Pakistan vs http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Australia-c746 - the drought of runs and the sand dunes which follow - Part 1 - Opinion
Turn, bounce, guile, zip and whip were deployed by the Pakistani spinners to avert the inevitable against Australia at Sharjah in the first ODI of the series. Despite considerable success, the Australians eventually prevailed in a nail biting finish. http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Pakistan-c755
could draw a lot of heart from their bowling performance after being bowled out for 198 in the first innings, yet vague flashbacks of familiar failings with the bat continued to haunt them as they went back to the dressing room.
The truth is that a Pakistani batting lineup has yet again capitulated under pressure. The openers were far from settled, and the all important number three spot has continued to be the subject of constant debate. Pakistan was reeling against an Australian
attack in their batting innings, which was lackluster and far from the legendary attacks that had preceded them. Yet the element of fallibility continues to exist in a side which historically, used to master subcontinent-like conditions and plunder runs at
hemorrhaging rates.
The reasons for this trend of capitulation are quite obvious and manifold. Over experimentation with the opening combination by the selectors has lead to rookies being exposed to the new ball earlier on. The combination of http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Mohammad-Hafeez-c76898
was used this time around and despite looking formidable from the outset, the Pakistani top order failed to contribute at all. Rash strokes were being played brazenly and wickets tumbled upfront. It was a trend that has never really evaded a team that oozes
with talent. Their 4-0 white wash to http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Sri-Lanka-c758 recently, can largely be attributed to the top order failing to produce anything substantive. Rash shots being executed in times when the bowlers should
be respected is definitely not the antidote for success in ODI cricket anymore.
Yet, Pakistan is a side that looks the most fearsome when they have a 'no holds barred' approach towards cricket. Pakistan cricket has historically been characterized by extravagant stroke play for the batsmen, magnificent bowling from the bowlers and occasional
brilliance on the field from an array of talented fielders. When they manage to combine all three facets of their game in a unique package, they become the most destructive team in the world. Sadly for Pakistan, combining their three facets has been a cumbersome
task and whenever they have performed less than ordinarily in one department, it often lead to their demise in important games. A prime example was witnessed in the recent Asia Cup clash against http://www.senore.com/Cricket/India-c750 at Dhaka. After Scoring 329 in their first innings, courtesy
Nasir Jamshed and Mohammad Hafeez, Pakistan bowled terribly as India galloped to a thumping 6-wicket win against their South Asian rivals. Thankfully for Pakistan, their bowling has seldom disappointed as compared to their batting, which tends to lose its
venom more often than not.
The Asia Cup blushes aside, Pakistan has always looked a different team when they have runs on the board. Sadly, only a few players have managed to combine chutzpah with resilience over time, and played innings of substance when it was really required. Misbah
ul Haq’s numerous match winning accolades are rare examples of astute batsmanship, yet in recent times, his defensive approach has lead to the demise of his team. Pakistan’s inconceivable propensity to choke from a winning situation can in part be explained
in light of Misbah’s one dimensional approach.
Continued in Part 2...
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