Umar Akmal Guides Pakistan to 23 run victory over http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Australia-c746 in Twenty20, Pakistan Break 12 Game Jinx
http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Pakistan-c755 finally broke their 12-game jinx and beat Australia in the first Twenty20 match in England. Pakistan won by 23 runs to end a 12 match losing streak against the Aussies in all formats of cricket.
It looks as if the Asperger’s Syndrome (with their repeated pattern of losing against the Aussies, and the fear of the colour yellow) that Pakistan suffered in Australia last year has finally been cured. Pakistan had made a habit of losing matches from the brink of victory, but finally, they managed to see one off till the end.
Shahid Afridi led the side with distinction; even though he could not contribute with the bat, the captain was exemplary in the field with his tight bowling and athletic fielding, which included two excellent catches.
There was an air of confidence in the Pakistan team; there was team spirit cohesiveness and unity, all of which translated on the pitch with their performance.
After winning the toss, Shahid Afridi chose to bat first, and despite the loss of http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Shahzaib-Hasan-c2488 for naught, Salman Butt and Kamran Akmal once again stood up to the intimidating Australian pace attack. Just as they did in the world T20 semifinal when these two had opened the innings, the left right combination made sure they waited for the bad balls and did not go for any rash strokes. Kamran Akmal was the aggressor and the two continued to pile on the runs with an average of almost 8 runs per over. However, old habits don’t die down so easily, and a typical Pakistan collapse followed.
Kamran Akmal was sent back after a suicidal run out, and Salman Butt perhaps still had the run out at the back of his mind when he played a careless shot down to midwicket and was caught. http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Shahid-Afridi-c2482 came and went without scoring a single run.
Pakistan had slumped to 47 for 4 from 45 for 1. Once again, it was down to the man in form Umar Akmal, and the former captain Shoaib Malik was there to accompany him. Umar has already made it clear that he likes the Aussie pace attack, as he showed stunning spells in the World Cup semifinal and earlier on the tour of Australia.
Umar played some fascinating strokes; his favourite area, the midwicket, was once again his target, and he smashed three sixes in that area, and scored the fastest T20 century for Pakistan from 21 balls.
However, Pakistan once again lost their way when Shoaib Malik was dismissed in controversial circumstances and http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Razzaq-c84421 also could not play any big shots, being knocked over by Shaun Tait. Umar Akmal tried but also fell prey to Tait for 64.
Pakistan ended their innings at 167 for 8 in 20 overs, but considering that Australia chased down 192 in the T20 World Cup, Pakistan would not have been feeling completely safe.
The Australian chase did not begin in ideal circumstances, as Muhammad Aamer got rid of Shane http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Watson-c96326 in the first over, but Shoaib Akhtar had a nightmare return to T20 cricket, as Warner smashed him for 5 boundaries in his first over, and later David Hussey got 3 more in his 2nd over.
Razzaq got Pakistan the important 2nd breakthrough courtesy a brilliant catch from Shahid Afridi, and soon after, Warner was also sent back, cleaned up by Saeed Ajmal.
Michael Hussey, however, was once again threatening to take the game away from Pakistan, and there was one question on everyone’s mind: can lightening strike twice?
Umar Gul made sure it didn’t, as he knocked over Michael Hussey with a peach of a yorker - the ball drifted in and knocked over his leg stump – and followed it up by cleaning up Tim Paine.
In the end, Ajmal finished off the match with 2 wickets, as Australia were all out for 144 in the 19th over, and Pakistan won the match by 23 runs in the end. Umar Akmal was declared man of the match for his brilliant 64 off 31 balls. The 2nd match will be played tomorrow at the same venue.
Tags: