'Buh buh he dunt hit dose big sixerzzz lulz'
As for the innings vs India.He came in a tough situation where our top order batsmen threw away their wickets in a hostile Mohali environment.
Not to mention it was a World Cup semi-final,with hype from both countries' respective masala media and of course the politicians loading unnecessary pressure with their 'talks about talks' and bilateral relations etc.
As typical of some Pakistan fans and the masala media,we all love a scapegoat,someone to blame.That someone seems to be Misbah-ul-Haq.
Anyway,sure,he had a big dip in form during 2007-2009 but since then he has gone back to domestic cricket and has proved himself.He has rightly fought for his place in the side.
Since making his comeback,Misbah has played 4 Test matches (in the last 12 months) and averages 112.75 in 7 innings.
This is against South Africa and New Zealand so it is not an 'inflated' average batting against minnows.
OK,the UAE wickets may not be the trickiest to bat on but the South Africa bowling lineup more than compensates for that.
The New Zealand pitches were seaming and Pakistan did struggle in some matches against the NZ fast bowlers,notably Tim Southee and Hamish Bennett.
http://www.espncricinfo.com/new-zeal...ch/473923.html
http://www.espncricinfo.com/new-zeal...ch/473928.html
As for ODIs.
Since his comeback,he averages 48.20 for 12 innings.
A match or should I say,a series winning knock vs New Zealand.
http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/match/473926.html
And a vital 83* vs a strong Sri Lankan side,on their home turf in Colombo in the World Cup.
http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/match/433567.html
We do not have a Viv Richards waiting in the wings.There will be no 'revolution' of youngsters if they are not properly groomed with the help of the more experienced players in the side,who can pass on advice and guide the youngsters.Then when the youngsters are ready,we can gradually ease the older players out in a transitional phase.
Pakistan cannot afford another knee-jerk,post-World Cup cull that we always initiate after a World Cup or a series defeat.
We tried to pack the team with youngsters such as Umar Amin in the England 2010 tour and that was a disastrous move,with Amin now sidelined for the foreseeable future.
It is about time Pakistan do things 'properly'.Let's have a transitional phase for now,keep the seniors on and have a firm,long-term plan in place for the next World Cup in 2015.
It is so typical of Pakistan to hit the nuclear button and to load so much pressure and hype onto our youngsters.The international circuit is much tougher and strenuous and requires players to use a great deal of skill and exertion to cope.
You can get away with shoddy techniques and a few lucky breaks here and there in domestic cricket.And the fans will start calling for that player to be brought in ASAP as he's the next Brian Lara etc etc.
But international cricket requires a blend of youth and experience.
Why do we go for one extreme to another ?
'No we must have seniors'. 'No,pack the team with youngsters'.
Just have both and use them wisely,long-term planning is not rocket science.