Mohammad Asif made his return to the international cricket after 19 months, Pakistan rested Mohammad Aamer for this dead rubber and Misbah Ul Haq came in place of Imran Nazir who is nursing an injury.
Younis Khan’s decision to rest Mohammad Aamer in a way revealed that Pakistan team wants to face New Zealand in the Semi finals, Pakistan team used this match as an opportunity to do some experiments, they wanted to test Asif’s match fitness and form before the semis which was understandable but the decision to play Misbah baffled me as he has been dropped from the upcoming New Zealand series in Dubai, I thinkYounis Khan should have promoted Umar Akmal up the order to gget him some valuable batting practice a head of the Semi final, Umar didn’t get enough chance to bat in the group matches. Given the fragility of Pakistan’s batting line up and the poor Strike rate of some of the leading batsmen Pakistan should take advantage of Umar Akmal’s current form.
It seems that the team management is trying to accomodate Misbah in place of Imran Nazir, first of all if Imran Nazir is capable of playing he should be in the team and if he is injured then his place should go to Fawad Alam and Umar Akmal should get promoted up the order.
Asif failed to impress any one, he looked ordinary in all aspects he had no pace was just bowling in 120′s failed to extract any movement of the pitch, his run up was too slow and lacked rythym. Unless and until Asif can bowl consistently around 135k he should not be selected as with little movement and his friendly pace will make him an easy target and a weak link in Pakistan’s pace attack. He should play at least one full domestic season before he should be called for International duty. I would prefer Razzaq over Asif any day if Asif’s speed doesn’t improve.
Just when I was writing this Asif displayed a glimpse of his past by taking two quick wickets, the first one was an average ball but the second one was a beauty, late movement and the ball moved back in and knocked Cameroon White’s off stump. His second spell has been much better than the first one, he is moving the ball now.
I think Pakistan should have rested Gul in place of Aamer if they were serious in winning this match, the match all of a sudden has become interesting, Australia require 27 from 41 balls with only three wickets remaining. If Pakistan can get one more wicket Australia will be in big trouble.
Stani
Pakistan decided to go for a win very late, otherwise they could have done many things differently. Younis Khan and his team gave a lot of emotional trauma to the Indian fans for us Pakistanis this match was dead rubber and to be very honest most of us wanted the team to face New Zealand in the Semi finals.
Lets hope that Pakistan wins the semi final, New Zealand’s batting looks quite weak but their bowling still looks good it’s not going to be an easy match.
Although somebody said that for Semi final they are going to use a new pitch but you never know. Pakistan team should be mentally prepared to play the match on a mine field.
Wasim,
I agree, in hindsight that Ajmal over of 8 would have been better suited to a pacer but Ajmal is usually very good at the tale enders. Maybe Gul’s little dip in form forced Younis to go with Ajmal and leave Gul until there was no choice.
But of course we can just as easily say that had Afridi taken that catch then we would have won.
Muneeb
Thanks for correcting me, but you could have done that without using strong words but I guess we Pakistani’s have to show off our poor manners. It’s really pathetic.
In 1992 it was Eng vs South Africa.
All the four semi finalists are the same as 1992 world cup, PAK vs NZ and England Vs Aus, so if history is repeating itself it’s safe to say that Pakistan is bringing the trophy home.
What an exciting finish, Australia managed to win on the last ball of the match, Younis should have brought Gul or Asif in the third last over in which Ajmal gave away 8 runs, I think that over made the difference. Indian fans must be dejected they really wanted Pakistan to win today they missed the semi final birth by a whisker. But the fans could not have asked for more fun and excitement then what they got from this match, this is what Pakistan brings in International cricket.
Pakistan bowlers suddenly shifted gear and Australia is struggling right now, one wonders where was this intensity before, Rana and Asif bowled a few excellent overs, both bowlers were a treat to watch in this spell.