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2012 World T20 KP Fantasy League

Timing Was Right

Yet again a South African captain sees the back of a 3^rd English captain after winning a test match on away shores, leading to a resignation. Andrew Strauss stepping down on Wednesday 29^th August, the day of the Paralympics opening ceremony, completed an astonishing hat-trick for Smith. It’s a testimony to his leadership skills and longevity and a product of elongated stability.

Strauss led England in 50 tests, winning 24 and drawing 15. As a player he completed his 100^th test, at the place where his test career started. It was round numbers to conclude with. He lost only 3 in 14 series as captain, 13 which were full time when he was handed the job in early 2009 after the KP-Moores fiasco.

Strauss is England’s 3^rd most capped captain, behind Vaughan (51) and Atherton (54). He has led England to the 2^nd most test wins as captain, behind Vaughan with 26. As a successful and capped leader, surely the Middlesex man is up there in England’s finest 4 along with Hussain, Brearley and Vaughan. His highlight will be the Ashes back to back series victories, particularly the 3 innings ones down under in 2010-11 to regain the urn after 24 years down under and taking England to world number 1 in the highest form of the game the following year on home turf.

Not only was Strauss a fine player and leader, but a good respected role model, leader of men and ambassador for the world game. After 8 English summers, debuting and concluding at Lords in his 1^st and 100^th, the timing was right after a declining loss of form and surprisingly poor team results in 2012. He really did take a liking to the prestigious venue and made it his own.

Next year’s back to back 10 Ashes tests are nicely set up now, with Cook and Clarke leading in their first Ashes series. Both of who have demonstrated impressive credentials up to now in the opportunities they have been given. Clarke did captain in Punter’s absence during the last Ashes test match at the SCG though, but the Ashes had already been decided by then.

He was a strong back-foot player who loved cutting and pulling and favoured short pitched bowling. Strauss worked anything on his pads away and regularly picked bowlers off if they erred in line. The England captain was a hungry performer who set high standards. His slip catching was excellent, as safe as houses for most parts.

He will be glad that he chose cricket over accountancy and can always look back at his test record with pride. He will be wishing his long term opening partner well and will be hoping he can consolidate on his achievements and take English cricket forward. As the Sabina Park test defeat under Strauss’s regime showed, things won’t be easy to start with.

It’s been a year of big retirements with Ramprakash packing up after over a quarter of a century in the first class county game, Dravid calling it a day, VVS joining him despite being named in the squad to take on New Zealand in the 2 test match series which has just recently finished and unfortunately Mark Boucher being forced to call time on his career after a severe eye injury during a warm up fixture at Somerset prior to the test series. Some important and influential cricketers have departed this year and Strauss is certainly amongst them.

We are here to win the World Cup and give Pakistan a gift: Imam-ul-Haq Author: Imran Asghar; Views: 1364; Date: 12-08-2012, 08:10;

We are here to win the World Cup and give Pakistan a gift: Imam-ul-Haq

• Author: Imran Asghar;  
• Views: 1364;  
• Date: 12-08-2012, 08:10;  

KheloPakistan.com got a chance to meet up with Pakistan Under-19s, Imam-ul-Haq. Sixteen year old Imam, born in Lahore made his Pakistan Under-19 debut against India in the Asia Cup. He made 88 at very good pace and followed that up by scoring 50 and 69 against Malaysia and Afghanistan respectively. Imam, then had a disappointing final against India as he only managed 10.

Nephew of Pakistani legend, Inzamam-ul-Haq, is highly thought of within Pakistani ranks. His rise to prominence has been quick, despite only playing Under-19 level this year. Playing at number 3, Imam started his World Cup with a disappointing 25; though he is confident that he can go on and achieve big.

Imran Asghar (IA): Salaam Imam, thanks for taking the time out to speak to us during such a prestigious time for you.

Imam-ul-Haq (IuH): No problems Imran bhai. It's my pleasure to be speaking to you.

IA: Tell us about your young but fledging career?

IuH: I started playing cricket and took great interest in the game. I kept playing cricket with passion and just concentrated on enjoying playing. Then this year I got a chance in PIA's Under-19 team and performed really well. My performances started to get noticed and people started to say I will get picked for the South Africa series. That never materialised, but Allah knows best for one and it might have been beneficial to my career in the end. I carried on my good form and then was selected for the Asia Cup. Then I debuted against India and scored 88. The next two games I also made half centuries. We have had 3 practise games recently and I performed too. I am now representing my country in the World Cup.

IA: You are Inzamam bhai's nephew; did you get good amount off coaching from him?

IuH: (laughs) actually no. When he saw my interest in playing cricket and taking my game seriously he didn't want to pressurise me. He didn't want me to feel that he was exerting any pressure on me, so he always has been someone who has supported the mental side of my game. He always says enjoy your cricket and the rest will take care of itself.

IA: Have you ever been told or felt that people think you have come forward as a Sirfarachi cause of your uncle being a legend of Pakistani cricket?

IuH: I’ve never really taken any notice. Pakistani cricket is always full of controversy and people always talk. Simple way to keep people quite is to show your performances which I have been doing. Now the only real time me and Inzi Chachu discuss cricket is when I feel I have a problem with technique. He always says forget them and take them out of your system, your performing and that's what matters. Throughout my life whenever I need inspiration or courage I watch a video of Chachu batting on the Internet and he gives me positive energy.

IA: You debuted against India in the Asia Cup and scored 88. How much was the pressure in such a big game?

IuH: Everyone handles pressure in their own way. I enjoy playing and scoring runs against everyone but India more so. I don't feel more pressure, I believe I rise to the occasion and look to perform and make my team win.

IA: One game is already played against Afghanistan. You had an average game, but the team dominated and won comfortably. What are Pakistan's chances here?

IuH: We have performed really well as a unit over the past months. We heard a lot of negativity before we came to the World Cup. People were saying that we will not cope in Australian conditions but we beat Australia in the three match series and now won our first game too. The thing is we are not reliant on one player to win the game. We have match winners around the team. People said that without Sami (Aslam) we are nothing but he and myself had a bad game and Babar Azam, Umer Waheed and Mohammad Nawaz came along and performed. Likewise our bowling unit is the same.

IA: You just spoke about Mohammad Nawaz, I interviewed him a month ago. I believe he has the ability to take over from Malik/Afridi in the long term. How good is he?

IuH: Nawaz is very talented. His not only a very consistent left arm spinner but also produces vital knocks in the middle order. If he keeps working hard, which he will, he has the ability for sure to play for a long time for Pakistan.

IA: Yourself? Where do you see your career in 5 years?

IuH: Every kid dreams of playing for Pakistan and I'm no different. I think I have the ability but time will tell where I end up.

IA: Your message to the people of Pakistan?

IuH: Keep us in your prayers. We are here in Ramadan and are all fasting. We know our families are praying for us and the nation wants us to win the World Cup for a third time. We know we are carrying the expectations of the whole country and want to give the nation something to cherish. InshAllah, yeh World Cup hamara hai.

IA: Thanks for your time Imam. You have the nation’s prayers and support and I for one am sure you will not let us down.

IuH: Thanks Imran bhai. Can I add you are doing a great job in promoting young talent in Pakistan. We don't get enough exposure but you are doing that. Usman Qadir is sitting next to me, who KheloPakistan have interviewed before, and he sends his regards. May Allah help you and your work be acknowledged around the country.

IA: Thanks Imam, my pleasure.

Aim For 2015 says Warner and Amla Author: Maaz; Views: 140; Date: 7-08-2012, 04:26;

David Warner and Hashim Amla have urged the current crop of U19 cricketers currently in Australia for the World Cup to aim high and set their sights on targeting participating in the 2015 World Cup in less than 3 years’ time which will also take place in Australia/New Zealand as it returns to the Oceania continent after 23 years.

From the 2008 U19 CWC, Virat Kohli, the winning captain played his part in India’s triumphant 2011 campaign 3 years later. Similarly Ahmed Shehzad who played in the 2010 edition was part of the Pakistan squad for the 2011 50 over world sub continental world cup. Junaid Khan was also part of the 2008 edition and found a place in the Pakistan 15 man squad for the world cup in 2011.

Many of the current crops of players are bound to represent their countries in the next 50 over world cup and a strong showing over the next 3 weeks could play a vital part in making a successful transition from the youth to the senior side, even if it is not to be in the immediate future, but the youngsters can be rest assured that their performances will be followed and observed closely from some important figures in their respective cricketing institutions.

Misbah in Abu Dhabi Day 1