Alas! Its kind of Alas indeed as if it was India vs Pakistan best of three finals, it will be ecstatic.
However, I am a bit excited to know that in the best of three finals I will get to see the very talented ICL India and top International cricketers-rich ICL World XI in action.
Poor, poor performance by ICL Pakistan really. 113 ALL OUT! What's that? I think ICL Pakistan need to learn how to make come backs from ICL India.
Pakistan beat Bangladesh in the 3rd ODI to defeat them 3rd time in a row, and thus win the 5 match ODI series.
In today's match, Bangladesh played well. They gave Pakistan tough time! While chasing they were able to make their highest 2nd inning runs. It looks like that someone in the Bangladeshi squad is a regular reader of this blog :) .... that's why they played good enough today to give Pakistan some tough time.
Let's talk about Pakistan: They are playing beautifully. I mean no doubt its Bangladesh against them, but the way they are playing, specially after the recent problems involving Shoaib and his remarks, this is professional stuff.
Salman Butt and Muhammad Yousuf are in form. They are playing beautifully. There is no doubt in my mind that if it were not Bangladesh, but Australia, Muhammad Yousuf and Salman Butt would be causing Australians a lot of trouble and very likely not letting Australia win.
Salman Butt and Muhammad Yousuf.....WAY TO GO!!!! You both Rock!!!
The Entire Pakistani Nation Loves You Both For The Way You Two Have Played So Far and Made Pakistan A Winner in the ODI Series.
Today was a happy happy day for Indian cricket fans - ICL India comprehensively beat ICL Pakistan in the 20twenty match and ICC/BCCI Indian Cricket Team beat South Africa in the 3rd and last test match to draw the test series.
In this test match, the Indians outclass the South Africans in all departments. This was exactly what I was expecting from Indian Cricket Team when South Africa arrived in India. If the Indian Captain and batsmen would have made better decisions in the 2nd test match, Indian crowd's happiness would be double today as India would have very likely won the test series.
Well, if I say that ICL India has more talented cricketers than the top International cricketers-rich ICL Pakistan and ICL World XI, you will have to come up with proofs to prove me wrong.
They beat Pakistan today like they they were the big boys and Pakistan were the secondary school boys.
ICL India have jelled together wonderfully and are playing like they are going to win the tournament.
They did it again. They beat World XI. Can you believe it? Just yesterday when they beat ICL Pakistan, it could be thought that they were able to beat ICL Pakistan because of the Pakistan's being unpredictable in nature. Today they beat ICL World XI which shows they are a dynamic team who can be thought of as favorites. Too early to say that though. But look at how they are performing, it is marvelous, and it is certainly a lot better than the ICL Pakistan and ICL World XI.
India vs South Africa - 2nd Test Day 1
Great bowling by Bhujji and Ishant brought India back to the first day. 152 for 1 at one stage, South Africans were batting like they have planned a huge 1st inning score. Ishant Sherma who was playing his first match after his injury proved out to be the man for India. He took 3 wickets. Not to forget beautiful demonstration of off spin bowling by Harbhajan. He also took 3 wickets. After South Africa's dismissal for 265 on the first day, what I can see is a high spirited Indian all for a win.
Pakistan vs Bangladesh - 2nd ODI
Well, Bangladesh has established quite a decent cricket structure. On the other hand, Pakistan is on its way to do that. After seeing today's game, I am wondering if the existence of a good cricket structure is helpful for creating a strong International cricket team?
Again I will say that Bangladesh really need to lift their standards by starting to give tough times to International cricket teams if not by winning against them.
They proved me wrong. The ICL India proved me and everybody else wrong.
Tonight's match proved that what a remarkable pool of cricketing talent India possesses. I mean look who they beat tonight. ICL Pakistan, a team of top International cricketers. Great performance. Absolutely great performance.
After tonight's game, the tournament no more has any favorites. And ICL India has enough cricketing talent to win this tournament just like ICL Pakistan and ICL World XI.
It will be a tournament to keep both eyes on.
So much exciting actions occurred in the past 6 or so days in the cricket World; you maybe wondering where am I.
Well, I was so breathless throughout those 6 or so days of electrifying cricketing actions that I could not write a single post.
Just kidding.
Actually, I had to attend some personal matters that took almost all of my time during the past 6 days. I know that I have a responsibility of regularly writing on this blog for the respectable visitors and feed subscribers of this blog, but I really couldn't find a single minute to write anything.
To make it sure that the respectable visitors and feed subscribers of this blog do not have to be disappointed again, I have developed a schedule which will allow me to write at least 1 post on any electrifying event as it happens in the world of cricket.
With heartiest Thanks to all of you for liking this blog so much, here are my considerations on the major actions of the past 6 or so days in the world of cricket:
Pakistan vs Bangladesh - 1st ODI (ICC recognized series)
Pakistan easily defeated the visiting Bangladesh in the first ODI match. Not a matter of pride. Not a matter of pride at all. This is the issue when any test team plays against Bangladesh.
Bangladesh were used to be called Baby of Cricket. Still they are not considered a side that can beat any test playing International team successively. Hence, winning against them is not a matter of pride. On the other hand, loosing against them is a matter of disgrace. Please do not take me wrong: I am not trying to say that Bangladesh should not be allowed to play with any other test team. I am just saying that Bangladesh team have to raise their performance.
India vs South Africa - 2nd Test (Another ICC recognized series)
Everybody is saying that because of the South Africa-like pitch, India lost to South Africa. But loosing like this...
I mean India lost to South Africa like 10 graders will lose to a team of professional cricketers. The sad or surprising part is that India itself is a team of top class cricket professionals. I mean come on, this is no excuse if the pitch was not favorable to Indian cricketers.
After India's classy win against Australia, I was thinking that India is definitely going to be the next Australia. But after watching the 2nd Test match, I am really disappointed. Now, I really hope that India prove me right in the 3rd Test match.
ICL: India vs World XI
In the first 20twenty match of the ICL World Series, ICL World XI comprehensively defeated ICL India. I was expecting a better performance from ICL India, but the way they fielded if not the way they bowled and batted, disappointed me big time. They are yet to play against ICL Pakistan. I really hope that they put up a better fight from now on against both ICL Pakistan and ICL World XI.
ICL: Pakistan vs World XI
ICL World XI did take a good start, but great bowling performances by Arshad Khan, Shahid Nazir, and the player of the tournament - ICL Edelweiss Series Abdul Razzak restricted the World XI to a low total. It was right then that I knew that ICL Pakistan are going to win this match.
Although, ICL Pakistan have been declared favorites for this series, one cannot underestimate the potentials of World XI. The latest defeat of World XI by ICL Pakistan in no way means that in all or even most matches the result would be the same.
It is with still-electrified fingers of mine along with my entire body as i type this post that i ask you to let me start by saying that what I just witnessed on the sports television channel was in no way unfit to be called The Judgement Day with such breathtaking actions the highest Deity himself could not possibly imagine.
GOODNESS ME!!!
Undefeated in all the round-up matches the Lahore Badshahs lost to Hyderabad Heroes 2nd time in a row in the 3-match finals, allowing the Heroes to Drive Off the beautiful stadium with the beautiful winning trophy.
Oh, okay. I got you. Hyderabad Heroes SEIZED the winning trophy. And by God, this is the TRUTH.
Another breathtaking truth is that the Heroes SEIZED the winning trophy through the bowl out!
Pakistani bowlers really don't seem to be 'to-the-point' bowlers. They displayed their immature bowling performance at the bowl out in the 20twenty match against India of the first ever 20twenty world cup. They did the same tonight as well with the difference that some other International bowlers FROM Pakistan were the bowling attack of the Lahore Badshahs.
I really think that if the Pakistani bowlers in ICL want to be of help to their respective teams at the bowl outs and otherwise, they will have to take their net bowling seriously.
Now, let's come to the Winners: Such a wonderful team Hyderabad Heroes are. I can even easily put my money on them in the matches between them and the Australian Cricket Team.
I mean, in this Edelweiss tournament, the Hyderabad Heroes made the World WITNESS what great COME BACKS are.
On the other hand, let's not forget the kind of electrifying entertainment the Lahore Badshahs have provided us throughout the tournament. My commiserations are with the Badshahs. I just want to say to them -- You guys tried well, just bad luck...and thanks for providing all of us with a great emotional roller coaster ride.
Hyderabad Heroes beat Lahore Badshahs by 6 Runs !!!
My goodness me, what a game I just witnessed. Blood in my veins was traveling very fast the entire time of the match (just like during yesterday's match between Tigers and Badshahs).
Lahore Badshahs who were unbeaten in the tournament so far lost to Hyderabad in the first final of the three final matches. What a bad time to loose, huh?
The series is still alive with two more final matches to go. Can Lahore Badshahs make a come back? Or Hyderabad Heroes are going to make it?
Only the time will tell. However, your comments and predictions are most welcome :)
