Catastrophe of Pallekele is blessing in disguise for Pakistan.
110 runs catastrophe against New Zealand made Pakistan from Hero to Zero at Pallekele but this catastrophe could be an ultimatum, eye-opener and foremost blessing in disguise for Pakistan. Though Pakistan has almost qualified for Quarter Final – unless Zimbabwe does upsets with huge margins – but future performances will decide with whom and where will Pakistan play Quarter Final.
It was only 2nd time Pakistan lost to New Zealand in WC Matches, they have beaten them 6 times. There are some blessings in disguise to be picked from this loss to make the performance better in next matches.
One bowler short:
Today, it’s finally proven that Pakistan is playing with one short bowler particularly as far as depth overs are concerned. In current line-up, Umar Gul is the only bowler who can bowl with old ball and with bowling power-play. Pakistan need a bowler along with Umar Gul who can bowl at depth.
Replacements need to be made:
Pakistan should bring in Wahab Riaz as soon as possible to add depth in bowling and to make the bowling stronger. On batting-wickets, you need strong bowling not batting. But question is who should be replaced? Some suggestions are as followed.
- Drop Ahmad Shahzad, replace him with Wahab Riaz and bring Kamran Akmal as opener.
- Drop Abdul Razzak, and bring Wahab Riaz in place of him.
Ahmad Shazad is, beyond a shadow of doubt, Pakistan's future but currently we need some depth in bowling. Mohammad Hafeez is also not performing but his experience and bowling can be lethal at any day that's why its better to drop Ahmad Shahzad.
Abdul Razzak might have scored 50 against New Zealand but all in all he is being wasted; he hardly gets a chance to bat and bowls only 4 or 5 overs, Pakistan should bring a specialist bowler in place of Abdul Razzak
Batting under-lights:
Pakistan batted first in first 3 matches where conditions of batting were much easier. Had Pakistan won the toss against New Zealand it could have been 4th effort of batting first. Now Pakistan should seriously need to learn how to bat under lights in conditions where most of the times ball helps the seamers. It is to be noted that Pakistan’s all the matches in this World Cup would be day/night matches till final[if they reach].
In Cricket's history, a team has never successfully chased target of 300 in Srilanka, highest target chased in Srilanka is some 281 odd. So Pakistan should keep this thing in mind that if they are asked to bowl first then they much restrict the opposition below 250 and its possible only when you have depth in your bowling. Pakistan, if reaches, might play their Semi final in Colombo where once again teams are troubled during chase. Though Pakistan's probability of playing Quarter in Colombo is very low because home-team(Sri Lanka) will be preferred to play in Colombo irrespective of their standings in group. Pakistan is likely to play Quarter Final in Dhaka unless they get a game against India.
In Cricket's history, a team has never successfully chased target of 300 in Srilanka, highest target chased in Srilanka is some 281 odd. So Pakistan should keep this thing in mind that if they are asked to bowl first then they much restrict the opposition below 250 and its possible only when you have depth in your bowling. Pakistan, if reaches, might play their Semi final in Colombo where once again teams are troubled during chase. Though Pakistan's probability of playing Quarter in Colombo is very low because home-team(Sri Lanka) will be preferred to play in Colombo irrespective of their standings in group. Pakistan is likely to play Quarter Final in Dhaka unless they get a game against India.
Kamran Akmal needs to be dropped?
There is no sympathy for Kamran Akmal but question is if he is dropped then who will replace him? Umar Akmal is the makeshift keeper so it would be huge risk to have him keeper in upcoming matches. Or perhaps Shahid Afridi needs to tell bowlers to not trust Kamran Akmal and play with strategy of taking 13 or 14 wickets in innings.
Opening with spinner?
If South Africa and West Indies were successful by opening with spinners; it was due to their planning before World Cup, and they played matches in India where pitch was supporting spin. Shahid Afridi must have not changed his combination of bowlers, it was indeed a mistake to open with spin and Pakistan were left with no option in middle of the innings.
Shoaib Akhtar in depth?
Shahid Afridi did the same mistake which he was doing before World Cup; Shoaib Akhter is never a bowler to be used in death overs, he should have completed his quote before 40th over. At number of times, Shoaib Akhter has leaked runs while bowling at depth. He was perfectly used in match against Sri Lanka.
Complacency is undone:
Had Pakistan won all the matches of Round Robin stage, Pakistan would have suffered with complacency in Quarter Finals as we saw in 1996 WC. Pakistan just lost one match in 1996 WC before losing Quarter Final, South Africa didn’t lose any game before losing Quarter Final at Karachi in 1996 WC. Now at least Pakistan will remain on their toes when they enter in Quarter Final.
Keep the Run Rate high:
New Zealand has snatched 1st spot from Pakistan in Group A not because they beat Pakistan but they beat Pakistan by good margin. Had Pakistan lost by some decent margin then Pakistan would have remained on top. Being on top means that Pakistan will meet lower team of Group B, a single run can put Pakistan against an easy team and easy venue in Quarter Final so every run should be considered.
This article just reflects the thinking of writer, readers might disagree in comments but in an academic manner
This article just reflects the thinking of writer, readers might disagree in comments but in an academic manner
