England in West Indies.
T20s 2014 Lost 2-1.
ODIs 2014 Won 2-1.
Tests 2015 Drew 1-1 (carryover).

England in Sri Lanka.
Tests 2012 Drew 1-1.
ODIs 2014 Lost 5-2 (carryover).

Michael Clarke Led Australia to World T20 2010 final. (12 teams)
Michael Clarke Led Australia to World Cup glory 2015. (14 teams)

Josh Hazlewood MOM in 2010 U19CWC Final vs Pakistan.
Josh Hazlewood MOM in 2015 CWC QF vs Pakistan.

NZ beat WI in 2012 U19CWC QF.
NZ beat WI in 2015 CWC QF.

This Test reminded me of Guyana 2011.

England not making QFs is significantly worse than losing the Ashes 5-0.

Next time England are abroad. Emirates.

2013/14 Winter for England

vs Australia

Lost Ashes 5-0
Lost ODIs 4-1
Lost T20s 3-0

vs West Indies

Won ODIs 2-1
Lost T20s 2-1

World T20

Lost to New Zealand, South Africa and Netherlands. Beat Sri Lanka.

2014/15

Lost 5-2 in Sri Lanka ODIs

Lost 3-0 vs Australia in tri series.
Beat India 2-0 in tri series.

World Cup

Lost to every Test playing nation. 4/4.

West Indies Tests

Drew 1-1

With future ODI tournaments in England in 2017 & 2019. These ODI series teams like NZ & Aus play in England this summer do carry some added significance and some context. Not totally meaningless after the Tests are done as the obvious main part of the tour with this being an Ashes summer. Of course the Ashes themselves and the build up to it.

2 years before the last one. 2 years before the next.

Why is it happening in England again?

1) Replaces proposed ICC Test Championship. A format was considered unworkable.
2) 2013 was a huge success.
3) June 2017 is the available window - not suitable for many better countries than England.
4) Big 3 has taken over cricket. Such Events can only be in India, England or Australia (2015-2023).

Most Finals in this comp

Ind = 3
WI = 3
Aus = 2
NZ = 2
Eng = 2
SA = 1
SL = 1
Pak = 0

Previous Ones in England 

West Indies won it in 2004 in England.
India won it in 2013 in England.
Both defeating the host nation in the final.
Both won it from the jaws of defeat.

Irony

Pak would have qualified for the 2017 Test Championship based on current Test ranking. Only 4 teams.

Pak are struggling to qualify for the 2017 ODI event based on current ODI ranking. 8 team event.

1999 - Last time New Zealand won a Test series in England or a Test Match for that matter.

Pakistan in England For Test Cricket

1954 - Test win at the Oval
1962 - didn't win
1967 - didn't win
1971 - didn't win
1974 - didn't win
1978 - didn't win
1982 - Test win at Lords

1987 - Won 1-0 (5)
1992 - Won 2-1 (5)
1996 - Won 2-0 (3)

2001 - Drew 1-1 (2)
2006 - Lost 3-0 (4)
2010 - Lost 3-1 (4)

Pakistan in England for ICC Events

1975 - First round
1979 - Semis
1983 - Semis
1999 - Finalists

2004 - Semis
2009 - Winners
2013 - First round

Most Test Wins by a Pakistan Captain vs Most Test Wins by a Bangladesh Captain.
3-3 from 8 series. Series record outside UAE. 6-7 in match terms. 3 draws.

28th April at Barbados

2007. CWC Final.
2011. Misbah MOM as Pakistan seal ODI series win.

Top 8 ODI Achievements of his

1) Asia Cup victory 2012
2) Beating Sri Lanka 4-1 in 2011
3) Beat India 2-1 in 2012/13
4) Beat Bangladesh 3-0 in 2011
5) Beat West Indies 3-1 in 2013
6) Beat Sri Lanka 3-2 in 2013
7) Beat South Africa 2-1 in 2013
8) Asia Cup finalists 2014

Top away Test Achievements

1) Beat New Zealand in New Zealand 2011
2) Drawn away vs West Indies 2011
3) Drew two Tests in Sri Lanka 2012
4) Won one off Test Match in Zimbabwe 2011
5) Won 2-0 vs Bangladesh 2011
6) Drew 1-1 vs Zimbabwe 2013

How good a captain is he?

Successful Test Captain in UAE - leading Pakistan in exile.
Successful Captain in Asia Cup tournaments (ODIs) - a tournament where Pakistan have been poor.
Generally clinical vs minnows and associates (27-2 record vs teams outside the top 8 across all).
Successful domestic captain across all formats.
Suitable vice captain of the Pakistan side in the past.

But no outstanding teams results in:
High Profile Overseas Test Series.
ICC Events.
However, at least he individually performed in them.

Misbah - Top Scoring for Pakistan in ODIs

Highlighted = ICC Events

2011

vs NZ 1st game
vs NZ 4th game
vs Sri Lanka
vs India
vs WI 1st ODI
vs WI 3rd ODI
vs SL 5th ODI

2012 - none

2013

vs Ind 3rd ODI
vs SA 1st ODI
vs SA 2nd ODI
vs Scotland
vs West Indies
vs South Africa
vs West Indies 3rd ODI
vs Zimbabwe 1st ODI
vs Zimbabwe 3rd ODI
vs South Africa 4th ODI
vs South Africa 3rd ODI
vs Sri Lanka 5th ODI

2014 - none

2015

vs India
vs Zimbabwe
vs South Africa

Finishing Games

2011

http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/current/match/473926.html

http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/current/match/489213.html

http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/current/match/489214.html

http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/current/match/489215.html

http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/current/match/507995.html

http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/current/match/523731.html

http://www.espncricinfo.com/pakistan-v-sri-lanka-2011/engine/match/530432.html

http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/current/match/538069.html

http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/current/match/538073.html

2012

http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/current/match/545656.html

http://www.espncricinfo.com/asia-cup-2012/engine/current/match/535796.html

http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/current/match/571146.html

http://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Scorecards/474/474056.html

http://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Scorecards/474/474061.html

2013

http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/current/match/567369.html

http://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Scorecards/524/524601.html

http://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Scorecards/541/541257.html

http://www.espncricinfo.com/icc-champions-trophy-2013/engine/current/match/634964.html

http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/current/match/645641.html

http://www.espncricinfo.com/caribbean-premier-league-2013/engine/match/635221.html

http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/current/match/649087.html

2014

http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/current/match/657651.html

2015

http://www.espncricinfo.com/icc-cricket-world-cup-2015/engine/current/match/806135.html

Pakistan won 7 ODI series in a row in 2011-2012

Pakistan have lost 5 ODI series in a row 2014-15

1) Test Cricket
2) ICC Events
3) Pakistan internationals
4) First Class Cricket
5) U19 ODIs
6) T20 leagues
7) Associate cricket
8) Womens Cricket
9) Club and exhibition cricket

World T20
Women's World T20
World T20 Qualifier

World T20
Women's World T20
World T20 Qualifier
Champions League
County T20

Champions League
County T20
Faysal Bank Super 8s
Faysal Bank T20 full
IPL

Pakistan vs England
Tournaments in England
Cricket at London venues
Cricket from England, South Africa and New Zealand
Sky Sports Cricket

England games
County games
ICC Events
The stuff Athers and Nas cover

Sky Sports
Star Sports
Channel 9
Sky NZ
TMS
The top broadcasters when they cover

Players you like

Commentators you like

The big 5 Test Series
England vs Australia
Pakistan vs England
Pakistan vs India
Pakistan vs West Indies
England vs South Africa

.................

World Cup
Women's World Cup
Under 19 World Cup

World Cup
Champions Trophy
World T20

World Cup
U19 World Cup
Champions Trophy
Asia Cup

World Cup
Champions Trophy
World T20
U19 World Cup
Asia Cup
Women's World T20
Women's World Cup
World T20 Qualifier
World Cup Qualifier
Asian Test Championship
HAS BEEN

World Cup
Champions Trophy
World T20
U19 World Cup
Asia Cup
Women's World T20
Women's World Cup
World T20 Qualifier
World Cup Qualifier
Test Championship (scrapped now)
IS

World Cup
Champions Trophy
World T20
U19 World Cup
Asia Cup
Women's World T20
Women's World Cup
World T20 Qualifier
World Cup Qualifier
Asia Cup Knockout
Test League
Test Championship
SHOULD BE

World Cup
Champions Trophy
World T20
U19 World Cup
Asia Cup

Test Number 1
World Cup
World T20

Ashes. World Cup. World T20.

World Cup
Champions Trophy
World T20
U19 World Cup
Asia Cup
Women's World T20
Women's World Cup
World T20 Qualifier
Asian Test Championship
Test rankings
Player rankings
ICC Awards
(think boycott)

World Cup
Champions Trophy
ODI rankings

World Cup
World T20

........

IPL
CLT20

World Cup Qualifier
World T20 Qualifier
Intercontinental Cup

World Cup
Champions Trophy

World Cup
Champions Trophy
Women's World Cup
Ones every 4 years

.............

Favourite Formats

1) Test Cricket
2) ICC Events
3) T20 series
4) ODI series

For players

1) Test Cricket
2) ICC Events
3) Other Internationals
4) First Class Cricket
5) T20 Leagues
6) List A Cricket

1) High Profile Test Series
2) International Tournaments
3) Low Profile Test Series
4) High Profile ODI Series
5) High Profile T20 Series
6) Low Profile T20 Series
7) Low Profile ODI Series

.................

Favourite of the Big 5

1) World Cup (if a good competition format)
2) U19 World Cup - has a USP, under-age cricket
3) Asia Cup - has a USP, continent trophy
4) Champions Trophy (this becomes no1 in absence of good World Cup format)
5) World T20 - pinnacle of international T20 but I prefer 50 over tournaments like the above 4

Misbah's Captaincy By Season - POSITIVES

2010/11

Drawn Test series vs South Africa
Won Test series in New Zealand

2011 Summer

Drew Test series in West Indies
Won ODIs in Ireland

2011/12

Beat Zimbabwe in all 3 formats
Beat Sri Lanka in all 3 formats
Beat Bangladesh in all 3 formats
Beat England 3-0 in Tests
Won Asia Cup

2012 Summer

Drew 2 Tests in Sri Lanka
Lost 2-1 vs Australia in ODIs

2012/13

Reached Faysal Bank T20 final (14 teams)
Beat India in ODIs
Lost 3-2 in South Africa ODIs
Won the domestic treble

2013 Summer

Beat Scotland and Ireland in ODIs
Beat West Indies in ODIs
Beat Zimbabwe in ODIs

2013/14

Drew Test series vs South Africa
Won ODI series in South Africa
Won ODI series vs Sri Lanka
Drew Test series vs Sri Lanka
Reached domestic T20 final
Reached Asia Cup final
Won Presidents Trophy

2014/15

Beat Australia in Tests
Drew New Zealand in Tests
Won 2 World Cup warm ups
Won 4 in a row at the World Cup

Pakistan Cricket.

Misbah - won 1 of his last 8 Test series
Afridi - not won any of his last 6 T20 series with Waqar coach
New ODI skip - whitewashed first up

Pakistan have won 10 of their last 29 ODIs.
Pakistan have won 7 of their last 26 ODIs against Test teams.
Waqar has won 7 out of 23 ODIs since taking over again.

Pakistan have won 1 of their last 11 series across all formats.
Two average ICC Events in between.

1500 days to go till England's turn in 019.

Pakistan Cricket is not rock bottom. That's harsh. They've been doing well in Test Cricket.

Obviously a person who has 22 ODI 50s in his last 50 ODI innings in a shaky batting line up will be missed from a batting point of view, that re-assuring presence and dependability in the middle order, but here the discussion is about captaincy and one day captaincy.

After 25 ODI assignments in charge which include 21 bilateral series, two continental tournaments, two world tournaments; the post MuH era has started in the one day circuit. We already got a glimpse before since he has left T20 for 3 years now and also didn't feature in neither full ODI series in the UAE in the season just gone, after leading for around 70 ODIs in succession before that, a national record. He has been an ever present figure which is testament to his fitness and passion at such an age, an ever present productive contributor with the bat in tricky situations and an ever present game controller in charge as far as leadership goes of a difficult team to manage historically. Below is an objective analysis of whether he was missed from a captaincy point of view.

First and foremost congratulations to Bangladesh.

BUT.

Transitional period or not. They should not be losing to them.

Yes, other teams have lost here, but conditions are a huge factor for them. Not the same case here.

This series defeat is not a huge surprise. However, it does show that Pakistan's struggles are more deep rooted than just the previous captain as his severe critics are finding out. Some thought they would be world beaters without him and he was standing in their way from becoming a phenomenal unit. I have seen quite a few posters with such thoughts during his enduring time as captain. This is for those who always made him the scapegoat. This is for those who let out their frustrations on him as if there was nothing else wrong with Pakistan Cricket but him. I see quite a few comments such as "Someone will be blaming him for the loss" doing the rounds on social media.

Would he have made a huge difference? In all honesty, from a captaincy perspective, probably not. Under him they have also lost their last four series in this format and lost them badly, often in more familiar conditions. He has only won 5 out of 14 ODI series against the top 8 ranked sides. Lost many more than he has won.

However, he has been clinical against the lesser teams, at least. 7-0 in ODI series against teams outside the top 8. Also, he has a 9-0 captaincy record against Bangladesh in Bangladesh across all formats.

Some of his decision making in selection were dreadful and it got to a stage where I couldn't defend some of his thinking.

It was more of a case that I would have kept him on as ODI captain because of continuity, the fact he is a top class ambassador for Pakistan Cricket in conduct, his own individual contributions and a lack of better alternatives, rather than thinking he was a remarkable one day captain. His one day captaincy was leaving a lot to be desired over his last 8 months or so in the job. He certainly started well as one day captain, 14-1 was his record at one point. But after that it was inconsistent, despite some memorable tours along the way. Since Dav left, it's only gone downhill.

Test Batting Captain = Outstanding.
Test Captain Results = Impressive.

ODI Batting Captain = Phenomenal.
ODI Captain Results = Average.

Overall, a good enough package. Everything can't be perfect. But let's not act as if the team were invincible under his captaincy in one day cricket.

...........

Imran Tahir, Daniel Vettori and Ashwin deserve a lot of credit for the way they bowled in the 2015 ICC Cricket World Cup. In a high scoring tournament, with only four fielders allowed outside the circle, in conditions where spin doesn't have a huge say and on some small postage grounds in New Zealand.

Being man of the match in South Africa's first ever World Cup Knockout match victory against a country which has a reputation of playing spin well was undoubtedly a special occasion for Imran Tahir and team.

But what is his future in one day cricket? He will be 40 in 2019. Perhaps a tournament too far? Despite being a spinner who started his international career late.

However, the more immediate ICC Events such as the 2016 ICC World T20 and the 2017 Champions Trophy are certainly within his reach.

Obviously he is far superior limited overs bowler than a Test Match bowler. But should conditions in Test Matches suit or should the opposition not be the strongest of teams against spin bowling, perhaps there is a role he can play for Hashim Amla's side in the longer format too.

.............

What use are Test runs if they are used to continuously pressurise the selectors for a place in the one day team where he continuously flops? It's only inevitable that he will continue to get picked in one day teams as long as he plays and scores in Test Cricket unfortunately.

Let's not hide away from the fact that one day cricket is hugely popular in Asia. A lot more people follow it compared to the Tests in this part of the world. It is the pinnacle for many. Competitions are given a lot of importance. Hence success in them is hugely important to maintain interest in the game in the country. This man averages 22 in World Cup Cricket across four editions. He was woefully out of sorts as many expected when it mattered again in the most recent edition, despite throwing a shameless public tantrum to force his way into the reckoning. And yet people compare him with Javed Miandad?

Misbah should have taken a stand and threatened to resign or if he approved of the selection as reports suggest he did, then deserves heavy criticism for senseless selection when it is so obvious to people who can differentiate between formats that he shouldn't have been picked under any circumstances. I get the impression he perhaps even picked him to make his performances look head and shoulders above the rest or picked him on the basis of personal friendships. How else could he have been picked? It's a mystery on cricketing grounds.

I cannot stress how bad a decision it was to take him. It was a costly one. He was a huge culprit with his single digit failures in two demoralising losses to start the campaign. Very little chance to recover from there mentally as a team. If it wasn't a reputable captain, we'd have been calling him a "dummy captain."

As always Pakistan forgotten.
Comes before South Africa.
https://twitter.com/piersmorgan/status/588298976157376513
Even Jimmy Anderson forgot about it once on interview but remembered South Africa.
Pakistan are looked down upon.
Strange because it will be tough for them to win here.
Tough because of:
1) Conditions from England's perspective
2) Pakistan's brilliant record in those conditions
3) Whitewashed last time here

They should beat England.
They will beat England.
England don't do well vs Pakistan away from home.
They don't do well in Asia full stop despite winning their last Asian Test series in India 2012.

England won 3-1 at 2010 at home.
England won 3-0 at 2006 at home.

Pakistan won 3-0 in 2012 at home.
Pakistan won 2-0 in 2005 at home.

England won 1-0 in 2000 away.
Pakistan drew 1-1 in 2001 away.

England's last 10 Tests abroad
DDDDLLLLLD

Preparation for future one day tournaments in England commenced yesterday
Genuine possibility Pakistan will struggle to even qualify for them
Won't be an easy ride for a lowly ranked team

Cheer up - look at the Test rankings

What on Earth is Ajmal doing in the Pakistan side? Will be approaching 42 in 2019. No eye on the future. Not everyone is MuH. He also managed after overcoming several obstacles.

Did they really miss him from a captaincy perspective? Not so sure. Lost his last 4 one day series. Though 9-0 vs BD in BD across all forms. His one day captaincy was leaving a lot to be desired over the last 12 months. 5-9 vs top 8. 7-0 vs minor sides.

Pak in one dayers - won 4/10 this year
Ordinary
Average
Mediocre
Not that good
Never been that good
Not their strongest suit
Shambles

55 of his 79 50+ as skipper
16 50+ in 30 inns in UAE as Test skip

vs SA

First Pak skip to beat them in the Cup
First Pak skip to beat them in a one day series
Drew twice vs them in Tests when no1 or no2 in world
Beat them in a warm up game at Kia Oval

6 50s in last 15 in one dayers
6 50+ in 7 Tests with a century and 2 unbeaten half centuries

All his Test centuries after 33
5 in AD
6 as skip
2 vs Ind as player

Batting is a balance between scoring and survival
In statistical terms average and strike rate
That is the challenge

Ideally you want a high ave and high SR (i.e. average of 47 with SR of 89)
But batting is not that easy
It's not meant to be
Neither should it be
Few very can achieve this
Only the top top players
Cricket would be poorer if everyone could do this for fun

So next best
1) High average and lowish SR (i.e average of 40 with SR of 69)
2) Or modest average and high SR (i.e. average of 26 with SR of 94)

What you don't want is
Modest average and ordinary SR - that is a big no no (i.e. average of 30 with SR of 73)
Lowish average and lowish SR - self explanatory (i.e. average of 21 with SR of 66)

In terms of weighting 60% average 40% SR in terms of importance
50% each way in T20 though as we often see batting index used here

Test Match Cricket resumes tomorrow. England's first Test in nearly eight months. First of 17 Tests which come around thick and fast. 

KP currently playing his first red ball game since the Sydney Test January 2014.

Week in Cricket

Paul Downton sacked as Managing Director.
IPL8 commences.
Great Richie Benaud passes away.
County Cricket commences.

Australia champions in:

Cricket
Hockey
Rugby League
Qualify for the football finals too

Great sporting culture. Not just in cricket. Play with a fierce competitive spirit.

What a strange thing to tweet after Pakistan are eliminated from a one day tournament. https://twitter.com/_saadshafqat/status/579185741420359680

Games Covered

Warne (16)

Australia vs India warm up

Australia vs England
India vs Pakistan
New Zealand vs England
India vs South Africa
West Indies vs Zimbabwe
New Zealand vs Australia
Sri Lanka vs England

Australia vs Afghanistan
West Indies vs India
Australia vs Sri Lanka

Break for golf

Sri Lanka vs South Africa
India vs Bangladesh
Australia vs Pakistan

New Zealand vs South Africa
Australia vs India

Australia vs New Zealand

Richardson (8)

New Zealand vs Sri Lanka
New Zealand vs Scotland
New Zealand vs England
Sri Lanka vs Afghanistan
Afghanistan vs Scotland
New Zealand vs Australia

Pakistan vs UAE
New Zealand vs Afghanistan

Botham (9)

Australia vs England

West Indies vs Ireland
New Zealand vs England
England vs Scotland
Afghanistan vs Scotland 

England vs Sri Lanka
Pakistan vs UAE
Pakistan vs South Africa

2 week break for golf

New Zealand vs West Indies

Atherton (12)

England vs West Indies
England vs Pakistan

Australia vs England
West Indies vs Ireland
New Zealand vs England
England vs Scotland
Ireland vs UAE

England vs Sri Lanka
South Africa vs Ireland
Zimbabwe vs Ireland
England vs Bangladesh
England vs Afghanistan

Australia vs Pakistan

New Zealand vs South Africa

Akram (10)

India vs Pakistan
Zimbabwe vs UAE
West Indies vs Pakistan
Afghanistan vs Scotland

Pakistan vs Zimbabwe
Pakistan vs UAE
Pakistan vs South Africa 
England vs Afghanistan
Pakistan vs Ireland

Australia vs Pakistan

Hussain (7)

Preview show on Sky 13/02/15
India vs Pakistan on Sky
New Zealand vs England on Sky
England vs Scotland on Sky
England vs Sri Lanka on Sky

Ireland vs Zimbabwe
England vs Bangladesh
England vs Afghanistan
Ireland vs Pakistan

India vs Bangladesh

India vs Australia

Australia vs New Zealand 

Dean Jones (7)

Ireland vs UAE
Sri Lanka vs Bangladesh
South Africa vs West Indies
India vs UAE

Scotland vs Bangladesh
India vs Ireland

India vs Bangladesh

Bumble (10)

All six England games
Pakistan vs South Africa
Pakistan vs Ireland
Bangladesh vs Scotland
West Indies vs Ireland

Australia 4-0 in ODIs against England this year. But Ashes in different format and conditions.

Azhar Ali

Play Straight
Keep the ball down
Play within his limitations
Play ball on merit
Adopt a risk free approach
Squeeze the best out of his ability
Focus more on temperament, mental strength, patience and discipline
Prides himself on Test average, long innings, balls faced, difficulties in being dislodged, run quantity

Winning back to back

Cup
West Indies
Australia

Mini
Australia

T20
No one yet but Sri Lanka and Pakistan have played back to back finals

U19
Pakistan

1996, 2011, 2015 - a hosting country won wherever there was a QF system in place

Pakistan under Misbah in Test Cricket in UAE

Drew 0-0 in 2 match series vs South Africa 2010 - number 2 side

Won 1-0 in 3 match series vs Sri Lanka 2011 - better ranked than Pak at the time

Won 3-0 in 3 match series vs England 2012 - number 1 side
Drew 1-1 in 2 match series vs South Africa 2013 - number 1 side
Drew 1-1 in 3 match series vs Sri Lanka 2014 - historic chase to level series

Won 2-0 in 2 match series vs Australia 2014  - number 2 side 

Drew 1-1 in 3 match series vs New Zealand 2014 - a cricketing tragedy happened during the decisive Test

Dubai: Won 4, Lost 2, Drawn 2 (8)
Abu Dhabi: Won 4, Lost 0, Drawn 3 (7)
Sharjah: Won 1, Lost 1, Drawn 1 (3)

However, they have lost 8/10 ODI series since 2009 in UAE. Only beating Sri Lanka. Him losing 5/7.

He has five Test centuries in Abu Dhabi in his last six innings. Dismissed only 3 times.

When England were in the UAE in January and February 2012

Lost Tests 3-0 - series finished on a Monday

Won ODIs 4-0

Won T20s 2-1 

When Australia were in the UAE in October and November 2014

Won T20s 1-0

Won ODIs 3-0

Lost Tests 2-0 - series finished on a Monday 

When South Africa were in the UAE in October and November 2013

Drew Tests 1-1

Won ODIs 4-1

Won T20s 2-0

When South Africa were in the UAE in October and November 2010

Won T20s 2-0

Won ODIs 3-2

Drew Tests 0-0

When Sri Lanka were in the UAE in October and November 2011

Lost Tests 1-0

Lost ODIs 4-1

Lost T20s 1-0

When Sri Lanka were in the UAE in December and January 2013/14

Drew T20s 1-1

Lost ODIs 3-2

Drew Tests 1-1

When New Zealand were in the UAE in November and December 2014

Drew Tests 1-1

Drew T20s 1-1

Won ODIs 3-2

Summary in Full Fledged Tours

Australia and England lost the Tests but won ODIs and T20s

Sri Lanka did not win any format in their two tours

South Africa twice drew the Tests but won the ODIs and T20s 

New Zealand did not lose any format 

22 50s in his last 50 ODI innings

Have they blamed him yet? - impending defeat to Bangladesh

3rd most international victories by a Pakistan captain

Misbah in 2014/15

50 and 3 consecutive Test 100s aged 40 in 2014 including an unbeaten and quickest ton of all time.
5 50s in 9 ODI innings in 2015 aged 40 in 2015. Only out for under 30 once. 10 sixes.

Test Series win vs Australia 2014.
Test series draw vs New Zealand 2014.
Won 3 successive Tests in 2014.

Won 2 warm ups in 2015.
Won 4 in a row in the competition proper in 2015.

First he blackmailed the Pakistani selectors for a one day place. Now he lies to Yorkshire CCC about his availability. What kind of person is he?

So near yet so far for NZ. A great journey. Started when drawing 0-0 in 3 Tests against England in 2013. No8 vs No2.

For entirely different reasons the return of Trott and Ajmal should be interesting.

Important IPL season coming up with the 2016 ICC World Twenty20 in India before the next IPL season comes around. Perhaps for that reason alone, the most important one of them all.
......................
Azhar - not considered a bad choice among the close followers of Pakistan Cricket. For seasonal fans his appointment comes as a bit of a shock.

Comments like "RIP Pakistan Cricket" are nothing short of disgraceful when reacting to his appointment.

He has 7 Test centuries, deserves to be respected. Centuries against England, Australia and Sri Lanka.

Like his predecessor, he averages over 40 in one day international cricket and List A cricket with a one day international best of 96 in the month of June.

It's a bit like Pujara or Murali Vijay becoming Indian one day captain. Players who are regulars in the longer form of the game.
.............
He throws a tantrum
Lots of friends and connections in the media
They sympathise with him and support him
They start campaigning for his selection
And that too based on performance in a completely different type of cricket

Blackmailing selectors. The next worst thing a player can do after match fixing?
If players are to be dropped on disciplinary grounds, he should be the first to go for his antics.

I never understood the argument that he was out of form, since when was he ever in form in this version of the game? It's a lack of ability. Not form.

Difference between Wins and Losses

Imran = 22
Wasim = 29
Misbah = 15
Inzamam = 19
Miandad = 1
Waqar = 17
Afridi = - 4
Butt = - 1
Younus = - 5
Yousuf = - 8

Indians should be pleased

Won 7/8
Won QF handsomely
Best of the six Asian teams
Best of non southern Hemisphere teams
Respectable defence of their title
Maintained their dominance in major tournaments under MS
2nd best win % in the championship
Went out to the winners
Young team went far
Challenging conditions

Overall

Aus 7/9
NZ 8/9
Ind 7/8
SA 5/8

SL 4/7
Pak 4/7
West Indies 3/7
Bangladesh 3/7

Ireland 3/6
England 2/6
Afghanistan 1/6
Zimbabwe 1/6

Scotland 0/6
UAE 0/6

Most Test Wins by a Pakistan Captain = Misbah ul Haq (15)
Most ODI Wins by a Pakistan Captain = Imran Khan (75)
Most T20I Wins by a Pakistan Captain = Mohammad Hafeez (17)
Most International Win by a Pakistan Captain = Imran Khan (89)

Most Test Defeats by a Pakistan Captain = Inzamam ul Haq (11)
Most ODI Defeats by a Pakistan Captain = Imran Khan (59)
Most T20I Defeats by a Pakistan Captain = Shahid Afridi (13)
Most International Defeats by a Pakistan Captain = Imran Khan (67)

England were 8-1 in last 12 Tests with several innings victories.

England were BBC SPOTY team of year 2011.

Ashes holders home and away. Winning 3-1 the previous winter.

Only the fifth time Pakistan have inflicted a whitewash.

England were number 1 in all 3 formats later that year.

Misbah had won 6 of his last 8 Tests with no loss, skeptics saying "wait till England."

England won both warm ups too. 3 day games to commence 56 day trip.

Favourites were England for Udal, Cork and Hughes. 

This day 2011 for Indian cricket was special. But they gave it back this time last week in Sydney.

1987-2015 - ALL 50 OVER ONES
Australia won it 5 times
One each for Pakistan, Sri Lanka and India

Australia 6 of the last 8 finals. Only 1992 and 2011 missing. 1979 and 1983 in earlier ones.

1975-1983
All in England
All 8 teams
All in June
All with West Indies in the final led by Clive Lloyd
All in the whites
All 60 overs long
All day games

So 2019 only the second 50 over one in England

Asian team played 7/11 finals.
Australia have played 7/11 finals.
Only final where neither Australia or an Asian team played = 23rd June 1979 West Indies vs England

Key dates for ICC Finals

2016 - 14th February - U19s in Bangladesh
2016 - 3rd April - T20 in India
2017 - 19th June - ODIs in England - Oval
2019 - 15th July - ODIs in England - Lords

For Pakistan - best to worst

1992 = winners
1999 = finalists
2011 = semis (won 6/8 - best win % Pak have had)
1979 = semis (first time SF)
1983 = semis
1987 = semis (in Asia)
2015 = quarters (tough conditions)
1996 = quarters (in Asia)
1975 = first round
2003 = first round
2007 = first round

1979
1983
1987
1999
2011
2015
Knocked Out by the champions in QF, SF or Final.

Pak have won 3/9 QFs or SFs
Lost to:
India twice (96 and 2011)
Australia twice (87+2015)
West Indies twice (79+83)

Pak 1/3 in QFs - win against WI
Pak 2/6 in SFs - wins against NZ
Pak 1/2 in finals - win against England

Best to Worst Finals

1983
1975
1987
1979
2011
1992
1996
2003
2007
2015
1999

Great stories

India in 1983

Pakistan in 1992
New Zealand in 1992
South Africa in 1992
England in 1992

Sri Lanka in 1996

Kenya in 2003
Bangladesh in 2007
Ireland in 2007
New Zealand in 2011
Pakistan in 2011
Bangladesh in 2015

Misbah's ODI SR

Conditions
Situation
Fragile batting side
Good bowling side
Two new balls

All need to be taken into account rather than just looking at the strike rate in isolation without greater context.

35 50+ in last 75 international innings - all while captaining Pakistan
27 of his 42 ODI 50s as captain

Only lost 1 of his last 6 Test series
1-1 times 4
Lost and Won once 2-0

Azhar like Misbah - best of 96 in the month of June

Test Captaincy Record in Order 

SUCCESS

Drew 0-0 vs South Africa  2010 UAE
Won 1-0 vs New Zealand 2011 away
Drew 1-1 vs West Indies 2011 away
Won 1-0 vs Zimbabwe 2011 away
Won 1-0 vs Sri Lanka 2011 UAE
Won 2-0 vs Bangladesh 2011 away
Won 3-0 vs England 2012 UAE

FAILURE

Lost 1-0 vs Sri Lanka 2012 away
Lost 3-0 vs South Africa 2013 away
Drew 1-1 vs Zimbabwe 2013 away

SUCCESS

Drew 1-1 vs South Africa 2013 UAE
Drew 1-1 vs Sri Lanka 2014 UAE

FAILURE

Lost 2-0 vs Sri Lanka 2014 away

SUCCESS

Won 2-0 vs Australia 2014 UAE
Drew 1-1 vs New Zealand 2014 UAE

Australia in 2014/15 Season

Beat SA 2-1 in T20s
Beat SA 4-1 in ODIs

Beat India 2-0 in Tests
Won the tri series without dropping a game

Won the Cup at home

BUT...

Lost to Pakistan by 356 and 221 in October and Novemeber Tests.
Lost to Zimbabwe last Australian winter in a one day international.

It's as if it never happened.

Pakistan's Campaign

Beat African Test countries in close games
Beat two associate countries comfortably
Lost to 3 previous holders humiliatingly

I didn't have Australia winning it because:
1) Home teams historically don't do that well
2) No front line spinner
3) All batters give you a chance more or less
4) Injury prone pacers
5) Some of their seamers can be erratic
6) They were built up by some as tournament favourites for Bangladesh 2014, saw what happened

Still not as good as they think they are:

Won 1 of their last 15 Tests in the sub-continent.
Not won ICC World Twenty20 in 5 attempts.
Last 4 times played Test series in England not won in 2005, 2009, 2010 (Pak) and 2013.

Cook Test Rec

Won 12
Lost 8
Drawn 8

9-1 after 15
0-7 in next 10
3-0 in last 3

No ton in 17 Tests. Just 9 50s.
1 50 in last 21 ODI innings. Slow one in defeat.
Lost his last 5 ODI series.
3 and 5 in Abu Dhabi MCC Fixture. Might not be in the team when England tour there later unless things pick up.

Predictions of England's 17 Tests

Lose 1-0 in West Indies
Lose 2-0 vs New Zealand (lose ODIs)
Win 3-2 vs Australia (lose ODIs)
Lose 2-1 vs Pakistan (win ODIs)
Lose 2-1 vs South Africa (lose ODIs)

Overall
England win 5
Lose 9
Draw 3

Misbah in Test Cricket

Undefeated for his first 7 consecutive Test series.
Highest win loss ratio in Test Cricket history after 7 series.
Only lost 1 Test in his first 8 Test series.
Most Test wins by a Pakistan Captain.
Won Test Series vs Australia after 20 years.
Highest ranked Asian Test side currently.
Undefeated series record in 7 Test series in the UAE.
Won 6 | Drawn 6 | Lost 3 - overall series record.
Second joint most capped Pakistan Test leader.

Reflecting on England 2012

Pakistan undefeated for 7 consecutive Test series.
Pakistan had won 5 Tests in a row.
Pakistan undefeated for 10 consecutive Tests.
Pakistan had won 4 series in a row.
Added significance to the tour because of the events of 2010.
England traditionally Pakistan's biggest Test rivals.

England unbeaten for 9 consecutive Test series.
England won 6 consecutive Test series.
Strauss 21-5 after 39.
Beating a number 1 ranked side.
Unprecedented achievement.
Spirit, character and fight shown.

Series win against England after 16 years away from home.
3-0 highest Pakistan have beaten England by in 22 series.
First whitewash for either side in Test Cricket since 1954 in series against each other.
First whitewash away from home.
Pakistan have never won a series 4-0 or 5-0. This as good as it's been.

Misbah has beaten

In all 3 formats in series

Zimbabwe 2011
Sri Lanka 2011
Bangladesh 2011

In Just Test series

England 2012
New Zealand 2011
Australia 2014

In One off matches

Australia 2009
India 2008
Afghanistan 2012
Scotland 2013
UAE 2015

In Just ODI series

South Africa 2013
West Indies 2013
India 2013
Ireland 2011 and 2013

Drawn Test Series

South Africa 2010 and 2013
West Indies 2011

Overall

England - Tests
Australia - Tests and T20
India - ODIs

New Zealand - Tests
South Africa - ODIs and Tests drawn twice
West Indies - ODIs and Tests drawn
Sri Lanka - all 3 formats

Bangladesh - all 3 formats
Zimbabwe - all 3 formats

Ireland - ODIs twice
Scotland - ODI
Afghanistan - ODI
UAE - a single ODI match on world stage

From first 3 weeks or so
Australia vs New Zealand
Ireland vs UAE
Scotland vs Afghanistan
Zimbabwe vs Ireland
Sri Lanka vs Afghanistan

Games involving Pakistan 
Pakistan vs South Africa
Pakistan vs Zimbabwe

In last week of qualifying
Bangladesh vs England
New Zealand vs Bangladesh

From Knockout drama
New Zealand vs South Africa

For sheer occasion
India vs Pakistan
India vs South Africa

WT20 better competition?

More teams
Shorter duration
Close finishes more frequent
And the bloody Aussies not winning!
Not much bilateral T20 cricket played, making it a real spectacle
Tougher to predict

Misbah's ICC Cricket World Cup Record

2011 - age 36
vice captain
8 games
7 innings
248 runs
Average 49.6
3 50s (2 in wins)
Best 83*
Team won 6/8
Top scored twice in team innings
Team leading run scorer
Semi Finalists

2015 - age 40
captain
7 games
7 innings
350 runs
Average 50
4 50s (3 in wins)
Best 76
Team won 4/7
Top scored thrice in team innings
Team leading run scorer
Quarter Finalists

Overall

15 games
13 innings
7 50s and 3 30s with 2 7s and a 1 first baller
Team won 10/15
Top scored five times in team innings

Victories include Sri Lanka, Australia, West Indies, South Africa, Zimbabwe times 2, Ireland, Kenya, Canada, UAE.

Defeats include India twice, New Zealand, West Indies and Australia.

56 and 34 in KO games with 3 sixes comb. Both in defeat though against hosts and eventual winners.
598 runs across two tournaments. SRT got 673 in 2003 alone.
At least 5 catches across two editions with a couple of run outs.
Played in Sri Lanka, India, Bangladesh, Australia and New Zealand.
Won 6 as a player alone and 4 in a row as captain in 2015.
100 in warm up vs Bangladesh 2011. 91* in warm up vs England 2015.

Players who Ended ODI Career with Cup Final

Imran Khan
Russel Arnold
Daniel Vettori
Michael Clarke

Mohali has hosted two high profile semi finals in 1996 and 2011.

Like 2011 a hosting nation with 7/9 wins lifted the trophy defeating a co-host in the final with a run chase. Winning captains scoring 50s.

This day 2013 - Wolves won domestic T20 super 8s at Lahore vs Sialkot in the final.

This day 2014 - Dutch beating England. Last game in charge for Ashley Giles as it turned out.

Australia have won 19 ICC Events in Men, Women's and Under 19 combined.

Seeing the way Pakistan supporters are responding to the news that Azhar Ali is the next one day captain is a classic case of fans and followers once more misjudging their own appointed captain, as was the case with Misbah.

Azhar has all the ingredients to become a consistent run maker, even in one day cricket.

It's obvious the reason he wasn't in the team was because they already had players with his style of batting in the side, although many would argue he should have been. Now there is a vacancy for him to come in. He hasn't been totally out of contention.

Just because he isn't a natural one day player doesn't mean he can't become a capable captain. Just because he isn't an established member of the one day side doesn't mean he can't become captain.

He is an established and experienced Test cricketer. And he has recent successful domestic captaincy experience to feed off.

We should trust Misbah's assessment and recommendation.

Azhar got 128 in his last domestic one day innings. Give him a chance.

He could play the role of Joe Root or Ian Bell for England. Or Kane Williamson. Orthodox batters. Smart minds.

Alastair Cook wasn't in the England squad when he was appointed after the 2011 edition despite scoring heavily in Tests. Likewise Azhar Ali.

2011 - Mohali semi final vs Pakistan

2012 - T20 match in South Africa http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/current/match/556252.html and West Indies squaring series vs Australia http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/current/match/540174.html

2013 - http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/current/match/626132.html famous win for the Wolves

2014 - World T20 victory against Australia, Shehzad scoring a hundred against Bangladesh.

Expect fixtures of Pakistan vs England 2015 series and Pakistan in England 2016 to be released shortly. ECB tend to have them out well before.

This day ten years ago http://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Scorecards/81/81887.html tri series final for Pakistan "A"

Last time Melbourne hosted a final Meg Lanning was born on the same day. The skipper of the Southern Stars. 25/03/92. An auspicious day for Pakistan Cricket.

NZ played SL in a semi final on this day in 2011.

Azhar Ali might not be the most dynamic option for captaincy in one day cricket. He is predominantly a dependable Test cricketer.

But he has led a domestic team to a final on 3 occasions since 2013 in either 50 or 20 over tournaments.

He might not have the versatility of Misbah ul Haq in six hitting and going through the gears. He doesn't play spin as confidently and skilfully as Misbah ul Haq.

But he is marginally better than Misbah at playing pace and handling the new ball. Also, as his List A record shows Azhar seems to have the ability to score big. 

He is a good smart defensive cricketer who operates within his limitations, but I do believe he can evolve his game. He has already shown glimpses as his Test career has progressed. 

Off field captaincy wise, I think Azhar will be a better communicator than Misbah and a more impressive communicator during English press conferences and presentation ceremonies. With all due respect, Misbah's tone can be monotonous. 

However, can he handle the bashing and the criticism? That remains to be seen. Because like Misbah, Azhar is not one who plays for the galleries and won't get the fame and limelight. Hence, he will be targeted. He would do very well to match Misbah here. This might be his biggest challenge.

He was always going to be Test captain at some point and it makes sense to give him some captaincy experience at international level in one day cricket before he takes over as Test captain in the future. One day cricket is where you can experiment and try out new things outside the major tournaments.

Misbah - only 19 Tests when made Test Captain.

Azhar - 39 Tests when made ODI captain.

He might not have played enough of that format, but he has played enough international cricket and is a proven international performer. 

No 3rd place final in cricket. India deserve it as they thrashed South Africa in Melbourne earlier in the tournament.

So a repeat of the 2009 final in South Africa - hope for a much more competitive game

Dhawan in ICC ODI Events
2004 U19 in Bangladesh = man of series
2013 in England = man of series
2015 in Australia/New Zealand = strong showing

Clarke joins Chappell, Border, Taylor, Waugh, Ponting x 2 to lead an Australian side to the final

Resilience of Christchurch - the story of the comp, action from the first 10 days there

Aus want to do it for PH
NZ want to do it for MC
Bigger story here

Cook in Abu Dhabi for MCC - 3 and 5 - England play here later this year. Might not be leading them by then unless things pick up.

Riaz vs Watson reminded me of Donald vs Athers

Talking of Athers. High praise from him on McCullum. A big fan.

Eden Park produced the best games NZvAus PakvSA #IndvZim #NZvSA tension, drama

Willis actually predicted England won't make QFs despite only needing to beat Bangladesh, Scotland and Afghanistan. Also predicted McCullum as man of the series.

NZ have won the last international game they played across the ditch. Hobart Test 2011. Warner carrying his bat in vain.

Neither NZ or Aus got to the semis of ICC Events in 2013 or 2014 in England and Bangladesh.

Nice to watch the climax stages without own team involved. Pleasant viewing.

Vettori hoping for an Imran Khan moment.
Playing his 5th CWC.
His team's first final.
An MCG finish.
His last game.

https://twitter.com/maza786/status/449827244954120192

Ton in the last 3 finals.

NZ played the Dutch on 29/03/14.

First new holder since 1996? A team that's not done it before.

Australia
Hosting it
Won it more than anyone else
Out in QF last time
Not won it at home
Disappointing campaign last time at home in 1992

NZ
Won 2000 WWC
Won 2000 ICC Knock Out

http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/current/match/626127.html This day 2013.

https://twitter.com/maza786/status/317319098843410432

Bangalore 2005

10 years since Bangalore Test win. Inzamam's 100th Test. Must win to square the series.

I was baffled at seeing the views of ex players and media pundits in October and November when he had won 3 successive Tests (against the sides which are contesting the final here) by big margins and they were using that as an argument for Pakistan triumphing at the ongoing carnival which is shortly coming to an end.

Different format.
Different conditions.
Different personnel. 
Different crowd atmosphere.

Important to differentiate between different types of cricket.

Remember, most Test victories by a Pakistan skipper belongs to him.

His Test Captaincy Record vs Each Opponent.

England = 3-0 (3)
Australia = 2-0 (2)
South Africa = 1-4 (7)
New Zealand = 2-1 (5)
Sri Lanka = 2-3 (10)
West Indies = 1-1 (2)
Zimbabwe = 2-1 (3)
Bangladesh = 2-0 (2)
India = 0-0 never played (0)

Overall.
Won 6 series.
Drawn 6 series.
Lost 3 series.

His batting while doing this: 28 50+ in 59 innings.

England's Test Schedule For 10 Months
West Indies away (3)
New Zealand home (2)
Australia home (5)
Pakistan away (3)
South Africa away (4)
17 Tests

After
Sri Lanka home
Pakistan home
India away

India in ICC Events. All under MS Over The Years

2011 = Won 7 out of 9. ODIs in India.
2012 = Won 4 out of 5. T20s in Sri Lanka.
2013 = Won 5 out of 5. ODIs in England.
2014 = Won 5 out of 6. T20s in Bangladesh.
2015 = Won 7 out of 8. ODIs in Australasia.

Quality limited overs team.
Quality tournament team.

Last 5 events, only lost 3 games.
Played 33.
Won 28.
Lost 4.
Tied 1.

Wins vs:
Pakistan times 5.
West Indies times 4.
England times 2.
Ireland times 2.
Zimbabwe times 1.
South Africa times 4.
Australia times 2.
Bangladesh times 3.
Afghanistan times 1.
Sri Lanka times 2.
UAE times 1.
Holland times 1.

Lost vs:
South Africa
Australia twice
Sri Lanka

Tied vs:
England

Under MS

2007 WT20 - Winners
2011 CWC - Winners
2013 CT - Winners
2014 WT20 - Finalists
2015 CWC - Semi Finalists

2009 WT20 - No SF
2009 CT - No SF
2010 WT20- No SF
2012 WT20 - No SF

https://twitter.com/maza786/status/335468038855999488

https://twitter.com/maza786/status/448202954592772096

http://www.icc-cricket.com/photos/3393/new-zealands-visit-to-the-mcg well prepared for the experience

AusvInd

Supporting Ind because:
1) Two neutrals in the final
2) Aus already played six finals
3) Already seen NZvAus league game
4) Asian team in the final again - white ball dominance maintained
5) Predicted NZ and Ind succeeding way before
6) Mouth watering prospect of two 8/8 sides in the final

Last 7 ICC Semis

India

W W W W W W W

RSA

L L L L L L L

79-99 was Pakistan's golden period.
5 semi finals.
Two finals.
Twice co-hosted.
And a title.

On this day in 2012 - a continent trophy win in Dhaka.

on QF exit

https://www.facebook.com/king.MUH/photos/pb.191600374219003.-2207520000.1426924786./792981517414216/?type=1&theater … https://www.facebook.com/king.MUH/photos/pb.191600374219003.-2207520000.1426924786./792981027414265/?type=1&theater … https://www.facebook.com/king.MUH/photos/pb.191600374219003.-2207520000.1426924786./792970254082009/?type=1&theater …

https://www.facebook.com/king.MUH/posts/760697053975996
https://www.facebook.com/king.MUH/posts/756222231090145
https://www.facebook.com/king.MUH/posts/758007534244948

https://www.facebook.com/king.MUH/posts/702180186494350
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=714025215309847
https://twitter.com/KINGMisbah/statuses/474486087105400832

Tomorrow - important wins for Pakistan in Dhaka
2011 vs West Indies
2014 vs Australia

Peter Moores and Waqar Younis - second stints don't work

India in Semis

1983 beat England in England
2003 beat Kenya in South Africa
2011 beat Pakistan in India

Chance to add for two countries and join the list for two countries. Most Finals.

Aus = 6.

Ind, Eng, SL, WI = 3.

Pak = 2.

Everyone else = 0.

Most Semi Finals updated.

Australia = 7.

New Zealand = 7.

India = 6.

Pakistan = 6.

England = 5.

South Africa = 4.

Sri Lanka = 4.

West Indies = 4.

Kenya = 1.

10/10 for batting.

For Captaincy and specifically selection.

Dhoni can look past world class players like Sehwag, Zaheer Khan, Yuvraj, Gambhir, Harbhajan. Dhoni has backed young players like Dhawan, Jadeja, Rohit Sharma and Raina even when they have been going through some challenging phases.

He hasn't been able to take firm decisions on senior players.
Dropped. Recalled. Dropped. Recalled. The consequences are.

One has scored 115 runs in 9 innings with a best of 37 on this tour and had to be dropped midway through the tournament, even though he was using vague justification to try and accommodate him at every possible opportunity in press conferences.

One has been wicketless in six of the seven matches.

Neither of these were in the 15 man squad for the Champions Trophy and yet finds themselves playing the big one. Sums up the indecisiveness of his selection.

There seems to be little direction to his one day captaincy. Younger player aren't given extended opportunities and quickly find themselves ditched in favour of tried and tested seniors.

Once you make a decision you stick by it. I expected much better from him. The results probably wouldn't have made a huge difference, but there is a lot more to gain by working with a younger set of players. Unless they are exceptionally important and reliable such as himself or a Sangakkara, 34+ aged players have little to offer in modern limited overs cricket.

One of the hallmarks of his Test captaincy success has been consistent selection and sticking with players at all costs. Same cannot be said about his one day captaincy. Complete opposite.
It only comes around every four years. It's gone now. Nothing can be done. But one thing which has really frustrated me.

This is what I mean when using undeserving and unexplainable selections to make himself look marvelous so someone else gets bashed. I can never forgive him for this. I am not even going to using the full initials of the other player because of the way he blackmailed the cricket board to get into the side. In most other countries such a player would have been banned, fined and reprimanded severely. He can screw all his Test runs as he failed to deliver in 2003, 2007, 2011, 2015 and he used his Test form to encourage former players and the media to campaign for his selection and literally bully the chief selector into picking him, despite the chief selector categorically stating he would not be part of future plans regardless of his performance in a completely different type of cricket.

vs NZ Presidents XI

1st game
His score 100
Y score: 1
LOST

2nd game
His score: 80*
Y score: 7
LOST

NZ

1st ODI
His score: 58
Y score: 9
LOST

2nd ODI
His score: 45
Y score: 11
LOST

Warm Ups

Bangladesh
His score: 10
Y score: 25
WON

England
His score: 90*
Y score: 19
WON

Competition proper

India
His score: 76
Y score: 6
LOST

West Indies
His score: 7
Y score: 0
LOST

South Africa
His score: 56
Y score: 37
WON

9 games - Y has 115 runs with a best of 37
Same 9 games for him: 6 50s

Because of Y lack of performance they had to change team combination in the middle of the tournament, not what you want to be doing because it suggests panic. Because he didn't play in the crunch games because of his several failings beforehand, all the preparation time was wasted by playing him in the first place. And Y lack of performance was completely expected for those that don't have memories like gold fishes.

Y was not even in the best 30 probables for ICCCT2013
Then out of the blue was recalled after 1.5 years for the mega event
Indecisive selection

Afridi dropped for 2012 India tour
Recalled for 2013 South Africa tour
Dropped for ICCCT2013
Recalled for West Indies tour 2013
Indecisive selection

Scared to drop seniors?

2 of them
7 50s

More than Yousuf, Y, Inzamam and Afridi

Pakistan's leading run scorer in:
2007 World Twenty20 (just player)
2011 World Cup (vice captain)
2013 Champions Trophy (captain too)
2015 World Cup (captain too)
Best Pak batter in ICC Events ever

MSD and India won all the previous 3 listed 

Sangakkara innings reminded me of Chanderpaul in the first QF four years ago. Sluggish 40, his last one day game too. Team thrashed. Left handed middle order batsmen.

NZ have lost their last 7 games against Bangladesh in ODIs, though in different conditions. 

Mohali 2005

10 years since the Mohali escape. 

30 years. MCG 1985. Final.

England have lost their last 2 ODI games against Bangladesh

6s Key Words

Controlled

Calculated

Confident

Longest, cleanest, meatiest

Selectively, reliably, easily, confidently, willingly, consistently, repetitively

Point 4 -  1)    One of the best 4 in Pak

Notes from 27/02/15

1)    Prized wicket

Statistically most impressive

Different situations, conditions, roles = all rounder

2)    Concentration

Patience

Stamina

Application

Determination

3)    Adaptability

Versatility

4)    Consistency

Reliability

Assurance

Dependability

5)    Solidity

Steadiness

Stability

6)    Perseverance

Persistence

Resistance

Endurance

7)    Technically

      Mentally

      Physically

      Statistically

8)    Ageing, individually performing captain, across all 3 formats

9)    Different roles = grinder, accumulator, finisher, compiler, power hitter

10) Different situations = low scoring, bowling wickets, good bowling sides, rebuilding, setting up, playing second fiddle, chasing modest totals

11)  Methodical, structured, principled, temperamentally unflappable

His 50+

2010 = 3 (aged 36)

2011 = 17 (aged 36 and 37) 6 consecutive Test 50s aged 36

2012 = 5 (aged 37 and 38)

2013 = 21 (aged 38 and 39) 11 ODI 50s within 18 innings

2014 = 10 (aged 39 and 40) 3 consecutive Test 100s aged 40

2015 = 2 (aged 40)

Yes, he can’t bat for others.

BUT he has had four long years to build a team for this event.

He hasn’t take anywhere near enough ownership in selection, been too much of a “yes” man.

There have been far too many controversial, inexplicable, unjustifiable, mysterious and incredibly frustrating selections in major tournaments.

Sometimes, even selecting particular players on personal friendships or selecting undeserving players to make him stand out individually in performance, it appears.

He will have to take some accountability.

Captaincy is not just about the performance of one person, but ten others too.

More impressive Test Captain than ODI Captain, not that I think there is a better choice. Better ODI batsman than Test batsman although consistent contributor in both.

IK vs Misbah

Batting = Misbah

Fielding = Misbah

Bowling = Imran

Captaincy = Imran

Results = Similar

Conduct = Misbah

Ageing batsman = Misbah

Tougher circumstances = Misbah

Batting styles = Similar

But

Talismanic

Charismatic

Powerful

Orator

Popularity

Longevity

2013

1)    50s

Runs

Average

Strike Rate

Sixes

Not Outs

MOMs

MOTS

Top Scoring

Ranking

Balls Faced

100+ ball innings (big chunk of an odi game)

30 50+ in 92 innings since 2011 in ODIs

28 50+ in 59 innings in Tests as skipper

62-50 captaincy record

15-10 in Tests

6-2 in T20s

41-38 in ODIs

1)    Best captain since Imran

2)    Second best captain of Pak

3)    Best Pak captain in 20 years

4)    Best 21^st century Pak captain

5)    Best I’ve seen from Pak

6)    Most stable

7)    Most intellectual

8)    Most articulate

9)    Most thoughtful

10) Most responsible

11) Most respected

12) Most professional

13) 21^st century best Pak skip

14) Across all 3 formats best Pak skip

15) One of the better Test captains

16) One of the better first class captains

17) One of the best individually performing

18) One of the few specialist captains in Pak

19) Best ageing captain

20) One of the most educated

21) Statistically impressive

In terms of:

Blocking

Nudging

Getting the odd cut and drive away

Power strokes

Improvising vs spin with reverse sweeps etc

Busy proactive use of crease

Premeditating

… Very good top class all round player, got the lot

Solid and dependable

Assertive and adventurous

Watchful and cautious

Versatile and adaptable

Gritty and patient

Innovative and inventive

His attacking game:

Lines the bowler up

Makes his mind difficult to read

Surprises the bowler

Does it when the bowler is not expecting

Selective, calculated and measured

Bides time, plays straight, watches it carefully

Knows what bowler is doing, how pitch playing, the field setting

Temperament to reign himself in despite having the ability to score quickly

Decisive in execution, full hearted

Strong fundamentals to expand on

Weighs up conditions, role, situation

Picks his moments cunningly and “packs a punch”

Bat grip

Bat lift

Get into position

Watches it like a hawk

Follow though

Off side, leg side, deep, advance and then hold shape or slog sweep

Strength against spin and medium pace, but finds a method against swing and pace through dogged determination, although more vulnerable here. Good enough to block, nudge, leave, duck and get the bad one away in reasonably controlled fashion vs pace. Blocking, hitting nudging – all round 3 dimensional game vs spin.

1)    MBA

2)    Most Test Wins by a Pakistan skipper

3)    76 50+ for Pakistan, 58 after age of 36

4)    Highest Test batting average by a Pakistan skipper

5)    Most ODI 50s in a calendar year in 2013 with 15

Adapting to conditions

First ODI in:

England = 96* in 2013

Scotland = 83* in 2013

New Zealand = 50 odd in 2011

West Indies = 72* in 2011

Australia = 76 in 2015

South Africa = 30 odd in 2013?

Top scoring vs India in chases

http://www.espncricinfo.com/twenty20wc/engine/current/match/287862.html

http://www.espncricinfo.com/twenty20wc/engine/current/match/287879.html

http://www.espncricinfo.com/icc_cricket_worldcup2011/engine/current/match/433605.html

http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/current/match/589310.html

http://www.espncricinfo.com/icc-cricket-world-cup-2015/engine/current/match/656405.html