple bogey by yelling: “Oh fuck off.” Such a response would be considered bad form in any golf tournament, but is particularly out of keeping