Posts
Loading ...Articles tagged as: salman-butt
One-innings thrash at Delhi
By Will last year, at the end of November, Comments
The first Test between India and Pakistan is turning into a bit of a thriller, in case you hadn’t noticed. Pakistan limited India’s lead to just 45 and Salman Butt and Mohammad Yousuf have both raced out of the blocks. But no - Yousuf has gone! Well well, this really is interesting now. Pakistan lead by 104…
CommentsVideo highlights of England’s win
By Will 2 years ago, mid-August, Comments
Some really excellent footage here of England’s win yesterday over Pakistan. See below, or click here.
CommentsThe Pakistan tour of England, 2006
By Will 2 years ago, at the start of July, Comments
Earlier this summer, as England were apparently unable to beat Sri Lanka as easily as they would’ve liked, I described their opponents as “cockroach-like”. It was intended as a compliment, for their ability to hang on by the skins of their teeth. In retrospect, it was a mistake and was altered immediately. The fact is, I - and England, and the public - underestimated the side who were considered nothing more than an hors d’oeuvres before the Pakistan pie (sorry, couldn’t resist).
And look at them now. The one-day team is in disarray; Fletcher’s blaming injuries (quite fairly so, I might add); our Ashes plans are in meltdown (burnout might be a more appropriate adjective to use come November, though); half the squad are missing injured (career-endingly so and “he’ll be back next week” in equal measure, if the ECB are to be trusted). And now Pakistan are in town.
Their apparent weak-spot at the top of the order showed little sign of fragility today, too. Imran Farhat and Salman Butt, the two openers, put on 145 for the first wicket on the second day of their three-day warm-up match against Leicestershire. When the first Test gets underway (July 13), behind those two sit a frightening array of batting talent: Inzamam-ul-Haq, Younis Khan, Shahid Afridi and Kamran Akmal.
So forget the Ashes. Forget anything else. Wistful longing for a repeat of Edgbaston 2005 will get you nowhere. This Pakistan side are a tremendous force, superbly coached and (dare I say it?) captained with enthusiastic vigour by the bearded mountain himself. I’m tempted to say England are in trouble - but that’d be stating the bleeding obvious.
CommentsPakistan v England, 1st Test, 1st day thoughts
By Will 3 years ago, mid-November, Comments
A gripping day in which to start the winter series against Pakistan - and an excellent, fighting day by England, one which they must surely be delighted with.
The pitch was always expected to be flat, but not as lifeless as it turned out to be, so Inzamam’s decision to bat first was predictable and justified. Both openers got off to reasonably comfortable starts, with few alarms, until Flintoff trapped Shoaib Malik on the crease. Plumb. Malik had been playing sensibly, but his partner - with a surname to make Sun editors salivate with glee - Salman Butt showed exactly how to bat on this pitch. I’m sure the selectors must have been pleased with the manner of his innings; it was well crafted, or grafted as Geoffrey would say, the only blemish being his departure for a solid (and, perhaps, career-enhancing) 74.
Steve Harmison opened the attack with Matthew Hoggard, but neither threatened greatly - affected, perhaps, by the thought of bowling all day, in intense heat on an ironing board. Harmison eventually woke up to his task, and bowled with great intelligence. After the disaster tour of South Africa, I’m sure I’m not the only one with a keen eye on how well Harmo performs this time round. Although initially tame, it was his first over after tea which sparked the fire within; Younis Khan was trapped in front with the first ball of the final session, followed by Hasan Raza in the sixth (having been unsettled by a bouncer two ball previously).
Shaun Udal outbowled Ashley Giles quite convincingly, by bowling to his limitations and using a lot of nous and clever changes of pace. Giles, on the other hand, was ineffectual at best - although latterly he did improve his length (which simply must be full on these pitches, for all bowlers - but not that full Gilo!). Udal’s first Test wicket was a fair slice of luck - Salman Butt flashed, ball rebounded off the forehead of a dumfounded and concussed Marcus Trescothick, and Geraint Jones reacted quickly to take a very good catch. I haven’t said that too often on this blog…
So to take six wickets, having lost the toss, on a benign pitch is testament to this tough, gritty and resiliant team. And, again, emphasis must be made on team; they work for eachother, as demonstrated by the sharing of wickets around.
A good start by England, who now need to turn the match into their own tomorrow and Monday. See you tomorrow - I’m off to bed.
CommentsPakistan pull performance out of the bag
By Will 4 years ago, at the end of December, Comments
I went to bed last night having watched a great session between Pakistan and Australia. Salman Butt had played particularly well chancing his arm - which you have to do if you’re to combat Australia’s miserlyness. And it’s come off. Was delighted to see Youhana got a century (a fast one too, 111 off 134) and Pakistan ended up on 318/6
Comments