Bowlers’ graveyards: Pakistan’s placid pitches under fresh fire

Bowlers’ graveyards: Pakistan’s placid pitches under fresh fire
England’s head coach Brendon McCullum (R) and his Pakistani counterpart Jason Gillespie (2R) inspect the pitch during a practice session on the eve of their first Test cricket match at the Multan Cricket Stadium in Multan on October 6, 2024. (AFP/File)
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Updated 13 October 2024
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Bowlers’ graveyards: Pakistan’s placid pitches under fresh fire

Bowlers’ graveyards: Pakistan’s placid pitches under fresh fire
  • England piled up 823-7 last week in Multan on wicket described as a “road” by ex-cricketer Michael Vaughan 
  • Pakistani pitches have become more docile in past 2 years, each Test wicket now costing an average of 42.13 runs

MULTAN: Australia pace legend Dennis Lillee denounced a pitch in Pakistan as a “graveyard for bowlers” in 1980, but more than 40 years later little has changed.
Lillee vented his anger after toiling for 21 wicketless overs in Faisalabad in a turgid draw.
All 11 Australian players, even wicketkeeper Rod Marsh, had a turn bowling in Pakistan’s second innings of 382-2 in reply to Australia’s 617 all out as the game petered out into near farce.
Last week, on a wicket described as “a road” by former captain Michael Vaughan, England rewrote the record books as they piled up 823-7 declared in reply to Pakistan’s 556 in the first Test in Multan.
The total was the fourth highest single innings in Test history.
Harry Brook plundered 317 at almost a run a ball and Joe Root became England’s highest Test run scorer during his career-best 262.
Their stand of 454 for the fourth wicket was an England record, the fourth highest in history and the most by any pair playing overseas.
Despite the lifeless pitch, England’s bowlers pulled off an innings and 47 run victory after Pakistan crumbled to 220 all out in their second innings.
It gave Pakistan an unwanted record — the first team to score 500 or more and lose a Test by an innings.
England batting great Kevin Pietersen said on X that the lack of help for bowlers in Multan, where the second Test begins on Tuesday, was “helping destroy Test cricket.”
It is a “perennial problem,” former Pakistan captain Wasim Akram told AFP. “For years it has been the same old story. Very rarely we used to get green and lively pitches in the 1990s and had to bowl long spell for wickets.”
Rashid Latif, a former Pakistan captain who has studied pitch preparation, said there was no need for the pitches to be curated so overwhelmingly in the batsmen’s favor.
“We can prepare good pitches but our mindset is negative,” Latif told AFP.
“There was good grass on the Multan pitch but it was shaved off, I don’t know on whose wishes.”
Former spinner and ex-selector Tauseef Ahmed, a member of Pakistan team who played in the infamous 1980 Faisalabad Test, said: “Our batters want a flat pitch to score runs.
“Even in domestic matches we have such pitches so that players score big and get prominence.”
The last two years has seen Pakistan pitches get even more docile. Each Test wicket there now costs an average of 42.13 runs, the highest anywhere in the world.
Pitch preparation is a science, with experts saying the ideal soil mix is around 60 percent clay with less sand, such as that found in Australia.
It produces firm and bouncy tracks which begin to take more spin over five days, providing a balance between ball and bat.
One local groundsman said pitches were a big problem in Pakistan.
“There are multiple factors from weather to interference from the team management who want it to suit them,” said the curator, who did not want to be named.
“That makes the process complex. A good pitch needs sun to bake it but in some weather we do not get that,” he said.
“A Test pitch needed to be cared for six months or a year but our pitches are over-used so they become flat.”
Latif said serious work was needed to lift the standard of pitches.
“There should be a research department under a good geologist to ascertain how a good pitch can be prepared,” said Latif.
He also wanted to see Australian Kookaburra balls used in Pakistan ditched for those with a more prominent seam to help bowlers.
“We need to have Grays, Duke or SG balls for our type of clay, which are hand-stitched,” said Latif.
Two years ago, Pakistan and Australia scored 1,187 runs with just 14 wickets taken in a soporific draw in Rawalpindi.
The then Pakistan cricket chief Ramiz Raja blasted the playing surface: “We live in the dark ages of pitches in Pakistan. This is not a good advert for Test cricket.”
With the second Test starting in Multan Tuesday and the third in Rawalpindi next week, it seems unlikely the bowlers will get any respite soon.


Brad Pitt turns heads at Abu Dhabi Grand Prix while filming F1 blockbuster

Brad Pitt turns heads at Abu Dhabi Grand Prix while filming F1 blockbuster
Updated 25 sec ago
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Brad Pitt turns heads at Abu Dhabi Grand Prix while filming F1 blockbuster

Brad Pitt turns heads at Abu Dhabi Grand Prix while filming F1 blockbuster
  • Pitt was spotted at the Yas Marina Circuit during Friday’s practice sessions

ABU DHABI: Hollywood megastar Brad Pitt brought a touch of cinematic glamor to the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix this weekend as he continued filming scenes for the highly anticipated movie “F1,” set to hit cinemas in June next year.

Pitt was spotted at the Yas Marina Circuit during Friday’s practice sessions, wearing a white racing jumpsuit as he posed with teams and filmed scenes alongside co-star Damson Idris.

The pair were photographed with Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz Jr. and Charles Leclerc, with the Spanish driver sharing selfies featuring Pitt, Idris, Leclerc and Ferrari team members, captioned: “Look who photobombed our team pic.”

In the film, Pitt stars as Sonny Hayes, a fictional 1990s F1 driver who makes a dramatic return to the track after a career-ending crash to mentor rookie Joshua Pearce, played by Idris.

The movie contains a stellar ensemble cast, including Javier Bardem, Sarah Niles, Kerry Condon and Tobias Menzies, with Joseph Kosinski directing. Adding authenticity, seven-time F1 champion Lewis Hamilton and legendary producer Jerry Bruckheimer are among the project’s key drivers.

The film blends the real-world of Formula 1 through fictional storytelling and the help of all 10 F1 teams. Real-life drivers such as Hamilton, Max Verstappen, Fernando Alonso, Sergio Perez and Sainz appear as themselves, adding an extra layer of authenticity.

Pitt underwent rigorous training to master the high-speed vehicles used in the film. “He’s an amazing driver,” Bruckheimer said. “Some of the F1 drivers said he’s a natural athlete. He really is.”

Following a teaser trailer in July, fans have eagerly awaited more glimpses of F1, with  continued filming at real races, including a high-profile shoot during the Las Vegas Grand Prix.


McLaren’s Norris takes pole for Abu Dhabi Grand Prix

McLaren’s Norris takes pole for Abu Dhabi Grand Prix
Updated 22 min 33 sec ago
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McLaren’s Norris takes pole for Abu Dhabi Grand Prix

McLaren’s Norris takes pole for Abu Dhabi Grand Prix
  • World champion Max Verstappen will start from sixth in his Red Bull
  • Nico Hulkenberg surprised with an outstanding fourth for Haas

ABU DHABI: Lando Norris captured pole position on Saturday for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix while teammate Oscar Piastri completed a McLaren lockout of the front row as they look to shore up the constructors’ championship.
World champion Max Verstappen will start from sixth in his Red Bull, while seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton was knocked in the first qualifying session and will begin his final race for Mercedes in 17th position.
Carlos Sainz, in his last race for Ferrari before giving up his seat to Hamilton, was third quickest but the Italian team’s hopes of overtaking McLaren to take the team title suffered a setback when Charles Leclerc was only able to set the 14th best time.
The Monegasque has incurred a 10-place grid penalty for taking a new battery pack on his car so will start from the back of the grid.
Nico Hulkenberg surprised with an outstanding fourth for Haas.
Alpine’s Pierre Gasly will start alongside Verstappen on the third row while Mercedes’ George Russell and the Aston Martin of Fernando Alonso will be on the fourth row ahead of Valterri Bottas (Sauber) and the second Red Bull of Sergio Perez.


Liverpool’s Premier League clash at Everton postponed due to high winds

Liverpool’s Premier League clash at Everton postponed due to high winds
Updated 33 min 31 sec ago
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Liverpool’s Premier League clash at Everton postponed due to high winds

Liverpool’s Premier League clash at Everton postponed due to high winds
  • High winds and heavy rain have battered western parts of the United Kingdom, causing widespread travel disruption
  • Everton said the fixture had been postponed on safety grounds

LIVERPOOL: Premier League leaders Liverpool’s Merseyside derby trip to Everton on Saturday was postponed due to adverse weather conditions caused by Storm Darragh.
High winds and heavy rain have battered western parts of the United Kingdom, causing widespread travel disruption.
In a statement, Everton said the fixture had been postponed on safety grounds following a meeting between both clubs, local police and Liverpool City Council.
“Whilst we appreciate this will be deeply disappointing for supporters, the safety of fans, staff and players is of paramount importance,” Everton’s statement added.
The fixture will be the final Merseyside derby in the league at Everton’s Goodison Park, home to the club since 1892, before they move to a new 53,000 capacity stadium next season.
Liverpool lead the Premier League by seven points after 14 games of the 38-match season.
Manchester United said their match later at Old Trafford against Nottingham Forest (1730GMT) is still scheduled to go ahead.
“The club will continue to consult the relevant authorities throughout the day and will update supporters immediately if anything changes,” United said in a statement.
Three other Premier League games are also due to go ahead at 1500GMT, including Manchester City’s trip to Crystal Palace.
Cardiff against Watford in the Championship has been postponed, along with every football and rugby match in Wales.
Plymouth’s meeting with Oxford has also been called off in the second tier.


Pakistan’s Haris Rauf, India’s Jasprit Bumrah nominated for ICC’s player of month

Pakistan’s Haris Rauf, India’s Jasprit Bumrah nominated for ICC’s player of month
Updated 07 December 2024
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Pakistan’s Haris Rauf, India’s Jasprit Bumrah nominated for ICC’s player of month

Pakistan’s Haris Rauf, India’s Jasprit Bumrah nominated for ICC’s player of month
  • The third nominee is South African Marco Jensen who excelled against India and Sri Lanka last month
  • Pakistani spinner Noman Ali last month bagged the ICC Men’s Player of the Month award for October

KARACHI: The International Cricket Council (ICC) has announced nominees for the Men’s Player of the Month Award for November, with Pakistani pacer Haris Rauf, India’s Jasprit Bumrah and South African Marco Jensen named as contenders.
The award recognizes the best male cricketer of the month, considering performances in Tests, one-day and Twenty20 internationals. A voting academy and fan determine the winner from the three nominees.
“Rauf played a pivotal role in Pakistan’s historic ODI series win in Australia — their first in 22 years,” the ICC said this week. “The 24-year-old Jensen showcased his all-round brilliance across all formats in November and India’s Bumrah reaffirmed his reputation as one of the greats of the games.”
The ICC said that Pakistan’s tour of Zimbabwe saw a strong performance by Rauf as the tourists won both the ODI and T20I series 2-1. Rauf took 10 wickets, including a five-wicket haul in the second match, steering Pakistan to victory. He continued his form in the T20Is, with five wickets and wrapped up the month with 18 dismissals across formats.
Jansen excelled in the T20I series against India, showcasing his all-round skills with a 17-ball 54 in the third match and consistent wickets. His standout performance came in the first Test against Sri Lanka in Durban, where he recorded career-best match figures of 11/86, including a seven-wicket haul that dismissed Sri Lanka for 42, securing a dominant 233-run victory for South Africa, according to the ICC.
Bumrah led India to a commanding 295-run victory in the opening Border-Gavaskar Test in Perth with an eight-wicket haul. His fiery opening spell restricted Australia to 104 after India’s first-innings collapse.
Pakistani spinner Noman Ali last month bagged the ICC Men’s Player of the Month award for October after his stellar 20 wickets in a Test series against England that helped his team secure a 2-1 victory.


Andersson takes pole in Sharjah powerboat racing as Thani Al-Qemzi shines and Wyatt suffers title blow

Andersson takes pole in Sharjah powerboat racing as Thani Al-Qemzi shines and Wyatt suffers title blow
Updated 07 December 2024
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Andersson takes pole in Sharjah powerboat racing as Thani Al-Qemzi shines and Wyatt suffers title blow

Andersson takes pole in Sharjah powerboat racing as Thani Al-Qemzi shines and Wyatt suffers title blow
  • Veteran Team Abu Dhabi driver set for 158th Grand Prix start 24 years after debut on Khalid Lagoon

ABU DHABI: Sweden’s Jonas Andersson secured pole position for Sunday’s Grand Prix of Sharjah to boost his hopes of a third UIM F1H2O World Championship triumph as Team Abu Dhabi’s Thani Al-Qemzi rolled back the years on Khalid Lagoon.

Andersson won the six-boat qualifying shootout from Victory Team’s Erik Stark and veteran Emirati driver Al-Qemzi in third, after his closest rival in the title race, Sharjah Team’s Rusty Wyatt, was penalized following an earlier collision with Poland’s Bartek Marszalek in Q2.

The incident resulted in a spectacular barrel roll for Marszalek, leaving his mechanics with urgent repair work ahead of the afternoon sprint races.

Canadian rookie Wyatt, who had set the sixth-fastest time at that point, was eliminated from the session by race officials for dangerous driving and will start in 11th position tomorrow, handing a major advantage to Andersson and Team Vietnam.

This was the latest in a long line of dramatic moments that have won and lost the championship in Sharjah over the years, and no one knows this better than Al-Qemzi, who made his debut on the splendid race arena that is Khalid Lagoon back in 2000.

The veteran Team Abu Dhabi driver, who has recorded three Grand Prix victories in Sharjah during his career, will be starting his 158th F1H2O race tomorrow afternoon and remains a class act, still hungry for success, two years after his last win in Sardinia.

He was third-fastest in Friday’s free practice with a lap time bettered only by Andersson and Wyatt and went into this morning’s three-phase qualifying session determined to give himself the best chance of a strong finish to the season.

After setting the early pace in Q1, he went through with the fourth-fastest time, as Frenchman Peter Morin topped the standings ahead of Wyatt and Andersson, and Team Abu Dhabi’s Rashed Al-Qemzi missed progressing in the 11th spot.

Stark, with a mathematic chance of taking the world title before joining Team Abu Dhabi next year, topped the Q2 timings ahead of Morin and Andersson, with Thani Al-Qemzi going through in fifth position as cousin Rashed missed out.

Wyatt’s penalty following the collision with Marszalek looked to have put Andersson on course for a double drivers’ and team title success with Team Vietnam, although the afternoon sprint races to follow could yet play an important part in the proceedings.