ISLAMABAD - Pakistan’s pathetic fielding, wicketkeeping and poor running between the wickets gifted England victory in plate, as visitors go 2-1 up in the 4-match One Day International series.
The way Pakistani batsmen were playing, it seemed they were in a hurry to reach dressing room, as for the second match in running, Not a single batsman got out on extraordinary delivery or due to special efforts of the bowlers, but they just simply played highly irresponsible and completely unprofessional strokes, which led to their downfall.
Azhar Ali’s captaincy was highly questionable once again. Despite getting out cheaply, thanks to superb spin bowling, Pakistan team made a strong comeback in the match, but the captain failed to rotate his bowling options. The way three Pakistani batsmen including the skipper ran themselves out, it was very hard to absolve. Once again Babar Azam was made a scapegoat, as he was again forced to open the innings, despite having a player like Hafeez in the ranks, who is the most suitable choice to open the innings.
Specialist opener Ahmed Shahzad warming the bench, as the team management has been preferring all-rounders and those who have yet to prove their worth. For the second match in running, Iftikhar, who was a big flop in the first match, was included in the playing XI. Instead of keeping faith in Iftikhar, Bilal Asif or Ahmed Shahzad should have given nod of approval which could bring positive results.
Azhar is a very weak skipper and can't dictate his terms. He is just a skipper in papers, while Waqar Younis enjoys full powers from the sideline. If Waqar wants to get involved in ground affairs, he should take back retirement, resign as a coach and start playing again. Azhar is shy and hesitate to take decisions. Despite getting a very solid 45-run opening stand, Pakistan just failed to carry on with the good work and lost last seven wickets for just 76 runs, which speaks volumes about inefficiency and why they are dubbed as unpredictable.
The way Malik, Azhar and Rizwan ran themselves out and that too at very crucial stages of the match, proved a turning point of the match. Without even calling Malik, Rizwan just started to run, Hafeez should have waited for the ball to clear before he started running without looking at non striker. It was more Hafeez' fault then Azhar, but Rizwan and Malik could be solely blamed for getting themselves run out. Thanks mainly to Wahab Riaz and Zafar Gohar, Pakistan did manage to post somewhat respectable total, otherwise, things were looking grim, because at one stage, Pakistan were struggling at 161-8.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) hired an army of caches, but this army has failed to justify its responsibilities. Who is going to tell the players about the importance of rotating strike, it is impossible to hit every ball out of the park, rotating strike not only keep scoreboard moving but also put opponents under pressure. For the third time in running, Pakistani batsmen failed to use commonsense and just tried to hit every ball out of the park. Hafeez, Iftikhar, Sarfraz and Anwar got out on almost same deliveries, trying to pull the ball. English bowlers are fully aware about the shortcomings of Pakistani batsmen, and use Pakistani players’ flaw in techniques to the best of their abilities.
The way Hafeez got out playing almost no stroke was highly condemnable, as his departure spell disaster for Pakistan team. Anwar Ali looked scared from the bowlers, and for the second time in running, Woakes proved to be the nemeses for Pakistan team, as he once again captured four wickets in the match. No disrespect to Woakes, but he didn't manage to pick a single wicket on a special delivery, but thanks mainly to poor shot selection of Pakistani batsmen.
Pakistan’s worst fielding didn't help their cause. They were in the match as four top English batsmen including dangerous Morgan, Roots and Hales were back in the pavilion with only 93 runs on the board. But a series of drop catches, especially worst wicketkeeping by Sarfraz Ahmed, ensured green caps ended up at losing side. Sarfraz missed a series of chances, which came thick and fast. Buttler could have been in the pavilion without opening his account, but Sarfraz kept on juggling with the ball, which could have otherwise a routine stumping. Irfan and Zafar Gohar played their part in inflicting defeat on green caps. Debutant Zafar was posing himself as a super star, as his behavior in the field was very strange. He just dropped a simple caught and bowled chance and then completely misjudged a catch at boundary.
Now England is taking 2-1 lead and Pakistan is lying at number 9 in the ICC ODI rankings, so Pakistan can't afford any further let ups. Instead of punishing Umar Akmal and Ahmed Shahzad, coach Waqar and the PCB must have pity on nation and select the best available playing XI for the 4th and final ODI. Pakistan must enter the match playing for their pride, rather than winning the series. The momentum is with England and only extraordinary efforts can save blushes of green caps.