With an emphatic win over Ireland, Pakistan do not now have to worry about run rates becoming a factor in qualification for the semi-finals.
Batting first, it was a weird kind of innings with Pakistan always threatening to charge but not quite getting away. Credit must go to the Irish bowlers, in particular big Boyd Rankin who gave a measly 11 runs off his four overs.
Kamran Akmal had another brilliant game both with the bat and with the gloves. With his 57 off 51 balls, it was the perfect innings for the batsmen coming in at the other end to have a go. Afridis 24 off just 13 balls was probably the other valuable innings because of his strike rate.
When it came to the bowling, Pakistan had to be quite patient in the beginning as the Irish showed their typical resilience. Then came Saeed Ajmal (4 for 19) and the man of the moment, Umar Gul (2 for 19) and a sense of inevitability crept in as the dark clouds began to circle above.
What was really disappointing, and something the host broadcaster should be ashamed of is that when Gul came onto to bowl, the cameras kept zooming in and focusing on he ball in his hand. This comes after Daniel Vettori’s comments about how he was surprised that Umar Gul was able to get reverse swing so early. I guess when we do see something awe inspiring, it is very difficult to believe so the conspiracies and allegations begin to come out. Yet this has been going on for 20 years now and enough is enough. Reverse swing is a legal skill; we can do it, you can’t – simple.
Gul was right on the mark again today shattering the stumps for both his wickets and getting a direct-hit run out. But what is most impressive about the man is his demeanour and the respect he shows for his opposition right after destroying their stumps. No screaming, jumping, chest pumping, cart wheeling star jumps but a gentle jog through to his team mates. A very useful way on conserving energy I say!
The Irish can leave with their heads held high having got further in the tournament than many of the more established sides. Their fielding was good and the bowling competitive throughout the tournament. One thing they will no doubt want to improve on is scoring more runs. Yet with some young players in the side and the fact that they do the basics very well, the future of Irish cricket looks very bright.
It’s just a shame the likes of Eoin Morgan and Ed Joyce, both Irish, chose to play for England when they would have been quite an important part of this team in this tournament and would have enjoyed a valuable experience. I doubt either will have much of a career for England due to the difficulty of getting into the side. Their excuse was that they wanted to play at the top level but that’s what Ireland just did. Joyce wasn’t even in the reckoning and Morgan is just an occasional substitution fielder. Bad choice boys.
As Pakistan go into the semis, looking to make it two finals in a row, the other teams will be hoping they don’t come up against this formidable bowling attack and a batting one which is beginning to find form.
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June 15th, 2009 at 9:03 pm
That had to be one of the most entertaining matches of the tournament!! The way the Irish were diving all around the pitch, yet missing the ball completely and Afridis killer wicket of course, it was quality.
June 16th, 2009 at 1:09 am
Vettori has embarrased himself and his nation. Shame on him.
The western media leaves no opportunity to make our team the villains of the cricket world. They are merculrial side and blah blah.
What about the English and the Kiwis howmany world cups they have won why their teams are out so early? Just because they are simply not good enough I have always thought Kiwis of a borderline minnow team and nothing more.
June 16th, 2009 at 1:15 am
Pakistan will either face West Indies or South Africa both teams are good but somehow I feel Pakistan team would like to face WI in the finals they got a bit lucky today in beating England.
South Africa on the other hand would like to face Pakistan, they have a good record against us.
I think we should support our big stars for the semis,Pakistan should go all out in the first eight overs and should make sure that the big three get enough overs to bat in the end.
June 16th, 2009 at 1:27 am
Sis,
Quite a fan of Afridi are we? Hope it’s not because of his shampoo ad fingers through the hair obsession. You’re being harsh on the Irish fielding. That’s one thing that they’re better at than us.
Wasim,
I was quite surprised with Vettori. I never had him down as such a person. I’m glad that the officials told him to go do one. I completely agree with your point on them being borderline minnows. If Bangladesh, in the past, and Ireland currently, were given the amount of funding NZ get from the ICC for being a member nation, they would be much more competitive than NZ right now.
I would prefer the Windies in the semis as then SA, our biggest threat, may have an off day in their semi and go out. I agree with your batting point. It’s the only concern I have; getting enough runs.
June 16th, 2009 at 2:47 pm
When the camera were zooming in on Gul and the ball, Wasim Akram was in top form talking about how Gul was naturally swinging the ball towards the shiny side and not reversing it.. it was absolutely brilliant.. shut a lot of people up.
June 16th, 2009 at 4:13 pm
That was Akram at his best, he was predicting every thing to perfection,Pakistan should get his or Waqar’s services whenever they are available at whatever cost they are worth every penny.
June 16th, 2009 at 4:15 pm
But this is ridiculous first Watson complained against Ajmal for chucking when he could’nt play him and now Vettori employed the same tactic against Gul. It’s shamefull and disgusting.
June 16th, 2009 at 8:00 pm
haha no im not the biggest Afridi fan, especially after seeing his ‘claim today’ advert, jispeh btw, aap barosah karsagtehein! But when hes good on the pitch, hes great!!
No really, the Irish fielding was poor! Still better than the pakistanis obviously, but they made it seem like if they dived for every ball, they knew what they were doing. Not good!!
June 17th, 2009 at 1:00 am
Q,
This makes a change from the past and I’m glad. We need to just come out and say it. I was proud with what Younis did at the press conference too. We need to answer back to these people straight away.
Wasim,
Just imagine Imran becomes President (thus patron of the PCB) and appoints Wasim as chief of the PCB. It would all be sorted. We can but dream.
As for the complaints. Whenever it happens, we’re told not to play the race card as saying someone is racist is a very easy allegation to make. But if it’s not racism then I don’t know what it is.
Sis,
I didn’t say “biggest” fan….or maybe you’re suggesting I should have? Gave it away there didn’t we? You’ve even memorised his ad.
Don’t delay, claim today! Bloody lawyers (ahem).
June 17th, 2009 at 2:24 am
I will not deny the shame of the fact that I memorised the advert when I should have been memorising what Law Lords had said for my exams! Standard procrastination in between Star Plus (eww) shows that I had never heard of but suddenly became addicted to as a last resort to avoid studying. *shudder*
And btw, i give a rant to all who are near when the advert comes on, coz the lawyers who tell you to claim today and talk to them in english, urdu, ‘ya pushto maybe’, are two timing you!!
back to the point, Im just a fan of good cricket, which i think Afridi should stick to =)
ps- please reply with ‘aap bilkul teek kehrihein’ and we would have completed the Claim Today advert..and get return to talking about cricket LOL.
June 17th, 2009 at 3:41 am
I agree Stani.. Younis did the right thing by saying what he said..
June 17th, 2009 at 4:46 pm
Sis,
Looks like the ad done its job then? Got you working for them without you knowing. Mentioning their filth on our site….honestly! I should charge you.
Aap bilkul teek kehrihein. Happy? Abdul razzaq’s “Communications 2000″ ad was better though. He even rolled up in a Ferrari.
Q,
It makes a change. The PCB need to start doing this too but unfortunately they’re too thick. Every time they open their mouths, they just embarrass the whole nation. Quite some talent that.
June 17th, 2009 at 8:12 pm
The PCB should stay put and shut.. maybe our cricketers should play as well as run the game.. and Younis Khan should probably be our media manager.
June 17th, 2009 at 8:43 pm
Mujko maaf karlo.
June 19th, 2009 at 3:29 am
Afridi Claimed Today!!lool- Woo! Paks in the finals! You have something to continue writing about =)
June 19th, 2009 at 3:55 am
That pun was terrible Sis….enough to make me give up writing!
June 19th, 2009 at 12:31 pm
hahaha you mean it was such a great pun it overwhelmed you and you could never write something so creative and will now have to give up writing
June 19th, 2009 at 3:45 pm
You took the words right out of my mouth.