Remembering 2006

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Key Players in 2014 U19 World Cup

Sami Aslam - Captain of Pakistan

There are many impressive performers in the Pakistan team worth highlighting let it be Zia ul Haq or Zafar Gohar but if you had to single out one; tough to look beyond the leader of the ship. Sami has the highest number of runs and centuries in U-19 one day internationals. He is an experienced member in the camp having already played a handful of first class games with impressive success. He was also a member of the 2012 U-19 World Cup team. The standout feature about Sami is his ability to deliver in the big games. He was player of the tournament during his first tour with the Pakistan U-19s in South Africa 2012. Later that year he was joint player of the final and player of the tournament at the U-19 Asia Cup. Last summer during his first tour of England he was player of the U-19 tri nations final at Trent Bridge. At the beginning of last month, Sami was named batsman of the tournament at the U-19 Asia Cup. Countless awards to his credit at the youth level. 

As a captain, he has led Pakistan to two tri nation competition wins and also led them to the final of the U-19 Asia Cup last month. He is not the most talkative type, but has a mature head on his shoulders, has performed outstandingly and with his experience, you can understand why the PCB heads opted to have him as captain. He's an attacking left handed opening batsman who has an appetite for big runs. He manages to command the respect of his team as captain by leading from the front and thriving with responsibility. Having scored productively in England and South Africa; never an easy proposition for a sub continental player and commenced his first class career with impressive numbers; the Pakistan Captain will be one to keep a close eye on. There is every chance he will join his countrymen Khalid Latif and Safraz Ahmed as U-19 World Cup winning captains. 

Ben Duckett - England

Like Sami, Ben also has previous U-19 World Cup experience which will come in handy, having been part of the 2012 edition in Queensland, Australia. In a recent interview, the Northamptonshire prospect mentioned how he was advising other members of the team about his experiences of playing in an U-19 World Cup such as playing in front of the cameras. Duckett is an innovative and inventive left handed batsman who is not the easiest to set a field against. There is a touch of Eoin Morgan to his play with his ability to score all around the field and hit the ball in unusual areas. He can also fulfill the wicket keeping duties. 

Ben was part of the Northants side which triumphed as underdogs on the Friends Life Twenty20 finals day at Edgbaston last year. Recently, Ben lost captaincy of the England U-19 side having led them last summer and was dropped from the team for the recent tour of the UAE on fitness grounds. Nonetheless, he mentioned how this made him more determined and it was perhaps just the wake up call he needed in his work ethic. Given the recent events surrounding him, Ben will have a point or two to prove in the Emirates.

Sanju Samson - India

Sanju is well known to followers of the IPL. He certainly proved his credentials and showcased his talent during the Champions League, especially in the final where he played thrillingly against the Mumbai Indians for an explosive 60 from 33 deliveries. More recently, he notched up a century in the final of the U-19 Asia Cup in a closely contested neighbourhood rivalry. Given his experience of playing against big players in well watched tournaments and his performances in those; Samson will undoubtedly be a pivotal member of the Indian side as they look to defend their world title. 

Samson has played first class cricket and registered 4 centuries to his credit. He comes across as someone who can adapt to the demands of the 3 different formats. Yet another precociously gifted top class batter from India? Who's to put it past him? 

ICC 10th Under 19 World Cup to Start on 14th February

Under 19 World Cup Winners

1998 = England, Captain Owais Shah
2000 = India, Captain Mohammad Kaif
2002 = Australia, Captain Cameron White
2004 = Pakistan, Captain Khalid Latif
2006 = Pakistan, Captain Safraz Ahmed
2008 = India, Captain Virat Kohli
2010 = Australia, Captain Mitchell Marsh
2012 = India, Captian Unmukt Chand

It will be the first time UAE are hosting an ICC Event

Australia won the 1988 edition in Australia, but it started in 98 proper

Under 19 Asia Cup will follow, also be to played in the UAE

Next year in the first 4 months there will therefore be a:
World Cup Qualifier in New Zealand
Under 19 World Cup in UAE
Under 19 Asia Cup in UAE
Asia Cup in Bangladesh
World T20 in Bangladesh
Womens World T20 in Bangladesh

Picture: Unmukt Chand with Virat Kohli, two youth World Cup winning captains for India in 2008 & 2012

3 key players from each side for the ODI series Author: Maaz; Views: 1149; Date: 10-11-2011, 07:06;

Hafeez:

An accurate and economical bowler. He is extremely nagging with his undeniable control of line and length as well as his ability to bowl according to his field and get through his quota quickly and silently. It wouldn't be wrong to say that he models his action on Saqlain Mushtaq with that kink and pivot in his bowling stride, enabling him to pick up on any trigger movements from batsmen and adjust his direction accordingly. Also, someone who doesn't mind bowling with the hardness and proud seam of the new ball. A free scoring and pleasing on the eye opener. An alert and smart team man. 5 MOMs in this format this year. All his 3 ODI centuries have come during this year. Pakistan’s leading run getter in ODIs this year as well as someone who has been amongst the wickets consistently. A highly invaluable utility cricketer, who after multiple recalls into the side, is finally beginning to find his feet to show the hidden talent he always possessed in the domestic circuit by being a permanent member of the side in the last 12 months or so in each and every format. 

Misbah:

Averages 50 against the Lankans with a SR in the mid 80s. Undefeated in 9 LOIs as national skipper. 8 50s in 19 ODI knocks this year and 6 cameos of above 25 in that too. 7 not out scores in that. Pakistan’s 2nd leading run getter in ODIs this year. The 2nd highest average by a Pakistan ODI batsmen of all time and just a few points behind the Asian Bradman. A Batsmen who is a capable innings builder, reliable 2nd innings finisher with 12 unbeaten stays at the crease to knock off the winning runs as well as 6 of his 8 2nd innings 50s being unbeaten knocks in a successful chases (Pakistan are historically not the best of chasers), a key anchor sheet and someone who can hold an end up to prevent the team from collapsing and self destructing as well as setting the foundations to give the innings some calmness, direction and stability, not to forget his ability to innovate, improvise and change gears in between. In 4 out of the last 5 ODI events he has concluded with the best average. Misbah is clearly an impact team contributor with 13 of his 17 ODI 50s appearing in winning causes. Someone a bit like Trott in the sense who does these unnoticeable chores, but others tend to take the spotlight more. Definitely, an underrated and under-appreciated middle order composed operator.
 

Safrarz:

 U19 WC winning captain and wicket keeper in 2006 in Sri Lanka. Returns to the side for the first time since 2008. Pakistan’s 4th ODI wicket keeping option of the year. Averaged above 160 during the Pentangular competition earlier in the year where Sindh took the title. Hopefully, he will be able to show case and cement his place in the side at least for the shorter formats and show his nation that Pakistan’s wicket keeping potential is larger than just that Akmal brotherhood.  

Malinga:

An unorthodox expressive bowler who is at the top of his game. Out of the two teams he has the highest number of ODI wickets this year including two 5 wicket hauls and a hat trick against the Baggy Greens. Talking of hat tricks, Malinga has the most in ODIs. The player of the tournament in the Nokia Champions League 2011 as Mumbai Indians was victorious. It’s such a shame a bowler of his talent is not playing tests anymore, but nonetheless one who is box office entertainment with those lethal toe crushers, awkward trajectory and deceptive changes of pace. Furthermore, he has turned out to be somewhat of a match winner with the willow down the order and developed his batting a significant deal which Misbah and company will need to watch out for.

Angelo Matthews:

His bowling coach at KKR, Wasim Akram rates him highly. An excellent talent in the late middle order who can win a match on his own. He's had his fair share of struggles with injuries, but a definite future star of Sri Lankan cricket.
 

Kumar Sangakkara:

Joint player of the series in the test series so he has form and confidence behind him. Currently 3rd in leading ODI run getters this year with 1 century and 7 50s in 20 innings. Kumar has played 20 ODIs in the Emirates so has a good understanding of the atmosphere and conditions being the articulate and intelligent man he is.