Pakistan came unstuck in their first game of the super 8 stage. The difference between the two teams was the manner in which each began their innings.
Pakistan’s pace men were guilty once again of giving the opposition and lightning start. Instead of going for glory, they need to bowl economically and not put pressure on their team mates. They should have been intelligent enough to realise the wicket taking role of our spinners in this tournament and thus complimented them by bowling tight and creating pressure. The Sri Lankan pace men, though slower, bowled excellent line and length and put our batsmen under pressure, causing wickets to fall. It made the difference in the end.
Though Gul did take two wickets, this was later in the innings when the ball was older. He should recognise this and bowl accordingly i.e. conservative new-ball first spell, attacking old-ball second. We must give credit to Aamer who showed the more experienced men how to bowl. With Razzaq back in contention, I feel Tanvir has probably played his last game in this tournament after being unable to find form and handle the swinging ball.
The spinners came on and put a halt on the Sri Lankan charge with excellent bowling once again from Afridi (2 for 23) and Ajmal (2 for 26). A special mention for Shoaib Malik who continues to bowl excellent containing spells, conceding just 5 from 2 overs. There was some improvement in the field but we cannot seem to hit the stumps for the life of us, unless of course the batsmen is well in his crease.
As for the batting, early wickets cost us the game. It will be for Salman Butt’s own good if they drop him from the twenty20 format completely. He is not that kind of batsmen, today we saw what happens when he tries to be. Had the openers contributed a little more, it would have made Malik’s, Younis’ and Misbah’s life a lot easier. There was some good attacking under pressure from Malik and a excellent partnership between Misbah and Younis (66) who seem to play Murali and Mendis better than most. Once they fell then it was just a formality for the Sri Lankan’s.
It’s New Zealand next up and with rain forcast for Pakistan’s final game on Monday against Ireland, the game against the Kiwis will be a must win.
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June 12th, 2009 at 7:11 pm
Five overs and fifty runs required, Younis khan, Afridi, Fawad Alam and Tanvir still to bat. Any other team it would have been an easy target but I think we have shown too much confidence in Fawad. Afridi should be dropped further down the order or he should be sent to open. India just scored 56 runs in last 5 overs.
Qadir didn’t do a fair selection he left a hole at the top to settle score with Younis. His selection of pacers was also wrong.He strongly objeced on the selection of Ajmal.
Younis will have to think straight and clearly he will have to drop Tanvir and Salman Butt.
June 12th, 2009 at 7:35 pm
Wasim; Qadir’s just another old man who’s had his ego boosted by still being involved in Pak cricket. Yes I did hear he that even objected to Saeed Ajmal being in the team. He must be blind or something. As you mentioned, this score settling thing, it’s the ultimate sign of unprofessionalism.
As for your batting point, I agree we should have made it comfortably. The clever thing Sangakarra did was save Murali and Mendis. I think they had 12 overs left with 8 still to come from them two. This made it hard for the likes of Fawad, Afridi and Tanvir.
Also, I think we and the selectors more importantly, should stop considering Afridi as an all rounder now. We need another batsmen in there. Bring in Razzaq and I think we’re good. I would go Akmal, Shehzad, Malik, Younis, Misbah, Razzaq, Alam, Afridi, Gul, Ajmal, Aamer for the rest of the tournament. Completely agree with you about Butt and Tanvir.
June 12th, 2009 at 9:08 pm
Those extras cost the match. 13 wides/noballs and you have lost 2 overs right there. If they had not allowed Dilshan and Jayasuriya to fly off, they could have contained the score to a much lower figure.
June 12th, 2009 at 9:36 pm
I agree with what Krish is sayin.. the ball was moving around in the beginning but Tanvir gave it away with all those extras.. there were 20 extras or so I think.. how much did Pak lose by? 19!
SL didn’t even give 1 no ball!
June 12th, 2009 at 10:05 pm
Krish, Q,
The worst thing is that nothing will change. Come the next game, the extra will be flowing again. They have no shame. If Tanvir needs his captain to go up to him and tell him to bowl cross seam to stop the swing, then there is no hope.
This extras problem is not something that happened over night yet our players and coaches are so unprofessional and careless that it is still going on today when it is so clearly costing us games.
June 12th, 2009 at 10:54 pm
guys just watch pakistan make it thru the semis! i dont think Younis is a bad captain. just needs more support from the other players.btw Wasim, i dont see what you expect Fawad Alam to do? as I recall when he came on the crease 3 overs left and 42 runs needed isnt it. hope mr tanveer gets dropped. it is well due. im at the ground tomorrow to watch these ppl give it their best shot!
June 12th, 2009 at 11:18 pm
Shahbaz,
Enthusiasm! That’s good to hear. I think Wasim is more upset at the fake depth to our batting line up and to be honest, it doesn’t look that deep. Alam is a good all rounder but we need a proper batsmen or better all rounder before him in the batting line up.
I’m not too sure about Younis. His t20 comments were a bit strange.
You a fellow Londoner? Make sure you represent Stani Army at the Oval tom!….legally of course!
June 13th, 2009 at 8:56 pm
What a convincing victory from the boys. Umar Gul is a yorker machine !
Afridi’s catch was the highlight of the day !
June 13th, 2009 at 9:04 pm
Umar Gul performed amazingly today. Just passing by to rate a quality player (on a quality blog)…he has brought pakiland back in the tournament!! …and a smile on my face!!
June 13th, 2009 at 9:59 pm
Sorry guys for being late on posting. Will have it up soon.
Maza,
There have been some superb catches this tournament. My favourite was Lendl Simmons’ yesterday but today, Afridi has taken it. Anyone who has caught, or tried to catch one of those will know the difficulty of it.
Gul is back to his best. Amazing figures.
Sis,
Thank you for your compliments. Where did the smile go though?