Yes, Pakistan managed to win something eventually but this win must not paper over the cracks like wins such as this have done so in the past. The management, coaching and captaincy issues still remain, not to mention the fact that we still are yet to find a settled opening pair and a reliable middle order.

Abdul Razzaq: Single handedly stopped the run of Pakistan’s 10 straight losses in all forms

What was obvious in both Twenty20s was that they followed a pattern which has become synonymous with Pakistan’s recent performances in that they found themselves in winning positions only to relinquish their hold on the game. But for the brilliance of Abdul Razzaq in the second Twenty20, this pattern would have continued for eleven straight games. Once again, it would be easy to use this as an excuse that only a few tweaks are needed here and there but you don’t lose ten games in a row if your problems are small and easily fixed.

One interesting call which came from the guys at MTJAG, was to make Abdul Razzaq captain. Before you dismiss it, consider the fact that none of our current candidates are obviously suitable and the problems we have had in bringing back the same old faces to take over as captain in the past. Would a new face in the role be a better option? Certainly, he seems respected among the players and is increasingly becoming a vital cog in the Pakistan team since his return from the ICL. It was his call-up to the World Twenty20 team which coincided with Pakistan’s up-turn and eventually lead to us being crowned World Champions. Could Razzaq be the perfect candidate to build a new team around? Many of you may have noticed his reaction after he bludgeoned the ball for six to take Pakistan home in the second Twenty20. It was the reaction of a determined and hungry man as his after-match comments clearly showed: “I was telling Fawad we should win this one. I was saying ‘you can, you will’ and we did”. Certainly, we could do with more of that attitude from all of our players.

Shoaib Malik also showed some intelligent batting although his bowling has a lot to be desired. It’s frustrating that Malik does not show this with his bat regularly enough. Someone else that also impressed and took his chances unlike in the past, was Fawad Alam. If we are to go with the ‘out with the old and in with the new’ route, then guys like him

A West Ham United flag (background) draped over the stands in Dubai

will be an integral part of the rebuilding process. With only six members of the World Cup winning squad out in Dubai, and the suspension of annual player contracts, it is clear that no one is certain of their places. With the Twenty20 World Cup around the corner, Pakistan needs to reorganise quickly if we are to defend our crown as Twenty20 World Champions.

Finally, I’d just like to send a shout out to the West Ham fans that watched the games out in Dubai and were spotted in the stands with their West Ham flags and banners. Come on you Irons!

The above view is strengthened by the fact that the IPL did nothing to try and reinstate the Pakistani players with their respective franchises when the tournament was moved to South Africa. Yes, it would have been difficult as the franchises had spent on other players and there was not much time. Yet no attempt to include them or even a suggestion was made. As for the time excuse, Modi was commended for organising a tournament in such a small space of time so that doesn’t hold much water.

Another reason to support the point is the exclusion of Pakistan’s domestic Twenty20 Champions from the Champions League. Pakistan’s players were prevented from playing in the IPL by their government but before even asking them about the Champions League, or even talking to them about it, Modi came out and announced that the Pakistani team would not be participating. How he must regret that now. To not have the World Champions represented in the Champions League? Big mistake Lalit….big business mistake!

Pakistan becoming World Champions was great for Pakistan cricket, it was also a proverbial two fingers to the ICC, IPL and Lalit Modi. Shame on them.

In time, Lalit Modi will only be remembered as the businessman who was allowed to steal cricket’s chastity.

Pakistan needed to pounce on the Sri Lankan openers early on and that’s exactly what Mohmmad Aamer and Abdul Razzaq did. Tillakaratne Dilshan was peppered with short balls from Amer and fell going for his trademark scoop shot. Had he heeded the warning of our fellow Stani Q at Well Pitched, then Dilshan would have known not to attempt that shot in the final. Before they knew it, Sri Lanka were 32 for 4, thanks mainly to Abdul Razzaq (3 for 20). There was also some very good captaincy from Younis Khan who crucially kept a slip in place, and slightly wide, for the wicket of Mahela Jayawardene, who had been in excellent touch. Though now in trouble, they were given a life line with captain Kumar Sangakkara making a steady 64, and constructing a crucial partnership with Angelo Mathews (35). The two had managed to drag their team off the floor and and set a very tricky 139 for Pakistan to get.

It was certain that Pakistan had to play the type of innings that they were not known for. Wickets had to be kept in hand whilst the run rate had to be steadily maintained. Kamran Akmal and Shahzaib Hasan duly obliged, knocking the ball around and getting boundaries at vital points. In the 8th over, Akmal fell and in came Shahid Afridi. He started off cautiously, having the youngster Shahzaib at the other end. Shahzaib hit two crucial fours off Mendis before he fell in the next over to bring Malik to the crease. The two men that did it for Pakistan in the semis were now at the crease as they went along steadily picking up singles. As Pakistan fell behind the rate, then came a crucial over in which Afridi decided to attack Murali, hitting him for a six, a four, and getting 14 off the over.

Nerves began to settle as Malik and Afridi went back to intelligently picking up the singles and not allowing the rate to rocket whilst keeping wickets in hand. As the rate began to increase once more, another big over was required and that man Afridi obliged once again. His victim this time, Udana. As with Murali, Afridi hit him for a six and then a four off consecutive balls in an over which went for 19. Seven runs were now needed off the next 12 balls and Pakistan did it with 8 balls to spare to cue pandemonium around Lords. It was great to see the players run onto the pitch and prostrate down to show humility and to thank Allah. At a time of such great achievement when they could not have been blamed for feeling that they were floating on air, they kept their feet on the ground.

It was a great achievement for a country which is being torn apart by international terrorism and the ineptitude of its own and other leaders. This will bring some cheer into the lives of the Pakistani people, something others should not be offended in witnessing but should appreciate through understanding what the Pakistani people have been through. This was a wonderful gift for a colourful and hospitable nation who fully deserve their success.

It will certainly be a late night here in London with ecstatic Pakistan fans already on the streets blowing horns and waving flags. Let’s just hope they keep on the right side of the law!

Thanks to all the neutrals for their support and mubarak to my fellow Stanis.

Stani Army! Pakistan Zindabad!

After getting off to a great start thanks to Kamran Akmal (23 off 12) and then Shahid Afridi (51 off 34), Pakistan were set for a total of 170 upwards. This did not happen as the South African bowlers, Parnell and Steyn in particular, reined Pakistan in, conceding just 29 runs off the last 5 overs. One thing Younis Khan could have done is send in Misbah Ul-Haq instead of himself as coming to the crease in the 13th over, Younis hit just one boundary in his innings of 24. Even sending Misbah in ahead of the rusty Razzaq would have been a good option. It was good that they sent Afridi at three yet this is one other place in which they could have been flexible with the line up. Misbah has a unique ability of finding the boundary from full pitched balls, something Younis and Razzaq struggled with.

We mustn’t underestimate the contribution of Shoiab Malik’s batting also. If you have a look at most decent Twenty20 totals, you will see they include at least one innings of 30+ which is around the run a ball rate. It’s a kind of stabiliser to the fast paced innings this form of the game requires in order for a large total to be set. Today that was the innings of Malik. More important was the fact that he was there during Afridi’s innings. Malik is an intelligent cricketer and in the interview he spoke of how he kept encouraging Afridi to try to preserve his wicket but still play positive. He was good in the field once again and took a brilliant pressure catch for the wicket of Jacques Kallis.

As for the bowling, we gave a few runs early on once again but then came the man of the moment, Shahid Khan Afridi. Getting AB Devilliers was vital as he has been the key to South Africa’s performances with the bat and thus this was a critical moment in the match. Umar Gul once again stepped up and produced his laser guided yorkers (Note to Daniel Vettori: He doesn’t really use lasers, it’s an expression of his skill). Anyone who’s bowled a ball in their life must know how difficult it is to bowl yorker length at all but Gul was doing it ball after ball.

A couple of Younis’ decisions in the field were quite surprising though. Firstly, he gave Fawad Alam an over in which he conceded 15 and gave South Africa hope, when Alam hadn’t bowled before and when Younis still had the likes of Malik, Razzaq and Aamer to call upon. It was obvious he wanted to get that one over (the 15th) out of the way to be able to finish with Gul and Ajmal from each end. The strange thing was that when Fawad had finished, Younis gave the ball to Ajmal in the 16th over meaning that Gul would not be able to bowl his full quota. This meant that it would be either Fawad, Malik, Razzaq or Aamer who would bowl the last over with South Africa needing 23. In typical and unique Pakistani style, they give the last over to a 17 year old and he doesn’t disappoint.

Though we have some improvements to make before the final, the scary thing is that Razzaq didn’t even fire with ball or bat and our best Twenty20 batsmen, Misbah, didn’t get to come in at all.

Billed to be a clash between man and machine, I know I rather have human skill than mechanical efficiency when it comes to the art of cricket…whichever form.

Last but not least, kudos to the Indian fan who was going around Trent Bridge with his Indian shirt on giving high fives to the Pakistan supporters; great stuff!

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.

There’ll be lots of ifs, buts and maybes from the Indians; would India have did it had Yuvraj stopped the 5 byes in Harbajan’s last over? Yuvraj himself would say that he made up for that with a ridiculously good first ball 6. Then there’s Jadeja who faced 3 overs of dots. Many said that he played too slow yet he will argue that he got two important wickets including that of Pietersen’s and took an important catch.

It was clear what Pietersen and Collingwood felt fired the English up and that was the booing their team got at the beginning of the game. It was a strange thing to have occurred, especially at a cricket ground, yet supporters of other sides should take note of the possible real consequences of booing the opposition.

But the day India lost to the Windies, they also lost to England as the English watched and noted the Windies paceman trouble the Indian batsmen with bouncers, and licked their lips. If the English had thought at the time of employing the same strategy against India, the question must be asked if the India coaching staff told their batsmen to practice countering short pitched balls in the nets. It was an effective tactic to employ against the Indian batsmen as it’s not the type of shot they often use and also because many of them use heavier bats. Indeed, Nasser Hussain suggested on commentary that the short pitched ball was effective because the Indians love to drive. Unfortunately for the Champs, they won’t be driving but flying, all the way home.

To all Indian fans who still have tickets to the remaining games, we invite you to come and get behind Pakistan.

The game marked the return of Abdul Razzaq to the international side and his breakthrough early in the New Zealand innings was vital in what was to follow and thus cannot be underestimated. He had a good day with the ball (2 for 17) although he didn’t get going with the bat; still not being able to play spinners the poor sod.

The star of the show was obviously Umar Gul with his record breaking figures of 5 for 6. It was the first time anyone has taken a 5-for in International Twenty20. Amazingly, he was on a hat-trick twice but never managed to convert either. In his interview after, he spoke of working on the yorkers and slower balls with coach Aqib Javed and said that he watched videos of Waqar and Wasim and boy did it show. Those figures will take some beating, and the fact that he is also number 3 and 7 on the Twenty20 best figures list, shows it wasn’t just luck.

Afridi was once again mesmeric with the ball and took, in our opinion, the best catch of the tournament so far.

Thankfully, the youngster Shahzaib Hasan was given another chance after his zero earlier in the tournament and he didn’t disappoint with his 35 of 28 balls. It was pleasing to see Afridi the batsmen smash 29 off 18; his performance clearly the result of a team feeling good after playing to their abilities.

Though we probably lost two wickets too many, it was more important that we got to the target quickly as possible as run rate will make the difference in what is a very close group now.

I hope the Pakistani players realise the happiness they bring to their people when they play like this. Even those not connected with Pakistan could not have felt anything but appreciation for the talent on display.

The highlight of the day for me was Sanjay Manjrekar who after witnessing the Pakistani performance said something along the lines of “this is why Pakistan needs to be playing international cricket”. Brilliant.

Next up, we lose to Ireland on Monday. Who’d be a Pakistan fan?

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.

Though Pakistan did reach a total of 175, the batting was not as easy as it seemed. The Dutch came back very well in the middle of the innings with Pakistan taking 43 balls to go from the 50 to 100. Credit to the Dutch, the boundaries dried up and Pakistan were left nervous, needing to bowl well to secure their last eight place.

The Pakistan fielding was still poor. Why Salman Butt is still being persisted with I do not know. It’s the same old issue of players being picked because of seniority. He was guilty of a dropped catch again just like in the previous game whilst all the players went for catches looking like they did not believe they’ll catch it. When Borren hit the ball in the air for the catch Butt did actually take, the silence from the rest of his team mates rather than shouting “catch it”, told us everything.

Another mistake by Younis was not to take off the injured Tanvir for a sub. Why not bowl him out and bring on a sub fielder or take him off without bowling him out? Tanvir let one four go and possibly two half chances which, against a better side, could have cost us the game.

As we said on Stani Army yesterday, its the spinners that made the difference as much for their lack of pace as for their spin as the Dutch had to use their feet and so it proved. A world class performance from Saeed Ajmal (3 for 20) and our man of the match performance from Shahid Afridi (4 for 11). Also, a special mention for Kamran Akmal who kept very well behind the stumps to two spinners who vary their deliveries a lot especially with the faster ball. It was obvious the faster ball was a definite plan between Akmal and the spinners for batsmen coming down the pitch. Akmal also broke the record for the most stumpings in International T20 by getting four, beating the previous record of three stumpings also held by him.

As for the super eights, I would keep the same team except swapping Butt for Shehzad. He is better at playing all around the ground (Butt too off sided, so easy to place field against) and a better fielder. We also need to get Tanvir fit as his swing is vital in these conditions. Let’s not kid ourselves, we still need to improve in every department to compete in the last eight. This victory may hide a lot of faults which we mustn’t allow to happen.

The Dutch can hold their head up knowing that they made what seemed a easy group for England and Pakistan to progress from, to beating England and giving Pakistan a big scare. Their future looks as bright as their outfits.

It’s obvious that Pakistan are neither sure of their best team nor how to use many of their players in the line up. They need to quickly address the opening bowlers with Yasir Arafat once again opening and going for runs. The fielding was bad as usual with Salman Butt having a particularly bad time not only in the field but also with his style of batting. Butt, though a good player, is not someone who should be in the Twebty20 side. It was obvious today that he caused problems up top by hogging the strike and putting pressure on the other batsmen. One thing which he never fails to do is to consistently find thefielder with his shots; it’s uncanny.

Another thing they need to address is the position in the line up of their best Twenty20 batsmen, Misbah Ul-Haq. Today he came in in the 16th over when the contest was over. The batting also showed a lack of game plan and intent shown in the beginning and middle of the innings and left the charge far too late.

Pakistan really should be expected to beat the Dutch but as England found out, it’s easier said then done. I suppose one good thing is that the Dutch did rely on a lot of luck against England so for it to go their way twice in a row would not be very likely.

Pakistan will now be praying that the game is not rained off.