The one-two punch that knocked India
-Photo by AP
The highlight of Pakistan’s ODI series win against India was no doubt the ability of its fast bowlers to ruffle the opposition, a pleasant throwback to the golden era. Barring the third ODI, the batting seemed decent and backed up with spirited fielding it looked like an all-round effort capped by the individual performances of Nasir Jamshed and Junaid Khan. Here’s a look at how Misbah-ul-Haq’s men shaped up.
Nasir Jamshed
“[Nasir] Jamshed can pull the fast bowlers, he has good wrists, he can play the ball late, he can drive through the off side – the hallmark of a very good cricketer,” said former captain Ramiz Raja of the Pakistan opener as he displayed his full range during one of his fifties against Australia in the 2012 World T20. Jamshed was still making a mark for himself then but his haul in India has meant that he has left a lasting impression on teammates, opponents and experts alike. His three innings in the ODI series fetched him 241 runs, including two back-to-back centuries. His runs were scored at a healthy strike-rate of 75.31 and were characteristic of his new approach to batting, albeit the off-side play still needs to be tightened. Early on in his career he was a strong bottom-handed player who preferred to stand and deliver, whereas against India, Jamshed was willing to work the ball around and accumulate. Pakistan captain Misbah-ul-Haq attested to that fact saying, “What has been pleasing to see is the maturity he is showing. He is trying to bat according to the situation, his temperament is what will make him a very good player in the future.” Jamshed’s push towards midwicket, is a cross between Saeed Anwar and Matthew Hayden’s execution of the shot – a little bit of elegance and a whole lot of punch. The shot seems to encapsulate what Jamshed is all about. His ability to bat deep into the innings at a brisk rate has been the most assuring feature about him for Pakistan fans who punctuate every wonderful performance by their bowlers with a “Don’t forget we have to bat too.”
Junaid Khan
Junaid Khan’s first notable performance on the big stage came during the first Pakistan-Sri Lanka Test at Abu Dhabi in 2011. In a first innings spell that returned figures of 14.1-38-5, Junaid had even left the great Kumar Sangakkara split wide-open. Coming around the wicket, he accounted for Mahela and Prasanna Jayawardene in one over, the former with one that moved away and the latter with an inswinging yorker that would have left the batsman hopping had he not moved his feet in time. That yorker capped the left-armer’s ability as a strike-bowler even on the most harmless of wickets. Pakistani fans had taken notice but much like Jamshed, Junaid truly captured the imagination during the India series. His performances in the ODIs left one wondering why he was not preferred over Sohail Tanvir in the T20s. Former captain and bowling great Wasim Akram has already likened Junaid to himself and said, “In some ways, the way he sprints in for every ball, he reminds me of myself. I just don’t understand why Pakistan keep dropping him every now and then. Junaid needs to play every format of the game for his country.” He picked up 8-99 at an average of 12.37 in the series and won all his duels with India’s best batsman, Virat Kohli, of which his the last one probably left the Indian star feeling like he had faced Akram.
Mohammad Hafeez
Hafeez had come under severe criticism for his ability to turn it on with the bat in T20s. But he came down the order and drowned that noise out with his willow. Although he was only able to replicate that effort once in the ODI series, his value as a bowler made him one the most vital cogs in Misbah-ul-Haq’s machine. He scored 97 runs in three matches and returned figures of 30-99-3 in the series. His ability to step on the gas while playing proper cricketing shots put paid to any notion that Kamran Akmal should be opening the innings in ODIs.
Mohammad Irfan
When the 7ft 1in Irfan was selected for the Indian tour, many suspected his career would suffer a major setback after having already put in an underwhelming debut performance against England in 2010. Virender Sehwag, Gautam Gambhir and Virat Kohli seemed bigger in stature and Irfan too raw for such a big occasion. His first delivery in the series-opening T20 was clocked in at 145.8 kph and the next five left Gambhir and Ajinkya Rahane jumping to cope with the awkward bounce. Irfan continued in the same vein throughout the ODI series, a testament to his improved fitness and hard work. His figures of 26-132-3 may seem ordinary but it is his softening-up act that made the job for the rest of Pakistan’s bowling line easier. Irfan even fielded at short fine-leg and was seen sprinting at the third-man boundary as well. There will be great temptation to play Irfan alongside Junaid when Pakistan fly to South Africa later this month, but will he be able to cope in the five-day game? Junaid, Irfan, Umar Gul and Saeed Ajmal and Abdur Rehman bowling to Hashim Amla and Jacques Kallis would make for great viewing though.
Misbah-ul-Haq
Misbah’s captaincy remained stable, nothing too imaginative, though. He was guilty of not finishing off the Indian line at 29/5 in the first ODI and Junaid Khan finishing with only nine overs meant that he was wary of a late flurry even after finding himself in a dominating position. Saeed Ajmal and Junaid also finished with one over each in the bank in the third ODI, another indicator of Misbah’s cautious approach. His batting prevented Pakistan from folding on two occasions but did not add impetus to the innings. He would do best to revisit his mode of operation in 2007 and also to do away with all of the following: the reverse sweep, the paddle sweep and the nudge towards midwicket which finds him trapped in front all too often. Pakistan won the series under him and as such Misbah has extended his ODI shelf-life.
Shoaib Malik
The all-rounder’s thumping six sealed a thriller for Pakistan in the first T20 in Bangalore with two balls to spare. He was retained for ODIs after his composed fifty under pressure in that game. He scored 34, 24 and 5 in the three games but his utility with the ball and his brilliance in the field should make him a regular in the ODI side which looks an all-rounder short currently. He is a finisher with the ability to do it calmly and should make the cut for the South Africa ODIs.
Kamran Akmal
Akmal was reliable behind the stumps and that’s saying a lot. He has clearly worked on a few things with Julien Fountain and seems more in the game now. It was argued that he was being wasted as a batsman down the order but his one outing as opener did not go well either. He is a better batsman than what we have seen in the recent past but for now Pakistan would be satisfied if he keeps steady behind the stumps.
Younis Khan
It was an ODI comeback for Younis Khan after being dropped for the series against Australia in the UAE late last year. He scored 58 in the first ODI and alongside Jamshed put Pakistan on course for victory. The next two knocks were hardly impressive but with Azhar Ali failing to take off in the shorter format and Umar Akmal not doing himself any favours either, Younis should return to his preferred number 3 spot until Asad Shafiq returns.
Umar Gul
There are two sides to Gul. When he is on, he is just on. Sometimes within the same game, within the space of a few dozen deliveries Gul can go from looking like a clueless operator playing his first game to a ruthless exhibitionist who takes joy in hitting stumps. That being said, Gul is by no means overconfident in his ability. Perhaps, just confused. Gul’s figures of 23-107-3 in the series are testament to that fact Pakistan fans must accept him for his striking ability, even if he looks overwhelmed at times and gives away runs.
Azhar Ali
There is no doubt that at this stage Azhar Ali seems ideally suited for Tests alone. He has demonstrated an ability to anchor-down and score runs in ODIs but at number three, Pakistan have to have a batsman who can at least find some singles. With Asad Shafiq in the ranks and Haris Sohail in the hunt, Ali should make the most of his Test outings for the time being.
Saeed Ajmal
Ajmal was impressive in the first T20 but went for some runs in the next one. He flew under the radar in the first two ODIs as well before ending with a five-wicket haul in the last game. He clearly put in a man of the match performance but was edged by MS Dhoni’s steely determination in marshalling his flagging troops in New Delhi. Ajmal was great in the series against Australia late last year but a little overcooked in the 2012 World T20 that followed it. But there is no doubt after the third ODI that the King is back. In the shadows of Junaid and Irfan in India, Ajmal will once again be the focus of the South African batsmen when Pakistan travel.
Umar Akmal
We heard Indian great Sunil Gavaskar saying repeatedly how the young Pakistan batsman had loads of talent but no temperament to go along with it. It is a view shared by all but as Rashid Latif pointed out in a TV show after the 3rd ODI, with Akmal the problem is more in the head then with the technique. “He has been heard boasting about an average of 35 in the media recently and that what the main problem is. If he is happy with 35 then he can never become great.” Akmal looked set to repay Misbah’s faith in picking him over uncapped left-handed batsman Haris Sohail before throwing it away once again. With a fit Asad Shafiq, Akmal should, ideally, be made to sit the next few series.
There is no doubt about the talent of Junaid Khan. He may be the next Wasim Akram but I have my doubts about nasir Jamshed. He has three ODI centuries but all against India only. He has many flaws in his batting which will get exposed against better bowling. Come South Africa series and that too in South Africa, jamshed’s batting may stand exposed. However, if Umar Akmal gets a control over his propensity to go for shots early, he can shape up to be a great batting talent. I have high hopes for Umar but not so much for Jamshed. But for the present, he is the hero of Indo-Pak series. I hope he too can improve his game and cover his shortcomings. Then Pakistan can have a great openning pair particularly since Hafeez is such a cool head.
The Kotla match was “fixed”, as rightly twitted/noted by former England wicketkeeper Paul Nixon. I believe it was, as Pakistan cricket has a well earnd reputation for the same.
Matches played 124
Won by India 49
Won by Pakistan 71
simple……!
Oh come ON!
This was not a World cup that India lost, just a inconsequential 3 match series. Granted Pakistanis played well, Indians did not. But, lets not get overboard here.
In the past 40 years, Pakistan has not beaten India in any World Cup match. ANY!!!
India just lost 4 big men in the batting order – Dravid, Tendulkar, Ganguly and Laxman. Their morale is low after losing to Australia, England and again England in India.
I am glad all these issues are surfacing now, not in around the next world cup.
Pakistan has good bowlers, but do you really think they would have troubled a Dravid, a Tendulkar or a Laxman or a Ganguly? Come on..
Brett Lee, McGrath, Warne and Gilesspie were hit all over the park by these greats, remember that..
Lame Excuses.
Pakistan has won quite a few games even when Tendulkar, Laxman and Dravid were part of your team. you might want to look at stats and they will reveal quite a few things about Dravid and Laxman. Look at their averages against Pakistan.
Out of 12 one day series played between Pakistan and India so far, Pakistan has won 8. So India has been Bangladesh for Pakistan when it comes to one days since day one.
Stop living in the past…It would be much better for you to open your eyes NOW and get used to new “Wasim Akrams” and “Saeed Anwars”
Brilliant analyis of Umar Gul…and Jamshed! You have rightfully put Jamshed, Junaid and Irfan in the top three…they were the top performer..and I would say the triple combo that knocked India….The Indian batsman were clearly a little scared of Irfan….As far as Kamran Akmal I think we should be thankful that he didnt mess up big time because frankly there is no better keeper in Pakistan at the moment…two three names keep popping up but if Whatmore and Fountain deemed fit I think they would make the team…..right now Akmal is all we have….at least Umar Akmal won’t be around so that’s a positive
The merits of the Pakistani cricketeers notwithstanding, as a cricket lover, close observer with extra keenness on Indo-Pak matches and as one who saw in the stadium Pakistan winning the match easily at Chennai, let me add that Pakistan had the fortune of weather favouring them in Chennai and Kolkatta. With circumstances favourable, Pakistan’s creditable performance outweighed India’s mediocrity. India’s victory in Delhi is to be construed by Pakistan as an opportunity for introspection. Greg Chappell used to say, Once in a way, every team has to suffer a defeat and every player has to fail. A continuous good performance is always next to the performance where rise is after a failure which is an indicator of corrections made on lessons learnt.
Misbah-ul-Haq needs to be dropped from ODI squad altogether. He is slow and NOT suited for ODI cricket anymore. Plus, as a captain, he is riding on the success of younger batsmen and bowlers who are just ambitious to do good – meaning he is no great shakes as a captain either. We have lost 2 World Cup matches (T-20 & ODI Semi Final) while he played, and the 3rd disaster happened on Sunday when we lost rather suspiciously to a ridiculous Indian side. Misbah also has the irritating habit of praising Indian players more than his own team – whether we win or lose!!!
I agree with you that third ODI was lost under suspicion. If not all at least 5 or six players cooperated with Misabah to lose this match in way that looked natural to non-critical eye.
Pakistan`s batting is brittle and nervous cannot take pressure, Pakistan needs seriously to work on this problem which has been lingering on for ages.
In 3rd ODI behaviour of batsmen totally by design shameful,who so ever was briefing them or at their own was worth doubting.”Countries make records against others” where as we are very courteous at the cost of our own self respect at all level in our country for this attitude our roots have been shaken totally by our so called friends/ally/partner.
Umar Akmal might be a good player but whenever I have seen him play, he comes across to me as self-centered player who is interested more in his own glory. In a partnership he seems to want to keep the strike to himself and score most of the runs for himself. I don’t think such an attitude is healthy for a team. I would rather have a player with slightly less ability who is a team player.
Taimur you forgot the most important member of Pakistan cricket team – the imaginary bookie that exist in minds of many Pakistani fans. This bookie comes into play whenever Pakistan looses a match. How you can ignore match fixing stories when Pakistan is one of the teams and Pakistan looses?
Its not the loss but the way they loose raises questions. Requiring a rate of 3.5 per over Misbah and Umar Akmal were not even trying to take singles.
Not a very true and fair view of the performance.
I would label the series as a BIG WASTED opportunity to give chance to players like Haris Sohail, Anwar Ali and Zulfiqar. Look at what India did with their lineup, along with seasoned stars, they gave chance sto Kumar, Rahane, Dinda and Shami Ahmed. This is such a ridiculous, defensive and mind boggling approach for not fielding new players for a dead rubber which we eventually ended up losing with all so called experienced and big names failed again to counter slightly difficult and rather a mediocre indian bowling lineup. Misbah should not be distracting attention from poor performances by him, Younis, Malik and Akmals when it was more needed, by blaming defeat on weather.
“Akmal was reliable behind the stumps ”
Are you kidding me, did the writer see his heroics when he let go a simple run out chance by not coming close to wicket to gather the ball or when he absent mindedly chased a first slip (even knowing that he is nowhere near the calibre of Rashid latif who was briliiant at catching even the second slip catches) and caused younis to drop it. Just one good catch down the leg side does not make him a reliable keeper. And where is Mr Qasim????? he gave ultimatums to young players and despite giving decent performance he kept dumping young players like sarfaraz and hammad azam, why that rule does not apply to Akmals, maliks and misbahs??????
People are forgetting that we only won ONE more game than India in the whole tour !!!!!!!! Yes, that is moral boosting but we have not won a World Cup!!! Yes, Junaid Khan, Hafeez , Jamshed and Ajmal were phenomenal but what about the rest of the team??????? Infact Junaid Khan performance is a big slap on faces of all those who had labelled him a “Parchi ” when Waqar Younis gave him proper chance ( cannot forget how a popular sports channel disgraced him by labelling him a sifarshi). Can you believe , why on earth, Junaid is not trusted for T20 ?????
It is already quite late but still more than 2 years left before WC 2015 and if we do not start building a team even now then it will be criminal. It is not that we have shortage of talent or replacement, the point is to give the proper chance without any ultimatums from highly incompetent Mr Iqbal Qasim. Have we prepared replacements for Saeed Ajmal, Afridi (as a bowler)????
My suggestions
Misbah should retire from ODI and hand over captaincy to hafeez
Hafeez should consider moving down the order to allow Khurram Manzoor forge a partnership with nasir in Tests and ODIs
Saeed Ajmal should be utilised carefully till WC 2015, dont burn his energies by playing him in all matches, we need him for atleast 3-4 years more as we have not found a replacemnt like him yet
Must get rid of Kamran Akmal as wicketkeeper atleast
Mr Fake…you are not a Fake…..your anaylsis is the BEST. Unfortunately nothing will happen…everything in our land is managed by PARCHEES…and will continue to do so. I pray they get rid of AKMAL brothers FOREVER…whenever they with Afridi play Pakistan always looses.
Akmal fudging up twice in five matches is a big achievement! Chill!
haha what did you expect a 5-0 whitewash of India , T20 and ODIs included? we should appreciate the win for what it is…after all we expected a thumping from the indian batsmen…Akmal has to be persisted with now….who is the a good option plz name a few?
@ Rakka01…Zulqarnain Haider miles ahead of Kamran but he and his family have been….THREATENED by some party you must Guess because if I name them Dawn will not publish my comment.
The problem with Zulqarnain Haider is he will run away in middle of match to catch a flight to London.Then there would be no wicket keeper to support the team.He is unfit to be in the team.
Pakistan team you made the whole Nation proud and i am over joyed by your great win against India in their own country. Please keep up this great team work and keep making us proud of our great Pakistan cricket team. The bowling of Pak team is just too good for any team to handle and our batsmen are getting better too, i didn’t like the poor show in the last ODI match. We should have won that one too but over all great team work. I love you! Pakistan Zindabad!
I am not agree with the writter. What we have had the sereies. what would the writter view on the batting? Batting has completly failed expect Jamshed and Hafeez, 10, 20 5 , 35 kinds of run are not acceptable from the middle order that sould be acceptable from the taleanders. This is international cricket we need to work on our weekness and need to prepare team for the future.
Well to tell you the truth, Pakistan won but we should see our middle order should go. There shound’t be a need for Malik, Misbah and Akmal. Until when we are going to keep them in our team. Why can’t be try new bat. They should have been dropped after world Cup.
Misbah didn’t to exceptional job. Why everytime he comes to crease in any case the situation seem same. He hasn’t done any thing with bet. If we won it go around bowlers and just 2 batsman.
I don’t expect 1 good inning out of 3. This is not accepted, if we do accept then any new commer sould be able to do so. I hate to see the pillar of the batting did not provide any support.
Congrats Pakistan certainly a goopd proformance in India, the series ahead in SA is a REAL test though, bouncy wickets will help our bowlers but as our batting in India shows, Pakistans batsmen are a playing card away from collapsing at moments notice, I certainly see Jamshed being a permenant, Hafeez is in form so he is doing well, everyone else is not consistant enough and we will need Yunus and Asad Shafiq both to provide some achor in the ODI against SA, test matches I would say Misbah, yunus and Asad Shafiq with Azhar Ali are solid, Hafeez opens for sure but who accompany him? ideally Azhar Ali should be 2 Down with Yunus as three down, 1 down is OPEN slot, could be Azhar, Yunus and Misbah coming in. I sincerely hope Asad shafid is healthy and ready for SA that way Hafeez and Azhar Open for us, Asad shafiq comes in one down, Yunus follows and Misbah closes the speciallists, After that Kamran Akmal, followsed by Umer Gul, Saeed Ajmal and then Junaid and Irfan?. Bowlers, Junaid and Umer Gul are a feature, Irafn will be a fitness problem in tests frankly. Ajmal and Hafeez in test bowling will be automatic with Junaid and Umer Gul thats 3 frontline bowlers with one all rounder, may be an opportunity for Shoaib to get back into the side. CAUTION: Umer Akmal is NOT READY for top notch cricket, he may think so, but the thinking is just not right. There are so many Young guns waiting to take his place, this kid has to be nurtured further NOT READY. .
Umer Akmal is needlessly being targeted by all. In one of the 20/20 games he got out to gem of a ball from Kumar. In the other 2 innings he scored 24 and 25. What can the poor guy do, when all the players around him including his captain are in a test match mode and he had to pick up the momentum? He is an individual who plays for the team rather batting for himself by playing slow. Has anyone seen his fielding, he is by far the best fielder in the team and that is a huge asset in one day cricket and he proves it by saving runs after runs.
Younus, Shafiq, Shoaib and Misbah are not one day players, they have had so many opportunities and score once in a while and everyone goes gagagagaga! There are talented youngsters waiting for an opportunity. I agree with Waseem Bari, these youngsters should have been given a chance in the 3rd ODI, it would have been a good training for them to play in pressure cooker series against India. They could have easily traded Haris for Younus, Hammad for Misbah and Anwar Ali for Irfan. WAKE UP SELECTORS BEFORE WE GET MAULED IN SOUTH AFRICA. Oldies take your retirements and give opportunities to the youngsters, you can still make money by playing 20/20 in other countries, follow in the footsteps of Azhar Mahmood.
Well done TEAM PAK ! Your performance was trat to watch , beating INDIA in there backyard!
putting my observations as a cricket lover and a keen observer of the game only hoping the educated readers of the dawn will not take me otherwise. Jamshed is no doubt a great prospect for pakistan…but he has lot to do with his offside play, specially if the ball swings either way after pitching on 5th or 6th stump…he always gets tempted to drive leaving a big gap between bat and pad. i found him getting out bowled in 2 occasions and being beaten in numerous occations in the same manner..our weak bowling attack could not capitalise on it fully but SA or Aus will exploit it to the full…they wont pitch a single ball at his legs…but no doubt, he is a great leg side player and a good hooker. he has a nimble wrist which allows him to place the ball in the gap and has a great temperament…hope to see this young talent bloom in coming years and may be pakistan can get its next zahir abbas…but as i said he needs ti work hard on his offside play to reach zahir abbas’s greatness
My Indian friend, you are so polite. Keep up the good work on watching cricket. I feel like wasted my one night on this bogus and miserable game.
Congrats to Pakistan. They beat india in their own country which is an achievement of its own. Well done boys.
Please don’t bring Muhammad Amir back into the team.
In the Euphoria of the ODI series win , the holly cows of the team Pakistan are spared the persecution of 1)- blunders in giving away the 2nd T20 to India so tieing the series which was there to be taken ,
2)- The now famous and repeated failures in chasing a modest total in odi , The punch of Junaid/Jamsshaid due was blunted by brilliant counter punch of Ishant/Sami and Electrifying fielding of all Indian players , Half of the match was given away by the Pakistani batsmen on a silver plate to India
so time to rejoice is less than its time to do self analysis , Why on earth , ours is a very very bad chaser persistantly over the years ……….
Good job,winning is always an uplifting experience. When you have a good leader things do fall into place. India plays well but the Pakistanis played better!