Must win game for Pakistan in the heat of Dubai
Pakistan has improved considerably after their woeful start to the series against http://www.senore.com/Cricket/South-Africa-c757 and also succeeded in winning one of the three ODIs courtesy of a once in a life time innings by Abdul Razzaq. Yet they have to do an awful lot more if they are
to square the series for the second time.
The fourth match of the five match series takes place at the Sports city in Dubai on Friday and it is a must win game for http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Shahid-Afridi-c2482’s men.
They lost the opening match by two wickets, won the http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Razzaq-c84421 special second ODI by 1 wicket and lost the third ODI by a mere 2 runs on Tuesday.
The loss in the first and the third ODIs were due to limp performances by the batting line-up, who looked clueless and let slip strong positions in both encounters.
Especially disappointing for them would be the loss in the 3rd match, where they failed to chase down a meagre target of 229 runs despite playing out their allotted quota of overs.
The opening batsmen looked content on defending and were absolutely purposeless in their approach. Imran Farhat, who was making yet another comeback, scored 47 off as many as 86 balls striking a solitary boundary in what was a painstaking laboured effort.
His partner Mohammad Hafeez perished for 4 runs, while the in-form Younis Khan returned to the pavilion without disturbing the scorers.
The defensive approach has cost Pakistan many a games in recent years and the batsmen only border on extremes. They are either absolutely reckless in their approach or too orthodox. Hence, there is absolutely no consistency in their performances.
The batsmen frustrated Shahid Afridi, who minced no words in expressing that they should have taken a leaf out of the book of Hashim Amla, the South African opener, who stroked a sublime unbeaten 100, on the same wicket.
He was positive from the outset yet never did he try an ungainly hook. He was an epitome of calm and sereneness and made the bowlers toil in conditions that suited them more than him.
http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Pakistan-c755 has to hope that they finally put their act together and string in a few meaningful partnerships that can carry them home in a do-or-die encounter.
All the main batsmen sans, Younis Khan, and Mohammad Hafeez, got starts in the third ODI, hence it would be difficult for Afridi to make changes in his batting line-up. The only change expected is in the spin department where the out of form Saeed Ajmal
is set to be replaced by left-armer Abdul Rehman.
Rehman is also a handy lower order batsman and can hit the ball a long way. He is also a competent fielder and would be aiming to make an impression and cement his spot in the team.
The South Africans on the other hand don’t have many worries as they possess a line-up that has a settled look to it.
Captain Graeme Smith is expected to return and lead the team in place of http://www.senore.com/Cricket/David-Miller-c53105, who has not done much in the series yet.
If their number one fast bowler, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Dale-c52110 Steyn, recovers from his injury and illness concerns then he is likely to win a spot in the playing eleven in place of the out of sorts Albie Morkel.
The wicket would once again play a crucial role in the outcome of the match. The slowness of the Dubai track was a major concern for the batsmen on Tuesday and they might be in for another struggle especially when the slower bowlers operate.
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