CRICKET: THE RETURN OF THE NATIVES

Themiddle two weeks of December were surreal for Pakistan’s most popular sport. The eagerly-awaited return of Test cricket finally became an unambiguous reality amid the truly warm feelings of joy, even though the weather was chilly as it usually is at this time of the year. The warmth on the playing fields of Rawalpindi and Karachi was evident on the face of every cricket lover.

The icing on the cake was perhaps that it was Sri Lanka — whose innocent cricketers were in the firing line of that barbaric terror attack during the middle of the Lahore Test in March 2009 — was the one to put Pakistan back on the map of Test cricket.
Not being able to play home internationals had forced the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to seek solace in the United Arab Emirates for a lengthy period, although the PCB had earlier played hosts to the West Indies and Australia there in 2002 as well over security fears, arising from the ramifications of the Sept 11, 2001 terror attacks in the United States.
It is an irony that Pakistan needed home advantage to get back to winning ways at the highest level of cricket, and the result — a win by 263 runs in the Karachi Test — illustrated just how much they missed the passionate support and inspiration of playing in front of home fans. The first Test in Rawalpindi was dampened by rain and chilly conditions with the light also hindering the enjoyment of the spectators who were the real stars, because not only had they turned up in big numbers, their presence also infused much-needed life into Test cricket.
Test cricket returned to Pakistan after 10 years and nothing could be better, with Sri Lanka doing the honours of picking up from where they left off
The sight of people in the stands both at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium and National Stadium Karachi clearly proved how much home-based Pakistanis missed top-flight action. Several senior cricket writers associated with the game for more than 25 years also point to the massive turnaround with Test cricket making a welcome return to home soil as the biggest moment for the sport.
“Pakistan cricket has suffered hugely due to the isolation,” quips Abdul Majid Bhatti, who works for a leading Urdu national daily. “Our players, our fans, our system, our cricket board and our grounds have lost as we have not been hosting international cricket for all those years. The fans have been the real sufferers because they had been deprived of international cricket at home, which is the worst loss for any cricketing nation. In our case, this is the biggest comeback because we were once one of the most sought-after cricket teams in the world.”



 


Shahid Akhtar Hashmi stands out among the cricket reporters because he is the only one to have covered all of Pakistan’s 31 Tests staged in the offshore territory of the United Arab Emirates since November 2010.
Shahid says: “The most telling loss is of the generation born at the turn of the 21st Century. They have not seen their own players playing before their eyes. That eventually diverted them from cricket to take up other sports. Moreover, this badly hurt the talent factory in Pakistan. Other than this, the PCB suffered immense losses to the tune of 300-400 million dollars in revenues during the isolation.”
Another well-known face of Pakistan’s cricket journalism, Ehsan Qureshi, remarks: “The isolation has changed a lot of things with no international cricket in Pakistan for more than 10 years.
Despite the importance attached to Test matches, people are more attracted to the shorter format of the game, especially T20s. And the launch of the Pakistan Super League on home soil has changed the cricketing culture of our nation. But the lack of Test matches here deprived us of the chance of grooming players in a familiar environment.”
Brian Murgatroyd may not have been a household figure for Pakistanis but those who know him well are impressed by his humble nature as a seasoned analyst, broadcaster, ICC media official and now head of TV broadcasting team, which was on hand to cover the recent Test matches against Sri Lanka. According to the Dubai-based Murgatroyd, the return of Test cricket to Pakistan is the culmination of sustained spadework by the PCB and a self-belief that the country is as safe as any other country to stage international matches.
However, he has words of sympathy and hope for Pakistan in many ways: “The country has suffered from a cricketing perspective in several ways. Youngsters here haven’t been able to see their heroes in the flesh and you need contact with role models to inspire the next generation, something that’s now happening again, thankfully.

 “On top of that, the country has suffered financially as every so-called home series needing to be played off-shore costs far more to stage than in Pakistan. And without international cricket in Pakistan, the infrastructure suffered too. Thankfully all that will be in the rear view mirror now.”
Dimuth Karunaratne, the Sri Lankan captain, openly regretted skipping the One-day International leg against Pakistan in September when he and several top players refused to tour over security fears. “That was a bad mistake on my part, I must admit,” Karunaratne revealed during the media conferences in Rawalpindi and Karachi when questions on this issue were fired at him. “There is no doubt in my mind now that Pakistan is very safe to tour and play cricket. Wherever we went we were looked after very well. In fact, the security at times was too much because we were not allowed to go and explore places on our own. Even at the shopping malls, these [security] people were right behind us, which at times made us feel very uncomfortable. No space to breathe in open air, really. Hopefully next time [when Sri Lanka visits Pakistan again], we will be expecting more freedom to enjoy the hospitality and generosity of the Pakistanis. They are always very loving people who look after you very, very well…”
This appeal from Karunaratne means a lot to the Pakistanis because visitors such as him are true ambassadors of their country. We must be always appreciative of Sri Lanka’s truly wonderful gesture in reviving Test cricket on Pakistan soil. The onus now is on other teams to emulate the Sri Lankans.
The writer is a member of staff
Published in Paisa Kamao Dost, 2019

Pakistan close in on series win despite Oshada ton in 2nd Test against Sri Lanka



Sri Lanka opener Oshada Fernando struck a maiden century to delay Pakistan's victory quest after the home team's top four all scored hundreds in the second Test in Karachi on Sunday.
Set a daunting 476 runs to win, Sri Lanka were tottering at 97 for five before Oshada and Niroshan Dickwella halted the slide with a resolute 104-run stand for the sixth wicket.
But the last three overs of the day saw Dickwella fall for 65 — bowled while attempting a reverse sweep off spinner Haris Sohail — and Dilruwan Perera caught behind off Naseem Shah for five.
The 16-year-old Naseem had the best figures of 3-31.
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At the close, Sri Lanka were 212 for seven with Oshada (102 not out) at the crease and with the visitors needing an unlikely 264 runs for victory.
Pakistan need just three wickets on Monday to win the series — their first at home since the 2009 attack on the Sri Lanka side resulted in international cricket being suspended in the country.
Pakistan earlier declared their second innings at lunch on 555 for three after Azhar returned to form with 118 and Babar Azam struck 100 not out.
It was a dismal batting show by the Sri Lankans on a National Stadium pitch where the home batsmen flourished.
Skipper Dimuth Karunaratne went for 16, Kusal Mendis for a duck and Angelo Matthews for 19 before tea.
Pace spearhead Mohammad Abbas had Karunaratne caught behind in the tenth over of the innings before Naseem had Mendis snapped up in the slips.
It became 70 for three when Mathews, Sri Lanka's most experienced batsman, edged a short delivery from Shaheen Shah Afridi to wicketkeeper Mohammad Rizwan.
After tea, young Naseem accounted for Dinesh Chandimal (two) and leg-spinner Yasir Shah dismissed Dhananjaya de Silva (nought) to leave Sri Lanka struggling at 97 for five.
Dickwella praised Oshada's resistance.
“He is a very good batsman and has scored heavily at domestic level,” said Dickwella of the opener, who struck 13 boundaries in his 266-minute knock.
“Had we had one more big partnership we could have saved this Test,” he added.
Pakistan's head coach Misbah-ul-Haq praised his team's fightback.
“We were under pressure after conceding an 80-run lead in the first innings,” said Misbah. “To come out and be in a winning position is satisfying and eased the pressure.”
In the morning Pakistan batsmen flayed the Sri Lankan bowling.
It was only the second time in a Test innings that the top four all scored centuries after openers Abid Ali (174) and Shan Masood (135) grabbed theirs on Saturday.
India against Bangladesh at Dhaka in 2007 was the other occasion.
Azhar, who had a lean 2019, completed his 16th century before he was stumped off spinner Lasith Embuldeniya after 11 boundaries in his 157-ball innings.
Azam's fourth century — and third in the last four Tests — had seven boundaries and a six off 131 balls.
Earlier, when Pakistan resumed at 395 for two, Azhar smashed three boundaries off pace bowler Vishwa Fernando and then took two runs to complete his first century in 12 months.
Azhar added 148 for the third wicket with Azam as Sri Lankan bowlers toiled hard for wickets. Lahiru Kumara finished with two for 139.
Line-ups:
Pakistan: Shan Masood, Abid Ali, Azhar Ali (capt.), Babar Azam, Haris Sohail, Asad Shafiq, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Usman Khan Shinwari, Mohammad Abbas, Naseem Shah, Shaheen Afridi
Sri Lanka: Dimuth Karunaratne (capt), Oshada Fernando, Kusal Mendis, Dinesh Chandimal, Angelo Mathews, Dhananjaya de Silva, Niroshan Dickwella (wk), Dilruwan Perera, Vishwa Fernando, Kasun Rajitha, Lahiru Kumara




King Kohli leads India to victory and overshadows Gayle swansong


Classy Virat Kohli upstaged rampant Chris Gayle as India defeated the West Indies by six wickets in the rain-affected third and final One-Day International of their series at the Queen's Park Oval in Trinidad on Wednesday.

Set a revised target of 255 based on the DLS scoring method after Gayle blazed 72 in pacing the home side to 240 for seven off 35 overs, Kohli was at his most imperious in compiling an unbeaten 114 — his second consecutive ODI hundred — to pilot his team to 256 for four with 15 balls to spare.

His 43rd ODI hundred off 99 balls with 14 fours and overall impact on the series ensured him the double accolade of 'Man of the Match' and 'Man of the Series'.

This successful chase under leaden skies and with the floodlights switched on gave India the series 2-0 following the abandoned first match in Guyana last week.

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Kohli's masterminding of another successful pursuit will leave Jason Holder and his West Indies team wary of what the Indian captain will have to offer with the bat in the upcoming two Tests in Antigua and Jamaica.

"It was important for me to convert the big innings in this series but I must acknowledge the role of Shreyas (Iyer) in these two matches here. He has presented a great case for himself," the Indian captain said after victory was achieved.

"We also did really well to keep the West Indies total to a manageable level. Credit to the bowlers for sticking to the task."

As commanding as his innings was though, the hosts were left to rue a straightforward opportunity missed by wicketkeeper Shai Hope off all-rounder Keemo Paul when the champion batsman was just on 11.

He received excellent support, as in the previous match, from Shreyas Iyer with an innings of 65 off 41 balls in a 120-run third-wicket partnership that tilted the match decisively India's way following a brief wobble when left-arm spinner Fabian Allen had dismissed both Shikhar Dhawan and Rishabh Pant in the same over.

Allen had also effected the run out of Rohit Sharma for the first wicket of the innings but was unable to complete his seven-over allotment due to an injury sustained attempting to save a boundary.

While Kohli illuminated the gathering gloom in at the end of the match, it was Gayle who stole the show at the start.

Playing what is likely his final ODI in a 20-year-international career in which he hopes to still represent the Caribbean in defence of the World T20 title in 14 months' time in Australia, Gayle savaged the Indian bowlers after Holder chose to bat first, occupying only 41 balls with five sixes and eight fours distinguishing his typically bludgeoning innings.
Opening partner Evin Lewis made a bold attempt to match arguably the most destructive power-hitter in the international game, his innings of 43 coming off 29 deliveries and embellished with three sixes and five fours.
Their rampage had taken the West Indies to 114 after ten overs, the most productive ten-over start to an ODI since the 2015 World Cup.
However, Lewis departed in the next over, the first bowled by leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal while Gayle was well caught by Kohli at mid-off striking out at Khaleel Ahmed.
As he left the field, the manner of the Indian players' appreciation of the 39-year-old's innings, and his acknowledgement of the applause as he departed the field, left the distinct impression that he had played his final ODI innings.
'Heavy price' paid
There followed a lengthy rain stoppage and the West Indies lost wickets in the mad scramble for runs on the resumption.
Ahmed picked up two more wickets to be the most successful bowler, although he was also the most expensive, conceding 68 runs off seven overs.
Mohammed Shami picked up two wickets but the spinners — Chahal, Kedar Jadhav and Yuzvendra Chahal — were the most economical for India during the frenetic innings.
"We paid a heavy price for letting Kohli off the hook today, but I also felt we didn't execute as well as we should as a bowling unit," Holder said in assessing his team's effort.
"There's still a lot of work to be done at all levels of our cricket and we have to turn things around quickly with the Test series starting next week."




After a decade, Pakistan get set to play Test cricket on home soil


RAWALPINDI: The moment of truth has finally arrived for Pakistan to play host to Test cricket for the first time in 10 years and nine months.
From Wednesday onwards Sri Lanka — who ironically were the last visiting side to play at the highest level in this country — would be bidding to extend their dominance over Pakistan here at the Pindi Cricket Stadium.
Over the years Pakistan and Sri Lanka have been inseparable cricketing brothers because it was on Pakistan’s insistence that Sri Lanka were granted Test status, rather belatedly by the game’s governing body the International Cricket Council, in 1981.
The camaraderie among these two friendly nations was glimpsed by the mingling of past with the present as Javed Miandad and Bandula Warnapura, respective skippers of Pakistan and Sri Lanka in the first-ever Test between their countries in March 1982 at Karachi, were part of the special photo-call during the trophy unveiling alongside current leaders Azhar Ali and Dimuth Karunaratne. While Miandad and Karunaratne stood on side, Azhar and Warnapura were on the other side.
These teams have competed in 53 Tests since 1982 with Pakistan slightly ahead with 19 victories to Sri Lanka’s 16. Pakistan’s last win was in Pallekele during the 2015 tour of the island, while Sri Lanka won the previous series in the UAE 2-0 by close margins and also been winners — by a slender two-wicket difference — in the only Test they played in this old-fashioned city of just above eight million people.
The venue, which made its international debut in December 1993 when Zimbabwe were the guests in the inaugural Test, has undergone a facelift in recent months with a new block now hosting the media centre across the main pavilion building. But while the overall structure of the ground remains literally the same, the winter is gradually moving to its natural progression as it is gettong colder with each passing day, the lack of adequate daylight would be a major talking point. On top of it, the meteorological department has forecast rain on Thursday and Friday — the second and third days of the scheduled fixture.
Sri Lanka, who are currently two spots above the eighth-ranked Pakistan, will be playing their first series since sharing the home series 1-1 with New Zealand last August. Pakistan are on a hiding as they go the 152nd Test on home soil on the back of six successive defeats in South Africa last season and Australia recently after the rot began during the final game of the three-match series in Abu Dhabi last year which enabled New Zealand clinch the series.
Pakistan’s morale is on the low side in terms of results but their spirits must on high as none of the current squad has played a Test on the home soil until now. Therefore, this factor alone is enough to make Pakistan charged up with the challenge of getting back into the winning habit.
Azhar Ali, the embattled Pakistan skipper who averages just 26.07 this year, had no qualm in saying Sri Lanka are a dangerous team with ex-captains Angelo Mathews and Dinesh Chandimal adding loads of experience. And Azhar’s pre-series assumption is spot because Sri Lanka’s previous series abroad was in South Africa where they made history by becoming the first Asian country to win the series in the Rainbow Nation just days after Faf du Plessis’ men trounced Pakistan.


The visitors, however, suffered a major blow on eve of their departure for Pakistan when it was reported that senior paceman Suranga Lakmal has pulled out of the series after contracting dengue fever. The 32-year-old was the only link from the ill-fated series of 2009 and has been easily the best bowler in recent overseas series. However, his replacement Asitha Fernando is only going to available for the selection for the final match of the two-Test series.
Coming to the upcoming clash — with the start brought forward by 15 minutes to make up for possible loss of overs due shortened daylight hours — the presence of the familiar figure of Mickey Arthur as Sri Lanka’s head coach adds a fair amount of spice to what should be an engrossing battle of attrition, regardless of how would the pitch behaves over the five days. At a glance the playing surface does looks juicy enough to convince both Misbah-ul-Haq and Arthur to opt for a three-pronged pace attack. Pakistan are almost certain to rely on seamer Mohammad Abbas in the lead role with the left-armer Shaheen Shah Afridi and teenager Nasim Shah in support alongside spinner Yasir Shah.
If that’s the case then it may sound harsh on both Usman Khan Shinwari, who is yet to be capped at the Test level, and the recalled batsman Fawad Alam. The latter is almost unlikely to play his fourth Test after being recalled to the side after a gaping 10 years on the sidelines on the evidence Haris Sohail getting extensive bowling spells during Tuesday’s practice session.
Sri Lanka, on the other hand, are contemplating whether to bring in the slow left-armer Lasith Embuldeniya as the third spin option behind all-rounders Dilruwan Perera and Dhananjaya de Silva or go for three pacemen in Vishwa Fernando, Lahiru Kumara and Kasun Rajitha. On the batting front, Karunaratne will surely have a new opening partner in Oshada Fernando, judging by Lahiru Thirimanne’s struggles in recent Tests.
Overall, the history is against Pakistan, who have never beaten Sri Lanka in their backyard since the 1991-92 season. A lot have certainly changed since those peaceful times. Now the foremost priority is given to security-related issues. The Pindi Cricket Stadium has been surrounded since Sunday by more than 4,000 personnel who have cordoned off the arena in a radius of two kilometres since last Friday. But no matter whatever the hurdles are Pakistan must find ways and means to beat this Sri Lankan side.
Teams (from):
PAKISTAN: Shan Masood, Imam-ul-Haq, Azhar Ali, Babar Azam, Asad Shafiq, Haris Sohail, Mohammad Rizwan, Yasir Shah, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Nasim Shah, Mohammad Abbas, Abid Ali, Fawad Alam, Usman Khan Shinwari, Imran Khan, Kashif Bhatti.
SRI LANKA: Dimuth Karunaratne (captain), Oshada Fernando, Kusal Mendis, Angelo Mathews, Dinesh Chandimal, Dhananjaya de Silva, Niroshan Dickwella, Dilruwan Perera, Lasith Embuldeniya, Vishwa Fernando, Kasun Rajitha, Lahiru Kumara, Kusal Perera, Lakshan Sandakan, Lahiru Thirimanne.
Umpires: Richard Kettleborough (England) and Michael Gough (England).
TV umpire: Richard Illingworth (England).
Match referee: Andy Pycroft (Zimbabwe).

Published in Paisa kamao Dost.com

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