ISLAMABAD - Bowlers saved the day for green caps once again, as Pakistan carved out hard-fought 15-run victory against Zimbabwe to take two matches T20 series 2-0.
It was highly unprofessional performance by Pakistani batsmen and their poor show could have cost the team dearly, had the bowlers not come to the rescue.
First of all, Zimbabweans must understand the importance of preparing batting-friendly pitches, as spectators love ball being smashed to all corners of the park. Preparing dull pitches would serve no purpose to crowd or cricket. Crowd expects high scoring matches, unlike what they were offered at Harare. Had curators prepared batting friendly tracks, the crowd could have witnessed fireworks.
Once again, Afridi won the toss and opted to bat first. Very surprisingly, the team management made two changes in the starting XI, as Mukhtar Ahmed and off colored Wahab Riaz were replaced by Hafeez and M Irfan. Hafeez doesn't deserve a starting place only as specialist batsman, as his bowling always gave him the edge, but now under one-year ICC ban for suspected bowling action, it would be very difficult for Hafeez to cement his place in the starting XI.
Ahmed Shahzad should have been rested from T20 and ODIs as he just got married and needs some time off. He was never present on the ground, and remained super flop as a batsman and his fielding was also worst. The way he dropped a simple catch off the bowling of Imran Khan Junior was enough to prove, he was not mentally present and needed rest.
It was the perfect series where young guns should have been given nod of approval, and a perfect platform to launch fresh blood. But the team management missed the simple trick while the PCB also has been doing the same mistake for the past many years. New talent was wasted while exposed against top teams. New players should have been given break against weaker teams like Zimbabwe, no disrespect to Zimbabwe or other weaker teams, but it is reality, young guns could have come out all cylinders blazing, had given opportunity against teams like Zimbabwe.
Instead of going with same old guns like Hafeez, Ahmed Shahzad, Shoaib Malik, it was the time to unleash Amir Yamin, Bilal Asif and Mukhtar Ahmed. Wahab Riaz is nowhere even close what he was witnessed during the last year’s world cup. He is rusty and struggling to come up with terms, but it will take extra efforts from Imran Khan Junior, if he really wants to prolong his international career. He must have to add more varieties in his armory. He doesn't have any special delivery and just rely heavily on bowling 2 or 3 slow deliveries. He can get bashing, if he continues with same strategy.
Pakistan batting once again flopped miserably, as top order failed to provide solid foundation. Ahmed Shahzad once again just gifted his wicket, and same was the case with Shoiab Malik. Sohaib Maqsood and Boom Boom need to bat up the order, or else. He should risk his place in the starting XI. Afridi batting was his strength, but now he is not enjoying his batting nor his bowling bringing any fruit for him or country. He needs to come up with positive frame of mind and must bat at number 3 or 4, that is the only way for him to rediscover his lost touch.
Afridi is a mega star and a big match player, but past reputations doesn't mean much, and he needs to bounce back immediately. Pakistan team relies on Afridi both as batsman and wicket-taking bowler. He has to come up with different planning and aggressive frame of mind which is must for him to prolong his T20 career, otherwise, he may risk not even in the T20 squad for the next year’s World T20 Cup, thinking about captaincy will not be more than a day dreaming.
Pakistan bowling looked quite good, as Immad Wasim has certainly added that magic touch, which was long missing. He is a very clever player and knows how to score runs. He has already played key role in Pakistan's both victories and in the recent past, his match-winning knock against Sri Lanka further boosted his credentials. This squad with minimum changes can pose serious threat to all the other teams and can be the serious contenders for the next year’s World T20 Cup.