The year 2006 started with India touring Pakistan for a second time in two years. The first two tests were tame draws but the third test in Karachi produced a demons for the Indian batsmen. Chasing around 600 in the fourth innings, India crumbled losing by over 350 runs. Pakistan won the test series 1-0 but where thrashed 4-1 by India in ODIs. Reasons were the loss were a failing batting line, one-dimensional pace attack and great Indian chasing ability. Next, Pakistan travelled to Sri Lanka and won the ODI series 2-0 and the test series 1-0. A 2 match DLF Cup in Abu Dhabi was shared 1-1 by Pakistan and India.
Next was the fateful tour of England. Pakistan lost the test series 3-0 after forfeiting the fourth test, thanks to Inzimam's refusal to play after the hare-brained Daryll Hair declared that Pakistan had tampered with the ball. The ODI series was ended 2-2.
Pakistan lost in the group stage of the Champions Trophy after back to back defeats against New Zealand and South Africa. Pakistan lost both Shoaib Akhter and Mohammad Asif due to a positive dope test. Next was the home series against WI which saw Pakistan win the tests 2-0 and the ODIs 3-1.
Next, the Greenshirts flew to South Africa. They lost the test series 2-1 and the ODI series 3-1. Another botched tour before the World Cup meant Pakistan went into the World Cup 2007 under pressure. The pressure showed itself as Pakistan lost to both West Indies and Ireland (minnows) to exit just two days after the start of the World Cup. Bob Woolmer suffered a heart stroke and passed away. The lacklustre performance meant another operation cleanup. Inzimam was removed from captaincy and youngster Shoaib Malik was made captain. Jeff Lawson was hired as coach of the PCT.
Pakistan started well under Malik, beating World Cup finalist Sri Lanka 2-1 in Abu Dhabi.
Pakistan went into the inaugural World T20 and surprised everyone by making it to final after beating Australia, New Zealand and Sri Lanka. Luck wasn't on the Greenshirts side as they lost by 5 runs in the final to India.
Next, Pakistan faced SA at home. Pakistan lost the test series 1-0 and the ODIs 3-2 after a batting collapse in the final ODI. The team travelled to India and lost the ODI series 3-2 and the test series 1-0.
Pakistan started 2008 by clean sweeping Zimbabwe and Bangladesh 5-0 in the ODI series. Pakistan defeated India in the final of the Kitply Cup to win the triseries.
Pakistan hosted the Asia Cup in June-July and did not qualify for the final. A T20 series was arranged in Canada, where Pakistan played Sri Lanka in the final and lost. Coach Lawson's contract was not renewed and he was ousted and Intikhab Alam was made coach. The Greenshirts faced WI in Abu Dhabi and won the ODI series 3-0. Next, in January 2009 they hosted Sri Lanka at home and lost the ODI series 2-1 after losing the third ODI at Lahore in uninspired fashion. This led to Shoaib Malik's sacking as captain. Younis Khan took over captaincy.
The first assignment was the Test series against Sri Lanka. The series was drawn 0-0 after the third day of the second test saw the biggest drama in cricketing history. Sri Lankan team bus was attacked by terrorist metres away from the Gaddafi Stadium. This shamed PCB as the SL team had favoured the Board by coming to Pakistan while other teams were not willing to.
Pakistan faced Australia in May and lost the ODI series 3-2 after a collapse in the third ODI. Pakistan did win the T20 against the Aussies. Next was the ICC T20 which Pakistan won against all odds beating South Africa in the semifinals and SL in the final. Younis retired from T20 and Shahid Afridi was made T20 captain. Sri Lanka took revenge by winning the next series against Pakistan. The tests were won by SL 2-0 and the ODIs 3-2. Pakistan took a consolation win in the T20s.
Next was the ICC Champions Trophy in South Africa. Pakistan went into the semis after beating India and West Indies and coming close to beating Australia as well. The semifinal was won by New Zealand after Younis Khan dropped Grant Elliot. The maniacs in Pakistan's parliament and the PCB started asking questions and suggested that the catch was dropped as a match fixing scheme. Younis was grilled by the parliamentary committee and resigned as captain under protest. It took efforts from PCB to pacify the right-hander and he was asked to continue as captain. Next was the series against NZ in Abu Dhabi. Pakistan lost the ODIs 2-1 after a farcical performance in the third ODI. There were rumours of grouping inside the team and Younis was "rested" for the Tests (to be played in NZ). The following T20 series was won by Pakistan 2-0.
Waqar Younis was chosen as the bowling coach for the team. Mohammad Yousuf was given the captaincy for the NZ tests. The first test was lost by the Greenshirts in trademark fashion. Chasing 251, the team were restricted to 218. The following test was won by Pakistan and the three match series ended 1-1. Yousaf led Pakistan to Australia. The test series was lost 3-0 after Pakistan failed to chase 179 in the 4th innings of the 2nd test. The ODI Series was lost 5-0. Yousaf too wanted "rest" in the final ODI and the reigns were handed to Shahid Afridi who bit the ball and was removed from the following T20 games for ball tampering. Shoaib Malik was made captain for the T20 game which Pakistan also lost. Mohammed Yousuf alleged that Shoaib Malik was responsible for the teams losses in Australia since he had made groups within the team while Malik called Yousuf a terrible captain. After all the hubbub, Malik captained the Greenshirts in the two T20s in Abu Dhabi against England. Series ended 1-1.
In March, an operation clean up was undertaken by the PCB with regards to poor performance in Australia. PCB shocked everyone by banning Younis and Yousuf indefinitely and Shoaib Malik, Shahid Afridi, Umer Akmal were fined for unruly behaviour on the tour. Shahid Afridi was made the captain for all three formats.
Pakistan went into the World T20 2010 and were defeated by a master knock by Mike Hussey in the semifinal. Needing 18 of the last over, Hussey clobbered Saeed Ajmal around the park, reaching the target with a ball to spare.
-- to be continued
Next was the fateful tour of England. Pakistan lost the test series 3-0 after forfeiting the fourth test, thanks to Inzimam's refusal to play after the hare-brained Daryll Hair declared that Pakistan had tampered with the ball. The ODI series was ended 2-2.
Next, the Greenshirts flew to South Africa. They lost the test series 2-1 and the ODI series 3-1. Another botched tour before the World Cup meant Pakistan went into the World Cup 2007 under pressure. The pressure showed itself as Pakistan lost to both West Indies and Ireland (minnows) to exit just two days after the start of the World Cup. Bob Woolmer suffered a heart stroke and passed away. The lacklustre performance meant another operation cleanup. Inzimam was removed from captaincy and youngster Shoaib Malik was made captain. Jeff Lawson was hired as coach of the PCT.
Pakistan started well under Malik, beating World Cup finalist Sri Lanka 2-1 in Abu Dhabi.
Pakistan went into the inaugural World T20 and surprised everyone by making it to final after beating Australia, New Zealand and Sri Lanka. Luck wasn't on the Greenshirts side as they lost by 5 runs in the final to India.
Next, Pakistan faced SA at home. Pakistan lost the test series 1-0 and the ODIs 3-2 after a batting collapse in the final ODI. The team travelled to India and lost the ODI series 3-2 and the test series 1-0.
Pakistan started 2008 by clean sweeping Zimbabwe and Bangladesh 5-0 in the ODI series. Pakistan defeated India in the final of the Kitply Cup to win the triseries.
Pakistan hosted the Asia Cup in June-July and did not qualify for the final. A T20 series was arranged in Canada, where Pakistan played Sri Lanka in the final and lost. Coach Lawson's contract was not renewed and he was ousted and Intikhab Alam was made coach. The Greenshirts faced WI in Abu Dhabi and won the ODI series 3-0. Next, in January 2009 they hosted Sri Lanka at home and lost the ODI series 2-1 after losing the third ODI at Lahore in uninspired fashion. This led to Shoaib Malik's sacking as captain. Younis Khan took over captaincy.
The first assignment was the Test series against Sri Lanka. The series was drawn 0-0 after the third day of the second test saw the biggest drama in cricketing history. Sri Lankan team bus was attacked by terrorist metres away from the Gaddafi Stadium. This shamed PCB as the SL team had favoured the Board by coming to Pakistan while other teams were not willing to.
Pakistan faced Australia in May and lost the ODI series 3-2 after a collapse in the third ODI. Pakistan did win the T20 against the Aussies. Next was the ICC T20 which Pakistan won against all odds beating South Africa in the semifinals and SL in the final. Younis retired from T20 and Shahid Afridi was made T20 captain. Sri Lanka took revenge by winning the next series against Pakistan. The tests were won by SL 2-0 and the ODIs 3-2. Pakistan took a consolation win in the T20s.
Next was the ICC Champions Trophy in South Africa. Pakistan went into the semis after beating India and West Indies and coming close to beating Australia as well. The semifinal was won by New Zealand after Younis Khan dropped Grant Elliot. The maniacs in Pakistan's parliament and the PCB started asking questions and suggested that the catch was dropped as a match fixing scheme. Younis was grilled by the parliamentary committee and resigned as captain under protest. It took efforts from PCB to pacify the right-hander and he was asked to continue as captain. Next was the series against NZ in Abu Dhabi. Pakistan lost the ODIs 2-1 after a farcical performance in the third ODI. There were rumours of grouping inside the team and Younis was "rested" for the Tests (to be played in NZ). The following T20 series was won by Pakistan 2-0.
Waqar Younis was chosen as the bowling coach for the team. Mohammad Yousuf was given the captaincy for the NZ tests. The first test was lost by the Greenshirts in trademark fashion. Chasing 251, the team were restricted to 218. The following test was won by Pakistan and the three match series ended 1-1. Yousaf led Pakistan to Australia. The test series was lost 3-0 after Pakistan failed to chase 179 in the 4th innings of the 2nd test. The ODI Series was lost 5-0. Yousaf too wanted "rest" in the final ODI and the reigns were handed to Shahid Afridi who bit the ball and was removed from the following T20 games for ball tampering. Shoaib Malik was made captain for the T20 game which Pakistan also lost. Mohammed Yousuf alleged that Shoaib Malik was responsible for the teams losses in Australia since he had made groups within the team while Malik called Yousuf a terrible captain. After all the hubbub, Malik captained the Greenshirts in the two T20s in Abu Dhabi against England. Series ended 1-1.
In March, an operation clean up was undertaken by the PCB with regards to poor performance in Australia. PCB shocked everyone by banning Younis and Yousuf indefinitely and Shoaib Malik, Shahid Afridi, Umer Akmal were fined for unruly behaviour on the tour. Shahid Afridi was made the captain for all three formats.
Pakistan went into the World T20 2010 and were defeated by a master knock by Mike Hussey in the semifinal. Needing 18 of the last over, Hussey clobbered Saeed Ajmal around the park, reaching the target with a ball to spare.
-- to be continued
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