…at their brilliant worst. Well who would have thought it? Those Pakistani fans around the world who stayed up to watch the climax of the 1st Test against Sri Lanka in Galle, will probably now be wondering why they bothered. Those who thought they’d hit the sack since the contest was over will still be asking themselves if they are yet to awake from their nightmare.
Having required just 97 runs over night, Pakistan managed to lose their remaining 8 wickets for just 46. Divide that 97 by 8 and all each batsmen had to make was a measly 13 runs and victory would have been achieved. Unbelievable when you look at it like that right?
So was it devil of a wicket, good Sri Lankan bowling or Pakistani complacency? Judging by reports, the wicket was not a 46 for 8 type of wicket and though the Sri Lankan bowlers did bowl well, their first innings bowling and the small target meant that this second reason wasn’t the main cause of Pakistan’s downfall either. This leaves the reason of complacency, for which I will now introduce Mr Younis Khan: “We never thought we’d lose this game”. Lovely.
But let’s give the Sri Lankans some credit. Having noticed how well the Pakistanis took to hypnotism in the Twenty20 World Cup, the Sri Lankans decide to hire one of their own in the shape of Rangana Herath, and boy did he do his job with figures of 11 overs, 4 for 15.
But as far as match winning performances go, that I’m afraid goes to the man on the losing side, Mohammad Aamer. I say man, more like boy. With 6 wickets in his first Test, it is the 17 year old that I feel most sorry for as he deserved to be on the winning side. Barely 3 months into his 17 years, Pakistan need to be careful on how they use him in what is the most exacting version of the game. He is still growing and will need to be handled carefully to stay away from serious injuries. Left arm fast bowlers that swing it both ways don’t grow on trees; not even in Pakistan.
Loading ...
July 7th, 2009 at 5:01 pm
It was unbelievable but also in a way, not surprising.. u know wat I mean?
July 7th, 2009 at 10:16 pm
No comment.
Q – no what you mean, unequivocally.
July 8th, 2009 at 3:32 pm
Q, Jack,
Yes…and so does every Pakistan fan.
July 8th, 2009 at 3:56 pm
I wrote a thread in anticipation of Pakistan’s victory and was about to post it but decided against it as I remembered whenever the odds are hugely in favor of Pakistan’s victory our team suddenly collapses and pulls out defeat from nowhere. Probably that is why our team is loved by the bookmakers so much.
I am not trying to imply anything but this unpredictability has become a bit too predictable. I also don’t want to discredit the Srilankan bowlers they bowled beautifully but then again if Abdul Rauf can stay on the wicket for 83 balls, others could also have managed that,there was absolutely no reason to fall like nine pins the conditions were not that bad.
July 8th, 2009 at 4:28 pm
Wasim,
I understand your frustrations. Just a few years ago, I would have questioned their predictable unpredictability too.
Now I put it down to their lack of professionalism and mental strength. As each of our batsmen came in, they had the same mind set as the one who had gone before, and that was “97? haha? I will play my normal game, if I get out, then my pal who is in next will do it comfortably – no worries”.
What they should have thought is “I’m gonna stay here till the end and help my country across the finishing line. I will guard my wicket with my life”.
The team selection was criticised a lot but that was just frustrated people looking to blame something or someone. Any 8 players we put out there should have got the 97 runs so it has nothing to do with team selection.
Shoaib Malik came in for some criticism but this was only because those that criticised him, supported the inclusion of Fawad Alam, so with Shoaib being the man in possession of that spot, he gets criticised.
Alam, at this point in time, would certainly not be ahead of Malik in my opinion. Whether he should be in the team is a separate issue but not for Malik.
In fact, I would have Razzaq ahead of Alam. Alam did get a few chances under Geoff Lawson in ODIs but he was not able to replicate his domestic form. The international stage is very different and Malik has the edge here.
July 9th, 2009 at 6:17 pm
As regards Alam I agree with you if anything I would select Razzak ahead of Alam as You said.
One way to select Fawad is to drop Manzoor and open with Akmal and Butt.
I also don’t want to believe that there is any corruption involved but I have always believed that a player is either in form or out of form the way our team changes character it is hard to understand. When the odds are against them to win they win and when they are against them to lose they lose these players are quite experienced and as I said if Rauf can stay on the wicket for 83 balls then so could have our regular batsmen.
But I hope that I am wrong on this one.
July 10th, 2009 at 3:04 pm
Wasim,
Yes, I think to create a spot by removing one, or both, of our openers would be a good thing. I’m even having doubts about Butt now. He seems too limited in his choice of shots (thus easy to defend against) and gives his wicket away too easily, bringing pressure on number three who has to in effect, bat as an opener.
My openers for Tests would be Akmal and Shehzad. From what I’ve seen so far, Shehzad has good technical ability and should be given the chance to play in a format where he doesn’t have to manipulate shots and can take his time to build an innings. For ODIs and T20s I would have Akmal and Imran Nazir opening with Afridi at three!
July 10th, 2009 at 5:37 pm
Shahzad is not in the team, Q told me that. So Butt will stay unfortunately.
This is how the senior mafia protects each other.
That is why they players like Azhar Ali and Nasir Jamshed don’t get a chance.
July 10th, 2009 at 6:40 pm
Wasim,
Yes, I was speaking generally in our Test side. Butt and Akmal would be the best option from this squad but I would have Akmal and Shehzad as my Test openers in general.
Jamshed is impressive too. They brought him in a while ago and then drop him for no obvious reason.
Akmal’s brother Umar scored another impressive knock. Soon they’ll have to make space for him down the order.
July 12th, 2009 at 9:57 am
Sorry Stani I didn’t receive your email ????????(:
July 12th, 2009 at 12:04 pm
Maz,
Email me at the address in “contact” up there, and I will re-send it to you.
August 4th, 2009 at 12:57 am
hahaha, this is why I support the sport, not the teams *cough* glory supporter *cough*
August 6th, 2009 at 12:09 am
That’s a terrible cough you got there sis….you ought to get it looked at.
…and you support the team, otherwise you wouldn’t be on here.
August 14th, 2009 at 7:39 pm
Pakistan dismal tour ended on a high with 3 consecutive victories. Although the joyfulness appeared in vain, Pakistan showed some promising signs in the latter stages of the shortened format. Imran Nazir has achieved a 100% record since his comeback in green colours. He played some effective cameos and set the tone for the day with some early momentum. Rana Naved’s credentials also were seen and suggested why he deserves to be recognised as a player of international class. And finally let me credit the emergence of Umar Akmal which was as impressive introduction to say the least.
Also let me mention the T20 victory and Shahid Afridi’s leadership enforcement on that day. He commenced his captaincy regime with a sparkle as Pakistan once more stamped their glorified status as T20 champions!