Pakistan cricket team has developed too identities over the years, one of a team which looks disintegrated whose players look lethargic and not worthy of playing International cricket, a team which loses without putting up a fight, in otherwords a borderline minnow. Then they have another identity a team which can beat any team in the world, a team which has a lot of flare and class whose players are naturally talented and unique in the cricketing world, a team which creates fear among its opponents.
This case of two identities has kept the fans and cricket pundits confused alike for years but now it seems that the opposing teams are also being confused they don’t know which Pakistan team will show up on the field and for which one they should prepare.
Poor Daniel Vettori made such misjudgement today, he prepared his game plan for the lethargic and disinterested Pakistani side but unfortunately for him the other one showed up on the field and all of his planning went in vain.
Pakistan finally got a balanced combination, they dropped Butt and Tanvir (hopefully for the rest of the tournament, ) and included Razzak and young Shahzaib in their place. Both players justified their selection, Razzak got the initial break throughs for Pakistan, although he lacked in speed but bowled a clever line and length and moved the ball both ways intelligently.
Shahzaib proved that Younis Khan selected him on merit, all he needs is to learn to rotate the strike after scoring a boundary, he has the talent although he looked a bit too raw.
Umar Gul was at his lethal best today, the Kiwis had no answer to his toe crushing laser guided yorkers, he moved the ball both ways and used the seam to perfection. I wonder why in some matches he is so wayward and bowls up and down the track when he can bowl the way he did today. Today he finally got noticed by the rest of the world, he is a superstar now, he has been a true servant of the nation, I hope he remains Injury free and keeps on working as hard as he has been in the past.
Boom Boom Afridi until today only boomed with the ball in this tournament but today he boomed in every aspect of the game, his catch of Scott Styris was a treat to watch, I loved the way he posed in front of the crowd after taking the catch, it was a classic moment. It is absolutely imperitive for Pakistan that Afridi comes back in his batting form if they want to win this tournament, today he got good batting practice in the middle and he batted sensibly, I hope he retains this form and style of batting for the rest of the tournament.
I still won’t raise my hopes high as you never know which Pakistani team will show up for the next match, the fans can only hope and pray for the best.
Scorpi
I think a lot of it has to do with the wrong selection. Younis Khan couldn’t do much with the openers he was given.
Absolutely crazy this team!!! Just a few matches back, their fans were baying for their blood. The balance and team selection was not right and now that they have got it, it should be a good sailing now.
As for Gul, hope he did not peak early. Those yorkers are from hell.