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Shahid Afridi and Shoaib Akhtar were Pakistan\'s most expensive bowlers in the opening Twenty20 tour match against Auckland. —AFP Photo
Batting first, Pakistan were bundled out for 90 runs without completing their quota of 20 overs as Auckland’s left-arm pacer Michael Bates ripped through the top order.
Bates reduced Pakistan to 7-3 in the third over, which included the wicket of captain Shahid Afridi, who opened the batting along with Mohammad Hafeez.
Middle-order batsmen Younis Khan and Umar Akmal provided brief resistance for the visitors, as they put together a 38-run partnership. Akmal’s 29-ball-25 was the highest score for Pakistan.
All-rounder Abdul Razzaq (16) combined with Umar Gul (19) for a late flurry, which took Pakistan to 90 runs in 17.4 of their 20 overs.
Auckland province’s openers took the attack to Pakistan, with Colin de Grandhomme and Martin Guptill scoring 28 runs in three overs. Grandhomme was dismissed by Shoaib Akhtar in the third over, but the speedster was Pakistan’s most expensive bowler, giving away 31 runs in four overs.
Auckland reached the target in 13.2 overs, led by New Zealand opener Guptill, who made an unbeaten 28. Saeed Ajmal had the best bowling figures for Pakistan, with two wickets for 20 runs.
Pakistan meet New Zealand in the first of three Twenty20 internationals in Auckland on Sunday.
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On DawnNews
Comments (51) Closed
Dec 23, 2010 01:59pm
This has to be the worst team ever, please replace the lot.
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Dec 23, 2010 02:14pm
Yes it's not a good start but what has been hapenning in Pakistan's cricket in recent past requires some benifit of the doubt and respite for the team to adjust. I do hope Pakistan cricketers would do much better in comming matches. Let's encourage the team.
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Dec 23, 2010 02:47pm
Mr Khan, replacing is not an answer.
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Dec 23, 2010 02:56pm
Why....that is all I want to know. Why after all this, i still care for the team and want them to win?
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Dec 23, 2010 03:11pm
Sad bit is the I have played against the main spinner in Auckland side and he's no way a good spinner to dismiss international batsman yet he managed to pick few wickets which in my opinion is pathetic. Pakistani team need to play with pride and shouldn't be scared this is only how they can perform well on NZ pitches. There's movement and bounce but nothing extraordinary that they can't handle.
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Dec 23, 2010 03:25pm
we have 2 courage our team bzc their so much things r happeining together we hope that they will do more and more better...
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Dec 23, 2010 03:28pm
itis bzc they r sufering fro different types of problmes...and misunderstanding presnt in the board people.....
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Dec 23, 2010 04:23pm
Wow it is getting bad everyday. Pakistani Team need one man who can tell them to wake up and smell the breeze. They all are world class players, but they are batting like a 5th grade player. Actually, Imran is right they are PATHETIC and I think Imran they need HEART. I remember in Mid 80s and 90s Pakistan players had heart. They use to face one of the world fasted Bowlers (Imran, Jeff Thomson, Richard H, Dennis L, Joel Garner, Marshall, Roberts etc..) and use to make runs and wanted to win. They were not scared, I am sorry Imran there should not be any excuses about Pitches. They need to work hard, the same way you had the Team. If you work hard you in the Team. Otherwise take a hike, There are a lot of Kids in Pakistan want to play, test them now before it is too late for World Cup. Do you agree Imran...
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Dec 23, 2010 04:39pm
Exactly my point. It is because deep down we'll remain proud pakistanis. This is our identity that no one can atke away from us. If they lose 10 matches in a row, we'll still pray and hope that they win the 11th...
DIL DIL PAKISTAN, JAN JAN PAKISTAN
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Dec 23, 2010 04:47pm
I think its a bit too early to say something at such an early stage of the tour. There must be damp conditions out their. Look how India was bundled out of 136 at Centurian SA. I think this Pakistani team can won this up coming world cup. Keep your fingers cross. Pakistan team has the potential to play well at easier sub continent conditions. Player to watch is Shoaib Akhtar, Umar Gul and Abdul Razzaq.
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Dec 23, 2010 04:50pm
correct ... do not replace them, do what Hitler did to german cricket team ... add the 'Butt' into that as well.
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Dec 23, 2010 04:53pm
This in fact is a blessing in disguise. History of 'green shirts' cricket confirms that whenever they lose the first match especially on a overseas tour, they some how pull up their socks to come back with a big bang. Let's stay positive and hope that history does repeat itself this time too.
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Dec 23, 2010 05:16pm
I have stopped watching cricket for a few months now .. It hurts too much ...
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Dec 23, 2010 05:29pm
I do not understand the logic of Afridi who ignores saad shafiq who is much better player than umer akmal but some howhow we like to keep losers in our side may be we like to dismay the nation who deserve little more better what it gets from the national team
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Dec 23, 2010 05:43pm
wether anybody believe it or not but i dreamed this lost last night.
after being thrashed by Bangladesh and India, Kiwis are favourite to be victorious against this bunch . the only chances pakistan have in this series provided that newzealand plays very bad , we have to be realistic and must not expect any miracle from these inapt crickters.
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Dec 23, 2010 05:58pm
failures are the pillars of success.
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Dec 23, 2010 06:46pm
Dear Bilal - Sydney,
I hope you know that HITLER killing of cricket team is utter nonsense, He may have sent it to the eastern front though.
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Dec 23, 2010 07:04pm
That is only for failure despite all attempts to succeed, not for failure due to character faults, due to misdeeds, etc.
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Dec 23, 2010 07:10pm
bad start but this is Pakistani team any thing can be happened
hopefully better for the future
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Dec 23, 2010 07:18pm
jussssssst replace the Butt every thing will be fine and Pakistan cricket will be reaching sky g like in 1992
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Dec 23, 2010 08:09pm
What else you expect??? after match/spot fixings, ball bitting, pitch/ball tampering, death of coach!!! Pak always in the news for wrong reasons!!
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Dec 23, 2010 08:29pm
GUYS WE ALL KNOW THAT OUR IS NOT PERFORMING WELL BUT IT'S OUR RESPONSIBILITY TO ENCOURAGE THEM AT EVERY MOMENT. REMEMBER THAT WHEN NO ONE WAS EXPECTING THAT PAKISTAN WILL BE WORLD T20 CHAMPION OF 2009. BUT THIS THE TEAM WORK AND OUR SUPPORT WHICH MADE THIS HISTORY. SO BE READY FOR WATCHING SOME THRILLER ONCE AGAIN AGAINST NEWZEALAND AS OUR TEAM HAS DONE AGAINST ENGLAND AND SOUTHAFRICA DURING ODI.
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Dec 23, 2010 08:35pm
Relax Guys,its our way to warm up............they will rise,as they hav been Flored,ths is th Formula for th team :)
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Dec 23, 2010 09:28pm
singing DIL dil Pakistan, talking about magically winning the rest after loosing in the warm ups won't do no good enough of this false hope & i'm tired of our captain & the managemnet giving statements that we are here to play POSITIVE cricket. What positive have come out lately we all know, Ball tampering, match fixing, dope charges & many other controversies outsdie the filed. Get rid of the ill management & plz quit mentioning Asif, Ammir & Butt. Not really expecting much from Pakistan just hoping that they stay away from all the Drama that have haunted our cricket & have given a bad name to our beloved Pakistan. Good luck koom ke Jiyalon :)
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Dec 23, 2010 09:45pm
they were playing lightly, there is no need to panic just bring in mohammed yousuf and they should be good to go.
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Dec 23, 2010 10:01pm
Why not ban the remaining players too ,when the best of lots have already been expelled ;)? That way Board and public can play the cricket together.You don't have Aamir & Aasif here to open the bowling.Dropped the batsman wicketkeeper,don't think others can bat anywhere close to what Kamaran was doing.So its all messed up and no wonder team is being humiliated.I wish common sense prevails and they bring back good players.
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Dec 23, 2010 10:13pm
The new zealand tour should have all Pakistan players in it which will be in world cup squad. It is not uncommon for sub-continent teams to perform badly at the start of the tour. Our ideal team :)
Our ideal team for Pakistan for ODI's and T20's
1. Imran Nazir
2. Shahzaib hasan
3. Abdul Razzaq
4. Umar Akmal
5. Azhar Mahmood (Captain)
6. Shahid Afridi
7. Kamran Akmal (Wicket Keeper)
8. Rana Naveed
9. Umar Gul
10. Shoaib Akhtar
11. Saeed Ajmal
Reserves:
Mohammad Hafeez, Mohammad Sami, Sarfraz Ahmed, Hasan Raza
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Dec 23, 2010 10:20pm
Hey all supporters .....just hav patience....
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Dec 23, 2010 10:49pm
My dear brother and sister do't compare pakistan with india.compare your team with Af,Ban,china,uae,etc even they are playing clean cricket than your team.do't forget to watch next match of india definatly they will play better than previous one.after all it is icc number one team yaar.
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Dec 23, 2010 11:32pm
I saw many Pakistani fans commented online about India's loss to SA. Even there it was the first match of the tour and so it takes time to adjust to the new environment. Similarly here also Pakistan will need some time to adjust.
From an Indian fan, good wishes to Pakistani team. It is well balanced to win this tour. Let us be united in supporting sub-continent teams. We have our own style of playing.
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Dec 24, 2010 12:04am
Yes I am very dissapointed but still think Pakistan will bounce back and do well when it matters
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Dec 24, 2010 12:24am
This is not the end, the team will adjust to the new playing conditions and we hope they will succeed in the remaining matches. Batting line up must change. Afridi must go down the order. Shoaib Akhtar should not be used in the beginning, maybe when the ball is slightly roughed up on one side. This is my opinion, captain knows best.
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Dec 24, 2010 01:06am
and ahmed bhai,that success will never come to pak team.i lost my interest in cricket but love to watch ashes only.
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Dec 24, 2010 01:14am
Excellent Solution bilal.......i m 100% in favor of ur decision:)
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Dec 24, 2010 01:23am
Why do we talk about the team only, why do we not talk about the PCB, selectors, coaches and the managers... Bad management from the PCB to the managers, bad coaching bad planning...
Before the players we should fire all these people, new management all around proper selection to planning and answer-ability???
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Dec 24, 2010 03:09am
Pakistan will lose the world cup cricket in 2011 and Barcelona will be victorious in 2010-2011 champions league, Insha Allah.
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Dec 24, 2010 03:11am
That's the stupidest thing I've ever heard. If that were the case Pakistan would have been the most successful country on earth by now. We've been failing in everything we do for the past 65 years, how many pillars of failure does succes require? Just curious.
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Dec 24, 2010 03:31am
just replace every body start with head of the pcb ,if they can,t play look some other profesional like(glee danda)
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Dec 24, 2010 03:40am
yes it,s the good idea who will come next they now where they going . pcb incharge should be mr imran khan he did ,n sold the country out just like other,s did i past like wasim akram did on 1999 in world cup i alway,s be remember like yesterday.
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Dec 24, 2010 04:33am
I am glad that they have lost the opening match. Now atleast we have hope of winning the rest of the matches. Look at our history, when ever we collapse in the opening, we recover dramatically and stun and shun the world. So hang on tight, as this is gonna be a rough ride.
Dont forget, Asif told his GF, Pak will not win any series till 2010. We have a chance after that
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Dec 24, 2010 05:01am
I am available to play for Pakistan (a little out of practise-last played mid 70s) but am sure I will score a few!!!
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Dec 24, 2010 07:19am
You Pakistanis do not leave an opportunity to glorify when India loses a man but remember, Indian team takes defeats more gracefully and also keep it mind same kiwis were send back from India after a whitewash.First set right your house before commenting about others.We wish your team a great future and hope that the past glory is restored.Thanks.
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Dec 24, 2010 10:11am
shame on pakistani player.
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Dec 24, 2010 10:32am
Being a Pakistani we always say that.....
Hope for the best, but i don't understand when will the time come that we'll say that....
Our team has done that what Pakistanis dying for........
In fact, this is the time not to beating about the bush but take some serious action,,
As some one said " Action speak louder than words".
I'm pissed off to listen that "next time" .. every god damn match they loss and say "next time" we'll play better than this.........
Every time is just saying this no implementation on such a dialogue..
But Pakistan always "Zinda Baad"
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Dec 24, 2010 11:58am
pakistan team will win the next matches because they always need a bad start to win the tour .This is their histry .I hope they will win the next matches.
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Dec 24, 2010 11:59am
Pathetic...corruption...average cricketers get themselves selected beating our corrupt system and we have to watch these guys..cricket is the only game that we all Pakistanis agree on and are proud of it. I blame the big legends like Imran, wasim and Miandad who took all glory and did not do anything to improve the system so the REAL TALENT comes and ahead and not these fast food...sorry fast tracked bunch of AVEARGEES!
I am not going to watch the world cup nor the DISCRIMINATING IPL ...Now I do not know what to watch?
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Dec 24, 2010 06:05pm
Hi Ryan,
Very well said. Please accept the defeat as it is in normal form as a part of game. Try to Inprove and try to win future game. You have to play the game with the cards is on your hand.. Do not try to criticise young cricketers. They are the future. Please support them and encourage them. That is what Indian cricketer are doing. They did white wash to Kiwi and immediately lost against south Africa.Dhoni and their team are hoping to do it best for future.
Godd Luck
Viren Canada
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Dec 24, 2010 11:19pm
Pakistan has to come with a plan-fire all the inept management and bring in big guns to bring some respect to a competitive side. Unfortunately, events of past few months-although manipulated would need to be taken off the table. Otherwise, Pakistan has little, if any, chance to compete in the WC.
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Dec 24, 2010 11:39pm
Pakistan is a very unpredictable side. And this is not new.
Remember Razzaks innings against SA when he scored 64 out of 66 runs required to win.
Another good one whenImran bowled out the Australians ( 4bowls 3run with 3 wickets in hand).
There are many such examples.
This team still has some potential match winners. So have some patience guys this is just the way we are.
Consistency is not a part of our temperament. I am glad its not or else we would be so boring.
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Dec 25, 2010 12:55am
But you still read cricket news!!
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Dec 25, 2010 02:53am
I 100% agree with Mr.Mansur's comments. The corruption in PCB and politics had really damage the image of Pakistan and pakistan's only sport cricket. 97% team comes from Punjab and I am not sure why. There are better cricketers in other parts of country Sind, NWFP and Baluchistan. Please do not take me wrong, I am not against Punjab or Punjabi but I want Pakistan to win and should not be known for match loosing and fixing. PCB management needs to be changed and management should consist of all provinces. There should be written rules of team selection process where talented cricketers can get chance. Fitness and fielding need to be improved. Players need to be fit both physically and mentally.
In last 8+ years, we have not seen any success except some odd win. The team's graph is going down and down. I have lost trust and so many Pakistanis. Unfortunately this is the only sports we Pakistanis are known for in the world and seems we are loosing our recognization.
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