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Stats highlights from the third day of the one-off Test between Bangladesh and India in Fatullah

Bishen Jeswant12-Jun-20151:44

Insights – Vijay’s prolific run

3 Number of opening pairs who have scored 150-plus runs each in the same innings on two occasions. Shikhar Dhawan (173) and Murali Vijay (150) did this once previously against Australia in Mohali in 2013. The other pairs to have done this are Sanath Jayasuriya and Marvan Atapattu, and Graeme Smith and Herschelle Gibbs.5 Instances in the last 10 years when both Indian openers have made centuries in the same Test innings, the most for any team. Australia’s openers have done this four times.7 Instances of an Indian batsman being dismissed in the 90s over the last two years, the most for any team. Ajinkya Rahane was dismissed on 98 today. Next on the list are batsmen from Sri Lanka (6), followed by Australia (5).1 Number of Test matches Rahane played in the sub-continent before this game. In his only previous Test, versus Australia in Delhi (2013), Rahane scored 7 & 1. Rahane has played 13 Tests outside Asia.1034 Runs scored by M Vijay in the last 12 months, the most by any Indian batsman. He is the only Indian batsman, and one of seven in the world, to score 1000-plus runs in this period. Among Indian batsmen, Virat Kohli is second-best with 840 runs.Ajinkya Rahane was dismissed in the 90s for the second time in his Test career•AFP6 Number of Test centuries scored by Vijay. He has scored at least 139 runs on each of those occasions but has never scored more than 167. He was dismissed for 150 on the third day.0 Wickets taken by Bangladesh’s pacers in this Test so far. Their pacers – Mohammad Shahid and Soumya Sarkar – have bowled 25 overs in this innings without a wicket, the third in terms of most overs bowled by Bangladesh pacers without a wicket. Bangladesh’s spinners took six wickets on the third day. There has been only one previous instance where Bangladesh’s spinners have taken all ten wickets – against Zimbabwe in Dhaka (2009).2 Number of times Dhawan has been dismissed by a left-arm spinner in Tests – the bowlers to get him out are Robin Peterson and Shakib Al Hasan. He has been dismissed six times by right-arm spinners and 16 times by pacers.556 India’s average first-innings score against Bangladesh in Tests, their highest against any team. India finished the third day on 462 for 6 and poised to easily reach that mark. India’s average first-innings score against South Africa is 302, their lowest against any team.

Ricky Ponting has Matthew Hayden and Alastair Cook opening for his Ashes XI. Which two would be in yours?

12-Jul-2015

Targeted threats and murder instead of political street clashes posed new security threat

Mohammad Isam01-Oct-20151:47

Isam: Bangladesh without international cricket for over six months

Ultimately it was the killing of an Italian national in Dhaka by unknown perpetrators that is believed, within the BCB, to have led to Australia calling off their tour of Bangladesh. Cricket teams have in the past toured Bangladesh in the wake of street violence, but that has almost always been politically motivated and brought under control before the cricket started; the specific threat to foreigners by unknown groups, and the tragic murder in a high-security zone in the national capital, signified a new kind of violence to which there was no immediate counter.Authorities in Bangladesh still haven’t found out who killed Cesare Tavella, and why, and a militant group’s claims of carrying out the murder haven’t been officially confirmed.The murder came on a crucial day of meetings between the BCB and Cricket Australia’s security team when there were signs that perhaps there would be progress rather than regress. BCB named its Test team, sent out series accreditation forms for local journalists and then observed that two of the Australian team’s management staff were staying back, perhaps to receive the players in a day or two.On previous occasions that Bangladesh’s security had been questioned, cricket officials could see what was happening and react accordingly. Violence due to an impending election, for example, can be stopped through discussions with the political parties.In 1988, the BCB had to ask the political parties to stop their programmes to enable it to host the Asia Cup, the first international cricket tournament held in Bangladesh. The situation was far more complicated between late 2013 and early 2014.The touring New Zealand team saw some political violence during their tour in October 2013. Some of their players could only venture out to a coffee shop across the road of their team hotel while Dhaka experienced political strikes. But it soon turned into political violence which nearly derailed the Sri Lanka series, the Asia Cup and the World T20. The BCB had to go into discussions with all the major political parties and give assurances of state-level security to the SLC, ACC and the ICC before any of those international matches took place – and all of them went off without a hitch.Of course there were stringent security measures taken in Dhaka, Chittagong and Sylhet, where the matches were held. Entire hotel floors were blocked for the teams and all roads on which the teams travelled were blocked off at least 20 minutes before they set out. It became a problem for ordinary citizens but it was seen as a price worth paying to host major tournaments. The BCB in fact appoints hundreds of security volunteers in addition to the police and other armed forces who are routinely involved during bilateral series and ICC events.This time, too, the top-most officials were preparing a security apparatus to tackle the traditional threats of violence. The country’s home minister, the prime minister’s security advisor and the two top intelligence agencies met with the CA security team in the space of 24 hours. The BCB arranged all of these meetings, and the board’s president Nazmul Hassan said that he had to take the prime minister’s help to do that in such short notice.The BCB pulled out all stops but the threats from unknown attackers was something new to the country that no one was prepared for.

Stats highlights from a runfest of a first ODI between India and Australia at the WACA

Bharath Seervi12-Jan-2016171* Rohit Sharma’s score – the highest by a visiting batsman against Australia in Australia, and the fifth-highest by any batsman in the country. The previous top score against Australia in Australia was Viv Richards’ 153 not out at the MCG in 1979-80. Rohit’s is also the third-highest score by an Indian batsman outside Asia.19 Innings that Rohit needed to complete 1000 ODI runs against Australia – the fastest by any batsman. He bettered Tendulkar and Brian Lara, both of whom got to the mark in 20 innings. His average of 68.46 is the best by any batsman with 500 or more runs against Australia.77.37 Runs per wicket in this match – the fourth-highest in an ODI in Australia. The highest is 220.50, set in 1991-92, by Pakistan and West Indies at the MCG.1 Today was the first ever instance of more than one double-century partnership in a single ODI. Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli added 207 for India, while Steven Smith and George Bailey supplied Australia with 242 runs.2 Centuries by Smith in two successive ODIs against India. He had made 105 when the teams met in the semi-final of the 2015 World Cup, and now has 283 runs from three innings versus India.85 Bailey’s average against India in ODIs – the best for any batsman with 500 or more runs against them.3 Partnerships higher than the 242 between Smith and Bailey for Australia in ODIs. The highest also involves Smith – 260 with David Warner against Afghanistan, at the WACA again, in the 2015 World Cup.Australia’s 310 is the third-highest successful run-chase in ODIs in Australia, and the highest in Perth•ESPNcricinfo Ltd2 There have only been two higher targets than the 310 today that have been chased successfully in Australia – 334 by the hosts against England at SCG in 2010-11 and 321 by India against Sri Lanka in Hobart in 2011-12. This was the sixth time a target of 300 or more was successfully chased in ODIs in Australia.2 Instances of Australia’s Nos. 3 and 4 scoring a century in the same ODI, with Bailey and India involved in both of them. Prior to today’s batting display, Shane Watson had struck 102 and Bailey 156 against India in Nagpur in 2013-14.1 ODI at the WACA which has had a higher match aggregate than the 619 struck today – Australia and New Zealand piled on 678 runs in 2006-07.149 Smith’s score in this match – the third-highest for an Australia captain in ODIs, also the third-highest in chases for Australia and his own personal best.176 Runs added by Australia between overs 16 and 40. In the same phase, India added only 138. This made Australia’s job a lot easier at the death, they needed 61 runs in the last ten overs, whereas India scored 93.3 ODI centuries for Rohit in Australia – the joint-highest by an Indian, along with VVS Laxman. This was Rohit’s fourth century against Australia; only Sachin Tendulkar (9) and Desmond Haynes (6) have hit more ODI tons against Australia.4 Scores of 150 or more for Rohit in ODIs, only Tendulkar is ahead of him with five such scores. Sanath Jayasuriya and Chris Gayle also have four scores of 150 or more.4 Centuries for Rohit in ODI defeats. Among Indian batsmen, only Tendulkar (14) has more hundreds in lost causes. Rahul Dravid and Sourav Ganguly also have four each that went in vain.7.36 Economy rate of India’s spinners in this match. There has only been five occasions have they been costlier in ODIs, under condition of bowling at least 15 overs. Their worst, of 9.05, was also against Australia in Australia at the MCG in 2011-12, though that was a rain-affected 32-overs-a-side game.207 The partnership between Rohit and Kohli for the second wicket – the highest second-wicket partnership against Australia in Australia, beating the 205 added by Haynes and Richards at the MCG in 1978-79.7 Times that Kohli has been involved in double-century partnerships in ODIs – the joint-highest along with Ricky Ponting and Upul Tharanga. Kohli went past Tendulkar and Ganguly, who had been part of six 200-plus stands.3 Wickets lost by India in their innings, equalling the fewest any team has given away in a completed, 50-over ODI innings against Australia. West Indies and South Africa are the others to manage this feat, but India are the first to do it in Australia. This was also India’s highest ODI total against Australia in Australia, and their second 300-plus score.4 India bowlers who, on their debut, dismissed both openers of the opposition, before Barinder Sran: Avishkar Salvi, Tinu Yohannnan, M Venkataramana and Eknath Solkar. None of them went on to play 10 ODIs though. Also Sran is the fifth India bowler to take three or more wickets opening the bowling in his first ODI.

Sanjay Manjrekar has his say on day three of the Nagpur Test, where South Africa’s nine-year unbeaten run in away series finally came to an end

ESPNcricinfo staff27-Nov-2015 ‘Amla, du Plessis played Ashwin smartly’ Even though South Africa succumbed to an eventual series defeat, Manjrekar was impressed by the grit shown by Faf du Plessis and Hashim Amla at the crease, as they resisted the Indian spinners for more than 40 overs.1:45

Manjrekar: Amla, du Plessis played Ashwin smartly

‘South African instinct got the better of AB’ Manjrekar, though, was less complimentary towards AB de Villiers, who he felt got out to R Ashwin trying to play unorthodox cricket.1:55

Manjrekar: South African instinct got the better of AB

‘Kohli studies opposition batsmen well’ While Manjrekar feels Virat Kohli can work on his bowling changes more, he is impressed with the India captain’s plans for different batsmen2:42

Manjrekar: Kohli studies batsmen well

‘Ashwin innovating even on turning tracks’ Ashwin is no longer a bowler dependent on pitch assistance as he constantly tries to deceive batsmen, irrespective of where he bowls1:47

Manjrekar: Ashwin trying to innovate even on turning tracks

What to expect from the Kotla pitch? Manjrekar believes that while India might want another turner, they shouldn’t be surprised if Kotla turns out to be the best batting pitch of the series1:53

What can we expect from the Kotla pitch?

The ICC has shifted the India-Pakistan match to Kolkata because of security concerns in Dharamsala, but the PCB has reasons for not yet clearing the departure of its teams

Umar Farooq09-Mar-20165:25

Ugra: Indian politics to blame for game moving

The PCB’s decision to defer the departure of its men’s and women’s teams to the World T20 in India pending “an assurance against specific threats to the Pakistan team from various political parties and groups during the tour”, is the end result of months of dissatisfaction over handling of India-Pakistan cricket ties in India.The PCB’s announcement came shortly after the ICC had conveyed its decision to shift the March 19 World T20 fixture between India and Pakistan from Dharamsala to Kolkata. The change of venue was expected to bring the controversy surrounding the match to an end; the PCB, however, said its teams would not travel unless they were given high-level assurances from India, following an adverse report by its security team which visited Dharamsala and New Delhi over the weekend. The three-man committee which assessed the security situation in Dharamsala described it as ‘unsatisfactory.’The delay of the Pakistani teams’ departures is not a trigger-happy response by the PCB to events of the last 24 hours. It has built up over several months, and reached tipping point when a scheduled meeting in October between the PCB chairman Shaharyar Khan and BCCI officials was cancelled due to anti-Pakistan protests in the BCCI’s Mumbai office. These talks had been arranged to discuss the possibility of a long overdue bilateral series, to be hosted by the PCB. Workers from the Shiv Sena, a regional political party, stormed into the BCCI office in Mumbai, shouting anti-Pakistan slogans. It led to an embarrassing departure for the Pakistani delegation led by Shahryar.

BCCI unsure of PCB’s demand for assurance

The BCCI has admitted to being unsure of the nature of security assurances sought by the PCB and said it wouldn’t play ball unless the Pakistan board approached it with its specific requirement. “[We are] not sure what they want,” a BCCI source told ESPNcricinfo. “Let them ask us.”
Asked if the BCCI was losing precious time by waiting for the PCB to make the play, with the prospect of Pakistan boycotting the World T20, the source said: “That is their call.”

The incident led to the PCB losing confidence in BCCI’s handling of what is always a delicate situation as well as public support against pushing for matches versus India. It made headlines in Pakistan, with the PCB being severely criticised by political and cricketing quarters. Taking note of the fiasco, the Pakistan government asked the PCB to adopt caution in travelling to India and to do so only after a favourable prior advisory from the centre. In the case of the World T20, neither India’s central government in New Delhi nor the Himachal Pradesh state government were able to give any clear assurances about the security that would be put into place for the Pakistan teams.The state government of Himachal Pradesh in fact categorically refused to assure full-fledged security to the Pakistan team in Dharamsala, citing protests by ex-servicemen’s families following incidents along the border. Following that, the Pakistan security delegation’s visit did not appear to be taken seriously by the Indian government either.While the ICC had indirectly assured the PCB of full security, it was not accepted because the only direct word from any government in India had come from the chief minister of Himachal Pradesh, about being unable to protect the team. When the delegation got to Dharamsala, no security plan was presented to them and they had to insist on a meeting with the deputy police commissioner of the region. There, it is learnt, the delegation found that the deputy commissioner did not have any special instructions from the home minister around security for the Pakistan team.In Delhi, no attempts appeared to have been made by the BCCI to arrange meetings with senior authorities in the central government. The Pakistan delegation spent two days in the Indian capital but were unsuccessful in attempting to establish contact with the Home Ministry to set up a meeting with the Home Minister.These incidents have further soured cricketing relations between the two countries. The PCB’s last two major dealings with the BCCI have been unsatisfactory and led to increasing mistrust. Towards the end of 2015, there was a lack of clarity over playing the bilateral series, with the series abandoned and the BCCI not responding to communiqués from the PCB. India’s silent ditching of the bilaterial series, the PCB say had cost them US$40m.The list of Pakistan’s disenchantment over cricketing relations with India stretches back beyond cricket over almost a year. The Shiv Sena’s protest in the BCCI office was preceded by the cancellation of concerts in India by two Pakistani singers, Atif Aslam and Ghulam Ali, in April and October 2015. A launch of a book written by former Pakistan foreign minister Khurshid Mahmud Kasuri, also in October, was disrupted by right-wing activists attacking one of the organisers with black ink. After more Shiv Sena protests, which occurred during South Africa’s tour of India, Pakistani umpire Aleem Dar and commentators Shoaib Akhtar and Wasim Akram did not travel to Mumbai for an ODI and left the country instead.All of these events have led the PCB to be more stringent about its security demands on the BCCI and the ICC about the World T20. In such a scenario, if these demands are not met, there is every possibility the PCB may consider pulling both squads out of the tournament.

ESPNcricinfo staff27-Mar-2016Mohammad Shahzad made 24 before he too fell to Badree•Associated PressBadree sent back Asghar Stanikzai as well, as Afghanistan slipped to 50 for 3 inside 10 overs. Badree finished with 3 for 14 in his four overs•Associated PressSulieman Benn also produced tight returns – 1 for 18 – to help West Indies dominate through the middle overs, as Afghanistan slumped to 90 for 6 by the 17th over•Associated PressNajibullah Zadran, though, resisted for Afghanistan with an unbeaten 48, helping his side take 47 runs in last five overs and reach 123 for 7•AFPAmir Hamza struck early for Afghanistan by removing debutant Evin Lewis for a duck. Hamza eventually ended with stunning returns of 4-0-9-1•AFPWest Indies then faced a double-blow in the sixth over when Johnson Charles was bowled and Andre Fletcher had to retire hurt after injuring his hamstring•AFPRashid Khan and Afghanistan’s spinners began to apply the brakes on West Indies’ chase in the middle overs by striking regularly•AFPWest Indies faltered in the slog overs as the chase boiled down to 10 off the last over•Associated PressMohammad Nabi bowled an outstanding last over, giving away just three runs, helping his side to a six-wicket win•AFPDespite the loss, West Indies finished on top of Group 1 and will play either India or Australia in the semi-final in Mumbai•IDI/Getty Images

He may not get as many plaudits as some of his predecessors but Alastair Cook has built an increasingly impressive record in charge of England

George Dobell10-Aug-2016Alastair Cook has admitted that, though he is “never going to be a Mike Brearley tactically”, he feels he is the right man to continue as captain of England’s Test team.Cook goes into the Oval Test requiring three more victories to draw level with Michael Vaughan as the most successful England captain (in terms of the number of Tests won) in history. He is also three Tests short of equalling Mike Atherton’s record of 54 Tests as England captain.While his reputation as a leader may never match that of Brearley – whose win percentage of 58.06% as captain is well ahead of any other England player to have led in 20 Tests or more – Cook’s team could also be on the verge of a couple of significant milestones. England lead the series against Pakistan 2-1 and, if they avoid defeat in the final Test, they will hold the trophy in all nine bilateral series against Test opposition. And, if they win the Test, they could be rated as the No. 1 Test team in the next few weeks if other results go their way.But while Cook admitted he will discuss his future with the team management after the Oval Test, he said he is “the most comfortable” he has ever been in the role at present and that, with significant challenges looming for his side in the near future, he would be reluctant to shirk responsibility when his experience may be at its most valuable.”At the end of every series, I’ll sit down with Trevor Bayliss and Andrew Strauss and discuss the future of the side and where we want to go,” Cook said. “We’ll discuss whether I am still the right captain for this team or if it is time to move on after this series or after India. We always now talk about that for my sanity as well.”At the moment I’m enjoying it. The dressing room seems to be in a good place. It’s the most comfortable I’ve felt captaining a side.”The last year or so I’ve really felt comfortable in the captaincy role and everything it brings with it on and off the field. I am really enjoying it and all those hard moments I’ve had – obviously they’re not gone – but in one sense, it would seem wrong to give it up quite yet.”At the forefront of Cook’s mind is the prospect of seven Tests in Asia before Christmas. If England are to have any chance in India, in particular, they will not only need to draw on all the experience Cook possesses but they will need Joe Root (his obvious successor) to score heavily. Adding the burden of captaincy to a man with so little experience in the role and so much already expected of him may well prove overly onerous.”We’ve some tough challenges ahead,” Cook said. “We’ve these five days and then seven straight Tests in the sub-continent – 11 weeks away – so I think we’re going to need some strong leadership. It’s going to be a really tough tour for a lot of people. We’ve got to be on it as a group.”Cook’s reputation as a leader is interesting. While captains are often rated on their on-field tactics -field placing and bowling changes, for example – much of their work takes place away from the cameras. You could argue that Cook’s finest moment as captain came ahead of the India tour in 2012. After insisting on the return of Kevin Pietersen to the England team – an impressive feat of diplomacy at the time – he then led from the front with an outstanding display of batting that helped his team to a memorable series victory.More recently, his recommendation that James Anderson apologise to the umpires and then explain his actions to the media during the Edgbaston Test averted a possible suspension or fine.Alastair Cook seems intent to continue leading from the front•Getty ImagesAnd, when we look back on this series against Pakistan, it may be that we reflect on his decision not to enforce the follow-on at Manchester as a defining moment. It was not a popular decision at the time – Cook seems untroubled about courting popularity – but, by batting again, England crushed an already jaded Pakistan side into the dust through exhaustion and disappointment. The signs, so far, are that they have never fully recovered.If there have been moments when his admirable determination has manifested itself as stubbornness, such as his refusal to accept his continued presence in the ODI side was holding back the team, he has also led England through a period of considerable upheaval – the 2013-14 Ashes thrashing, the Pietersen affair, the departures of Andy Flower, Ashley Giles, Peter Moores and Paul Downton and his over-the-top vilification in the media at the hands of Piers Morgan – to calmer, happier times which feature predictable selections, greater willingness to interact with supporters and some results – not least wining in India and South Africa and defeating Australia in England – which demand respect.Besides, it could be argued that Brealey’s success was, in part, due to his career coinciding with Ian Botham being at his best as an allrounder. Just as Vaughan later relied upon Andrew Flintoff at his peak – and for a couple of years, Flintoff was a terrific cricketer – Brearley, for a while, had both Botham and Tony Greig to balance his side. While he deserved credit for coaxing the best out of Botham, we may one day look back on Cook’s period of captaincy and reflect that the emergence of Ben Stokes (and Chris Woakes, among others) helped him take the England team to another level.Cook is no orator but, while Brearley’s record as a leader is unquestioned, it should never be forgotten that his batting average of 22.88 is less than half that of Cook, which currently stands at 47.55. Really, it may be time to give Cook’s leadership a little more respect.Perhaps, if England can reach No. 1 again and claim all nine bilateral Test series trophies, that respect may come. Cook agrees with James Anderson that this side is more naturally talented than the one that last achieved the No. 1 ranking in 2011 and feels that, whatever happens over the next few months, it is a couple of years away from fulfilling its potential.”It would be a really good achievement by our guys,” Cook said. “But I genuinely think it’s come a little bit early for us a side. It would be a great achievement and one you can be very proud of when you finish playing cricket.”But, as I keep saying, there’s still questions that need to be answered. We’re not at the level we were in 2012. Then everyone had played 30 or 40 Test matches at the very least.”This is a more talented team. There are people who can turn a game in a session. The team in 2011-12 was a very consistent, hard-nosed team that was very hard to beat. We’ve got a way to go to that level, but as you saw with some of the brilliance of Ben Stokes, getting a hundred in a session – that kind of stuff is what’s very exciting about this team.”Could Cook walk away from that excitement? It seems unlikely. And, as a developing England side search for stability and consistency, that should draw of sigh of relief from their supporters.

ESPNcricinfo staff27-Aug-2016Pakistan were soon two down as Sharjeel Khan could do nothing about a beauty from Mark Wood•Getty ImagesThe ball nipped from outside leg to pluck out off stump•Getty ImagesAnd it was three down in the blink of an eye when Chris Woakes removed Azhar Ali•Getty ImagesBabar Azam responded with some confident strokes…•Getty Images… as he and Sarfraz Ahmed repaired the damage with a 64-run stand•AFPLiam Plunkett broke the fourth-wicket partnership by removing Azam•Getty ImagesShoaib Malik hit Pakistan’s first six of the series when he charged at Moeen Ali•Getty ImagesSarfraz reached his second fifty of the series to hold Pakistan together•AFPMark Wood returned for a second spell and nabbed Malik’s wicket•Getty ImagesSarfraz was ecstatic on completing the first Pakistan ODI hundred at Lord’s•AFPImad Wasim picked up the pace after a slow start to make a 57-ball fifty•AFPGetty ImagesThe umpires had to step in when Plunkett and Imad had a brief altercation•Getty ImagesMohammad Amir struck a big blow by bowling Jason Roy for a duck•Getty ImagesAlex Hales’ struggles continued when he missed a sweep and was bowled•Getty ImagesEoin Morgan fought for fluency in another hard-worked innings•Getty Images… while Root led the chase with his second fifty of the series•Getty ImagesRoot and Morgan added 112 for the third wicket•Getty ImagesBen Stokes danced down the wicket and hit a straight six during a lively stay•Getty ImagesMoeen Ali ensured a couple of late wickets didn’t cause any drama for England•Getty Images

The heat and the one-sided encounter were downers but this Pakistan was happy that at least his team won

Hamza Khan24-Sep-2016Who I expected to win
Looking at West Indies’ T20 exploits over the last two years, and Pakistan’s alarming decline in the format, West Indies were the favorites. I’m not much of a predictor, and yet the absence of some big names in West Indies, coupled with Pakistan’s new captain that people are raving about, I had a small hope of a Pakistani victory.Team supported
Pakistan. Obviously. And yet West Indies has forever been my second favorite team. So although I wanted Pakistan to win, I didn’t want it to be dominant.Key performer
Imad Wasim virtually ended the game in the third over, taking three wickets in his first two overs. This included Evin Lewis, the guy that had smashed a 100 against India just two games back, and Samuels (the king of T20 finals). He later returned in the 10th over to end any remaining West Indian hopes, dismissing the bowler annihilators Kieron Pollard and Carlos Brathwaite in the same over.WI 47-7; Imad Wasim 5-14; end of match.One thing you’d have changed about the day
Oh what I wouldn’t have given for Chris Gayle, Darren Sammy and Andre Russell to have been a part of this match. West Indies looked seriously depleted without them. And these are some serious entertainers we are talking about. The experience of the match was poorer without them.The face-off you relished
Samuel Badree and Sunil Narine against the young Pakistani batsmen. They had dismantled Pakistan in the past: in the WT20 2014 in Dhaka with combined figures of 6-26 in 8 overs. Sharjeel Khan, Khalid Laitf and Babar Azam did considerably better against them losing just a single wicket and scoring at seven an over, though admittedly with a considerably smaller target.I was also desperate to see Umar Akmal bat again. He’s one of my favorite players from Pakistan and I was happy to see him back. Sadly, he never got to bat.Wow moment
– a term that signifies a duet of musicians. Unlike the PSL final, I had brought my own ‘Darbuka’ (arabic drum) to the stadium, after much persuasion of the security guards who kindly let me go. As the second innings began, another guy showed up with a drum. We sat together and started playing Pakistani cultural drum beats which is how the festivities began in our stands. Pakistan was winning, people were happy, so a lot of people joined in the clapping and dancing.Shot of the day
The cover drive from Babar Azam to Badree was beautiful to watch. The ball drifted in on leg stump, and Babar nonchalantly made room and caressed the ball effortlessly through the covers. It was a glimpse into the future of Babar, and the promise he holds for Pakistani batting. The crowd was suitably impressed.Crowd meter
It was a full house. I was sitting in the top tier which was overflowing. People were even sitting on the stairs next to the seats, waiting for people vacate their seats.The crowd wasn’t too energetic and I can’t really blame them. With the kind of heat and suffocating humidity in the ground, it was a challenge just staying in to watch the match.Pakistan had overwhelming support. Dispersed in the sea of green, you could spot some West Indian supporters as well. The thing about West Indies is, they find popular support wherever they go, and that includes the people supporting the other team.In the absence of players like Gayle, Sammy and Shahid Afridi, the crowd favourite was Dwayne Bravo. Four rows below me was a group of enthusiastic Pakistani DJ Bravo supporters who included his name in many local slogans throughout the match.The Dubai sauna
The size of the crowd was remarkable considering how stiflingly hot it was in the ground. It was a proper sweat fest. The surrounding dust and sand made the conditions unbearable. Many people were standing at the very back, which was the only place you could feel a little breeze and get much-needed respite. Most of us took turns to go stand there and dry our completely wet clothes while other friends guarded our seats.The heat simply left no room for fancy dresses. I admire the courage of the few who had dared to paint their faces.Entertainment
Dubai International Cricket Stadium probably has one of the more pointless PA programs. You can hardly hear anything said over it. Even the songs they played were somehow drowned out – you couldn’t really understand much. The PA programs during the PSL were actually much better.Overall
A disappointing experience overall, considering only one team showed up. West Indies have built a great T20 reputation and it was sad that I didn’t get to see it at the stadium yesterday. Pakistan’s intensity in the field was surprisingly high and fielded really well. West Indies’ fielding, usually so good, perhaps mirrored their batting display. As is the trend with T20, one-sided games can be really one-sided – the end result becomes apparent so early in the game you don’t really enjoy it.Marks out of 10
5/10. And that’s because Pakistan won. The one-sided nature of the match, absence of big names from the West Indies team, and the heat – not a great combination.