Page 27 - Pakistan Link - January 29, 2020

SPORTS JANUARY 29, 2021 – PAKISTAN LINK – P27
SPORTS
JANUARY 29, 2021 - PAKISTAN LINK
Poor past vs South Africa does not Boucher terms conditions unfamiliar

concern Babar Azam ARACHI: South Africa head coach
Mark Boucher was in no doubt on
Monday when he said that the playing
have prepared well this time and we conditions confronting his charges
in the first Test against Pakistan are
hope to give our best against them.” somewhat contrast to those he played
Pakistan named nine uncapped on previous three Test tours here.
players in their squad for the two The 44-year-old Boucher — Test
Tests while the visiting side also cricket’s most prolific wicket-keeper
introduced a number of new faces with 555 dismissals from 147 match-
during a 2-0 home victory over Sri es — was candid in stating during his
Lanka in their previous series. pre-match media conference that the
Babar, Pakistan’s batting main- conditions he had had in his before to win a series away from home be-
stay, missed his team’s 2-0 blanking arriving in Karachi on Jan 15 are dif- cause you are prepared for all types
in New Zealand and will instead ferent. “I thought before we departed of permutations and looking at the
make his Test captaincy debut at from Johannesburg that there would squad we have brought here is based
home although in front of empty be encouragement for seamers to get on the conditions here.
stands. “I missed out in New Zealand, reverse swing could be a major factor “And if you see what Pakistan
unfortunately I became unfit,” Babar on dry pitches. But the weather here have done, you’ll notice they have fo-
said. “It’s a proud moment for me to [in Karachi] offers a big contrast to cussed on bowlers and will play with
make my [Test] captaincy debut in what we saw during our last tour here a spin mindset. Then we also have to
my own country. in 2007,” Boucher said during the believe we can do it too in these con-
“South Africa is a good team. You virtual presser. ditions.” While Maharaj is a certain
can never take them lightly, they are “We are doing a rethink to our starter, Boucher hinted Tabraiz Shamsi
Pakistan skipper Babar Azam, right, and his South African counterpart a top team. But we are also a strong [game] plans. Previously, we were in and George Linde — both exponents
Quinton de Kock pose for a photograph with the trophy of the Test series, side. The conditions will suit us more Pakistan during October-November of spin — are under consideration in
in Karachi because most of us have grown up and conditions at the time of the year the prevailing situation. “I think the
playing here.” favoured reverse. We think the pitch- pitches here are generally good for up
KARACHI: Pakistan captain Babar kistan since 2007 and have lost only Babar did not divulge the playing es will be on the slower side and will to three days and then the match tends
Azam is aware that his side have a four out of 26 matches against their 11 for the first Test but said the hosts suit spinners more [than seamers]. to speed up towards the backend,”
poor record against South Africa in opponents. “We should not think had a clear idea of the combination “This is the first time we are play- Boucher opined. “On flat tracks such
Tests but he is confident that the past about past, we should focus on what’s they want to use against South Africa. ing in January here when the climate as this one you want pace through the
will count for nothing when the two ahead of us,” Babar told reporters. The second Test will be played is much cooler. Because of it now we air and we have that. But then you start
teams meet in the opening Test in Ka- “We have nothing to do with what between the sides in Rawalpindi are not sure how much of a weapon thinking about how to balance it and
rachi from Tuesday. happened on previous matches. from February 4, followed by a three- reverse swing will be and we’ve been who’ll do the containing job.”
South Africa, led by Quinton de “It’s a fact that we don’t have a match Twenty20 series in Lahore only able to go to the ground over Boucher, whose playing career
Kock, will play their first Test in Pa- good record against them, but we from Feb 11-14. the past few days because of security ended prematurely when he was
measures. The outfield looks luscious
struck in the eye during a match on
Sibley shines as England wrap Rashid helps and not the abrasive sort we had seen South Africa’s tour of England in
2012, pointed out the Covid-19 pan-
on our earlier visit to Karachi.”
Boucher indicated that South
up series win in SL Afghanistan Africa will employ more than one demic and hordes of security person-
nel have created a situation which
challenging.
preferred choice — rather keep rely-
GALLE: Dom Sibley scored an England, who added only five secure Ireland spinner — Keshav Maharaj being the South Africans feel as extremely
unbeaten half century as England runs to their overnight tally before ing their predominantly pace attack. “Life in the [bio-secure] bubble
chased down a target of 164 to secure being dismissed for 344, took just whitewash “I have no doubt in my mind that is very tough for the entire squad [of
a sweep of the series on Monday, over a session to turn the match on we will definitely play more than one players and the backroom staff] both
beating Sri Lanka by six wickets in its head as Dom Bess and spin part- spinner. We have different options mentally and physically and when you
the second Test on a day of drama at ner Jack Leach claimed four wickets in this regard in our squad,” Bouch- are in Pakistan no one is allowed to go
the Galle International Stadium. each in Sri Lanka’s second innings. er said. “At the same time we have outside. My point of view is clear that
England scored 164-4, with Sib- Bess took 4-49 and Leach 4-59 got the mindset that we aren’t scared staying in the bubble isn’t that easy be-
ley 56 not out and Jos Buttler un- as the home batting line-up was un- to go out and try something different cause my view is that is imperative for
beaten on 46 as they overcame jittery done by the turn of the wicket and than normal. This is how you expect cricket to be up and running.”
moments to complete a 2-0 series rash shots. It included a wild sweep
triumph. The tourists overturned a from veteran Angelo Mathews as Two senior UAE cricketers found
37-run deficit after the first innings he was bowled by Bess for five,
to win a sixth successive Test in Sri and a slog that was top-edged by guilty of corruption
Lanka. England earlier dismissed Sri captain Dinesh Chandimal (9) and
Lanka for 126 in their second innings, expertly caught by James Anderson DUBAI: Two senior internation- wise influence improperly the result,
giving themselves a confidence boost off Leach. al cricketers from the United Arab progress, conduct or other aspect(s)
ahead of next month’s start of their Embuld¬eniya, with a quickfire ABU DHABI: A brilliant all-round Emirates were found guilty on Tues- of a match or matches in the quali-
four-Test series in India. 40 off 42 balls, was the only home display from Rashid Khan helped day of attempting to fix T20 World fying competition. They also failed
England’s run chase began ner- batsmen to make more than 20 and Afghanistan secure a series clean Cup qualifying matches in 2019. to disclose any details about being
vously as they lost their first four his 48-run ninth wicket partnership sweep against Ireland on Tuesday Mohammad Naveed, the UAE approached to engage in corrupt con-
wickets for 89 runs, including a with Suranga Lakmal helped set En- with a 36-run victory in the third captain, and Shaiman Anwar were duct. The specific matches in ques-
tired-looking Joe Root, with Sri Lan- gland a tougher target. But he was One-day International at Abu Dhabi. both found to have breached two tion were not disclosed.
ka’s dangerous spinner Lasith Em- eventually dismissed off the part-time Rashid’s swashbuckling 48 helped rules in the ICC anti-corruption code Naveed and Anwar remain sus-
buldeniya threatening with the new bowling of Root, who claimed anoth- Afghanistan recover from 163-7 to after being charged in October 2019, pended and sanctions will follow, the
ball and taking three wickets for a er wicket with his next ball by bowl- post 266-9 from their 50 overs, be- days before the start of qualifying. ICC said. Naveed, a fast bowler, was
match tally of 10. ing Asitha Fernando to wrap up the fore the leg-spinner took four wickets The ICC said they were found also found guilty of attempting to fix
But an unbeaten 75-run part- innings. Root finished with figures of as Ireland fell short despite a second guilty of being party to an agreement a match or matches in Abu Dhabis
nership between Sibley — who had 2-0 off 11 balls. straight hundred from Paul Stirling. or effort to fix or contrive or other- T10 League in 2019.
previous failed with the bat on tour RESULT: England won by six The whitewash sees Afghanistan
— and Buttler carried England home wickets to win two-match series 2-0. collect 30 points in the race to qualify NZC chief upbeat Aussies will
as they showed the application their MAN-OF-THE-MATCH: Joe Root. for the 2023 World Cup in India. Af-
hosts lacked in their batting. MAN-OF-THE-SERIES: Joe Root. ter a quick start, the Afghans became
bogged down by Ireland’s spinners, tour despite virus scare
with Simi Singh claiming 3-37.
But a stunning late onslaught AUCKLAND: New Zealand Cricket Zealand’s Stuff media.
from Rashid, whose 40-ball innings (NZC) chief executive David White “We’ve been guided by the New
featured three fours and three sixes, has played down concerns they may Zealand government agencies all sum-
saw Afghanistan post a competitive not be able to host Australia in upcom- mer, they’ve been terrific and very
total. Stirling’s 12th ODI ton helped ing series after the country confirmed supportive, and we will continue to be
Ireland stay in the chase despite los- its first case of Covid-19 in the com- guided by them.”
ing regular wickets, but the opener munity in months. White added that the England
was bowled by Mujeeb Ur Rahman New Zealand’s men will host Aus- women’s team arrive in New Zealand
in the 37th over. tralia in a five-match Twenty20 series on Tuesday.
A 30-run eighth-wicket partner- beginning on Feb 22 in Christchurch. New Zealand’s men are set to tour
ship between Singh and Andy Mc- The women’s team play England in England for two Tests in June and
Brine kept the slim Irish hopes alive. three one-dayers and three T20s from White is confident the series will go
But, after Hashmatullah Shahidi Feb 23 before hosting Australia. ahead despite the Covid-19 situation
made a mess of a catch from Singh New Zealand on Monday con- there. “We’ve been working with the
off Rashid’s bowling, Mohammad firmed its first case of Covid-19 in the England and Wales Cricket Board
Nabi was alert to the situation to run community in months in a 56-year-old (ECB) for the last 12 months, just
out Singh. woman, prompting Australia to imme- working together on the different bio
Rashid bowled Craig Young with diately suspend a travel bubble with bubbles and things,” White said.
the next delivery and Naveen-ul-Haq the country for 72 hours. “They’re very advanced, very
trapped McBrine lbw as Afghanistan “We’re very positive that the tours sophisticated in their approach, and
completed the series in style with to New Zealand will proceed with the we’re very confident that it will be all
three wickets in as many balls. Australian teams,” White told New in order for our players.”
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