Pakistan have a Mixed Weekend in Sri Lanka

Back in Action
By SS
May 13 2003

Pakistan easily beat Sri Lanka by 79 runs in a low scoring encounter, but then suffered a heavy defeat against New Zealand in their second match. It's all to play for, as we appraoch the second round of matches in Dambulla.

Pakistan recorded highs and lows over the weekend as they recorded an excellent victory against the host nation, but then crashed to a heavy defeat against New Zealand.

In both matches the brunt of the Pakistani batting failed, and it was left to Muhammed Hafeez to score a patient and crucial 50 to help Pakistan to a modest, but challenging 199. Under normal circumstances one would expect the Sri Lankans to cruise home chasing a modest total like the one that Pakistan could muster, but this time things were different. The pitch assisted the Pakistani quicks, rather than being tailor made for spinners and the early wicket of Jayasuriya was instrumental in the Pakistan victory.

The bowling and fielding against Sri Lanka was exceptional and the pressure generated by this tight bowling and fielding led to mistakes by the out of form Sri Lankan batsman. The victory by 79 runs was an exceptional achievement and it must have been heartening for Pakistani fans to see the Pindi express back in action and bowling well.

In the New Zealand match Pakistan never really got started against the Kiwi quicks and at 17 for 5, the game was all but over. A rearguard action by Rashid Latif and Shoaib Akhtar ensured Pakistan reached 116, but this was never going to trouble the New Zealanders. The Kiwis scored the required runs for the loss of only 3 wickets and joined Pakistan on 6 points.

Overall, the batting has not clicked on bowler friendly pitches with Taufeeq Umar, Faisal Iqbal and Yousuf Youhana especially disappointing. The jury is still out on Taufeeq as far as the one day team is concerned. My personal opinion is that he can only become an established one day batsman if he improves his running between the wickets and shot selection. He seems to get bogged down and rely on the big shots too much and should start rotating the strike more often.

Faisal Iqbal is always going to get stick off Pakistani fans due to him being Javed Miandads nephew. I think it is only fair to judge him on cricketing ability rather than his family connections, but like Taufeeq, the jury is still out on Faisal and he too needs to work on his running between the wickets. I personally would have Faisal in the test team but not in the one day team. The number 3 position is a crucial position and I do not think Faisal is the right man to bat in this spot.

The bowling in both matches has been respectable with Sami, Shoaib Akhtar and Abdul Razzaq performing really well. It will be interesting to see if Shabbir is given a chance in the next match, which I think he deserves. As Jacob Oram has shown, the extra bounce generated by the tall bowlers can be a real handful in Dambulla.

The balance of the team is still questionable with Shoaib Maliks role still debatable. An excellent fielder, useful batsman and bowler, Shoaib is still performing to an adequate rather than spectacular level. He seems to be the bits and pieces cricketer that we do not really need in the team. If Hafeez is a useful bowler, do we need to play 2 spinners in the team?

I think Pakistan should leave out Taufeeq, Faisal and Shoaib Malik for the next match and replace them with Faisal Athar, Yasir Hameed and Shabbir Ahmed. It is no point in taking these youngsters along just for them to carry the drinks, we may as well give them a chance. At this moment in time Pakistan have nothing to lose and one can only judge a player once they have had a proper chance.