21
Aus Win By Two Wickets
By TJ for Stani Army in International Cricket, Pakistan Cricket
Well that doesn’t quite do this absorbing encounter justice. Even at the half way point Pakistan looked the likely losers after scraping to a total of 205 for 6. With the Australian innings starting off well, Indian fans all over the world who were watching the Pakistan match must have started to turn their TV sets off as Australia cruised to 140 for 2. News must have got through to MS Dhoni in the Indian game who in a strange move, whipped off his wicket keeping gloves and brought himself onto to bowl. Though he did take a wicket, he cost his side boundaries which at the time seemed insignificant. But then came the superb Pakistan fight back and Australia found themselves in trouble at 187 for 8. All of a sudden there was hope for India.
The chief protagonists in the fight back for Pakistan were Saeed Ajmal, Mohammad Asif and Rana Naved who bowled maidens in both the 45th and 47th overs of the Australian innings. This meant that not only had the Aussies have to worry about wickets but also the number of balls remaining.
Australia tied the game with a ball remaining which meant that India were out of the tournament at that point. Requiring one off the last ball they got there with a bye to keeper Kamran Akmal whose throw, had it hit the stumps, would have resulted in the game finishing tied rather than in an Australian win.
Pakistan again demonstrated why they have the world’s premier bowling attack. It had it all, spin, unerringly accurate yorkers…it was a joy to watch. Who said 50 over ODIs were boring? Well they certainly are not when Pakistan play them!
Pakistan will now play New Zealand in the semi-finals on the 3rd of October. Aamer will no doubt be back for that but Asif’s second spell would have got the captain and selectors wondering. He did well but expect Pakistan to go into the semi-finals with the side that beat India in the group stages.
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September 30th, 2009 at 5:08 pm
Pakistan vs Newzealand Final on Sat whilst Eng vs Aus on Fri !
I wud luv an Eng vs Pak final !
September 30th, 2009 at 5:08 pm
I salute Rana Naved’s bowling . Although we lost we demonstrated good fighting spirit and took alot of bowling positives from the very narrow defeat. This fight provides me with some hope and inspiration that Pak can go the distance.
Ajmal and Rana way to go !
I salute Rana Naved’s bowling . Although we lost we demonstrated good fighting spirit and took alot of bowling positives from the very narrow defeat. This fight provides me with some hope and inspiration that Pak can go the distance. Ajmal and Rana way to go !
September 30th, 2009 at 6:38 pm
Maza, I agree. I would’ve loved to see Pak beat Eng.
September 30th, 2009 at 7:02 pm
It was a great game to watch towards the end. I was actually hoping for some Pakistani fireworks with the bat as well. But oh well. Australia bowled well I guess.
Here’s to England not winning the Champions Trophy!
September 30th, 2009 at 8:29 pm
I couldnt get to see the match but was following it over the internet. I actually stopped checking the scores after a while and was really surprised to know Aus won in the last ball. Waiting for the highlights package to come on now.
I back Pak all the way now. It might be Pak vs Aus with Pak the eventual winners. Lets see how it goes.
September 30th, 2009 at 8:48 pm
Rayden, here are the highlights.
http://cricket-online.tv/pakistan-vs-australia-highlights-champions-trophy/
October 1st, 2009 at 12:50 am
Maz,
Yes, I read on the cricinfo feed someone write in saying these were the same teams to reach the semi-final in the ’92 world cup where just like then, Pakistan played New Zealand and England played Australia. Now we all know who went onto win that don’t we. I just checked this and England played South Africa then so it’s not quite a repeat.
Rana’s bowling was riveting viewing. If you love cricket then you have to appreciate the skill with which Pakistan bowlers bowl in the closing overs. Many people were critical of Rana’s return saying he’s expensive but that is usually only in the beginning of the innings but he still takes wickkets even then.
I know I’m biased but if I had to have one spinner in my team from world cricket, it would be Saeed Ajmal.
Bon,
Keep supporting the greens! We’ll fill your stadiums now that the home team’s out.
Purn,
Congratulations on your second Pakistan game! (she’s going to kill me). I agree we could have finished better with the bat. As it turned out, even a few runs would have made the difference.
Rayden,
You gotta watch the highlights at least. Not the same as it being live….obviously the drama’s not there but make sure you watch it even just for the yorker Rana gives to Brett Lee who after digging it out starts doing drunken pirouettes looking for the ball.
October 1st, 2009 at 4:26 am
Thank you Stani. I realized I haven’t missed much in not watching Pakistan, like ever. I feel good.
October 1st, 2009 at 3:17 pm
Even though Pakistan lost the match but their bowlers exposed the fragility of Australian batting, Australia didn’t get any psychological advantage from this victory.
Gregg Chappel said Australia never beats itself, well I beg to differ they almost did, Pakistan attempted to win the match very late and made a spectecular comeback, if Australia is as strong mentally as Chappel is trying to suggest then they should not have folded in a few over like they did.
October 1st, 2009 at 8:24 pm
@Purna – Thanks for the link. I got to see the highlights. Awesome game – in fact really enjoyed the last 10 overs even though I knew the outcome of the game.
@Stani – Like I mentioned above, saw the highlights and loved it. Semis should be lot of fun. I think Aus vs Eng will be close. Eng will try to take revenge of their 6-1 humiliating defeat last month.
Pak vs NZ – well if Pak plays to potential then its no match. Also NZ have a very poor record of playing Pak in knock out games.
October 2nd, 2009 at 2:00 am
Purn,
Still doing that trick of saying something but meaning the opposite? What’s it called?
Wasim,
I don’t think the Aussies are as mentally strong as they used to be. They have the odd real tough guys like Ponting but they also have a lot of softies. The catch Hauritz dropped against Pakistan; did you see him show his disappointment? The guy was visibly upset and clearly beating himself up about it. Aussies of the past teams wouldn’t have even blinked or shown any sign of disappointment.
If they do meet us in the final, I think their group game against us will give them lots of cause for concern. I think they would want New Zealand in the final, definitely.
Rayden,
I think the pitches have made these games much more closer in terms of the teams being competitive. Had it been new pitches and flat tracks the whole way through then England would get well beaten by Australia.
As for New Zealand, we have to take care of Ryder when he’s batting and Bond when he’s bowling. If we do this then I can see us progressing. Let’s hope Daniel Vettori takes defeat like a man this time and doesn’t go crying to the officials when a Pakistan player swings a ball.
October 2nd, 2009 at 7:40 am
Stani
Ryder is out of the tournament due to injury.
October 2nd, 2009 at 9:57 am
I wonder if Adil Rashid will play today ?
I agree with Mohd Yousuf that Spin will be the key in Pakistan’s hunt for glory. We arguably have the best spin combination in Ajmal and Afridi.
October 2nd, 2009 at 10:15 am
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4wdhb741bbc
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NESqtstVTjE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qwXp8y0m2rw
Above are the golden moments in the competition !
October 2nd, 2009 at 10:26 am
Have a look at these Stani ……
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qwXp8y0m2rw
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ha_VNGEPf5M
October 2nd, 2009 at 10:28 am
Isn’t Pakistan cricket just full of uniqueness and abundance of talent !
October 2nd, 2009 at 5:46 pm
Wasim,
You’re right, he’s got a groin. Every thing’s looking up for us but let’s hope we turn up and start off well which will be vital.
Maz,
Yes, awesome stuff. I love it the way batsmen always look at the pitch when Asif bowls them! But it’s not the pitch, it’s him! No one seams it like him.
It’s great that Aleem Dar got umpire of the year voted for by the 10 full member team captains and the 8 elite panel umpires. Had it not been for Simon Taufel the last 2-3 years then Dar would have been top then too.
Congratulations to Umar Gul too for getting into the World ODI Team of the Year.
October 3rd, 2009 at 2:21 pm
Rana rocked yesterday.
BTW, did he have a hair transplant or something. Somehow he looks significantly different from the last time I have seen him or is it his brother.
October 3rd, 2009 at 5:20 pm
Scorpi,
Where have you been! Of course he has.
http://www.staniarmy.com/pakistan-cricket/the-new-rana-naved/
There’s contact details of the clinic he used in that video by the way
October 3rd, 2009 at 8:01 pm
wow… In a couple of years, I should get in touch with that clinic
October 3rd, 2009 at 10:53 pm
I have a cheaper option Scorpi!
Just get some rabbits tattooed on your head. From far away they’ll look like hares (hairs)!!!
I can’t take the credit for that joke I’m afraid. That belongs to my lecturer in University.