ISLAMABAD - Debutants Anwar Ali and Bilalwal Bhatti answer to Pakistan woes with superb match-winning performances with both willow and leather.
Pakistan batting once again flopped miserably. Nasir Jamshed and Ahmed Shahzad consumed too many deliveries but failed to put decent totals. How many chances Nasir would get from the team management? He hardly moves his feet and gifted his wicket by getting out in same manner since long.
Pakistan batting was tattering at one stage with all the recognised batsmen were sitting in the dressing room with only 131 runs on the board. Anwar and Bilawal not only batted sensibly, but also showed the top stars how to cope with the conditions. It was quite shameful to watch batsmen losing wickets on average deliveries with their poor technique and lazy shot selection. As expected, after playing exceptionally in T20s Hafeez failed miserably and fell to Dale Steyn once again chasing a wayward delivery.
Pakistan Cricket Board must take strong notice of Hafeez's irresponsible behaviour, which is costing Pakistan team dearly. Hafeez is still occupying a place in the playing XI despite the fact that just because of his negative attitude Pakistan team is clearly divided. It was quite unfortunate to watch Umar Akmal getting out without even opening his account. A player, who was at the top of his game just two days back, suddenly looked off colour once again. Umar must have to realise his batting holds key for Pakistan's victory march.
It was all about the extra-ordinary performance of Anwar and Bilalwal. Both these lads showed they had got tremendous talent and ability to change the entire situation of the match. At a time when all the main batsmen, Afirid as usual tried to create a shot out of nothing and that too against Steyn, which was totally unnecessary. It was required from Afridi to prolong his stay at the crease, but if Afridi played sensibly, who will call him Afridi? The match-winning 8th wicket stand of 74 runs between two debutants proved turning point of the match. The way Bilalwal hit top bowlers was a treat to watch. Anwar also batted with lot of authority and never showed any signs of being the debutant.
After helping Pakistan to register a fighting total of 218, these both bowled their hearts out to ensure a classic 23 runs victory against Proetas and scored their first ever win on that particular venue. Bilalwal was especially bowling with lot of fire and venom. The way he cleaned up Quinton de Kock was a treat to watch. Anwar then cleaned up the last and hope the backbone of South African batting Jacques Kallis, who looked to have completely missed the delivery.
Now the first task of inflicting a morale boosting victory is achieved, but Pakistan must not relax until the mission accomplished. Misbah looked quite sharp as a captain. He must continue to lead same way. Any leniency on the part of captain or team would spell disaster as South Africans are capable of staging comeback. Pakistan had never won a bilateral series against South Africa and this is their opportunity to break this jinx.