Bowling Prowess: Pakistan Thrash Bangladesh

-DR. ABDUL RUFF

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A fast growing Pakistani cricket team is progressing, notwithstanding threats and conspiratorial efforts by India, England and others. Pakistan defeated Bangladesh by seven wickets in the second and final cricket Test in Dhaka of today at the Sher-e-Bangla stadium.  Pakistan captain Misbah-ul-Haq, possibly the only reliable batboy, secured victory by lofting spinner Elias Sunny for a big six. Apart from other formats, Pakistan has now defeated Bangladesh in all the eight Tests that they have played. Thus ends Pakistan's glorious 2011. 

Pakistan capped off a fruitful year in cricket by completing a clean sweep against Bangladesh.  Abdur Rehman and Saeed Ajmal bamboozled the lower order to revive fading Pakistan hopes of a victory. It was Rehman who did the major damage for BD. Pakistani bowlers were kind enough to offer two 100 plus to BD batboys, including the skipper Shakib al Hasan Shakib who was upbeat saying that this was a special game for him. Shakib is the Man of the Match for his fantastic all round performance. Shakib was the only “superman” as he starred with both bat and ball for Bangladesh by becoming the first Bangladeshi player to score a century and pick up five wickets.

When a weak n team faces an upcoming team, it must face problems. Right from the start, Pakistan has dominated Bangladesh. Even fading light could not stop Pakistan from marching to a victory.  Bangladeshi boys have been lying very low unable to make 100 plus in nay format for quite some time.  Pakistani friends have saved them.

It must be noted, as a positive sign for Pakistani team, the bowlers are strong point for them.  And they must further cultivate bowling and fielding skills to shine better.  The team managers and coach and others must let the bowlers do justice to their profession by preferring dot balls instead of allowing too many or quick runs in 4s or 6s to opponent batboys.

It should be noted that Pak-BD teams tried to play some serious cricket by restricting the batboys to the minimum, although some “adjustments” were also made between them. Pakistanis have played 11 Tests this year and have lost only one, with three draws and six wins. They have also equaled England for the most Test wins this year. Saeed Ajmal employed dot balls and captured 50 victims to take his tally for the year. 

Bowlers are the backbone of cricket, but cricketism, focused exclusively on the batboys, ignores bowling as nonsense. Many cricket running commentators do not know even the elementary facts about cricket.

Pakistani cricket team has succeeded in making a clean sweep of Bangladesh across all formats on their tour. Younis Khan, Pak "superman" with 300 plus “record” to his credit, after a prolonged long, is back to “form” against a weak BD team and was the Man of the Series.  With 200 plus gift from the hosts, Khan is the highest run scorer in the series.

Bangladesh found the Pakistani pacers and spinners too hard to handle. Cheema and Gul were marvelous in both the games. Rehman troubled them in both the Tests while Ajmal who could have done more was surprisingly “down” and below par.

Cricket lives only when bowlers do their job with dedication.

Anyone with a bat can hit or blast at will even without following any techniques, but efficient bowlers and sincere fielders can make them all fail.  South Africa's Philander and Imran Tahir and Pakistani Aizaz Cheema are skilled bowlers to watch.

Bangladeshi players have obviously improved their performance too and if they concentrate on bowling skills more than what they have been able to do so far, they could be a formidable team in due course. Cricketers must practice the fielding, catching techniques and throwing the ball at the stumps. Thus far none is well versed in stumps-throw skills.  Even many fail to hit the stumps even from a small distance of two yards.  As a result, batboys enjoy even 4 runs between.

That is the prime shame for these bogus record holders and national/international award winners and their promoters! Of course, India is guilty of sport crimes.