Pakistan lost the plot and the second one dayer against Sri Lanka
during the ongoing series in United Arab Emirates. It was an
eye-opening defeat for those who thought Sri Lanka was never ‘in it to
win it!’ Similarly, for the fans of the greenshirts, the defeat was
shocking. They had the better bowlers and batsmen… then why did they
lose?
during the ongoing series in United Arab Emirates. It was an
eye-opening defeat for those who thought Sri Lanka was never ‘in it to
win it!’ Similarly, for the fans of the greenshirts, the defeat was
shocking. They had the better bowlers and batsmen… then why did they
lose?
Fielding proved to be the main difference between the two sides. For a
side missing the mighty Muttiah Muralitharan and Sanath Jayasuriya
(due to retirements), and being spearheaded by an out of sorts and out
of practice Lasith Malinga, Sri Lanka managed to compensate for their
losses by being accurate in the field. They caused run outs and held
on to their catches when it mattered the most. Had Umar Akmal’s catch
not been taken or Shahid Afridi’s run out not been caused, Pakistan
would surely have been ahead by 2 nil, instead of 1-1.
side missing the mighty Muttiah Muralitharan and Sanath Jayasuriya
(due to retirements), and being spearheaded by an out of sorts and out
of practice Lasith Malinga, Sri Lanka managed to compensate for their
losses by being accurate in the field. They caused run outs and held
on to their catches when it mattered the most. Had Umar Akmal’s catch
not been taken or Shahid Afridi’s run out not been caused, Pakistan
would surely have been ahead by 2 nil, instead of 1-1.
Pakistan, on the other hand, didn’t do justice with their batting
line-up and also with the fact that they faltered with the power play
decisions. In order to win the next match to be played on Friday,
Pakistan needs to do many things right. Apart from improve their
fielding, the Pakistani captain Misbah ul Haq will have to wear his
thinking cap, and act aggressively. Pakistan has three spinners in
Shahid Afridi, Saeed Ajmal and Mohammad Hafeez. They can go for Abdur
Rehman and open the bowling with a spinner from one end. Otherwise
they should opt for youngster Junaid Khan who caused problems for the
Sri Lankans in Tests instead of the aging Aizaz Cheema. Umar Akmal
should be asked to bowl as per a plan, otherwise he too can sit out so
that Sohail Tanvir can get his chance.
line-up and also with the fact that they faltered with the power play
decisions. In order to win the next match to be played on Friday,
Pakistan needs to do many things right. Apart from improve their
fielding, the Pakistani captain Misbah ul Haq will have to wear his
thinking cap, and act aggressively. Pakistan has three spinners in
Shahid Afridi, Saeed Ajmal and Mohammad Hafeez. They can go for Abdur
Rehman and open the bowling with a spinner from one end. Otherwise
they should opt for youngster Junaid Khan who caused problems for the
Sri Lankans in Tests instead of the aging Aizaz Cheema. Umar Akmal
should be asked to bowl as per a plan, otherwise he too can sit out so
that Sohail Tanvir can get his chance.
As for the batting lineup, the hosts will have to innovate like never
before. Shahid Afridi should be made to bat in the top three because
his hitting can give the team the boost they require at the start of
the innings. Just 2 years back, he won the Twenty20 World Cup for
Pakistan by batting at number 3 and there is no reason why he
shouldn’t do so again. The openers need to consider the new rules of
one day cricket and bat slowly at first, and aggressively later when
the ball gets old. Although Umar Akmal batted aggressively for his 91
in the second match, he should be asked to bat sensibly this time.
before. Shahid Afridi should be made to bat in the top three because
his hitting can give the team the boost they require at the start of
the innings. Just 2 years back, he won the Twenty20 World Cup for
Pakistan by batting at number 3 and there is no reason why he
shouldn’t do so again. The openers need to consider the new rules of
one day cricket and bat slowly at first, and aggressively later when
the ball gets old. Although Umar Akmal batted aggressively for his 91
in the second match, he should be asked to bat sensibly this time.
And finally, a point to ponder! Pakistan hasn’t batted first on the
tour as yet and they must bat first if they win the toss on Friday,
because to bat first in the middle of the series always helps. Suppose
Pakistan doesn’t bat first in any of the matches, then Sri Lanka will
have the option to put Misbah XI to bat first in the last 2 matches,
and then the pressure will be with us, instead of the visitors who
will use it as an advantage.
tour as yet and they must bat first if they win the toss on Friday,
because to bat first in the middle of the series always helps. Suppose
Pakistan doesn’t bat first in any of the matches, then Sri Lanka will
have the option to put Misbah XI to bat first in the last 2 matches,
and then the pressure will be with us, instead of the visitors who
will use it as an advantage.
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