Pakistani media has blamed the betting and match fixing mafia for the lacklustre performance of Pakistan's cricket team in the T20 World Cup in the West Indies. The Pakistan team fell into disarray against minnows Zimbabwe in a warm-up match. However, they fought it out against the Kiwis, proving ‘when they are good, they are very good, when they are bad, they are horrid!’
What else would a nonprofessional say if he watches the highlights of the match against England where Salman Butt, to be on the safe side, threw the ball to the wicketkeeper who was supposed to be at the stumps, but interestingly, he was nowhere near. He collected the ball but for the second time in 4 months, failed to remove the bails - an act that seems deliberate and favourable to the other side than his own.
This is not a case of Pakistan’s unpredictability. The side was labeled by pundits as ‘can’t field, can’t bowl, and can't bat’ team ahead of their clash against the Kiwis on Saturday. Nevertheless, Shahid Afridi’s men not only bowled and fielded well against New Zealand but also took the battle till the final delivery of the match, where they lost by one run. The team has earned the chance to reach the next stage respectably, however; they surrendered their unbeaten record against Daniel Vettori’s side.
Restricting the mighty Kiwis for 133 with a second string attack was an achievement for Shahid Afridi. His side did not field the out-of-luck Mohammad Asif and missed the services of the most successful T20 pacer Umar Gul, who could not make it to the squad. Afridi decided to use the tried and tested duo of Mohammad Sami and Abdur Rehman, both late replacements in this crunch match.
Both the bowlers did well to prove their selection right but it was the batting that let the side down, yet again. Salman Butt was the star of the show for the green shirts with an unbeaten 54-ball 67. He carried the bat in the innings and would have even hit the winning runs, had he not taken a single off the second last delivery of the match. Abdur Rehman, who is good with the bat, could have taken a single to tie the match. However, he got a dream delivery that was there to be hit. However, unfortunately for Pakistan, he chipped it into the fielder’s hand, bringing curtains to Pakistan’s run chase.
If Salman Butt was the hero of the match for the losing side, more villains spoilt his good work. His opening partner Kamran Akmal failed to click for the third time in the competition after his initial fireworks against Bangladesh. The same could be said about Umar Akmal (first ball duck) and Misbah ul Haq (3 off 13 balls). Not only did Misbah waste deliveries, his constant failure suggested that reputation matters more in Pakistan than form and consistency. Pakistan could have promoted Abdur Razzaq in the order, yet innovation seemed to have evaded experiment-loving Shahid Afridi after the last few defeats due to his Frankenstein-ish tryouts!
Umar Akmal’s batting form has hit rock bottom, especially after the Australian tour where Big Brother Kamran allegedly made him fake an injury to save his own place in the side. Since then he has been a different batsman, one who has no idea about his surroundings, and the match situation. Kamran Akmal may have kept wickets better on Saturday but the damage his slippery hands did in the last match will haunt Pakistan if they fail to win their next match in the tournament.
Pakistan next match against South Africa, which was considered to be a far better team in the T20 arena was very exciting. The green shirts defeated them last year in the tournament’s semi-final and the act was repeated again this year. However, the current Pakistan team did it without the captain that made that the last year win possible (Younis Khan), the bowler who excelled in that tournament (Umar Gul), and the all-rounder (Shahid Afridi) who lost it until this game. But Pakistan won when it mattered most and now will face Australia in the second semi final of the world T20.
Since Australia is on fire in all departments the cricket guru's believe Pakistan doesn't stand a chance. It may very well be true but the Guru's said exact same thing before the Pakistan Vs South Africa game. Regardless of what the public opinion may be, Australia will not lose from Pakistan, the men in green would have to win it from Australia.
Also Read
Can Pakistan defeat Australia in T20 world cup semi final
Tags: