Sri Lanka v Pakistan | 1st Test | Galle | 21/06/12 | Day 1

[Square Drive]

So just over 2 hours left in this match. Any updates about the weather? Hope rain doesn't interfere in this match. Anyways, this is the XI Pakistan will probably play:

Taufeeq
Hafeez (C)
Azhar
Younis
Dogar/Faisal (although I think Faisal will get the nod due to his experience)
Asad
Adnan (WK)
Rehman
Gul
Ajmal
Junaid

Doesn't seem like Afaq will get a chance as it will disturb the team balance. I have a feeling Pakistan will prefer Junaid over Aizaz.

Can't wait for it to start! Good luck to both teams, should be a thrilling series.

 

[I Believe in the Teesra]

I'm hoping Shafiq bats a bit higher up. I'd love to see him prove himself this series. Hoping for a big contribution for Junaid or Cheema. Whoever plays, needs to make a serious impact because I'm not feeling Gul having a matchwinning innings. Hopefully I'm wrong.

 

[Square Drive]

I'm hoping Shafiq bats a bit higher up. I'd love to see him prove himself this series. Hoping for a big contribution for Junaid or Cheema. Whoever plays, needs to make a serious impact because I'm not feeling Gul having a matchwinning innings. Hopefully I'm wrong.

I think our spinners will take 15 of the 2 wickets.

And any update about the weather?

 

[I Believe in the Teesra]

I think our spinners will take 15 of the 2 wickets.

And any update about the weather?

Thunderstorms next 4 days

 

[Square Drive]

And what about the weather currently?

 

[I Believe in the Teesra]

And what about the weather currently?

82 F with a 60% chance of rain

 

[Square Drive]

Okay, thanks for the update buddy. 40% FTW!

 

[I Believe in the Teesra]

Okay, thanks for the update buddy. 40% FTW!

Its 11:01 PM here and that match starts at 12:30 PM. I'll update if I find out more about the weather. Hopefully we get a match today.

 

[LethalSami]

FINALLY good match timing for us on the east coast

 

[Square Drive]

Its 11:01 PM here and that match starts at 12:30 PM. I'll update if I find out more about the weather. Hopefully we get a match today.

Appreciated.

 

[czarkeen]

I don't understand why Afaq Raheem is not even being mentioned in the possibles

Although I have no idea of all three but why are FI and AD the only possibilities and not AR

 

[kingusama92]

Afaq Raheem vs Faisal Iqbal vs Mohammad Ayub Dogar.

One has to assume that Faisal Iqbal will take the spot. I would hope it isn't him and they go with Afaq Raheem or Dogar.

 

[zains_rulez]

^^ Faisal Iqbal will get his chance for sure !!

 

[Random Aussie]

Good luck to Pakistan and to the cheating Sri Lankans!

 

[Justcrazy]

It will be draw ....rain !!

 

[Square Drive]

Faisal has a 70% chance, and Ayub has a 30% cgance. They won't go with Afaq because picking him will wreck the team's batting line-up. And Random Aussie, you actually an Aussie?

Anyways, toss in 15 minutes.

 

[LastLaugh_PK]

Isn't it a bit too late for your Square Drive on a week night? Or you don't have school/work tomorrow?

 

[talha3]

Lost the toss, again. SL bat

 

[LastLaugh_PK]

Lost the toss, again. SL bat

Playing 11?

 

[Asif321]

thank god ayub and junaid in team

 

[Asif321]

Hafeez , Taufeq, Younis, Azhar, Asad, Ayub, Adnan, Ajmal ,Rehman
Gul and Junaid

 

[talha3]

Good team selection.

Nice to see Junaid back, caused SL problems in UAE.

 

[talha3]

I think we need to restrict SL to 300.

 

[khalil1986]

Ayub in team which is great, sorry bhanja your services on the field not required, you can however bring on the drinks.

 

[CricnPak]

Chasing? Rain at Galle? I think Pakistan's best bet is a draw. Expect SL to be strangled by Ajmal and Rehman for two days before Pakistan shuts shop.

 

[LastLaugh_PK]

Chasing? Rain at Galle? I think Pakistan's best bet is a draw. Expect SL to be strangled by Ajmal and Rehman for two days before Pakistan shuts shop.

No Misbah to shut up. Most likely we will crumble under pressure if pitch has demons in it.

 

[Ahson8]

Come on guys lets get them out before they make 200

 

[MoinHaroon]

It will be interesting to see how Hafeez does as the captain. I hope he makes the right bowling changes and uses himself a lot too. Our fast bowlers are not wicket takers. Go spinner, go Hafeez so we can get rid of Misbah as soon as possible

 

[Bullet Drive]

Sl bat, we never seem to win the toss! Come on Pakistan. Need some quick early wickets.

 

[MoinHaroon]

I think Pakistan would do good in batting department since Misbah is not playing, he chokes all energy from everyone and then we choke, you have to rotate strike even in test matches. Hope young players play their style instead of just trying to play out there

 

[MoinHaroon]

Who is Mohammad Ayub?

 

[MenInG]

Who is Mohammad Ayub?

Dogar

 

[Lachrymose]

Good team selection. Can't wait to see Junaid bowling again!
Good luck team Pakistan

 

[MoinHaroon]

Pitch is hard, Srilanka is making pitches for fast bowler, they are scared of our spinners. Please Hafeez start with yourself for 2 overs, just to see.

 

[Bullet Drive]

Very good start gul Gul.

 

[Bullet Drive]

Junaid Khan from the other end.

 

[MoinHaroon]

Gully little bit wide outside off

 

[MoinHaroon]

We have four spinners?

 

[MoinHaroon]

Almost...oouch

 

[Square Drive]

Good news that its sunny. Also, good to see Ayub in. Hope we get SL out under 300.

 

[Strike!]

What happened to Junaid's pace?

 

[MoinHaroon]

Junaid looks good

 

[Bullet Drive]

Junaid Khan had a good time against SL before. Took 5.

 

[MoinHaroon]

Little bit inside Gully, got to make them play specially when the eye is not set

 

[sada90]

first boundary for Srilanka ...

 

[MoinHaroon]

Gully is not good anymore. I hope he proves me wrong

 

[MoinHaroon]

Dilsan is going to get out before reaching double figure

 

[Bullet Drive]

I seriously would bowl Hafeez to Para's.

 

[talha3]

Not much on offer for the bowlers. If it doesn't spin, we're in for a long day.

 

[Strike!]

Too legsidish from Junaid in this over.

 

[MoinHaroon]

I seriously would bowl Hafeez to Para's.

Agreed, he needs to come on himself. Our fast bowlers are not wicket takers, very easy

 

[MoinHaroon]

Great shot

 

[MoinHaroon]

Please that length, it is good

 

[Bullet Drive]

Not much pace from both of the bowlers.

 

[Bullet Drive]

Too straight from Gul. 2 to Para's.

 

[MoinHaroon]

Good that means it will help spinners

 

[Bullet Drive]

Very good batting wicket.

 

[MoinHaroon]

Length is good

 

[Bullet Drive]

Would bowl Junaid for this one over and then go to Hafeez for the leftie.

 

[MoinHaroon]

We will see when Pakistan bats, it will start doing things

 

[MoinHaroon]

One more over and then Hafeez needs to change something

 

[MoinHaroon]

Hope Hafeez is bold enough to make the change, I hope he does not follow the script and change it after 10 overs

 

[Strike!]

Would have liked to see Sami in this match.

 

[MoinHaroon]

Full length, keep that up

 

[MoinHaroon]

Would have liked to see Sami in this match.

are you kidding me, why would want to see Sami, I would rather see any young boy given a chance then SAMI

 

[MoinHaroon]

two more overs and if there is no changes I will go to bed

 

[Strike!]

At least he has pace.

 

[MoinHaroon]

Time to change Hafeez

 

[MoinHaroon]

At least he has pace.

Wicket seems dead, spinner time

 

[Ironcat]

Not much in the pitch so far for the seamers.

 

[MoinHaroon]

Good time for Hafeez to come on, leftie on strike

 

[Ironcat]

SLC want five days of playing time

 

[MoinHaroon]

Another captain from Pakistan who can't think and is not bold or agresive

 

[Bullet Drive]

21/0

 

[talha3]

Another captain from Pakistan who can't think and is not bold or agresive

Happy now?

 

[MoinHaroon]

Happy now?

Not the right time, he is going to ball to Dilsan Not smart

 

[MoinHaroon]

Anyway better move

 

[talha3]

DRS - that was out!

 

[Strike!]

You can already feel the pressure.

 

[Bullet Drive]

Its spinning a lot already.