March 2010 Predictions

http://host.pakpassion.net/~pakpass/ppforum/showthread.php?t=93103

Debuts

Imran Tahir and Saeed Ajmal made their first class debut in the same game

Misbah ul Haq and Mohammad Hafeez made their first class debut in the same game

Bhuvaneshwar Kumar and Mohammad Irfan made their T20 debut in the same game

Waqar Younis and Sachin Tendulkar made their Test debut in the same game 

Imran Tahir Posts

1st ODI Cape Town Half Way Prediction

Controversies In Last 18 Months

KP Saga

Ross Taylor Sacking Saga

Homework Gate 

Malcom Conn vs David Warner on Twitter 

IPL Spot Fixing

England's ball tampering accusations at Champions Trophy

Dinesh Ramdin cheating at Champions Trophy 

David Warner - Joe Root

Stuart Broad not walking

Darren Lehman's comments about Broad

England urinating on the Oval outfield during Ashes celebrations 

South Africa caught ball tampering

Michael Clarke's foul mouthing at Brisbane

Outstanding Tweet From Athers

Extreme Digging In Awards

1995

Jack Russel 29* from 235 in a draw

1997

Danny Morrison 14* from 133 in a draw

1998

Darren Gough 12 from 76 balls in a draw
Robert Croft 37* from 125 balls in a draw 
Mark Ramprakash 34 from 149 balls in a draw
Michael Atherton 89 from 280 in a draw 

1999

Geoff Allot 77 ball duck in a draw 
Michael Atherton 11 from 90 in a draw 

2000

Michael Atherton 125 from 430 in Karachi in a win 
Nasser Hussain 51 from 209 in Karachi in a win

2004

4* from 76 balls by Razzaq in Australian Test in a win for Aus

2005

Hoggard 2 from 36 balls at the Oval in a draw
Razzaq 71 from 260 in a draw at Mohali 

2006

Abdul Razzaq 25* from 91 at Lords in a draw

2007

Rahul Dravid 12 from 96 balls at the Oval in a draw

Misbah ul Haq 133* from 310+ in Bangalore in a draw

2008

Paul Collingwood 2 from 50 balls in 1st away test vs NZ in a loss

2009

Paul Collingwood 70 odd from 240 odd at Cardiff in a draw

Monty Panesar 7* from 35 balls at Cardiff in a draw

Paul Collingwood 26* from 99 balls in a draw

2010

Azhar Ali 28* from 135 balls in Abu Dhabi in a draw

Zulqarnain Haider 88 from 200 balls at Edgbaston in a loss

Alastair Cook 235* from 428 balls at Brisbane in a draw

2011

Sachin Tendulkar 14* from 91 balls in his final test in South Africa in a draw 

Misbah ul Haq 70* from 226 balls in Wellington in a draw

Misbah ul Haq 9* from 86 balls in Sharjah in a draw

Rahul Dravid 34* from 87 balls in his final test in the Caribbean in a draw 

Tino Mawoyo 163* from 453 in Bulawayo in a loss 

2012

Ian Bell 55 from 220 at the Oval in a loss

Alastair Cook 13 from 93 at Nagpur in a draw

ABD 33 from 220 at Adelaide in a draw

Faf 110* from 376 balls at Adelaide in a draw 

Azhar Ali 157 from 442 balls in a win

Nick Compton 34 from 135 balls at Nagpur in a draw

Younis Khan 7* from 65 balls for HBL in a draw

Aakash Chopra 18 from 92 balls in first round of Ranji matches in a draw

Paul Borrington 16 from 123 in a loss for Derby late in the season 

Alastair Cook 49 from 187 in Dubai in a loss 

2013

Billy Godleman 55 from 265 at Lords

Laura Marsh 55 from 304 in Wormsley Test in a draw

George Dockrell 2* from 65 balls for Somerset in a draw

Stuart Broad 6 from 77 balls at Auckland in a draw

Azhar Ali 65 from 193 balls in a loss

Joe Root 8 from 57 in 3rd Ashes Test in a draw

Alastair Cook 25 from 88 balls at the Oval in a draw

Steve Finn 56 from 203 at Dunedin in a draw 

T Kohli 300* from 609 balls in Ranji quarters in a win 

Nick Compton 13 from 77 at Auckland in a draw

Pakistan Cricket 2013 Reflection

Positives

Drawing a test series against South Africa
Winning an ODI series in India
Winning an ODI series in the West Indies
Winning an ODI series in South Africa
Losing an ODI series 3-2 respectably in South Africa in March
Winning a T20 series in the West Indies
Winning a T20 series against South Africa in March
Drawing a T20 series against South Africa in November
Winning an ODI series in Ireland
Winning an ODI series against Scotland
Winning an ODI series against Zimbabwe
Winning a T20 series against Zimbabwe

Other Levels

Winning the under 19 tri nations series in England
Winning the Womens ICC World T20 Qualifier in Ireland
Reaching ACC Emerging Teams Cup Final
Faisalabad Wolves beating the Sri Lankan Champions at the Champions League
Women team creating history by beating England in a T20

Negatives

Whitewashed in South Africa Tests
Last ICC Champions Trophy Performance
Losing 6-1 against South Africa in UAE in LOIs just like losing 6-1 against England in LOIs the year before
Losing a test against Zimbabwe
Losing an ODI against Zimbabwe
Tied an ODI against Ireland

Other Levels

Womens team finishing in last place at the Womens World Cup in India

Overall

Won 21
Lost 22
Tied 2
NR 1

7 more games to play yet…

Beaten every team they have played in an ODI series this year. Sri Lanka only left.
And another tri nations coming up for Under 19 team this month.

Womens Ashes Format

The 2013 Ashes in the Womens game had a new format in place. Previously the Womens Ashes was only a single Test Match, however this time there were all 3 formats played which ended up counting towards who retained or regained the Ashes winners status. A certain number of points were given for winning a Test and a certain number of points were awarded for winning a limited over international.

6 points were awarded for winning a test whereas 2 points for every limited over international. ECB head of Womens Cricket, Clare Connor felt this would be a welcome change in the Ashes format because many of the girls do not play much multi day cricket and by staging games such as the T20s on the days where England’s men are playing their respective T20 fixtures would attract crowds and a greater audience.

The support England received was tremendous, even for the lone T20 fixture at Chelmsford which was not a game where the male counterparts were playing on the same day as part of the ticket. Television coverage of some of the limited over matches was also a huge plus. Winning Captain Charlotte Edwards regards winning the 2013 Ashes at home as one of her career highlights along with the World Cup and World T20 double of 2009. Even for the matches which didn’t come on Sky, there was radio coverage for the Test Match and also coverage on ESPN cricinfo for the ODI at Lords.

One area that Clare Conor raised concerns about was the number of points awarded for a test match victory which may need addressing in the future as this could disadvantage the losers of the match significantly before the one day games are even played or provide limited advantage in the next part of the tour should the one day games have been played at the beginning in future schedules.

England will be looking to retain the Ashes in Australia in early 2014 before they head to Bangladesh for the 4^th ICC Women’s World T20 championship.

Predict the 4 teams that will Qualify for World Test Championship

Have to be in the top 4 by the end of 2016

I am going for:

England
Australia
South Africa
India

Why Pakistan won't make it:

1) Ageing KEY players: Misbah, Younis, Ajmal
2) Tours of England and Australia in 2016
3) Lack of prioritizing the test game from PCB

Misbah 2015 World Cup Predictions

http://www.pakpassion.net/ppforum/showthread.php?t=139723

Bangladesh - Not Minnows in One Day Stuff

Can Bangladesh Play Like They Did in Asia Cup When Hosting World T20? White ball form since 07 07 World Cup = Beat India and Beat South Africa 07 World T20 = Beat West Indies 2010 = Beat England away in an ODI 2010 = Beat New Zealand 4-0 in ODIs 2010 = Won the 'Asian Games' with the 'A' team 2011 World Cup = Beat England and Ireland 2012 = Launched their franchise based 20/20 premier league 2012 Asia Cup = Beat India and Sri Lanka 2012 Under 19 World Cup = Beat Pakistan and finished 7th out of 16 teams 2012 = Beat West Indies 3-2 in ODIs 2013 = Beat New Zealand 3-0 in ODIs

The World T20 is a terrific opportunity for Bangladesh to show how far they have come. If the crowds at the 1998 ICC Knock Out Trophy are anything to go by, we should see some packed stadiums and that was a world event held in Bangladesh without the hosting nation even playing! Personally, I can see them defeating the bigger teams and even getting as far as the semi finals and beyond. Such is the nature of the format and such has been their progress and form at home. Underestimate them at your peril.

U19 Tri Series in UAE This Year

Triangular series in UAE arranged this month. Pakistan won the last tri series they played at this level with 6 consecutive victories in England this August. UAE and England will be the other participants. 

Strike Rotation

The Flawed Notion That Misbah 'Does Not Rotate the Strike'

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1) There are dozens of innings where he has got a 50 with only 1, 2 or 3 boundaries and accumulated his runs in singles.

2) In New Zealand broadcaster’s coverage they use a statistic called ‘SS’ standing for scoring shots played. If a player gets 20 with 2 sixes and 2 fours his SS is 4 as he has played 4 scoring shots. If a player gets 21 with 19 singles and a two his SS is 20 as 20 scoring shots were played. It is a leading measure for strike rotation and how reliant a player is on boundaries. Misbah’s was higher than the rest during the last tour over there.

3) No consistent international batter can score runs without taking singles. You cannot score runs consistently without taking singles. Players who rely on boundary hitting eventually get found out. No top consistent batter scores a very high % of his runs in boundaries. It just can't happen. There is too much risk involved.

4) Only tail enders block and hit.

5) Every top class batter has a method of getting down the non strikers end. Misbah’s is to be patient and disciplined outside the off stump; forcing and waiting for a bowler to stray in line when bowling straighter where he can work balls into the on side.

6) Just because he is renowned for his defence and power, does not mean he does not have a middle game. You can say his defence and power are stronger more noticeable aspects than his middle game, but that’s not to say he does not have it at all. Also with the new fielding restrictions, defence and power are perhaps more important than single taking ability because one dayers are more now about clearing the ring and staying in to make the most of the death overs where there is a less fielder allowed outside than before.

7) Defence, single taking ability or power to find the fence is 3 aspects. Every player has an element of each. If you have 2 of the 3 aspects as strong areas you can excel.

8) When you can defend, survive and strike the ball as well as him, no need to get fussy about taking singles if it’s not there, less chance of getting soft dismissals.

9) In response to point 1 that if there were 3 or less boundaries in an innings of 60 say, then there must have been plenty of dots people will say. Well, firstly you can’t take a single from every ball, especially when you have good bowlers to come up against as you will get good deliveries that you need to keep out and respect if you want to survive.

10) Graham Thorpe was an expert for manoeuvring balls into gaps and manipulating the field. He played out many dots and maidens as well. He was one of the best at ticking over in singles and toying with the field. But his strike rate was still standard.

11) Joe Root's test debut at Nagpur was praised for being a masterpiece study of working balls into gaps. Yet his SR was less than 40. Just because there is a slower strike rate on display does not mean singles are not being scored or an effort is not being made.

These players have worse single taking ability than the Pakistan Captain

Marlon Samuels
Johnson Charles
Abdul Razzaq
Angelo Matthews
Ahmed Shehzad

Past

Mark Ramprakash
Paul Collingwood
Imran Khan (post injury when he was a batting all rounder) either a basher or a blocker
Nasser Hussain

Food for Thought

Historically, Pakistan and West Indies have been bad rotators of the strike.

Barring Asif Iqbal and Javed Miandad, not many Pakistan batters were/are that skilled in this area.

Even Mohammad Yousuf and Inzamam were notorious for bad running between the wickets and lousy habits in this area. Running between the wickets and communication is the key to single taking. No one enjoys batting with players who run badly and run slowly.

Here is what Mohsin Khan said in his analysis on the day Misbah got 100 against SA

Anchor 'Why does Misbah not take singles like this in every match'

'Listen to what I am saying. Those who say Misbah doesn't do singles know nothing. How can you expect him to take singles when batsmen keep getting out every time he given them the strike? He knows he has to face the best bowlers. He has to play as many balls as possible and look to stay in and score for the team to have a chance. If he was playing with better batsmen then you will see. So many times he is stuck with the tail' - Mohsin Khan

Shan Masood

Shan Masood Factfile

1)      He was vice captain of the 2008 Under 19 World Cup team which had Shehzad, Umar Akmal, Junaid Khan, Umar Amin in

2)      He was a boarding pupil at Stamford Private School in Lincolnshire

3)      He got admission to Loughborough University, one of the top ranked in UK

4)      He got admission into Durham MCCU to play first class cricket against counties

5)      He has received training from ex England players such as Graeme Fowler at Durham

6)      He combined studying at Loughborough and playing first class cricket in Pakistan together

7)      He was sitting exams 2 months before his Test debut against the world number 1s

8)      He has written impressive articles on Dawn such as ‘In Pursuit of the Star’

9)      His overall first class numbers are modest but he has played first class cricket in England along with BUCS university cricket and club cricket with success

10)   His favourite players include Alastair Cook and Younis Khan

11)   He speaks English very confidently and fluently as you would expect. The best I have seen by a Pakistan cricketer for a long time. Gives articulate responses.

12)   He comes from an educated background with a good upbringing.

13)   He is a tweeter and is the only Pakistani Cricketer who tweets without slang or internet language or informal tweeting. The quality of his tweets is good.

14)   Against the likes of Dale Steyn he put on 100 for the opening stand with Manzoor on his test debut

15)   He got off the mark in Tests with a boundary against Dale Steyn on the first ball he faced and got a 3 from the second ball he faced

Given his off field accomplishments, it’s only inevitable Shan will be a credible captaincy option somewhere down the line, especially if he nails down the opening slot.

On the other hand, he could end up becoming an Ed Cowan type, an MCCU graduate like Shan, left handed long format opener, talented columnist in his written work, suitable captaincy option with experience in the role, but struggling to hold a permanent position in the side and win people over. Instead he is known more for his academic background than his pedigree as a player.

Why? There have been tons of bigger slow scoring offences by Pakistan batsmen in World Cup and big matches than Misbah’s in Mohali.

Miandad 1985 MCG Final

48 from 92 balls against India – team lost batting first

Miandad 1987 World Cup Semi Final

70 from 102 balls against Australia – team lost batting second

Miandad 1992 World Cup vs India

Miandad 40 from 110 balls against India – team lost batting second

Miandad 1996 World Cup Quarter Final vs India

Miandad 38 from 64 balls – team lost batting second

Inzamam 1999 World Cup vs India

41 from 93 balls – team lost batting second

Abdul Razzaq 2003 World Cup vs India

12 from 29 balls at number 3 – team lost batting first

Abdul Razzaq 1999 World Cup Final

17 from 51 balls at number 3 – team lost batting first

Abdul Razzaq 1999 World Cup vs South Africa

30 from 60 balls at number 3 – team lost batting first

Mohsin Khan in 1983 World Cup Semi Final

76 from 176 balls – team lost batting first

Rameez Raja in 1992 World Cup vs West Indies

102* from 158 balls on a flat wicket – team lost batting first

Imran Khan 1987 World Cup semi-final vs Australia

58 from 84 balls – team lost batting second

Imran Khan 1992 World Cup semi-final vs New Zealand

44 from 93 balls – team won batting second thanks to miraculous hitting from Inzamam and Moin

Mohammad Hafeez against Sri Lanka in 2012 World T20 semi final

42 from 40 balls – team lost batting second

Mohammad Hafeez against India in 2012 World T20

15 from 28 balls – team lost batting first

Shoaib Malik in 2007 World T20 final

8 from 17 balls – team lost batting second

Shoaib Malik in 2013 Champions Trophy vs South Africa

8 from 29 balls – team lost batting second

Mohammad Yousuf from 2009 Champions Trophy semi final

45 from 78 balls – teams lost batting first

Younis Khan 2007 World T20 final

24 from 24 balls - team lost batting second

Younis Khan 2011 World Cup semi final

13 from 32 balls - team lost batting second

Mohammad Yousuf 2010 series decider against England

20 from 43 balls - team lost batting second

Ireland Win ICC World T20 Qualifier

Ireland today won the ICC World T20 Qualifier in Abu Dhabi where they defeated Afghanistan in a high scoring game. They successfully managed to retain the title and win it for a 3rd time. There will be eight Asian teams competing in the world finals in Bangladesh next year, a championship record in the sport across all global competitions. Trent Johnston was playing his final limited over match for Ireland at the age of 39 and thankfully for Ireland they won it for the senior veteran of Irish cricket as he bowed out on a high. It was a fairy-tale finish. There was some terrific ball striking on show and it certainly was not an easy game to be a bowler in. Earlier in the day, UAE lost the 3rd place play off to Nepal and there was great support for the Nepal side which is a reflection of the passion for the game in that part of the world. Star Cricket televised the climax stages of the all important associates trophy with the likes of Waqar Younis commentating.

6 Associates to Qualify for Bangladesh

Ireland
Afghanistan
Nepal
UAE
Holland
Hong Kong

ICC World T20 Qualifier Winners

2009 - Ireland and Scotland
2010 - Afghanistan
2012 - Ireland
2013 - Ireland

Cook Influencing England Batsmen to play Like Him?

There is a significant decrease in England's scoring rate since Cook became captain in 17 tests.

This is the type of rubbish that is written against Misbah on here.

They score at 2.94 an over under him despite having:

- KP Factor
- Less turgid wickets like in UAE
- Strong attacking lower order

3 times from memory under Cook in last 12 months Eng have batted out a first innings day where 80+ overs been bowled and added under 220

Just imagine the abuse Misbah would be getting if they were

199/5 from 97 overs like England were in Nagpur last year on day 1
160/4 from 80 overs like England were at Lords this year vs Kiwis on day 1
247/4 from 116 overs like England were at the Oval in the final Ashes Test on day 3

And Misbah as a batsmen is much much less cautious and more versatile than Cook if you look at:

Calculated hitting
Aerial hitting
Gear Changing
Ball Striking
Power Hitting

You would never see Cook hitting 74 6s at all levels in a year like Misbah has done this year

Ashes Down Under, England's 1st test overseas nightmare

Slow Starters.

Lost/drawn their last 13.
I'm not counting the Bangladesh tour in 2010.

Last won one in 2004.

Can they turn this around in Brisbane? 

2013

New Zealand – drew first test

2012

India – lost first test
Sri Lanka – lost first test
Pakistan in Dubai – lost first test

2010

Australia in Brisbane – drew first test

2009 

South Africa – drew first test
West Indies – lost first test

2008

India – lost first test
New Zealand – lost first test

2007

Sri Lanka – lost first test

2006

Brisbane – lost first test
India in Nagpur – Drew first test

2005

Pakistan in Multan – lost first test

4th ODI Half Way Point

Why do Afridi Fans act as if Reaching World Cup Semis was a Miracle?

Why do Afridi Fans act as if Reaching World Cup Semis was a Miracle?

1) Kenya reached 2003 Semis in a much tougher and more intensive tournament format where there were super sixes with points carried over as opposed to just quarter final ties after the first round
2) New Zealand even reached 2011 semis after being in turmoil with 4-0 loss in Bangladesh in 2010 and 5-0 in India in 2010
3) Pakistan historically have played the most World Cup Semis along with Australia and New Zealand
4) It was in Asian conditions
5) The tournament format suited Pak as it was about easing your way into the tournament
6) It was an Open World Cup
7) All major test playing nations reached the knock out stages; Pak just went 1 game further
8) Pakistan had the advantage of playing all their pre quarter final games in one country unlike other teams
9) Harsha Bhogle and Nick Knight even had Pakistan down as favourties
10) Pakistan’s white ball form had been decent. World T20 winners in 2009 and the last 3 series they played leading up to 2011 WC were won or lost by a 3-2 score line
11) In those conditions they always stood a better chance than England, West Indies and New Zealand for example and teams like Australia and England were suffering from injuries with batsmen like Hussey and Morgan
12) Pakistan were not in the harder group in the qualifying stages
13) Spot fixing scandal did not have huge effects on the one day team like the hole it filled in the test team. Butt was hit and miss in one day matches. Asif was not a one day bowler unless wickets suited him. Amir was a lesser bowler in one day matches than he was in test matches as his record showed and Gul/Akhtar could easily fill in here.

3rd ODI Half Way Point

ET Comment in April 2012

Backing M Despite 3-0 Whitewash That Month

February 28, 2013 4:32 pm

Support the captain that:

Beat England 3-0 in a test series

Beat Sri Lanka in all 3 formats 2011

Won the Asia Cup

Beat India in India ODIs 

Won a test series outside Asia in New Zealand 

Drew a test series vs number 2 ranked SA side in UAE

Has been clinical against associates and minnows 

Won Presidents Trophy as captain 

Led a weak Faisalabad side to final of domestic T20 

Support Captain Misbah

 +
Had to revive a broken side after spot fixing scandal 

Had to cope with 3 different coaches

Had to cope with 2 different chairman

Had to cope with 3 different chief selectors 

Has not captained in a proper series at home

Had to start with a completely fresh team in the test arena

Had to take a side forward that hadn't won a test series in 4 years

Had to turn the tables after the shambolic year of 2010

Had to cope with many former captains in the one day side

Had to re-instate Afridi as a player after months of dispute @PCB

50

9

Womens Cricket History in Loughborough | 5th July 2013 | My PCT Status

PCT Status June 17th

South Africa ODI Status By Me on PCT in April

Emerging Left Arm Pacers

Wayne Parnell, pictured above, is currently playing against Pakistan in the ODIs in UAE

Tymal Mills, pictured above, is currently in Australia training with England ahead of the 2013/14 Ashes in order to give them some preparation for facing Mitchell Johnson

2nd ODI Half Way Point Verdict

Misbah vs Younis

Very strange to see Younis Khan complaining about being surprised about not being granted a place in ODIs !

You always get comments from fans 'that if Misbah is in the ODI team then why not Younis.' HERE IS WHY. I have to do this when ever the team is announced for ODIs and have been doing it for a long time. ITS BLINDING OBVIOUS.

Misbah: 11 half centuries in his last 18 ODI innings
Younis: 3 half centuries in his last 18 ODI innings

World Cup Average
Younis : 23
Misbah: 50

Champions Trophy Average
Misbah: 54
Younis: 15

Career Average
Younis: 32
Misbah: 45

Average as ODI Captain
Misbah: 50
Younis: 22

Average in WINS:
Misbah: 57
Younis: 40

This Year:
Younis: No half century in 7 innings (out every time)
Misbah: 11 half centuries in 21 innings with 5 not outs

Anyone who is capable of distinguishing between different formats should be able to reach the conclusion that Younis should not be in the ODI team and his continual exclusion from this format is totally justified. It's disappointing that Younis himself has not retired from ODIs after the 2011 World Cup, 2012 Asia Cup or after the 2012-13 series in India which would have been an appropriate time to go.

https://www.facebook.com/king.MUH/posts/605727259472977

Shane Warne To Commentate For Channel 9 and Sky Sports in 2013/14 Ashes

Shane Warne announced on Twitter a few months ago that he will be commentating for Channel 9 and Sky Sports during the Ashes series in Australia. The iconic legspinner was inducted into the ICC Hall of Fame at Lords during the 2nd Ashes Test this year in front of his proud family and on the day of his father's birthday. The 2nd leading test wicket taker in history will not be playing in the forthcoming Big Bash season as he retired from all forms of the professional game at the age of 43, having captained the Melbourne Stars in the last 2 seasons of the BBL. Warne has also captained the Royals in the IPL, Hampshire in the county circuit and briefly captained the Australian ODI side. During the Oval test match Shane presented James Faulkner with his test cap as the left arm seaming all rounder made his debut in the final Ashes test match of the summer. The sporting great missed the first Ashes test match at Trent Bridge due to poker commitments. SKW is now a professional poker player and is currently playing in Paris.

Shane Warne's Commentary Experience

2009 Ashes series
2009 Lords One Day County Final (Hampshire winning)
2009/10 MCG and SCG Tests vs Pakistan
2010 Australia vs Pakistan Tests in England
2010 England vs Pakistan Tests (first 2)
2010/11 Ashes Series
2011 India in England Tests
2012 England vs West Indies 2nd Test
2012 England vs Australia ODIs (first 2)
2012 England vs South Africa Tests (first 2)
2012 India vs England 2nd Test
2013 India vs Australia Tests
2013 ICC Champions Trophy (6 matches)
2013 Ashes (last 4 Tests)
2013 India vs Australia ODIs (first 2)

Jonathan Trott Fielding During ICC Champions Trophy Semi Final

Print Screens

16th June Reaction

From the defeat in Dhaka at the hands of the West Indies in 1998 to yesterday's encounter in Birmingham, the ICC Champions Trophy is a competition that Pakistan have failed in repeatedly. They will not play another encounter in this particular world event as it is being terminated to accommodate a world test championship in a new structure as of 2015. The recent performances in Group B of the ICC Champions Trophy of the side make this arguably Pakistan's worst ever showing in an ICC World event.

They are the only side not to have registered a point from either group. The year of 2013 has been an atrocious one for the side with disastrous results in the test series in South Africa and the ICC Champions Trophy, the two biggest assignments of the year. Pakistan also finished in last position of the Women's World Cup in India back in February. You can expect some interesting developments in the mysterious world that is Pakistan Cricket over the next fortnight as majority of the team and the various officials/backroom staff arrive home to face the disappointed media and fans.

ICC Test Championship Logo Launch

It has the potential to become bigger than a World Cup and any one day tournament. Pakistan will need to be in the top 4 by the end of their Australian tour in 2016/17 to qualify for the 2017 event in England. Initially it was going to happen this year, but broadcasters did not like the idea and were contracted with a Champions Trophy and so the ICC decided they will play a Champions Trophy instead for one final time.

Andrew Strauss Book Signing

Strauss confirmed with me that he will be commentating in the Ashes over in Australia