Under what circumstances Pakistan did decide to bowl first after winning the toss? What were the compulsions? Who decided to go with two
spinners against India? It is a well-known fact that Indian team is quite comfortable with spin. In fact it was akin to committing a virtual Harakiri focussing on the spin when playing against Indian team.
Further Dissection
Moreover, Hassan Ali was not bowling at the right length.
Arguably he has been the most expensive bowler for Pakistan in all World Cups now. Similarly, Wahab Riaz was also unable to bowl even a single Yorker. Only saving grace was Mohammad Amir. He was the only bowler who exhibited ‘Never say die attitude’.
Mohammad
Hafeez and Shoaib Malik are not exactly in form and are on the wrong side of 35. Expecting to win the World Cup with the oldies seems farfetched. Moreover dexterity level of Pakistani cricketers had deteriorated over the last two years. Inconsistency
and unpredictability have become the hallmark of Pakistan team.
Viewpoint
Pakistan is in urgent need of enthusing young blood into the team. Albeit, this measure should have been taken much earlier, but it is never too late. As the saying goes “
When the Going Gets Tough, the Tough Gets Going” (جب مشکل ہو جاتی ہے تو سخت ہو جاتی ہے). It is time to introspect. In the remaining matches, Pakistan should perform extremely well although one school of thought suggests Pakistan’s World
Cup campaign has almost ended because their net run rate is below all other teams’ except Afghanistan.
Sure, It is extremely difficult
for Pakistan to be among the top four teams even if they win all their remaining fixtures of the tournament, but where there is a will, there is a way (جہاں کوشش وہاں امید). Every member of Pakistan Cricket Team should muster its resources, concentrate
on their game and play their best cricket. They owe it their fans and motherland.
19 Jun 19/Wednesday
Written by Naphisa