Gower backs Kohli move
Backs Indian skipper’s move to play for Surrey
Former England captain David Gower, one of the most graceful southpaws of the game, feels that Virat Kohli’s decision to play for Surrey ahead of the forthcoming India tour to England is a good one.
Kohli is under some criticism in India for skipping the Afghanistan Test match and signing up for Surrey, while the English County club have also been torn apart by a few England stalwarts for giving him the opportunity to acclimatise with English conditions.
Speaking to Gulf News by telephone from London, Gower said: “Virat [Kohli] coming to Surrey to play some cricket ahead of the series, which I think is a very good idea on his part.
“I also think it is a very good idea for Surrey, though some diehards say they shouldn’t be allowing him to get practice ahead of such an important series.
“I don’t think it makes that much difference because everyone understands these new ways. Virat’s decision is interesting because the last time he was here he did not have a good tour and everyone knows what an extraordinarily good player he is now.
Top three players
“Today he is one of the top three players and a brilliant player. So I am sure for him there is a personal mission, which to him is to get the runs that he thinks he should be making and to lead his side to a very important overseas win in England.”
When asked who is the most attractive batsman in world cricket today, Gower said: “When you watch Virat, Kane Willamson and Joe Root then you see certain poetry. The disgraced Steve Smith, in terms of run making is very effective. But I don’t like watching him ecstatically. He is not beautiful to watch, but is an extraordinary player.
“Virat, Willamson and Root — I would pay to watch.”
Gower feels that like Kohli, who is getting set to play in Surrey, many England players are currently benefiting by playing in the Indian Premier League. “It is a very different form of cricket.
“For England players to do well in IPL is more psychological. It builds huge amount of confidence in them to play under pressure as the guys playing in India at the moment with full houses, big crowds, huge noise and huge interest are extraordinary things for every player.”
When you watch Virat, Kane Willamson and Joe Root then you see certain poetry. .. Virat, Willamson and Root — I would pay to watch.” David Gower (above) » Former England captain
Pakistan captain Sarfraz Ahmad praised the character of young batsmen Imam-ulHaq and Babar Azam after they ensured his decision to enforce the follow-on in Ireland’s inaugural Test did not backfire.
Only three times in the 141year history of Test cricket has a side won after following-on but when Pakistan were 14 for three, chasing a modest 160 to win on Tuesday’s final day of this standalone match, it seemed Ireland might mark their entry into the format with a stunning success.
But 22-year-old left-handed opener Imam, himself making a Test debut, responded to the pressure of the situation with a composed 74 not out — his third fifty of the tour following half-centuries in warmup matches against Kent and Northamptonshire.
Together with the 23-yearold Babar, who made 59 after being dropped on nine shortly after lunch, he shared a stand of 126 that took Pakistan to the brink of an eventual fivewicket win over a competitive Ireland side.
The way Imam in particular coped under grey skies against some lively pace bowling was an especially heartening sign for Pakistan ahead of their upcoming two-Test series in England, where conditions are likely to be similar to those they encountered at Dublin’s Malahide.
It also meant Pakistan had not failed in a run chase again.
Their previous Test, against Sri Lanka in the UAE in October, saw them beaten after a target of 136 proved beyond them as left-arm spinner Rangana Herath took six wickets for 43 runs.
“Definitely, we were worried when we were down 14 for three,” Sarfraz told reporters.
“But it’s really good that these two young players in our team, Imam-ul-Haq and Babar Azam, the way they played, they showed their character, they showed their confidence.
“I think the way they played gives great confidence to the team and will help them in the next matches as well,” the wicketkeeper added.
Very difficult
Pakistan were reeling after losing three wickets inside five overs and their skipper feared another morale-sapping loss was at hand. “You know previously it’s not happened like this,” admitted Sarfraz.
“In the last Test match when we were chasing 136 and we were all out for about 120.
“Yeah, we were thinking when we called for the followon if we were batting in the fourth innings it would be very difficult,” he added.
Pakistan, understandably enough, have been struggling to replace the likes of retired veteran batsmen Misbah-ulHaq and Younis Khan.
But Imam, whose selection for the tour led to allegations of nepotism given he is the nephew of Pakistan selection chief and former Test batsman Inzamam-ul-Haq, didn’t just hold his nerve but counterattacked with a maturity belying his lack of experience.” And with Faheem Ashraf, Pakistan’s other debutant, making 83 in the first innings to take the tourists to beyond 300, Sarfraz was in buoyant mood.
“We are very confident. We are a very young side, we had two debutant players, but we were very confident whatever the target will come, we will chase it down.
“At 14 for three there was a little bit of concern but the way Imam and Babar Azam were as a collective, it was very important the way these two young players are batting.