Cricket: Positives from Pakistan’s Asia Cup performance, Shahid Afridi and Shoaib Akhtar shine, Waqar hopeful about future
Afridi produced one of the most entertaining innings of the 2010 Asia Cup as Pakistan crushed Bangladesh to record a consolation win and their first ODI victory in 2010. It was Afridi’s second century of the tournament after he scored 109 in their opening game against Sri Lanka. Afridi hit a flurry of sixes in his 124 as Pakistan posted a monstrous 385 total against minnows Bangladesh. Unlike previous catptains, Afridi led from front and was an instrumental batsmen in the tournament. Other eye-grabbing aspects of the tournament included Shoaib Akthar’s return and the inclusion of several young players.
It was Pakistan’s first major ODI tournament under the captaincy of Shahid Khan Afridi and it seems that the added pressure of captaincy has brought the best out of Afridi as he hit two centuries in three matches. Afridi’s recent century featured 4 sixes after which Afridi has hit the most sixes in ODIs. He crossed Jayasuriya with his 272nd six of his career.
Afridi led Pakistan to a formidable start as he inspired Pakistan with a great century in Pakistan’s opening match. Despite, Afridi’s heroic antics Pakistan failed to win the match, courtesy of Malinga’s brilliant depth match bowling. Pakistan’s second match was also a cliff-hanger. After posting a defendable total against arch rivals India, Afridi led the bowling attack as the match went down the wire and was decided in the final over. Afridi was in control throughout the match.
After losing their earlier two matches, Pakistan needed a consolation victory against minnows Bangladesh and they did it with style. Pakistan started the innings in formidable fashion as the each opener scored a half century to give Pakistan a first wicket stand of 81. After Pakistan lost Umar Amin, Imran Farhat and Asad Shafiq in regular intervals, the main partnership came between Afridi and Umar Akmal. Akmal and Afridi provided a 137 run fifth-wicket stand and took the score to 313 before Akmal departed just shortly after scoring his 50. Afridi was in an aggressive mood as he hit 17 boundaries and 4 sixes to take his score to 124 and Pakistan’s total to 385.
The game was as good as over after the first innings as Bangladesh’s batsmen crumbled under pressure to give Pakistan their only victory in Asia Cup 2010. Bangladesh’s response was lacklustre in nature as they were more interested in batting 50-overs rather than chasing the target for victory. They ended their innings with a score of 246 for 5 with Junaid Siddique top scoring with 97.
On the other hand, the performance of Pakistan’s coach Waqar Younis also came under notice. Pakistan bowling looked more potent and Pakistani batsmen clicked at right times but the fielding was poor as usual. However, Waqar believes that Pakistan has the capability to win important matches and they will show this in their future matches. Talking to media in post match press conferences, he said, “We are very close to being winners. We didn't do badly in the T20 World Cup and even in this tournament. It's just that one extra step you need to take and start winning the games”. Commenting on his younger side, he said, “We are in a rebuilding process, with a couple of youngsters in our side. It's a great learning curve for them”. He also spoke very highly of Captain Shahid Afridi. He said, “You always need your captain to be performing and the captain to be in form”.
Another salient feature of Pakistan’s Asia Cup 2010 campaign is return of speedster Shoaib Akthar. Akthar answered his critics and sceptics by being the best fast bowler in the Pakistani side. Talking about Shoaib, Pakistani coach said, “Shoaib is still a little rusty and he needs more bowling. We are ready to give it to him in the mode of ODIs and T20s", he said. "We'll go about him gradually and slowly. He bowled well in this tournament, quite fast and he's become a very intelligent bowler. I think he will come well in the near future".
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