Cricket Update: http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Pakistan-c755’s fails to keep-up with the game- UAE (Part 2)
(Continuation of Part 1’s discussion, as to the failure of the national cricket team of Pakistan in UAE, and how did the ODI and T20 skipper http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Shahid-Afridi-c2482 viewed the ongoing tour’s T20 series)
He stated after the T20 encounter that the batting led down the national side, especially he himself failed to deliver under the given conditions. But his optimism alongside team coach and former captain Waqar Younis regarded the potential and talent the
youngsters in the team had to make it good.
Nevertheless, the Pakistani’s failed in all cricketing elements of the game, whether it was with the bat, bowl or in the field. The batting struggled big-time as besides the two half centuries scored by opening batsman Mohammad Hafeez and the controversial
Younis http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Khan-c71319, which by the way, allowed the national team to reach a respectable total.
The question arises that how can a well settle team at 3 for 157 in the thirty-fourth over, end up losing seven wickets in the fourteen overs. The upper order for once had done its job, and the inclusion of Younis Khan also paid-off, and the plot was set
for the middle order to build a huge commendable total.
Normally, in the last fifteen overs of the 50-over game are utilised to the full potential by the batting side, and they come out with all blazing batting power play. But the seven wickets which were left after the modest set-up by Khan and Hafeez collapsed
in less than fifty runs. To the extent, that the national side didn’t even complete its allotted 50 overs.
In addition, the captain of any side, at any playing format is supposed to lead by example. But Shahid Afridi came into the middle when the much stable batsman Misbah got out after consuming a certain amount of balls and didn’t utilise his settling down
to anyone’s benefit. And Afridi in the same over as to Misbah’s dismissal gave away his crucial wicket.
Another major flow in his judgement, which needs to be pointed out, is that knowing Afridi’s natural batting style, why didn’t the idea of sending Zulqarnain Haider pooped up. Who was by far the better choice including Fawad Alam, as young Haider has the
temperament to build an innings, and he has also proven his batting credentials in the recent tour of England.
The much needed batting coach position was previously filled by Izaj Ahmed, whose appointment was criticised by many cricket experts and former player. Ahmed who was known for his unorthodox batting style throughout his career, and had a unique foot-work
was considered to be the wrong choice based on the credentials of the current national Pakistani team. The team required someone with a text-bookish and much more communicative batting coach skill.
To be honest, the national Pakistani team doesn’t require a batting coach. They need some-sort of cricketing experts to give the national cricket team a crash-course to develop their cricketing skills and how to make and tackle crucial situations.
Meanwhile, skipper Shahid Afridi really needs to be given a talk about the fact that he cannot continue with his natural batting style as he needs to be way more responsible. Since if the skipper isn’t leading from the front, and making such rational decisions
in the middle, at a time when he is very much needed by the team, how one can expect the other playing eleven cricketers to follow a responsible playing role.
The second ODI is scheduled to be played on the 31st of October, 2010 at Abu Dhabi, and it is highly feared that the Pakistani would put-up the same disgraceful cricketing show as they have shown in this summer of 2010. The national side needs
a wake-up call before its too late and they fail to make any progress in yet another world cup edition of the 50-over format.
One can only hope that the Pakistani dressing room looks seriously into their weaknesses and utilise the strengths and make the most out of them, rather than losing it all together. On the other hand, the South African would be pretty relaxed and confident
going into the second ODI, since they haven’t been required to do anything out-of-the-box. And the mere fact, that nothing so challenging and competitive has come their way yet.
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