ISLAMABAD - Umar Akmal's masterful knock saves Pakistan from humiliation, as Green Caps posted an unconvincing 72-run victory against debutants Afghanistan in their second match of the Asia Cup.
Pakistan's batting woes continue to haunt them. Despite posting 55-run opening stand, Sharjeel Khan once again gifted his wicket. They were in dire straits at one stage as they had lost six wickets with only 117 runs on the board. It was exceptional solo efforts of Akmal, who despite under enormous pressure, as an arrest warrant was issued against him for not appearing before the court in Lahore over his feud with a traffic warden, put everything behind and silenced his critics with match-winning performance. It was a treat to watch Akmal batting with so much maturity and played one of the most memorable knocks of his career and that too when it matters most. Akmal was given support by Anwar Ali, who although scored only 21 runs, but it was his stay at the crease, which gave Pakistan 60-run 7th wicket stand, which proved the difference at the end.
It was by all means unacceptable and irresponsible batting by Hafeez, Sohaib, Sharjeel and Boom Boom Afridi. Afridi continued to not only let himself down, his followers but also the team. Now a big knock is from all these players. If they want to remain in the playing XI, then they had to produce results with the willow or fresh blood should be given chance, asit makes no sense of retaining players for past performances.
Akmal ensured Pakistan posted a fighting total of 248 for the loss of 8 wickets, but even then it was by no means a daunting target. If Afghan players had the experience of playing at this level, they could have snatched victory right under the noses of the defending champions and almost eliminated Pakistan.
But lack of experience cost Afghan's dearly. After losing hard-hitting Shazad early, it was 74-run stand for third wicket between Asghar and Nawroz, which caused panic among the men in green. But rush of blood forced Asghar to gift his wicket and then last real hope Nawroz also was needlessly run out, while trying to respond to skipper Nabi's call. The run was never there and it signaled the end of Afghan's resistance, as the entire team was bundled out for 176. At one stage they had only lost two wickets with 139 runs on the board but it was spin wizard Saeed Ajmal, who was almost unplayable. Although Saeed only took two wickets but his doosra was hard to pick for the batsmen.
Though Pakistan got a bonus point in the end, but it was by no means a convincing victory for vastly experienced Pakistan side. Team management had to take batting flop very seriously as winning against Afghanistan is a different thing and playing against India or even Bangladesh is a altogether a different ball game. They could not stage such comeback against experienced sides and middle order must have to deliver the goods. Sohaib has to justify his place in the playing XI, otherwise carry on with such liabilities is not in the interest of the team. Fawad Alam should be given chance. Hafeez should come to open the innings and Sharjeel or Sohaib should make way for Fawad to give much-needed boost to middle order, which looked completely fragile in the absence of Younus Khan. His exclusion from the squad had already left a huge void to fill. Moin Khan's role looks nowhere. What was the reason of hiring him as head coach when he had no experience what so ever of coaching even club level team?
PCB Interim Management chairman Najam Sethi has adopted a policy of luring his opponents by bribing them with lucrative posts. These practices would destroy Pakistan cricket and past glories would only be remember in history books. Sethi has to change his way of dealing with things or else it would be a lost cause.