Pakistan Plays a Series At Home Away From Home

At last,there is some relief as one more series kicks off in style for Pakistan.No matter where and the schedule.But,its only the series what matters.And,its not good for Pakistan cricket to expect too much taking into consideration the scenario in Pakistan.I think that Pakistan has to consider itself too lucky for being the only team that have played a home series away from home.First according to my memory being against Australia in 2002 played at Sharjah and now against the West Indies at Abu Dhabi that is under progress.No other team has so far got this privilege I suppose.

I never thought and never expected Pakistan to play a single test or an one day international, once the Australian Tour to Pakistan was canceled earlier this year and later the ICC Champions Trophy too.Now,its good that the West Indies have understood their plight and decided to give them some relief.Finally Pakistan got its due for the year 2008 with the West Indies making to Pakistan at Abu Dhabi.

Otherwise also,the year 2008 has gone without cricket for Pakistan,with its earlier two tours being against Bangladesh in April and the other being against Zimbabwe in January.Both of them being minnow teams.The matches against these teams gave Pakistan a consecutive 11 one day wins.Now,with two wins against another minnow team in West Indies,the toll has gone up to 13.Considering that Pakistan win the third one day international too against the West Indies,the feat will be extended to 14.The next major even in Pakistan's cricket would be the tour of India in early 2009.But,some hints that even this tour is under threat,citing the same security concerns are on.

Now,even if this tour gets canceled and the same being replaced by some minnow be it Kenya (who replaced South Africa in 2003 Sharjah Cup) or Ireland-two of the most leading one day inspires,there is no doubt that Pakistan could make something out of it by overtaking Australia's unbeaten 21 consecutive winning streak in 2003 (from their win against England in the VB Series 2003 until their one day series against West Indies after the world cup).I wonder how bad the Aussies would feel if this happens which would add fuel to the fire that India ignited by defeating them 2-0in the recent B-G Trophy.Sorry Australia.

Records Galore At Karachi

With all eyes glued to the ongoing Border-Gavaskar trophy at Australia,please cricket lovers take time to know about other cricket matches as well.Because there is some equally exciting cricketing action going on outside as well.The ongoing South Africa-West Indies series and the lesser known Zimbabwe tour of Pakistan.If there was India who made history at Perth,even Pakistan was no less when it came to making records.

Though the series between Pakistan and minnows Zimbabwe is of less intrest to viewers,that was not the case for players.This was what they showed when they battled it out in Karachi on 21st.The match saw a record of five Pakistani batsmen scoring half centuries.This was a feat never acheived before by any other team.The scores are as follows:

Nasir Jamshed (61)
Younis Khan (79)
Mohammad Yousuf (72)
Shoaib Malik (63)
Misbah-ul-Haq (55 not out)

This was followed by half centuries from Zimbabwean batsmen V.Sibanda(59),C.J.Chibhabha(52) and S.C Williams who scored 51 not out.One more record of scoring eight hundreds was seen at the National stadium Karachi.