Abysmal http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Pakistan-c755 crash to series defeat at Cardiff
The tour of United Kingdom cannot get over soon enough for the bruised and battered Pakistani team. After a series of low scores in the longest format of the game, they repeat the dose in the shortest variety as they are blown away for 89 runs in the second and final match of the two match T20 series against England.
In reply the hosts coasted to a six wicket win which gave them their seventh straight win in the format, and condemned Pakistan to their fifth defeat in the last six T20’s against England.
After winning the toss http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Shahid-Afridi-c2482 opted to bat first and hoped that his team would set a decent target for his high flying opponents. After another meek capitulation, Afridi, the man known as Boom Boom, for his belligerent batting, minced no words, claiming his team’s performance was very poor.
"We were very bad, very inexperienced and immature from my side and from all the batsmen", said Afridi. "I think we played very bad cricket. I didn't want to sound negative before the game - I wanted to be positive as the captain - but we didn't play well and we're still making mistakes. At this stage all we want is one victory, because that would be really good for the team to keep the morale high".
"We are not enjoying ourselves in the field", said Afridi. "We need to forget everything [that's going on]. I know it's difficult but we should be professional cricketers and focus on the cricket".
While the allegations of match and spot fixing are yet to be proven, the brunt is being felt by the team and it was apparent that the scandal has had adverse affect on Pakistan’s team.
After an encouraging start with 11 runs coming off the first over, opening batsman Kamran Akmal top edged an attempted pull shot off Tim Bresnan.
The next to go was Mohammad Yousuf, whose pull shot landed into the hands of the fielder placed at the square leg fence. Yousuf, who was playing only the third T20 of his international career scored a mere 4 runs.
The men in green were in deeper trouble as Shahzeb http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Hasan-c61990 gloved an attempted glance off Stuart Broad for 3 runs that came off 8 balls. Boom Boom Afidi then played a reckless shot knowing very well that his team was reeling, his departure for 2 left Pakistan precariously placed at 22/4.
Umar Akmal gave another glimpse of his burgeoning talent when he stepped out of his crease twice smashing two sixes of Graeme Swann. However, after hoisting the second six of his innings he stepped out of his crease again and was castled by the classy Swann, as the off spinner extracted sweet revenge.
Akmal was the top scorer with 17 runs, all-rounders Abdul Razzaq and Mohammad Hafeez failed to get the ball away and stuttered around for 11 and 14 runs off 20 and 32 balls respectively.
The rest of the batsmen tried to swing their bats around hoping to take the total past the three figures mark, folding up for their worst score in the shortest format of the game.
The chase was an easy one for the hosts and despite losing four wickets they were hardly pushed in their effort, Afridi who has time and again claimed that he hates losing bowled a bouncer at Eoin Morgan in sheer frustration.
The five match One-Day-International series is set to take place from the 10th of this month, yet at current rate the series looks all but over even before the start. The most unpredictable team in cricket, Pakistan has to rise from the ashes if they are to turn the event into a genuine contest.
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