Pak Ease Home after NZ Collapse

Solid Performance
By SS
December 30 2003

Pakistan wrapped up an amazing victory as the Kiwis were bundled out for only 103 in their 2nd innings,losing their last 7 wickets for only 8. Shoaib and Shabbir completed the rout and solid batting from Pakistan's top 5 led them to a 7 wicket victory, which lifts Pak to 3rd in the ICC rankings.

It is Saturday evening and the New Zealand cricket team look a content and relaxed bunch of sportsmen enjoying themselves in the plush surroundings of their Wellington hotel. The New Zealand team are tucking into their New Zealand Lamb Chops and the appetites are good. The topic of discussion unsurprisingly is declarations. Stephen Fleming and John Bracewell are in a bullish mood as they talk about what target to set the struggling Pakistanis. New Zealand 245 ahead are debating whether to opt for Plan A which is to dangle the carrot for the inexperienced Pakistanis and set them a target which may tempt them and therefore result in the tourists playing a few rash strokes, or Plan B, bat them out of the game by taking the lead up to an impossible 400. Note there is no Plan C !

MacMillans, Richardsons, Tuffeys, Vettoris and Orams opinions are respected as they being the most experienced of the Kiwis would no doubt have plenty to offer in this discussion. After settling for a target of 80 runs in the morning session for the loss of maximum 2 wickets, the Kiwis decide they will really go for it in the first hour after lunch and stretch their lead to 400. The bowlers offer their opinions on getting rid of the top 3 youngsters cheaply, thus creating pressure for Inzamam and Yousuf. They concur that Moin and Razzaq will go for a few big shots, but would not have the skill to play a long patient innings. The long Pakistani tail would be wrapped up by messrs Butler and Tuffey, and that would be game over early into day 5.

Well what happened to plan C ?? This I believe was the downfall of the Kiwis, there was no plan C on day 4. They lost their “rock” Mark Richardson and the rest went down like a pack of cards. Panic, disbelief, a negative attitude throughout the series and a lack of fight resulted in the New Zealanders surrendering so meekly. The negative attitude was there for all to see as Mark Richardson and co with a lead of 170 runs from the first innings opted to score at 2 runs per over on day 3, ending up on 75 for 3, instead of trying to force the issue and stretching their lead nearer to 300.

Shoaib Akhtar in my opinion is amongst a group of players currently playing international cricket, whom have the ability to change the course of a test match in the space of a few deliveries. He changed the course of the match on the morning of day 4, from a precarious position for Pakistan to a possible match winning position. Only a special and highly talented cricketer has that ability. His control, late swing, aggression and effort were there to see for all and I think he has impressed a lot of cricket lovers around the world with his latest 11 wicket haul.

274 was by no means an easy task for the “usually nervous when chasing” Pakistani batsman, but the significant aspect of this chase was that right from Imran Farhats leg glance for 4 from the first over, one could see a positive attitude. It was as though the team had said to themselves that we are really going to go for this target and not get bogged down. 274 was by far the biggest 4th innings test score in Wellington and the consummate ease in which the Pakistanis reached this target must have been demoralizing for the Black Caps. The determined and fearless Yasir Hameed provided the impetus at number 3 with a stroke filled 50 and it was left to the old warhorses Inzamam and Yousuf to lead the jubilant Pakistanis home to a fantastic and thoroughly deserved victory on the morning of day 5.

Inzamam in fact enjoyed his stay in Wellington so much and also the hotel facilities offered to him, that he opted for an extra nights stay in Wellington and dragged everybody back on the morning of day 5, when he could have quite easily finished the match on the evening of day 4.