Today, an explosive spell of bowing by Pakistan left arm spinner, Abdur Rehman saw him acclaim his career best figures of 9-65. Bowling for Somerset against Worcestershire at Taunton, Rehman put in a spell 24 overs that showed why he's one of the most consistent performers on the world stage. Only Peter Trego picking up the eighth wicket of the innings, denied Rehman the chance to capture the perfect ten.

Speaking to KheloPakistan's Imran Asghar after the days play, Rehman was understandably pleased with his performance. "I am really happy that I performed for my team. I am bowling with good rhythm at the moment and hope to take this experience with me when I return to Pakistan". He added "Playing in these conditions will InshAllah help me in the future. If and when required and I play for Pakistan in these shores, I will have experience of these conditions".

Already having a Test fifty to his name, Rehman was adamant that not only his bowling but batting and fielding was coming on leaps and bounds. "After games and days off my time is spent in the nets. I am working really hard on my batting. I see batting as a important aspect to my game". Though Rehman primarily plays as a specialist bowler for Pakistan, he looks at it differently, "It is essential that I contribute with the bat when I play. It would be wrong for me to think that I have bowled and done my job. I genuinely believe I can became a good batsman". 
 

Being an early 80's child I have been accustomed to seeing some of the best pace bowlers the history of cricket has seen, not least from the land of fast bowlers, Pakistan. Pakistan have always had an abundance of riches when it comes to pace bowling, bowlers that would reach many peoples World elevens aplenty. There has never been a shortage of quality, until now.

Nature can't be blamed for this dearth in talent, as Pakistan had the best new ball pair in the World at this time. Sadly they chose to go in the wrong path, rather than write their own bit of greatness in the history of Pakistan fast bowling. The demise of the two Mohammad's, Asif and Amir, brought the pressure on Umar Gul and he was left with the responsibility to lead the attack.

To be fair, Gul started with great endeavour. He seemed to rise to the new added pressure on him. He saw this, a chance to come out of the shadows of Asif and Amir and make his own mark. Gul seemed a match winner, someone finally repaying that huge potential that everyone knew he had. Before this he had only really done it in Twenty20 cricket, with ODI's to some extent. Now Gul had arrived in Test cricket too, someone that had gained the respect of his teammates and opposition alike.

With the Australian series still being discussed, the two T20 games against Sri Lanka are the only games that are 100% guaranteed for Pakistan to play in this format before the T20 World Championship. With that in context these are not now two ordinary games but a massive launchpad for new skipper, Mohammad Hafeez, to start his reign. 

In life in general, preparation and practise makes things perfect. Pakistan have the players within their armoury to emulate 2009 and win another major World competition. With Dav Whatmore and his team at the healm, one thing is for sure the team will have undergone a proper fitness regime and will be hungry for success. 

This brings me to my real concern and team composition. Getting the team balance correct is going to be the key in Sri Lanka. Pitches there are usually batsman friendly but have good assistance for spin bowling too. Making sure the batting line-up is strong and long enough, and also ensuring that the side has the right bowlers to win you the competition is the key. Though playing your best players in their best positions is the key, I sincerely believe that cometh the hour, cometh the man.

World Cup 2007; Pakistan lose to Ireland and get knocked out of the tournament. What followed was most of the squad was dropped but soon enough given a re-call. One person had been made a permanent scapegoat and that was Azhar Mahmood. 

Azhar, now 37 is performing admirably in domestic cricket Worldwide. The ability of bowling upfront and then at the death was always there but the rejuvenation of promoting himself, along with the support of his Kent skipper Robert Key, from a solid lower-middle order bat to number 3 has been a masterstroke. 

Azhar has recently played all forms of the game for Kent as a English qualified player. His also performed excellently for the Auckland Aces and Dhaka Gladiators in T20 cricket Worldwide. He is now making a name for himself in India, in the IPL, for Kings XI Punjab. 

Azhar's absence from the Pakistan side has been now 5 years. During this time there have been several occasions when Pakistan required his nouse and experience, but with Abdul Razzaq about there was little chance of a comeback. Lately things have changed, with the ban of Pakistan's first choice opening bowlers and the lack of real depth Pakistan need a bowler who can bowl upfront to give the side a impetus to launch a platform. 

After a week of exuberating Cricket at the Pindi Statdium in Rawalpindi, which saw fans turn out in their thousands to catch a glimpse of their cricketing heroes, we finally have a Winner. For the 7^th time Sialkot takes home the Faysal Bank T20 Cup and that to in convincing style, with all the players contributing to the dominance throughout the tournament.

After losing the toss, Shoaib Malik’s Sialkot Stallions were asked to field on what seemed to be a good and dry pitch, very much suited to batting. Shahzaib Hasan started strongly, attempting to hit every ball out of the park, however he failed to take full advantage of his form and soon started a small slump which halted Karachi’s progress in the post-powerplay overs. Khalid Latif stood firm scoring an elegant 81, as Karachi creeped up to a decent 167/8 after a late burst from young Left-arm spinner Raza Hasan, picking up 4 wicket in the last over.

England pulled the strings on their 5 match international losing streak by winning the hardly fought one-off T20I in Kolkata against the home team, India. England finished their tough tour of India on a high as they preserved their No. 1 ranking with star performances from Steven Finn and Kevin Pietersen.

After choosing to bat India got off to a bad start as they lost 2 wickets in the first eight balls of the match, as Steven Finn inspired England finishing with impressive figures of 3 for 22 from his 4 accurate and fast overs. Suresh Raina briefly steadied the rocking Indian ship with 39 off 29 balls but he was soon sent back to the hut as Bairstow took a good catch off the bowling of Finn. India's innings failed to lift off from there and it lacked impetus, with small scores from the rest of their batsman. In the end India set England a target of 121 to finish the tour with a win.