Take a bow, Shakib Al Hasan!

Real champions are those who think of winning even in the face of a defeat. Bangladesh epitomized that in their World Cup game against Ireland on Friday.

Ireland were chasing a target of 206 on a track that had nothing in it for the bowlers. But even on this wicket, a disciplined Irish attack had done exceedingly well to restrict Bangladesh in front of their vocal home crow. Humiliation was knocking at the door for the Tigers. Ireland threatened to shut the quarter-final door on Bangladesh.

It was crisis time for Bangladesh captain Shaikb Al Hasan. It was an acid test of his leadership skills. And, boy, did he rise to the challenge!

In my book, Shakib’s captaincy was at his brilliant best. Not for a fleeting moment his shoulders dropped. He attacked relentlessly; despite memories of the Sehwag mauling was fresh in the memory of his bowlers.

In the 10th over, Shakib brought on Ashraful and Naeem Al Islam. The ploy of introducing Ashraful was risky decision as the bowler’s confidence was at its lowest ebb. But Shakib believed in his bowler’s ability to deliver the good. And Ashraful just did what his captain wanted from him. He started bowling off-spin, and not leg-spin, as the track was aiding the finger spinners to pick up two vital wickets.

Shakib gave him a protracted spell of nine overs and in the process sacrificed his own full quota of 10 overs. As the saying goes, “Fortunes favours the brave.”

The captain’s deployment of Shafiul was another instance of his ability to understand and exploit a given situation. In his first spell, Shafiul was hammered, but Shakib used him in short bursts whenever a wicket fell and advised him to bowl a fuller length. And how well his tactics worked!

Shakib knew that Shafiul is capable of delivering the goods and he just needed to be used as per the demand of the situation. Shafiul responded by jolting the Irish tail.

Bangladesh needed a win to come back on track. And this win against Ireland was very important. Firstly, to stay in the race for the quarter-finals and lastly to get back the confidence which was severely undermined by Virender Sehwag’s pummeling.

Note: This article has been published in Cricket Country on 28/02/2011http://www.cricketcountry.com/articles/take-a-bow-shakib-al-hasan-813

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Faisal Caesar 

Darren Bravo’s rise: Is the cricketing world seeing the emergence of another Lara?

The West Indies-South Africa in the ongoing World Cup was another one-sided affair. It was more about poor West Indian batting than classy South African bowling. The West Indies total of 222 was never going to challenge the best ODI team in the world and AB de Villiers’s brilliance took the game away from the West Indies.

While it was great to watch the wonderful timing by de Villiers, it was young Darren Bravo who caught the eye of the connoisseurs.

The romanticists and purists of the game were bored with the robotic batting of many of the modern day batsmen and were enthralled to see an artist painting on the mega canvas with flurry of brilliant colours. In Darren Bravo they witnessed an artist they were waiting for. He showed that he has the potential to inherit the class of Brian Lara.

After surviving an early lbw decision, he stunned the gathering with his art and class. In the second over he hit Dale Steyn. The South African pacer slid one down the leg side and Bravo dexterously guided it to the fence. Then, off the last ball, Steyn yet again targeted the pads; Bravo shuffled and flicked behind square-leg for four with exquisite timing.

Steyn continued to be punished by Bravo, stabbing the South African pacer through the covers for four. That stroke was lyrical murder!

Captain Graeme Smith opted for Jacques Kallis’ experience to topple get rid of Bravo. But he welcomed Kallis’s first ball by disdainfully hitting him over mid-on for four. Kallis pitched the third ball on a length but Bravo dismissed it for four wide of long-off.

Bravo was simply not rating Kallis as a bowler as he murderously pulled Kallis in the 12th over in front of square that brought back memories of vintage Lara. It was as if Bravo was telling Kallis, “That’s what will happen if you bowl short-pitched rubbish!”

Then it was time for Albie Morkel to get the bitter taste of the Bravo Treatment. The batsman slogged Morkel over mid-on; he did not contact well, but there was enough power to send it to the fence.

Imran Tahir was bowling in the 16th over and Bravo spotted mid-on in the circle and swung one powerfully over mid-on – the bottom hand coming off the handle as he played that length delivery. But it still had the desired effect – as the ball cleared the ropes!

Bravo then depended on singles and twos. Majority of them were collected on the off-side, the left-hander’s favourite area. But more importantly it was a sight for sore eyes to watch the sweetness of the timing and the flamboyance of his stroke play. He has the gift of timing and his ability to place through the gaps marks him as to quality batsman.

Bravo doesn’t have the flourishing high backlift of Lara, but his timing and the mindset to murder quality bowling brings nostalgic memories of the great West Indian left-hander. Bravo’s romantic batting promises to woo many cricket fans the world over.

His classy 73, for me, is the finest entertaining knock in the World Cup thus far. That it has come against the best attack of the tournament is a feather in his cap.

Are we seeing another Lara on the cricketing horizon? I would like to think so.

Note: This article has been published in Cricket Country on 28/02/2011 http://www.cricketcountry.com/articles/darren-bravos-rise-is-the-cricketing-world-seeing-the-emergence-of-another-lara-796

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Faisal Caesar

ICC World Cup 2011 - Andrew Strauss’s hundred will find a place among ODI’s greatest epics

England does not have many epic innings to crow about in the annals of ODIs – something which is in sharp contrast to the many classics their batsmen have played in their long Test history.

But Andrew Strauss’s craft, courage and temperament on Sunday ensured that his innings will find a place in the pantheons of ODI’s greatest knocks and English cricket’s folklore.

The Bengaluru crowd had already been mesmerized by the wand of the magician Sachin Tendulkar. But what Strauss produced later was an eloquent art in leading from the front in a crisis situation. Take away Strauss’s 158, and the nine other Englishmen who batted on Sunday night scored 180 between them. Take away his partner Ian Bell‘s 69, and Strauss’s single-handed defiance can be seen in perspective.

With due respect to the maestro, Strauss overshadowed Tendulkar’s hundred last night. Strauss was batting second, under the pressure of a chasing an awesome Indian score, in front of vociferous crowd supporting the home team. As captain, there was added pressure on him. In contrast, Tendulkar batted relatively freely, in familiar conditions with the crowd behind him.

In a format known for innovations and improvisations, Strauss crafted his innings in the classical mould. Not once his innings titled towards the bravado. In the process, he emphatically proved that traditionalism has a place in the abridged version of the game.

Strauss was in complete command and control against the Indian seamers, whom he drove and flicked with exquisite timing. The Indian spinners were supposed to trouble the English batsmen, but Strauss dented their confidence – much like Graham Gooch in the 1987 World Cup at Mumbai. Strauss was quick to read the length and used his feet profitably and intelligently. He creamed 107 runs from 98 balls off the Indian spinners.

Strauss’s knock had all the ingredients of a masterpiece: It had the heroics of a winner – well, almost – winner, the mental strength to fight heavy odds and the classicism that brings joy to the purist.

It was a privilege to have watched an epic on the greatest stage of world cricket.

This article has been published in Cricket Country on 1/03/2011 http://www.cricketcountry.com/articles/andrew-strausss-hundred-will-find-a-place-among-odis-greatest-epics-829

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Faisal Caesar

ICC World Cup 2011 - Why it’s unfair to crucify captain Shakib

Shakib Al Hasan’s decision to bowl first was not wrong. He had the dew factor in his mind and his plan was to restrict India below 260. What can the captain do if his bowlers let him down? Even Dhoni would have chosen to field first if he had won the toss.

There was wisdom in Shakib choosing to chase; the previous 12 day-nighters at the Shere Bangla were won by the team batting second.

The main strength of Bangladesh is the bowling and a lot of expectations were built around them. But they failed to deliver – probably undone by the pressure.

Shafiul Islam delivered the first ball of the World Cup short and wide. Rubel Hossain, too, tried hard and bowled a leg-stump line which was inviting trouble against a side prolific with hitting on the leg side. The spinners were brought on early, but the sting and discipline, which outclassed the Kiwis last year, was sadly missing today.

Razzak was found wanting as he allowed Sehwag and Co. to capitalize on the inside-out stroke without much fuss. Mahmudullah and Naeem Al Islam were tried as stock bowlers, but they too were undisciplined.

No bowler was able to shackle the Indian batsmen’s free-scoring abilities as they bowled too short, fed the batsmen with plenty of half volleys and gave too much width. The spinners failed to vary their length. In big matches, such undisciplined bowling deserves no mercy. The Bangladesh’s bowlers failed to maintain composure in the grandest match of their lives.

Even though India savaged Bangladesh with their bat, they showed much spirit while batting. Imrul, Tamim, Junaid and Shakib gave the Indian bowlers some anxious moments.

If only the Bangladesh bowling showed some discipline the contest would have been lot closer than it turned out to be.

Bangladesh bowling needs to do a lot more homework before their next encounter against Ireland. If the main strength of the team combination is not okay then surely things are not on the right track.

Lastly, I felt the team felt the absence of Mashrafe Mortaza, especially in the slog overs. On flat tracks, the pace bowlers need to exhibit a lot of craft, something Mortaza is blessed with to test the batsmen. Shafiul and Ritubel lack that. They should bear in mind the importance of pitching it right on batsmen-friendly pitches by maintaining a tight line and length. Else, they will keep getting hammered.

This article has been published in Cricket Country on 20/02/2011 http://www.cricketcountry.com/news/why-it-s-unfair-to-crucify-captain-shakib-559

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Faisal Caesar

ICC World Cup 2011 - India's team strength and track record is intimidating

India’s overall team combination and the performance in the warm-up games will certainly send shivers down any opposition’s spine. Over the last two years, the Men in Blue are at the height of their powers. Having said that, Bangladesh, too, have improved considerably.

On paper, the Indians are way above the Tigers and their track record at the Mirpur Sher-e-Bangla Stadium against Bangladesh is 100 percent. In fact, the home team has been outclassed. It’s fair to say that the India will be overwhelming favourites in the opening match of the 2011 World Cup.

But on the mega stage it’s quite hard to write off a side and that too a team like Bangladesh who has improved immensely over the years.

Bangladesh’s main strength is their bowling. Having been successful with bowling with three specialist left-arm spinners, Bangladesh is supposed to stick to that formula. And as all the spinners are wicket takers it is a must that they get the best support from the fielders.

In the last warm-up match against Pakistan, Bangladesh’s fielding has been terrible. In mega events, a single reprieve to a batsman like Sachin Tendulkar or Virender Sehwag can prove very costly. In the warm-up match against Pakistan, the Tigers dropped important catches, which cost them the match. The fielding has to be flawless.

Bangladesh must target the top three batsmen of the Indian team. It’s imperative to dismiss them early. And for that to happen, the new ball bowlers must stick to the basics rather than stretch beyond their abilities. If the new ball bowlers strike early blows, it will make easier for the spinners to attack.

Bowling is the key to success in this World Cup for the Tigers. The Bangla batting is heavily dependent on the hard-hitting of Tamim and the charismatic Shakib.

The main problem of the line-up is the lack of stability in the middle. If superstars like Tamim and Shakib fall early, collapse becomes evident. Rahim has the necessary composure but the impetuosity of youth undermines that at times.

Against Pakistan, Bangladesh maintained a healthy run-rate good, but then lost wickets at regular intervals. The penchant for over attacking let the team down. Patience is the key while batting – something which will be very critical against a team like India. The Tigers need to put a price tag on their wicket.

Against the big guns, the less-fancied teams approach with a defensive mindset. That is where the match is lost before its gets under way. The Tigers must approach with an attacking mindset – batting or bowling.

If Bangladesh bowl first, they must restrict the Indians like they did in Trinidad four years ago. And if they bowl second, their batsmen must show enough discipline to give the bowlers a good score to defend. If the Tigers approach correctly, then it is not impossible to beat the men in blue.

In Shakib, Bangladesh has the right person to lead. He is a smart operator and has handled pressure well over the years. But it is on this greatest stage he must give his best to produce the best results for his country.

There have been a lot of talks about the dew factor. Till now there has not been any effect of it. But you never know predict weather with a degree of certainity. If the dew factor does come into play, then the plan would be to chase. Perhaps, the captain and the coach have the same plan in their thoughts.

Lastly, it’s all about coping with the pressure. The team which copes with the pressure well will be the winner in the end. Playing in front of the home crowd, Bangladesh must not take it as a pressure but must take it as a psychological boost.

The Tigers must bear in mind that beating the best teams is not an impossible task.

Note: This article has been published in Cricket Country on 18/02/2011 http://www.cricketcountry.com/articles/indias-team-strength-and-track-record-is-intimidating-515

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Faisal Caesar

World Cup and the momentum factor

According to Imran Khan, the World Cup has its own momentum.  Teams that adapt and evolve find the momentum to be successful. Very few can argue with what Imran said, as nobody knows momentum better.

This year’s World Cup is studded with some charismatic and brilliant teams. India, South Africa, England etc are all front-runners to lift the trophy. But it’s the momentum factor that will be decisive in the end analysis. But what is this momentum of the World Cup and how does one gain it?

Form 1975 to 2007, the most successful sides in the mega event were those that coped well with the pressure. They won important games by holding their nerves to sustain the winning momentum.

In 1975, the West Indies gained the momentum by beating Pakistan at Edgbaston in a heart-stopper. India gained enormous confidence at Tunbridge Wells in 1983 by winning from hopeless position against Zimbabwe, Australia gained the momentum by beating India at Chennai in their opening match in 1987, Pakistan gained their momentum at Perth in their do-or-die encounter against the Aussies.

In 1992, Sri Lanka gained the momentum by thrashing India at Kotla in 1996, Steve Waugh’s men gained the momentum by destroying the West Indies at Manchester in 1999 while Ricky Ponting’s men gained momentum to maintain the Australians’ unbeaten run in 2003 by thrashing Pakistan at the Wanderers even after a hiccup at the start of their innings.

The history of the World Cup has ample evidence of the success formula. Handling pressure to win key matches of the tournament to gain momentum is thus critical.

In 1992, in the opening game of the World Cup, holders Australia lost to dark horse New Zealand. It was a sorry tale for Australia in the end. They failed to gain momentum in one of the crunch games and lost their way.

Pakistan, too, were defeated heavily in their opening match, but went on to lift the trophy. When the pressure was on them, they rose to the occasion to gain momentum. In the important encounter against Australia, Imran’s men gained momentum and sustained it till the very end.

Pre-tournament odds change quickly when the momentum factor comes into play. That’s the key to reaching the pinnacle of success.

Note: This article has been published in Cricket Country on 18/02/2011 http://www.cricketcountry.com/articles/world-cup-and-the-momentum-factor-484

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Faisal Caesar 

ICC world Cup 2011 - Pakistan look good even without Mohammad Asif & Mohammad Aamer

“The ICC tribunal has announced a sanction of ten years’ ineligibility for Salman Butt (with five years of a suspended sentence); seven years for Mohammad Asif (with two years suspended) and five years’ ineligibility for Mohammad Amir. The sanctions follow investigations of their role in spot-fixing, along with Mazhar Majeed, a players’ agent, during Pakistan’s tour of England in 2010,” according to cricinfo.

To many fans, this decision came as a shock. They were hoping that at least Mohammad Amir would be spared of harsh punishment. Sadly, the most exciting talent since the legendary Wasim Akram got no such leniency.

The fans and the cricket thinkers of Pakistan should not rue over the decision. Amidst of so many chaos and controversies Pakistan has still a competitive for the World Cup. And under the captaincy of Shahid Afridi, Pakistan has gelled into a fine unit.

The new ball Asif and Amir will be missed, but at present Abdul Razzaq is doing a good job. Razzaq might not unsettle the batsmen with extravagant pace or movement in the manner of Asif or Amir, but he has taken the responsibility of tying down one end with the new ball while the likes of Shoaib Akhtar and Umar Gul attack from the other end.

And Afridi has used Razzaq with much shrewdness. He uses him till the shine of the ball persists and engages Mohammed Hafeez to strangle the batsmen in the middle overs. Afridi’s canny leg-spin has not only kept things quiet during the middle overs, but has also broken vital partnerships that have threatened to take the game away. Hafeez is capable of chipping in with a few miserly spells of his own in Saeed Ajmal‘s absence.

In Umar Gul, Pakistan has the most lethal weapon in the end overs to send shiver down any best batsmen’s spine. Gul is surely the finest merchants of reverse swing at present in the limited-overs cricket. With Gul, Wahab Riaz too is a handy customer and an excellent exponent of late in-swingers to rattle the stumps. And in sub continent conditions, Gul and Riaz will be very deadly while Afridi and Hafeez will be licking their fingers.

So why rue about the absence of Asif and Amir? Pakistan has good replacements in this World Cup.

Personally, I don’t think Salman Butt is needed in the team. His batting form, after being made the captain, was disastrous. Pakistan at the top has the best men in the business at present in the form of Hafeez and Shehzad. Hence, the absence of Butt shouldn’t bother Pakistan. And mind you Pakistan middle-order is wells settled, with the super cool Younis Khan and Misbah-ul-Haq and the Akmal brothers to show their impulsive batting. These guys are well aided by the fireworks of Afridi and Razzaq.

Pakistan is cricket’s greatest enigma. Over the years the team has traveled through troubled waters so many times that it’s enough to make anybody dizzy. The spot-fixing scandal has cost them their two premium fast bowlers, but the Men in Green continue to perform to earn enough praises. Had the other teams had been disturbed by so many chaos then surely they would have crumbled. But Pakistan has gelled well to cement a settle side before the World Cup. The good thing is that the players have understood their roles in the team.

Pakistan must not let the Doha case disturb their focus for the World Cup and they should stick with this settled side and dream big for the World Cup.

Note: This article has been published in Cricket Country on 16/02/2011 http://www.cricketcountry.com/articles/pakistan-look-good-even-without-mohammad-asif-mohammad-aamer-437

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Faisal Caesar 

Shane Watson – Australia’s modern Keith Miller

Australian cricket has lost its aura of invincibility. The loss of two successive Ashes series is an indication of their precipitous decline in Test cricket. The team has been vulnerable under pressure. They have done relatively well in the overs-limit format, but without quite exhibiting the kind of sting that they showed at their pomp when the likes of Steve Waugh, Shane Warne, Glenn McGrath were around.

One man, however, has stood shining like a beacon of hope for Australia. Since 2007, the charismatic Shane Watson has gone from better to best and at present is the only Mr. Consistent – both, with the ball and the bat – for Australia. His will power is rock solid.

Despite having a body worthy of getting featured in Playboy magazine, Watson’s frame was so brittle that it threatened to break him. But the tall poster boy refused to give up.

For a long time, it was felt that his recurrent injuries would prevent him from maximizing his rich potential. But once he amended his training, sacrificed alcohol and opted for low-calorie diet, the results began to show. Till the 2007 World Cup, Watson batted mostly at No.7. While he didn’t do badly at that slot, moving up the order has given him greater opportunities to show his worth as a batsman. And while he has struggled to convert his starts into hundreds in Tests, the centuries have come more easily in ODIs; all five of his ODI hundreds have been scored in the last three years.

His promotion at the top proved the master stroke for Australia and for Watson himself as the world watched his dazzling talents and astonishing consistency even when others around him faltered. At the crease, Watson is almost like a right-handed Matthew Hayden. Watson’s principle strengths as a batsman are his abilities to pick the length early and hit the ball powerfully like Hayden. Over the years, he has learnt to hit the ball with a degree of authority. All those attributes have made him one of the most dangerous batsmen in world cricket. His Test batting average of 41.55 from a mere 20 matches since his elevation as opener indicates his importance at the top.

As a bowler he is quick with ability to pick up crucial wickets. When the need arises, he can bowl cheeky spells. More recently his ability to reverse has kept the best batsmen at bay. In the limited over version he has bowled fewer overs per match in the last three years, about 5.1 per match compared to 6.3 before 2008, yet he has averaged one wicket per match. The bowling average has fallen drastically from 34.11 to 23 since the 2007 World Cup.

His bowling average in Tests is not as impressive as it is in ODIs. Watson’s impressive bowling over the last three years indicates that he will be a dangerous in the forthcoming World Cup.

His ODI batting average was about the same as his bowling average till the end of the 2007 World Cup, but in the last three years, his ODI batting average is twice more than his bowling. Not surprisingly, several of his match-winning performances have come during this period; of the 11 Man-of-the-Match awards, seven have come since 2008, with the latest one being less than two weeks ago for his stunning unbeaten 161 against England, which helped Australia ease past their target of 295.

Watson is a player on whom Australia can depend for runs and for wickets in all formats of cricket. The tall, strong-built, golden-haired is the new hope and inspiration of cricket Australia, the perfect torch bearer of the legendary Keith Miller. Australia’s success in the upcoming World Cup will depend heavily on the shoulders of Watson.

His winning the Allan Border medal for two consecutive years (2010 and 2011) has confirmed his arrival as the most important Australian player.

Note: This article has been published in Cricket Country on 13/02/2011 http://www.cricketcountry.com/articles/shane-watson-australias-modern-keith-miller-391

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Faisal Caesar 

Step-motherly treatment of bowlers should end

One of the pernicious fallacies perpetrated by the television age is the misconception that a glut of runs equals to good cricket. Even seasoned commentators, mostly ex-cricketers, are willing victims of this malady where the goodness of a pitch is defined by the quantity of runs scored on it than the quantity. This makes cricket lop-sided.

Pitches are made in such a way to give batsmen an unfair advantage over the bowlers. This unhealthy trend is not just limited to the sub continent; it has also infected places like Australia, England, South Africa and New Zealand.

In the last decade, we have seen the domination of bat over ball. Even an average batsman is made to look good on batsman-friendly tracks.

Greg Chappell opines cricket is most fascinating when the ball has a slightly better advantage; the contest then is gripping. I’m in agreement with Chappell’s line of thinking.

Even the rules favour the batsmen. Take the bouncer rule as a case in point. It’s one of the weapons to test the best in the business. In the ODIs, one bouncer is allowed while in the Tests just two bouncers are allowed. The element of surprise is taken out of the equation with such restrictions. Why should a batsman, protected by helmet, not face six bouncers in an over? It will be fascinating to watch the fast men blazing away without such restrictions.

In the ODIs, the Power Play for 20 overs is rubbish as it’s the batting side that gets the advantage to make the call for a Power Play of five overs to suit their requirements. They utilize it in the last five overs mostly at will to take a toll on the bowlers.

Again, changing of balls after the 34th over is on the batsmen’s request. That is another blow to the bowling side and the practitioners of reverse swing – a lethal weapon in the dead overs blunted by batsmen-friendly laws.

I think Power Play of 10 overs should be compulsory and another five overs should be allowed for the fielding side to decide when they wish to take it. And there should be four fielders outside the ring to give the bowlers options to attack. Changing balls after the 34th over on the batsmen’s wish should be done with as cricket should not be deprived of watching the beautiful art of reverse swing.

The placid tracks are making bowlers defensive. Few dare to attack; the majority of the bowlers rely on accuracy, sacrificing pace and swing in the process. The art of fast bowling is almost absent. The sight of the fast bowlers being hit brutally on the dead tracks is quite a sorry sight.

Even a score of 400 isn’t safe in modern cricket. The growth of T20s has only worsened things for the bowlers. On flat tracks, a fast bowler is clueless and helpless.

As a cricket lover, I got more joy watching Rahul Dravid‘s hundred against the West Indies at Jamaica in 2006 than Virender Sehwag‘s blistering triple tons on placid Indian wickets. The wicket at Jamaica was dynamite. The ball kept low one moment and spat venom the next. It was the perfect track to test the character of a batsman. Dravid passed on all accounts. It proved how a contest can be at its best when the ball has slight dominance over the bat. There are such examples in plenty.

Spectators come to see boundaries and sixes. Taking cue from what the spectator desires, wickets and rules are tailored to favor the batsmen. But when a bowler sends the stump cart-wheeling or makes a batsman bow and weave from a vicious bouncer is also fascinating to watch as the boundaries and sixes. There has to be a semblance of balance between ball and bat. That will add colour and excitement to the game instead of the monotonous one-sided contest.

Batsmen have to earn their runs. For that, the bowlers need encouragement in the form of fair rules and wickets that are not unduly biased in favour of the batsmen. The step-motherly treatment of bowlers has to end. Now!

Note: This article was published in Cricket Country on 11/02/2011 http://www.cricketcountry.com/articles/step-motherly-treatment-of-bowlers-should-end-360

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Faisal Caesar

Hashim Amla - The Islamic icon of world cricket

  

Dean Jones called him a terrorist while sitting in the commentary box during a 2006 Test against Sri Lanka. Jones’s brand of humor – for which he got the sack – was possibly because of his target’s flowing beard and his religion.

Suffering oppositions would like to believe that Hashim Amla is a terrorist – but with the bat! The South Africa is a sublime artist. His batting has the flavor of an Iranian beauty, the calmness of the Arabian Desert and the patience of a saint. Amla is today rightfully acclaimed among cricket’s finest willow artists.

There is grace in whatever Amla does – be it even merely blocking the ball or leaving it alone! He is a sight for sore eyes. In an era when corruptions of fast-paced cricket have infiltrated batting, Amla’s batsmanship is one for the purists. One can go miles to watch the connoisseur’s delight play with wristy elegance and produce that magical sound of ball hitting the sweet spot of the bat.

He rekindles the romance of a bygone era with his silken touch… be it those delightful flicks, wristy wafts through the off, drives bisecting the ‘V’ or the heaves to midwicket. Amla’s knock of 253 against India at Nagpur last year was incredibly disciplined. There were hardly any aerial shots. The track was spitting venom, with Harbhajan Singh and Amit Mishra looking menacing cobras. But Hamla was more than equal to the challenge by turning into a snake charmer!

Then, at Kolkata’s Eden Gardens in the second Test, blew everybody’s mind with the patience of a monk. He refused to be intimidated by the irritating crowd or the teasing off-spinners of Harbhajan Singh. He was the last man standing for the Proteas for 500 vigilant minutes. And yet he wasn’t affected by any cramps, fatigue or spasms which most of non-subcontinent batsmen faces while touring India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. But Amla remained focused and smiling right through.

He dedicated his triumph over fatigue to the fasting that Muslims do during the holy month of Ramadan. It wan indication of his faith in his religion. The discipline inculcated by his religion was now being translated on the field of play.

His winning the CSA Cricketer of the Year Award is an achievement which he so thoroughly deserves, but surprisingly he was not chosen for the ICC Test Cricketer of the Year. Many were bemused but Amla was the cricket lovers Test cricketer of the year 2009. And his bat still is producing the goods for the South Africa.

Jacques Kallis will leave sooner than later, but the Proteas batting is in safe hands. Amla is a high quality player in both forms of the game and the Proteas batting will revolve around him.

In an era when Muslims are being hated and being negatively painted as terrorists, Amla has been a positive endorsement. Yes, Amla is slowly becoming the Islamic icon in world cricket.

Note: This article has been published in Cricket Country on  10/02/2011 http://www.cricketcountry.com/articles/hashim-amla-the-islamic-icon-of-world-cricket-336

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Faisal Caesar 

ICC World Cup 2011: Chinks in the Indian team’s armour

Since 2007, the Indian cricket team has gone from being good to better to being the best. In the 2007 World Cup, the men in blue were out of the World Cup in the first round, triggering a wave of disappointment in India. But since then, the Indian team has transformed into the best Test and ODI side in the world.

After four years, the World Cup caravan halts in the sub-continent. Indians fans are upbeat – almost overconfident – that their team will win the World Cup after 28 years. The current Indian team is perhaps the most balanced side amongst the 14 teams participating in the 2011 World Cup. Expectations are thus sky high.

But such expectations could boomerang than a boost. Hot favourites often crumble under pressure. Though the current Indian side is well balanced in terms of their past and recent records, but there are a few vulnerable areas:

1. Their running between the wickets is atrocious.

2. The Indians conventionally tend to ignore the old fashioned virtue of stealing five or six singles every over.

3. In the middle-order they don’t have someone like Rahul Dravid who is master at rotating the strike and keep the scoreboard moving.

4. The Indians depends more heavily on the top order to fire or their No. 7 or 8 to produce a blitz.

5. The India team tends to concede 20-30 runs through sloppy fielding. In major tournaments such extra runs can be the thorn in the throat.

6. Their bowling lacks depth. Though Zaheer Khan and Harbhajan Singh are world class, they don’t have much qualitative.

India had been winning bilateral series despite these shortcomings – something that will get magnified in a mega event like the World Cup. If this Indian team has to emerge supreme, then the weakness would have to be addressed. The fielding has to be sharp, Zaheer and Harbhajan would have to get meaningful support, the running between the wickets must be flawless and one batsman has to play like Dravid in the middle-order.

Lastly, I think Sachin Tendulkar must bat in the middle-order. The Indian opening pair is good hands of Virender Sehwag and Gautam Gambhir. Virat Kohli should come in at No 3 and Tendulkar at No 4. The team needs his enormous experience in the middle-order. He is the only person to me who can bring in the value that Dravid provided.

Note: This article has been published in Cricket Country on 09/02/2011 http://www.cricketcountry.com/articles/icc-world-cup-2011-chinks-in-the-indian-teams-armour-327

Thank You

Faisal caesar

Mashrafe Mortaza should have been picked for ICC World Cup 2011

After so many assumptions, talks, debates and arguments, the 15-man Bangladesh squad for the upcoming World Cup was announced. But the announcement triggered a wave of disappointment among cricket fans of Bangladesh who could not digest the exclusion of champion bowler Mashrafe Mortaza – dropped for fitness reasons following an injury he suffered in December.

The Australian surgeon attending on Mortaza had hinted that the paceman would be fit for the World Cup. In fact, Mortaza had begun bowling off a short run-up during net sessions before the team selection.

Bangladesh should have taken a leaf out of Australia’s book. They risked with Ricky Ponting and Michael Hussey. Ponting was injured in the Perth Test and missed the Sydney Test this year. Hussey picked up a serious hamstring tear in the ODI against England and underwent surgery. Ponting, too, is recovering from an operation on his little finger. Hussey and Ponting have time to recover before the tournament reaches the knock-out stages, with the quarter finals beginning on March 23. Australia‘s opening match of the campaign is against Zimbabwe in Ahmedabad on February 21. Again, they picked up fading fast bowlers Brett Lee and Shaun Tait just on the basis of their past experience.

The mere presence of some players lifts a team’s morale. Mortaza is one such player – a bowler who enjoyed a successful 2007 World Cup and one who has plenty of experience. He is a master at picking up early wickets and Bangladesh will miss him badly.

His injury would have healed as the tournament progressed and he could have bowl off a short run-up and played in just the major matches.

Another omission is Alok Kapali. There are plenty of off-spinners in the team. The presence of a leg-spinner would have given variety to the attack. Importantly, teams like South Africa, England and the West Indies have been traditionally weak against leg-spin. He would have been a great value-add as he is also useful with the bat at No 6 or 7.

Good to see the stylish Shahriar Nafees back. That’s a good selection. And he should be in the final XI instead of Junaid. The selection of Rokibul doesn’t make any sense. He is a player with plenty of limitations and not the man to perform on big occasions.

Jahurul Islam, a young but gutsy player, deserved a place in the squad. If the coach and the captain decide to play Ashraful at No 4, then I don’t think he should not be in the final XI. But I would go for Mushfiqur Rahim at No 4 and play Ashraful at No 6, as Rahim is terrific middle-order stuff and can graft. I am suggesting Ashraful at No 6 only because of his ability to improvise in the late overs. In recent times he has not been in song in the middle-order for which if he comes to bat at 30th-35th over then perhaps his swashbuckling nature and the capability to improvise could script some amazing knocks. The opening pair of Tamim Iqbal and Imrul Kayes should remain intact.

I would back Kapali instead of either Naeem Islam or Shuvo. Nazmul Hossain’s career gets a life line in absence of Mortaza. Nazmul proved good against the Kiwis in the first ODI last year. But I don’t see him in the first XI. The Bangladesh new ball pair will be Shafiul and Rubel. And they would be backed by Shakib, Razzak and Co. Mahmudullah Riad is sure to play in the first eleen. The choice is between Naeem and Shuvo. Both are good customers, if not the likes of Shakib and Riad. But as in recent times Bangladesh has been successful with three left-arm spin attack, so I would go for Shuvo instead of Naeem.

My final XI is: 1. Tamim Iqbal, 2. Imrul Kayes, 3. Shahriar Nafees, 4. Mushfiqur Rahim, 5. Shakib Al Hasan, 6. Mohamamd Ashraful, 7. Mahmudullah Riad, 8. Suhrawadi Shuvo, 9. Shafiul Islam, 10. Rubel Hossain, 11. Abdur Razzak.

The aim is to do better than in the previous World Cup. If we had played the Super 8 in the last World Cup, then failure to advance into the quarter-final this year will be a great sin. One thing must be kept in mind that: we are playing in a multi-national tournament and not a bilateral series. There is no need to bask in past glories. An ideal blend is needed to do better in the World Cup. And the team must give more than 100% if they are to qualify for the quarter-final.

The coach and the captain must get the right combination from the 15 man squad to fulfill the desire of the 150 million people of Bangladesh. Mortaza’s absence is a great loss, but let’s moves forward and not rue over the champion bowler’s omission.

If the team management gets the right combination from this 15-man squad and the team shows enough professionalism and temperament, then the Tigers can strike gold.

Note: This article has been published in Cricket Country on http://www.cricketcountry.com/articles/mashrafe-mortaza-should-have-been-picked-for-icc-world-cup-2011-260

Thank You

Faisal Caesar

Pakistan cricket - Shahid Afridi is the right man to lead Pakistan in ICC World Cup 2011

Even three months ago, in the ODI series against South Africa, the appearance of a casual Misbah-ul-Haq irritated the Pakistan cricket fan. His disappointed in the first two ODIs and was then dropped from the team. But to his credit, he came back with a bang in the Test series against South Africa and carried his form in the Test series against the Kiwis and ended up winning the series. He led by example.

Misbah’s surprising and fruitful rise had subjected the impulsive Shahid Afridi under pressure as captain. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced the 15-man World Cup squad without naming the captain.

The PCB was wrong – yet again. By not announcing the captain, the PCB had pushed the team in a zone of uncertainty. In contrast, teams around the world are warming under their captain and coach, ahead of the biggest event in world cricket. Thrills and excitement are best scripted on the cricket field. The PCB decision is counterproductive for the team and made Pakistan cricket a laughing stock.

Afridi is an impulsive Yusuf Pathan. His cricket is quite unconventional and it’s useless trying to teach such characters. His skills have not been honed by traditional coaching but on the rugged mountains of Pakistan where Pathans hunt like tigers. They are born to thrill and entertain.

I find it surprising when people blame Afridi for being irresponsible. Such critics forget his ability to responsibly mould a bunch of diverse characters though troubled waters on the tour of England and in the home series against South Africa in the ODIs.

He was in the centre of the infamous ball biting controversy that tarnished Pakistan’s image, but since then Afridi has been visibly disciplined.

As a captain Afridi’s record is not great, but he has brought togetherness in the team. Moreover, he is being tested as the ODI captain for almost one year. Mind you, during his reign as the Pakistan’s ODI captain, the whole team was plagued with filthy controversies, but credit to Afridi that he kept the team’s unity intact.

Even if it’s belated, the PCB has finally taken the right decision by naming Afridi as captain for the World Cup.

The World Cup is multi-nation tournament and not a bilateral one. This is not the stage for experimentation.

Misbah’s captaincy is good, but captaining World Cup is a huge responsibility for him. At best, Misbah can be a very good advisor and an anchor of Afridi on the field – similar to what Javed Miandad was for Imran Khan in the 80’s. Naming Misbah as Afridi’s deputy is the correct decision.

Afridi has contributed in troubled times when he led in incredibly difficult circumstances and without his best players. He has been tested several times in challenging situations. In the ODI series against New Zealand, Afridi has answered his critics with astute captaincy and with blazing batting. He has led Pakistan to a series victory amidst much criticism.

The captaincy for the World Cup is a just reward.

Note: This article has been published in Cricket Country on 5/02/2011 http://www.cricketcountry.com/articles/shahid-afridi-is-the-right-man-to-lead-pakistan-in-world-cup-273

Thank You

Faisal Caesar

South Africa v India - Test cricket at its very best

Bored with the Ashes? No problem then. Focus your eyes on the Cape Town Test between India and South Africa. If you are a passionate follower of the game, you won’t mind paying money and flying to Cape Town and watch Test cricket at its very best. The battle between the best fast bowler in the world and the best batsman of the world is something that any connoisseur of the game would love to go miles to see.

I would like to know what Dale Steyn what he had for lunch on the third day of the Test as the South African paceman’s spell in the middle session was simply stupendous. It was a display of hostile swing bowling to put shiver down any of the best batsman’s spine. In the pre-lunch session, Steyn was on top of his game, but post lunch there were some extra zing in his bowling – classical outswing at high pace. Often he pitched on leg and missed off. He was simply and too hot to handle for any one. The control was immaculate and the length spot on. Steyn hardly gave any respite to the batsmen. He was almost the epitome of fast bowling perfection. If you love fast bowlers firing at full tilt with all the nuances, this was it.

He went wicketless in the pre-lunch session, but in the post-lunch session he got rid of Cheteshwar Pujara with a Shane Warne-like special – just that this delivery was bowled at 134 kmph! Steyn got the away movement going, this time from leg stump. It landed on a length and opened Pujara up as he desperately tried to cover the line. It defeated his prod and thudded into the back pad in front of middle. What a Ball!

Steyn finished the day with 5 for 72.

Steyn even tested the best batsman in the world, Sachin Tendulkar. But Tendulkar is a commando with the willow. It was a fascinating battle. Steyn was all fired up to unsettle the maestro, and Tendulkar determined not to lose the battle. Tendulkar faced 48 of the 66 balls Steyn bowled in pre-lunch and post-lunch sessions and negotiated the hostility with utmost authority. The master defended the pace with soft hands, and left the dangerous outswingers whizzing perilously outside the off stump.

Tendulkar kept his launching power for Lonwabo Tsotsobe and Morne Morkel. Tsotsobe was effective, but not red hot like Steyn. Tendulkar unleashed the pull and the upper-cut. It was time for the master to reap rewards for his hard work in the first hour. The glorious cover drives were scripted, the drives straight down the ground, the paddle sweep, the nudges and the steers to third man…it was a sight for sore eyes. Yes, he was lucky to get away with the edges. But fortune favours the brave and he deservedly notched up his 51st Test hundred -  in style, with a six off Morkel.

Tendulkar played the role which Kallis did for South Africa in their first innings. Much responsible this time, he shielded the tail and protected Harbhajan Singh from Steyn to string together a stand of 76 – critical in ensuring a respectable total. In the end Tendulkar’s resistance broke to Morkel, castled for 146. But it was a job he would be very proud of.

Whatever the result of the Test, one will long remember Steyn’s two hostile spells and Tendulkar’s masterly negotiation of the South African pace. This was Test cricket was at its very best.

Note: This article has been published on Cricket Country on 31/01/2011 http://www.cricketcountry.com/articles/test-cricket-at-its-very-best-3-152

Thank You

Faisal Caesar