Pakistan vs Australia - 2nd T20 - The best T20 encounter to date - Part 1 - Opinion
It can be safely said that at the end of it all, Australia was heartbroken and http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Pakistan-c755 was delirious. The 2nd T20 of the Cool and Cool Cup of 2012, that was played at the ring of fire in Dubai, was arguably the finest T20 match in the history
of the game. The match swayed back and forth like a desert storm, as the crowd at the DSC stadium fought the heat and humidity to come watch a great game of cricket, and they definitely had their monies worth. It was a game that not many Pakistanis or even
Australians would forget for that matter, and it is fair to say that this encounter was almost a sneak peak into what the http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Sri-Lanka-c758 would offer in ten days time.
From the moment when Pakistan won the toss and elected to bat first on a wonderful batting wicket, the crowd was in for some entertainment. An array of top quality strokes were being blazed by the Pakistani batsmen, yet at the same time, the Australian bowling
attack bowled in the right areas and prevented the run-rate from escalating beyond bounds. Runs did flow from the bat, but not at a hemorrhaging rate, as both sides tussled it out to gain supremacy. The objectives for both sides in the lead up to the game
however, were starkly different. Pakistan was baying for some revenge after they were routed in the fifty over format, and Australia were concerned about their ICC T20 ranking, which was in jeopardy. Thus, a conflict of interests helped ensure that the battle
on the pitch was riveting and the game was up for grabs by anyone.
This T20 encounter was characterized by sheer brilliance on the field, where one catch turned the game on its head. Just when Pakistan seemed to be running away with the game, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Daniel-Christian-c1308 managed to fling himself into the air and take a stunning one-handed
catch off http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Jamshed-c66276, who was Pakistan’s best batsman prior to the T20s, was set for yet another big score, but his penchant for adventurism, eventually led to his down fall. The shot was definitely
on and the possibility of clearing Christian was realistic to say the least. Then came a moment of brilliance which silenced the predominantly Pakistani contingent, and the crowd became overawed at what had hit them. It was considered to be the catch of the
year, which was acknowledged by the erudite commentators.
http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Australia-c746’s fielding was simply spectacular, but so was Pakistan’s stroke play. When captain Mohammad Hafeez departed for a well made 45 runs, Pakistan were staring at the possibility of yet another batting capitulation. A score of 180 or 160 looked beyond
their reach and it all boiled down to the Akmal brothers to guide them out of trouble. Both Kamran and Umar managed to smoke the Australian pacers all around the DSC to help Pakistan put up a total of 151 in 20 overs, which was a commendable effort. It was
widely believed that with Pakistan’s potent bowling attack, a total of 151 could be way beyond Australia’s reach. That belief however, was short lived as http://www.senore.com/Cricket/DA-Warner-c1301 went out into the middle to kick start Australia’s run chase.
Both batsmen approached the crease with a purpose in mind. This game had to be won after Australia was destroyed in the first. The rankings were also at stake, which stung both http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Mohammad-Hafeez-c76898 decided to employ himself for
bowling the second over of the innings and was greeted with some swashbuckling hitting from the diminutive yet determined David Warner. Warner charged down the pitch and smoked a massive six, and whenever the Pakistan captain dropped short, he thumped the
ball through the off side with impunity. The signs became ominous for Pakistan as flashbacks of Australia’s ability to annihilate attacks and chase down totals with little fuss, surfaced once again. Fortunately for the home side, the game would provide plenty
of ebbs and flows.
The Watson/Warner duo ensured that Australia got as far as 40 without loss inside five overs. The stage was set for the magician of the Arabian Desert, to come up with his bag of tricks. His introduction into the attack proved to be a crucial move, as he
managed to fox the dangerous David Warner, with a perfect delivery. That wicket sparked wild scenes from the crowd, who were initially silent after the onslaught by the Australian batsmen. Australia’s ruthlessness was thwarted once again by Ajmal, as the dangerous
Shane Watson was snared by the guile and zip of the finest spinner in the world today. Despite those two blows, Australia would simply not budge, and continued to pepper the rest of the Pakistani attack, despite Ajmal’s heroics at the other end.
Continued in Part 2...
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