Cricket needs Pakistan and that is a Cricketing Gospel. They did all they could to create some drama in the match. They were brilliant and then pathetic. There were stupid run outs, dropped catches, missed stumping and 29 extras. All typically Pakistan; but win they did finally. And once again they have kept a World Cup record intact. Sri Lanka have never beaten Pakistan at the Cup.
All the feelings behind the drama were expressed in one moment of sheer fun when Umar Gul put his tongue out even as he was heaving a sigh of relief when Kulasekara hit a full-toss straight to Umar Akmal at long on. The ball well went... Umar se Umar tak !
Gul had a bad match, but Afridi trusted him to bowl the last over and he did well. Kakmal was good, bad and ugly in the same match, many times over. Still, this team seems to be bonding well. Yunis Khan is playing the pivotal role and he looks rock solid. And Shoaib Aqthar has never looked better.
Misbah-ul-haq and Yunis Khan are forging a formidable middle order. With Umar Akmal, Afridi and Razzack to follow, they can be a handful. That Ukmal guy has some cheek. After completing the Kulasekara catch, he actually walked very close to the boundary rope, as if to taunt the vociferous Sri Lankan crowd. And Afridi mock-slapped him.
Coming to Sri Lanka, why are they hiding Malinga ? They seem to stagnate once into middle order. Chamara Silva top-scored, but was perhaps the reason for the stagnation.
This World Cup promises to be the Cup of the Leg Spinners and I am not complaining. It was another Pakistani in South Africa colors who has made life worth living and Cricket worth watching. Is Dhoni watching ?
Afridi has now proved he can do wonders when entrusted with responsibility. First it was the T-20 Win in England and now he seems to be gearing up for the World Cup. He delivered every time they needed a wicket, including the wicket of his counterpart Sanga. And let us not forget he can bat a bit.
Pakistan are warming up and they can still improve and that is worrying for the opponents. But can they maintain the tempo till the end ? I hope not, because I want India to win.
But if India don't win, I would prefer Pakistan to win ! Now I am prepared to be roasted by Indian friends for this comment ! Pakistan is my second favorite team and they always will remain, in spite of fixers. We can't let the talent they manufacture there to go waste.
S-Pun Doctor
I say the team that beat SL today was not Pakistan. Prove it that it was.... :-)
ReplyDeleteGol,
ReplyDeleteYour challenge made me to improve my post a little bit. It was quintessential Pakistan...
They were brilliant and then pathetic. There were stupid run outs, dropped catches, missed stumping and 29 extras. All typically Pakistan; but win they did finally.
You mentioned that Shoaib Akhtar has never looked better. I would have to second you on that.
ReplyDeleteHis performance today imbibed in me a certain respect for him that I did not have previously. He was ready to bowl within his limitations, but he also proved that within those limitations there is so much talent and zeal hidden that Pakistan was absolutely correct in recalling him to their team. Brilliant!
Right Shridhar, It scares me to think they have a huge scope for further improvement and that scares me.
ReplyDeleteActor Miyaan was brilliant and the way he cleaned up Mahela is a stuff of legend ! Hope he stays fit and eager till the end. Because if India have to win the Cup, they have to win against Aqthar and Co.