• From: Robertsbridge
  • Registered: 20-09-2004
  • Posts: 2,816

Topic: Yasir Arafat

Argus........Yasir back at full pace
5:00pm Saturday 29th May 2010

By Bruce Talbot »

Yasir Arafat has promised Sussex fans he will be back to his best as he bids for a hat-trick of Twenty20 Cup honours.

The county’s overseas player admits he has been nowhere near his best since returning to the side this week after a calf injury sidelined him for two months and kept him out of Pakistan’s Twenty20 World Cup squad.

He conceded 64 runs in eight overs as Sussex were beaten by ECB Unicorns when he returned to the side in last Sunday’s CB40 game and had match figures of 2-143 from 33 overs in the Championship game against Worcestershire this week.

Arafat looked well short of his customary express pace but insists he will be firing on all cylinders on Tuesday when the Sharks play Somerset in a repeat of last year’s final in the first match of their Twenty20 defence.

He said: “I injured my calf in the Pakistan training camp before the World Cup in Lahore and although I recovered quite quickly I had my first proper bowl on Monday and felt quite a bit of stiffness as it was my first competitive long game for two months.

“But I felt getting better all the time as the game progressed and I promise that I will be fine next week.”

Arafat is the only player to have won the competition with different counties, having helped Kent to the 2007 title. He also played on Kent’s losing side against Ed Joyce’s Middlesex in 2008 before helping Sussex to glory last year when he took 15 wickets.

He added: “I love the competition. Winning it with Sussex last year was the best because I was able to represent the county in the Champions League as the only Pakistan player in the tournament in India. That was a great honour.”

Arafat, 28, is looking forward to teaming up with Brendon McCullum again when the Kiwi arrives to play in seven games, starting against Kent Spitfires at Tunbridge Wells on June 9.

The pair were team-mates during the winter for Otago Volts who reached the semi-finals of New Zealand’s domestic competition, having also played in the Champions League last October.

Arafat said: “Brendon McCullum is a great player and a strong signing for Sussex. I have also played against him for Pakistan and he is such a good batsman who will be great in the dressing room too.

“Our side is very good again this year. We have lost Rory Hamilton-Brown from last year but I think we will do well again.”

“Mike Yardy bowled exceptionally well in the World Cup and Luke Wright seems to be improving with better game and I can see him playing for England in all formats of the game.”

Arafat will play for Sussex in one of two warm-up games as part of Mushtaq Ahmed’s testimonial at Hove tomorrow. A Sussex XI take on the Sussex League at 12.30pm with the county facing Mushy’s team at 4.30pm.

  • From: Oxford
  • Registered: 17-09-2008
  • Posts: 2,971

Re: Yasir Arafat

Lets hope so as I don't feel he has progressed for a couple of years now. Admittedly he did pretty well in our one day success last season but as far as the championship goes, for us and in his last season for Kent, he has been well below his best.

  • From: Birmingham
  • Registered: 24-04-2006
  • Posts: 1,344

Re: Yasir Arafat

Yas left out of the Asia Cup which takes place 15-24 June - bang in middle of T20

http://www.cricinfo.com/pakistan/conten … 61831.html

Hants overseas players Afridi and Razzaq both included.

  • Registered: 15-04-2006
  • Posts: 4,914

Re: Yasir Arafat

jonboy wrote:

Admittedly he did pretty well in our one day success last season

No, he did absolutely stonkingly brilliantly

  • Registered: 24-04-2007
  • Posts: 918

Re: Yasir Arafat

I personally hope that Yasir remains as the consistent overseas selection for the T20 all the time he is available.  The death bowling is vital and I would feel that we were a decent seamer light if he didn't play.  Very useful batsman lower down too.  McCullum will probably prove me wrong but I'm not sure what he'll be providing that is currently lacking in the squad.  I like the Goodwin/Wright partnership at the top and have some concerns about breaking up a winning team.  Dwayne Smith doesn't deserve to be dropped either, particularly for only the handful of games that McCullum is available.

  • From: Fishersgate Maritime Village
  • Registered: 04-11-2006
  • Posts: 10,444

Re: Yasir Arafat

yep a tricky one - i quite like the idea of Wright dropping down to 5 or 6 and Mccullum opening, but no Dwayne removes a bowling option, and Yasir has done really well so far with bat, ball and in the field - i think weve got to play Mccullum though,which means no Dwayne, I reckon

  • Registered: 24-04-2007
  • Posts: 918

Re: Yasir Arafat

Sweatysock wrote:

yep a tricky one - i quite like the idea of Wright dropping down to 5 or 6 and Mccullum opening, but no Dwayne removes a bowling option, and Yasir has done really well so far with bat, ball and in the field - i think weve got to play Mccullum though,which means no Dwayne, I reckon

yes I wonder whether Sussex might go with McCullum/Wright to take advantage of the powerplay.  Goodwin at 3 or 4?

  • From: Hove
  • Registered: 04-12-2009
  • Posts: 2,424

Re: Yasir Arafat

The great unknown is whether Wright will be picked for the ODI series against Australia and then Bangladesh. If he is, then Sussex could be without him from around June 18th onwards. Therefore, we'll need McCullum to open with Goodwin.

The other 'unmentionable', although more unlikely, is will Yardy also be picked for the ODI series after his success in the recent T20 World Cup?

And then there is Prior. Could Kieswetter take his place or will Matt also disappear for these two series?

As ever, Sussex would be proud of having three players representing England; but, at the same time, the chance of retaining the T20 cup then becomes quite improbable.

http://england.cricketworld4u.com/

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/cricket … efault.stm

Last edited by softandfluffy (03-06-2010 21:52:45)

"Now the stumps have asked for pads!"
(Aussie radio commentator Kerry O'Keeffe as Rahul Dravid, bowled six times in seven innings during the present series, walks out to bat at the Adelaide Oval)
  • Registered: 15-04-2006
  • Posts: 4,914

Re: Yasir Arafat

Yes, tough on Smith but I suspect the thinking will be that McCullum should replace his batting, and his bowling is much less important than Yasir's (who has also batted well).

As always, our problem is getting runs on the board. I'd wanted Nash up the order after last season but I'm wondering whether that was right for Nash09, but perhaps not Nash10. If we are wanting Muzz, Nash and Wright down the order then who is opening with McCullum? Ed? A pinch-hitter? ( Yas?)

  • From: United Kingdom
  • Registered: 27-08-2004
  • Posts: 3,447

Re: Yasir Arafat

Yas has to stay in as he is bowling well and scoring runs at the death . Do not think we will miss Smith's bowling based on the 3overs so far . McCullum is a good 2020 bat and has done it at Int level where as Dwayne hasn't.

Cannot help feeling sorry for Smith in a way . Once the 2020 is over he will disappear back to obscurity unless he plays for WI again . He wont be allowed here as an OS , Ipl are likely to drop him and probably NSW also.That leaves him playing for Barbados  and probably league cricket here.

  • Registered: 13-10-2007
  • Posts: 1,105

Re: Yasir Arafat

Yasir has looked back to his best in the last two games. Definitely warrants his inclusion.

  • From: Oxford
  • Registered: 17-09-2008
  • Posts: 2,971

Re: Yasir Arafat

Fair play, he has certainly regained his one day form and fingers crossed he can start putting some performances together in the championship now. Shades of his old self in the last few games I think

  • From: Hove seafront, still high up..
  • Registered: 26-04-2009
  • Posts: 1,965

Re: Yasir Arafat

Yas not in Pakistan squads;

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/cricket … 750503.stm

Ashes winning bowler 2011 (3-9 in the Fans Ashes, Barmy Army 3 - 2 Australian Fanatics, Coogee Oval 01/01/11)
  • Registered: 19-06-2008
  • Posts: 858

Re: Yasir Arafat

Big D 79 wrote:

Yas not in Pakistan squads;

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/cricket … 750503.stm

Nor Rana.

"Imagine - me reprimanded for NOT appealing.  The irony!" Matt Prior after 'stumping' Sachin Tendulkar
  • Registered: 20-04-2007
  • Posts: 241

Re: Yasir Arafat

lukethelionheart wrote:
Big D 79 wrote:

Yas not in Pakistan squads;

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/cricket … 750503.stm

Nor Rana.

Rana has been deliberately underperforming after taking an oath against the captain at the time.

Yasir, I think may have made the cut, but the selector is getting overruled at every opportunity by the head of PCB..

Apparently, they wanted Yasir, Younis Khan, Mohammed Irfan an almost 7 ft fast bowler instead we got about 3/4 debutants against England and Aus, hopefully the rain will still be around by then.... big_smile

  • Registered: 15-04-2007
  • Posts: 1,260

Re: Yasir Arafat

Malik1 wrote:

Rana has been deliberately underperforming after taking an oath against the captain at the time.
Yasir, I think may have made the cut, but the selector is getting overruled at every opportunity by the head of PCB..

Apparently, they wanted Yasir, Younis Khan, Mohammed Irfan an almost 7 ft fast bowler instead we got about 3/4 debutants against England and Aus, hopefully the rain will still be around by then.... big_smile

Moderators please ?

  • Registered: 05-11-2009
  • Posts: 4,297

Re: Yasir Arafat

Perhaps Malik should moderate himself and remove the allegation

Last edited by triple century (20-06-2010 23:01:05)

  • Registered: 20-04-2007
  • Posts: 241

Re: Yasir Arafat

triple century wrote:

Perhaps Malik should moderate himself and remove the allegation

Rana conspired with Malik, Younis Khan was the unfortunate at the time, Look what Rana and the other goons did to him, now he is playing for Surrey dressed as a lemon sad

  • From: Arundel
  • Registered: 25-08-2004
  • Posts: 4,438

Re: Yasir Arafat

anyone know why he isn't playing at uxbridge?

life member - you're stuck with me!

mike-by-the-sea's Website

  • From: Hailsham
  • Registered: 12-05-2006
  • Posts: 5,049

Re: Yasir Arafat

Injured apparently

Who is that man talking to Schlidd ?
  • From: The corridor of uncertainty
  • Registered: 27-04-2005
  • Posts: 3,717

Re: Yasir Arafat

He has a relatively moinor ankle injury and is hoping to be fit for the trips to Swansea and Nottingham.

To become a Friend of the Sussex Cricket Museum and Educational Trust please text MONT07£10 to 70070 and send an email to jonfilby@blueyonder.co.uk
  • From: Worcester Park
  • Registered: 23-06-2006
  • Posts: 52

Re: Yasir Arafat

Spoke to him last Thursday at Uxbridge during the hold up for rain and his target then was to be fit for Monday's quarter final

  • From: Sunny Bognor Regis
  • Registered: 23-08-2004
  • Posts: 7,749

Re: Yasir Arafat

With four Pakistan players being named by The News of the World as being involved in spot fixing it now creates many questions about the rest of the series. As well as the four named, there are allegedly another three players involved.
Therefore I think Yasir may now be called up to play for Pakistan in their one day series.

It would seem to me that the sensible thing to do would be to scrap the ODI series and have a full investigation. However I realise that everyone is innocent until proven guilty, even with damning video evidence available.
With cricket in such a perilous financial state I also imagine that there will be huge pressure to play the seven one day games that begin in Cardiff next Sunday.

Therefore if Yasir is drafted into a revised Pakistan ODI squad he could be unavailable to Sussex for the rest of our season. I hope the current game against Glamorgan isn't his last game for us.

Yasir has to be one of the nicest guys to have played cricket for Sussex.

Last edited by The Paperboy (29-08-2010 07:31:47)

From 2014 I have doubts that being a Sussex fan will continue to be the best sporting pleasure on the planet.
  • Registered: 17-08-2009
  • Posts: 1,243

Re: Yasir Arafat

Losing Yasir would be a big blow. The one day series of a rediculious 7 matches should be cancelled with immediate effect.

  • From: Hove
  • Registered: 04-12-2009
  • Posts: 2,424

Re: Yasir Arafat

If they do cancel the ODI series, then depending how deep these allegations go, which probably means they'll meet up with the Chilean miners, I could see Pakistan being banned from international cricket for at least 3 years, so no problems about Yasir or for that matter Rana.

Last edited by softandfluffy (29-08-2010 09:24:34)

"Now the stumps have asked for pads!"
(Aussie radio commentator Kerry O'Keeffe as Rahul Dravid, bowled six times in seven innings during the present series, walks out to bat at the Adelaide Oval)