Pakistan beat Aussies in the second T20 too

[Roshanrocks]

Wow Umar Akmal and Mohammaad Ameer :hatsoff: Pakistan have found 2 top class youngsters. These two are potential greats of the game. Pakistan 162 for 9 (Kamran Akmal 33, O'Keefe 3-29, Nannes 3-30) beat Australia 151 (D Hussey 33, Mohammad Aamer 3-27) by 11 runs

If Pakistan are a confidence team, their Twenty20 efforts over the past two days augur well for next week's first Test. A day after they ended their 12-match losing stretch against Australia across all formats, Mohammad Aamer helped them begin their own winning streak with an 11-run victory that brought 2-0 series triumph. Tests are a very different story, but their Twenty20 form has given the group a spark. There was a distinct sense of déjà vu after Monday's game; again there was a big crowd of Pakistan fans, again Pakistan scored around the 160 mark and again Australia's batsmen were tied down and couldn't lift their tempo for a successful chase. The last pair was left needing 19 from the final over and despite a six from Dirk Nannes, they came up short. Aamer made important late runs and then removed Australia's openers, but Pakistan had useful contributions from all their key men. Shahid Afridi made a quick 18 and grabbed two wickets, Kamran Akmal, Salman Butt and Umar Akmal all chipped in at the top of the order, and Shoaib Akhtar and Saeed Ajmal were hard to get away. The Rawalpindi Express was out of steam on Monday but had gained momentum 24 hours later. Akhtar has been driving around Birmingham in a red Ferrari over the past few days and perhaps the speedy number inspired him, for he was comfortably the quickest bowler in the match and hovered around 95mph. A couple of sizzling bouncers whizzed past the faces of Australian batsmen but the only man to fall to Akhtar was Tim Paine, who skewed an ugly swipe to mid-off. Akhtar had begun by conceding a pair of fours in his opening over as Michael Clarke showed the sort of Twenty20 form he has not displayed in recent times. Australia had rested Shane Watson, so Clarke took it upon himself to open the innings, finding the gaps and clearing the infield several times with well-judged chips and drives. Clarke had motored to 30 from 17 deliveries when he played on to Aamer, and the bowler was so pumped at his success that in his follow through he leapt in celebration and crashed into the departing Clarke. Aamer immediately apologised and the men exchanged a friendly pat on the arm, but Clarke was frustrated with himself for failing to push on. It was Aamer's second wicket - he had already trapped David Warner lbw for 1 - and he went on to finish with 3 for 27. James Hopes (30) and David Hussey (33) worked the ball around through the middle overs but boundaries were few and far between, and too much work was left too late. Australia had set themselves a task by allowing Pakistan to reach almost the same score as won them the game on Monday. A late 20 not out from Aamer was especially valuable and included a pair of sixes off the debutant spinner Steve O'Keefe and David Hussey. The spinners bowled well, and O'Keefe finished with 3 for 29, which was an impressive return for a man who hadn't played a Twenty20 for his state for nearly 18 months. Afridi and Umar Akmal provided a key partnership for Pakistan; their 30-run stand included one monstrous six from Afridi, who slapped Shaun Tait straight back over the bowler's head. The ball cleared the construction area, put a cameraman at risk, and exited the stadium to the roars of the Pakistan fans. Nannes (3 for 30) collected them both in consecutive balls in the 17th over, Umar (25) caught and bowled when his top edge flew so high that almost any member of the infield could have run in and claimed it, and Afridi caught behind for 18. Already, Butt and Kamran Akmal had given them a strong start with a 61-run combination. The left-arm spinner O'Keefe struck in his first over when Butt top-edged a sweep and was caught at short fine leg for 31. Kamran followed soon afterwards for 33 when he skied a pull off Mitchell Johnson and was caught by Clarke running back at midwicket. O'Keefe had helped give Australia a way into the middle order, but they couldn't make it count. If Pakistan were surprised by the selection of O'Keefe, they must have been even more taken aback at Clarke's choice of opening bowler. David Hussey sent down the first over - the first time Australia had opened with a spinner in a Twenty20 international - and it was a success, a wicket-maiden that included Shahzaib Hasan lbw trying to slog-sweep. The day began in triumph for Australia; it ended in jubilation for Pakistan. It has also set the scene for a fascinating Test series.

I hope this sets up a fascinating test series... Could Pakistan win a test :hmmm:

[DomainK]

Absolutely fantastic achievement for Pakistan. They badly needed a series win. And one against Australia is really special, in whatever format it comes. Afridi has just become 10 times more popular....if that is possible. TBH Pakistan's performance in T20 has been good right from the beginning. The format fits the kind of cricket they like to play. This will give them a moral help in the upcoming tests, but I seriously dont think they will even manage to draw a test.

[Roshanrocks]

Well DOminic anything can happen on the cricketing field.. I know that the pakistani batting looks weak. If their batsmen could somehow muster some guts and score 400 in the first innings, then we could have a fight on our hands coz the pakistani bowling is really good. I am lookin forward to a hard fought series and probably an end of an era of australian domination. Umar Aklmal could be the key here... this lad has got guts...now if only if he transforms his talent into its full potential... we could see a hard fought series...

[ali0786]

Absolutely fantastic achievement for Pakistan. They badly needed a series win. And one against Australia is really special, in whatever format it comes. Afridi has just become 10 times more popular....if that is possible. TBH Pakistan's performance in T20 has been good right from the beginning. The format fits the kind of cricket they like to play. This will give them a moral help in the upcoming tests, but I seriously dont think they will even manage to draw a test.

Good to see some nice words here! But I agree with you, we are suited to this T20 format. Test series will be another story, and I honestly expect a 2-0 result for Aussies. I expect Pakistan to compete like they did in 1-2 tests on the last tour of Australia. The problem last time around was the number of dropped catches, otherwise we could have won the Sydney Test. Also, it doesn't help that Younis Khan, our best batsman in Test Cricket, is promoting the series instead of playing in it. A batting lineup of: Butt, Farhat, Malik, Akmal Jr, Afridi, Akmal Sr. is not promising at all.

[DomainK]

Well DOminic anything can happen on the cricketing field.. I know that the pakistani batting looks weak. If their batsmen could somehow muster some guts and score 400 in the first innings, then we could have a fight on our hands coz the pakistani bowling is really good. I am lookin forward to a hard fought series and probably an end of an era of australian domination. Umar Aklmal could be the key here... this lad has got guts...now if only if he transforms his talent into its full potential... we could see a hard fought series...

Extremely unlikely. I am saying that because I dont see a single reliable batsman in that lineup when it comes to tests. Butt is a senior batsman, but is at best capable of playing a few good looking shots. He wont stay for long, does not have either the patience or the desire or to play a long innings. Same is the story with the others as well. There is no one pushing them or threatening their place in the team. With an average in the 30s, an angry Misbah came out in front of the media and called his exclusion unjust as he had one of the best averages in the game. That tells you the story. Yes, Pakistan will have some good partnerships given that the two Akmals look in good form. But they will have the collapses as well. They wont win anymore than some sessions at best. Yes, if they had Yunnis or Yusuf, they would have a better chance. They will rely largely on their bowling, but I have a feeling that even the bowling will fall short of the expectations by a large margin. But I hope to see some contest and test cricket is not so attractive when its one sided.

[Gotham Cronie]

A batting lineup of: Butt, Farhat, Malik, Akmal Jr, Afridi, Akmal Sr. is not promising at all.

They'll have one more batsman from Amin/Hameed/Ali but yeah doesn't look very good. Too much pressure on Akmal. It's basically going to come down to him sadly. If he does well, Pakistan have a chance to put up a good total with contributions around him. If he fails, then we could see flashbacks to the Australia tour.

[Pak_Fan_4_Eva]

These T20 performances prove nothing, i`m sorry to say. Tests and ODIs are a world apart from this format. Yeah Pakistan must be feeling a bit more confident. Perhaps that`s the only plus point from this series win so far, if it could be called that. But Oz are a formidable team especially in the longer format. And a middle order that doesn`t have the likes of Younis, Yousuf and yeah even Alam, for stability doesn`t have a bright chance of standing up against their bowling attack. My Best wishes for the team and Insh`Allah i`ll be proved wrong:winky:

[Roshanrocks]

These T20 performances prove nothing, i`m sorry to say. Tests and ODIs are a world apart from this format. Yeah Pakistan must be feeling a bit more confident. Perhaps that`s the only plus point from this series win so far, if it could be called that. But Oz are a formidable team especially in the longer format. And a middle order that doesn`t have the likes of Younis, Yousuf and yeah even Alam, for stability doesn`t have a bright chance of standing up against their bowling attack. My Best wishes for the team and Insh`Allah i`ll be proved wrong:winky:

COndence is the key bro... if a batsman is confident and determined... its possible he may overcome his talent and good bowling to notch upa a good score... I hope the 2-0 win increses the confidence of your batsmen and we get to see a good show from the Pakistanis... A one sided test series is not what any TEST CRICKET follower needs at this time , especially when T20 is snatching all the eyeballs and money :headshake:

[b555]

even consider the fact that the australian team no more has its bowlers which made it invincible and i dont think shaun tait who cant bowl more than spell of 2 overs can do much in test cricket.even theiir genuine spinner is injured so if pakistan take this well, they have every chance

[b555]

Don’t underestimate Australia, Inzamam to Pak Pakistan should not get too excited by their Twenty20 triumph over Australia as Ricky Ponting’s men would be a harder nut to crack in the Test series, feels former captain Inzamam-ul-Haq and ex-chief selector Abdul Qadir. “Pakistan have been world champions in Twenty20 cricket and we all know they are very good in this format of the sport. But the success in the Twenty20 series should not be seen as something that will decide the Test series as well,” Qadir, a former leg-spinner, said. “I am not surprised that Pakistan beat Australia in the Twenty20 series. We shouldn’t forget that Australia were already under pressure because they had lost the one—day series to England,” he added. The former chief selector said one—day cricket and Test matches were totally different from Twenty20 cricket and the Pakistani players should prepare accordingly. The first Test between the two teams starts at Lord’s from July 13. The series is being played in England because Australia refused to tour Pakistan because of security reasons. Qadir said Pakistan’s real test will come in the Test series. “But we have some exciting young players in the side and if they all play as a team they can produce positive results.” Inzamam, who remains Pakistan’s most capped player with 120 Tests and 328 one—day appearances, said he was happy with the victory in the Twenty20 series. “I am happy that we at least broke the losing sequence against Australia but again I was confident we could win this series because we have some excellent players for this format of the sport,” Inzamam said. The former batsman said he was worried about the coming Test series. “The biggest problem I see in this team is that among the players selected for the Test matches none of them have really ever held regular places in the Test side in the last few years. “And in Test cricket you need to have players with Test match experience, acumen and staying power,” Inzamam added. http://thehindu.com/sport/cricket/article504204.ece

[Roshanrocks]

Don’t underestimate Australia, Inzamam to Pak Pakistan should not get too excited by their Twenty20 triumph over Australia as Ricky Ponting’s men would be a harder nut to crack in the Test series, feels former captain Inzamam-ul-Haq and ex-chief selector Abdul Qadir. “Pakistan have been world champions in Twenty20 cricket and we all know they are very good in this format of the sport. But the success in the Twenty20 series should not be seen as something that will decide the Test series as well,” Qadir, a former leg-spinner, said. “I am not surprised that Pakistan beat Australia in the Twenty20 series. We shouldn’t forget that Australia were already under pressure because they had lost the one—day series to England,” he added. The former chief selector said one—day cricket and Test matches were totally different from Twenty20 cricket and the Pakistani players should prepare accordingly. The first Test between the two teams starts at Lord’s from July 13. The series is being played in England because Australia refused to tour Pakistan because of security reasons. Qadir said Pakistan’s real test will come in the Test series. “But we have some exciting young players in the side and if they all play as a team they can produce positive results.” Inzamam, who remains Pakistan’s most capped player with 120 Tests and 328 one—day appearances, said he was happy with the victory in the Twenty20 series. “I am happy that we at least broke the losing sequence against Australia but again I was confident we could win this series because we have some excellent players for this format of the sport,” Inzamam said. The former batsman said he was worried about the coming Test series. “The biggest problem I see in this team is that among the players selected for the Test matches none of them have really ever held regular places in the Test side in the last few years. “And in Test cricket you need to have players with Test match experience, acumen and staying power,” Inzamam added. http://thehindu.com/sport/cricket/article504204.ece

A cautious attitude is better than a smug and over confident one... The past players of the pakistani side as well as the management of the side could do well to have a talk with the players. Winning the T20 games was a good achievement, but Test cricket is where a county is judged. Man to man the aussie fast bowling attack hold an slight edge over the Pakistani attack, spin wise Pakistanis are doing better. Batting wise..on paper Aussies are far superior. But with Ponting"supposedly" on the wane... Pakistanis could exploit the chink in their line up. But the Aussies are Psychologically far more superior and their ability to come back from any position is what makes them much more stronger than the Pakistanis. This is where the Pakistanis may suffer, with their incredible ability of losing from any position time n time again I hope the Pakistani team has a good psychologist this time around

[b555]

i agree with you even the pakis shouldnt get acarried around having won the t20`s after all test matches are day affairs.. and even the australians just can make about a comeback form any damn position, but with ponting in such a form and they themselves not able to find a successful opening pair once hayden and langer retired, they sure are into troubles more over, themain motive with australians is that they wouldnt want to go into the ashes which is their most important test series for over the past 100 years or so with a defeat to someone like pakistan so they sure will be upto the challenge and if under such circumstances also ,pakistan does something godd, it will be a great achievement and i surely think pakis have got a chance, man this afridi is a good captain if u observed, he goes tob owler after every ball and talks to him.. leave aside the sarcasm,but he surelly does make a good captain

[Roshanrocks]

Afridi is really enjoying his role as a captain, and he is maturing in his batting too. Test cricket is where his captaincy skills will come to the fore, he should look at certain advantages of this series... 1. A slight psychological advantage having won 2 T20's against the Aussies. 2. Strong crowd support...expect a strong pakistani contingent and also dont doutb a strong backing from English supporters. 3. A good bowling attack which may be just as lethal as the Aussie attack. Of course he is disadvantaged with his in-experienced batting line up.. Herein is where he can act as a good captain by trying to psychologically trying to make his batsmen feel that they can stand upto the Aussie attack...Easier said than done though

[Bradman99]

Well done to Pakistan on these two 20/20 victories, but if that is enough to please the supporters then I would be dissapointed. Sure, it's nice to win these games but the tests and one dayers are the most important. I hope for a more competitive series this time round.

[Roshanrocks]

Well done to Pakistan on these two 20/20 victories, but if that is enough to please the supporters then I would be dissapointed. Sure, it's nice to win these games but the tests and one dayers are the most important. I hope for a more competitive series this time round.

A few neutral supporters like me are hoping for the same too...

[Texy]

someone one retire Michael clarke from captaincy..... this is poor performance from OZs

[asterix]

Cameron White should've been the captain in the shorter formats.

[Pak_Fan_4_Eva]

COndence is the key bro... if a batsman is confident and determined... its possible he may overcome his talent and good bowling to notch upa a good score... I hope the 2-0 win increses the confidence of your batsmen and we get to see a good show from the Pakistanis... A one sided test series is not what any TEST CRICKET follower needs at this time , especially when T20 is snatching all the eyeballs and money :headshake:

Thanks for the kind words and wishes Roshan. I appreciate it :smiley: I have a feeling this series will be a battle for batsmen. This time of the year the ball swings and seams around a lot especially in overcast conditions. Expect to see batting collapses from both sides. Afridi is looking confident and he`s doing exceptionally well for a dude who`s still new to the art of captaincy. He really should lead from the front in order for us to have a realistic chance against Oz . And all will be well Insh`Allah:two_thumbs_up: P.S: Aussies haven`t won a test series in England since 2001 :o

[Laaloo]

Thanks for the kind words and wishes Roshan. I appreciate it :smiley: I have a feeling this series will be a battle for batsmen. This time of the year the ball swings and seams around a lot especially in overcast conditions. Expect to see batting collapses from both sides. Afridi is looking confident and he`s doing exceptionally well for a dude who`s still new to the art of captaincy. He really should lead from the front in order for us to have a realistic chance against Oz . And all will be well Insh`Allah:two_thumbs_up: P.S: Aussies haven`t won a test series in England since 2001 :o

P.S Pakis haven't won a test match against AUS since 1994.