Finally, Pakistan ended the year 2011 without any series loss. Pakistan did not lost any series this year. This year has become a great milestone for a team, who was in the process of rehabilitation after getting a number of controversies, specially spot-fixing controversy.
Pakistan cricket team was in a great trouble after spot-fixing case. Pakistan cricket board was in search of a permanent captain. Salman Butt was made the captain at that time. Similarly, after Waqar Younis and Wasim Akram, Pakistan was in search of a bowling pair and this space was filled by Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Amir. In this process of rehabilitation, Pakistan was doing a great work and was about to get out of these problems. But, all the problems increased in a while, when Pakistan's Salman Butt, Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Amir were caught for being involved in spot-fixing. Hence, all the hopes of a better and stronger side were ruined.
After that, a number of critics stand against the Pakistan. Even some of the critics were asking to ban Pakistan cricket teams. At that time, Pakistan had only a single weapon for their defence and that was their performance in international cricket.
Pakistan then played a 5 match ODI series against South Africa at UAE. Pakistan performed quite good in that series, but unfortunately lost the series by 3-2. This series was ended with one more controversy. Pakistan's wicket-keeper Zulqarnain Haider ran away to England just before the 5th ODI was to start. This thing created more criticisers of Pakistan cricket. But the team made their focus on their performance and did not listen to their critics.
After South Africa, Pakistan visited New Zealand for a full series. Pakistan won the 6-match ODI series by 3-2. This victory was a great achievement for Pakistan cricket team. In the same tour, Pakistan won the test series by 1-0.
After beating New Zealand, Pakistan's next goal was to play well in the ICC World Cup 2011. Pakistan fulfilled the expectations and performed very well in the mega event. But unfortunately, Pakistan was knocked-out after being defeated by India in the semi-final after a tough match. But reaching in the semi-final after beating Sri Lanka and Australia in the other matches of the tournament was itself a pride.
Pakistan than visited West Indies, where they played a full series against them. In that series too, Pakistan beat West Indies by 3-2. But in this tour too, Pakistan cricket got a little shock, when Pakistan's captain, Shahid Khan Afridi announced a 'conditional retirement' after misunderstanding with the coach over selection issues. This thing did not effected the team's performance as Pakistan drew the 2 match test series by 1-1. Before returning to home Pakistan played 2 one-day matches against Ireland, and won both of them. Hence Pakistan indicated a great comeback to international cricket.
After the retirement of Shahid Afridi, Misbah-ul-Haq was made the captain for all formats. Misbah-ul-Haq was already captaining his side in test cricket. After giving a full captaincy, Misbah visited Zimbabwe with his team, where Pakistan beat Zimbabwe by 3-0 in ODIs and by 1-0 in tests.
Pakistan then played their home series in UAE against Sri Lanka. Pakistan maintained their unbeaten record, as they beat Sri Lanka by 1-0 in the 3 matches test series. Before the Pakistan could play ODIs against Sri Lanka, PCB chairman Ejaz Butt's chairmanship ended and Shahid Afridi was re-selected in the Pakistan squad for Sri Lanka. Along with Afridi, Razzaq was also selected. Hence, a great potential was seen in the team. And Pakistan beat Sri Lanka by 1-0 in test series and by 4-1 in the ODI series. Pakistan, who's first goal was to improve its ranking, moved on to 5th slot in the ICC's ODI rankings. This was a great milestone for Pakistan cricket in the process of retaining lost status.
After a successful series against Sri Lanka, Pakistan's next opponent was Bangladesh, which was a quite easier as compared to their previous opponents. And as per expectations, Pakistan easily won the T20, ODI test series. Pakistan also beat Bangladesh in ODIs and test matches by 3-0 and 2-0, respectively. After beating Bangladesh in T20i, ODIs and test, Pakistan climbed to 5th rank in the ICC's rankings of all formats.
Hence, Pakistan ended their international cricket activities of 2011 successfully. No series loss was faced by the men in greens. Along with superb team performance, Pakistan players individual performance was also admirable. Pakistan's Mohammad Hafeez scored 1075 runs and took 45 wickets in ODI cricket this year. Saeed Ajmal was the highest wicket-taker of the year in test cricket and took 50 wickets, whereas Shahid Afridi was the 2nd highest wicket-taker of the year in ODIs. Azhar Ali and Asad Shafiq scored their 1st maiden test century. Saeed Ajmal also achieved 1st, 9th and 2nd rank in ICC's ODI, test and T20 bowling rankings, respectively.
Hence, a year full of happy moments have passed. And new challenges are to be faced in new year. Pakistan will have to play against England as the 1st series of 2012. The series would be the 'real test' of Pakistan cricket team. It is to be observe that whether Pakistan cricket team continues their winning streak or not.
Pakistan cricket team was in a great trouble after spot-fixing case. Pakistan cricket board was in search of a permanent captain. Salman Butt was made the captain at that time. Similarly, after Waqar Younis and Wasim Akram, Pakistan was in search of a bowling pair and this space was filled by Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Amir. In this process of rehabilitation, Pakistan was doing a great work and was about to get out of these problems. But, all the problems increased in a while, when Pakistan's Salman Butt, Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Amir were caught for being involved in spot-fixing. Hence, all the hopes of a better and stronger side were ruined.
After that, a number of critics stand against the Pakistan. Even some of the critics were asking to ban Pakistan cricket teams. At that time, Pakistan had only a single weapon for their defence and that was their performance in international cricket.
Pakistan then played a 5 match ODI series against South Africa at UAE. Pakistan performed quite good in that series, but unfortunately lost the series by 3-2. This series was ended with one more controversy. Pakistan's wicket-keeper Zulqarnain Haider ran away to England just before the 5th ODI was to start. This thing created more criticisers of Pakistan cricket. But the team made their focus on their performance and did not listen to their critics.
After South Africa, Pakistan visited New Zealand for a full series. Pakistan won the 6-match ODI series by 3-2. This victory was a great achievement for Pakistan cricket team. In the same tour, Pakistan won the test series by 1-0.
After beating New Zealand, Pakistan's next goal was to play well in the ICC World Cup 2011. Pakistan fulfilled the expectations and performed very well in the mega event. But unfortunately, Pakistan was knocked-out after being defeated by India in the semi-final after a tough match. But reaching in the semi-final after beating Sri Lanka and Australia in the other matches of the tournament was itself a pride.
Pakistan than visited West Indies, where they played a full series against them. In that series too, Pakistan beat West Indies by 3-2. But in this tour too, Pakistan cricket got a little shock, when Pakistan's captain, Shahid Khan Afridi announced a 'conditional retirement' after misunderstanding with the coach over selection issues. This thing did not effected the team's performance as Pakistan drew the 2 match test series by 1-1. Before returning to home Pakistan played 2 one-day matches against Ireland, and won both of them. Hence Pakistan indicated a great comeback to international cricket.
After the retirement of Shahid Afridi, Misbah-ul-Haq was made the captain for all formats. Misbah-ul-Haq was already captaining his side in test cricket. After giving a full captaincy, Misbah visited Zimbabwe with his team, where Pakistan beat Zimbabwe by 3-0 in ODIs and by 1-0 in tests.
Pakistan then played their home series in UAE against Sri Lanka. Pakistan maintained their unbeaten record, as they beat Sri Lanka by 1-0 in the 3 matches test series. Before the Pakistan could play ODIs against Sri Lanka, PCB chairman Ejaz Butt's chairmanship ended and Shahid Afridi was re-selected in the Pakistan squad for Sri Lanka. Along with Afridi, Razzaq was also selected. Hence, a great potential was seen in the team. And Pakistan beat Sri Lanka by 1-0 in test series and by 4-1 in the ODI series. Pakistan, who's first goal was to improve its ranking, moved on to 5th slot in the ICC's ODI rankings. This was a great milestone for Pakistan cricket in the process of retaining lost status.
After a successful series against Sri Lanka, Pakistan's next opponent was Bangladesh, which was a quite easier as compared to their previous opponents. And as per expectations, Pakistan easily won the T20, ODI test series. Pakistan also beat Bangladesh in ODIs and test matches by 3-0 and 2-0, respectively. After beating Bangladesh in T20i, ODIs and test, Pakistan climbed to 5th rank in the ICC's rankings of all formats.
Hence, Pakistan ended their international cricket activities of 2011 successfully. No series loss was faced by the men in greens. Along with superb team performance, Pakistan players individual performance was also admirable. Pakistan's Mohammad Hafeez scored 1075 runs and took 45 wickets in ODI cricket this year. Saeed Ajmal was the highest wicket-taker of the year in test cricket and took 50 wickets, whereas Shahid Afridi was the 2nd highest wicket-taker of the year in ODIs. Azhar Ali and Asad Shafiq scored their 1st maiden test century. Saeed Ajmal also achieved 1st, 9th and 2nd rank in ICC's ODI, test and T20 bowling rankings, respectively.
Hence, a year full of happy moments have passed. And new challenges are to be faced in new year. Pakistan will have to play against England as the 1st series of 2012. The series would be the 'real test' of Pakistan cricket team. It is to be observe that whether Pakistan cricket team continues their winning streak or not.
2 comments:
INSHALLAH Pakistan will continue their winning streak, May Allah Almighty help the PCT... Pakistan Zindabad...
PAKISTAAAN ZINDABAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! \O/
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