ISLAMABAD - As it was expected Pakistan once again stuck with Kamran Akmal in the crucial match against the Zimbabwe at Kandy on Monday. Instead of dropping Kamran, the team management excluded Shoiab Akhtar from the starting XI eleven and included Wahab Riaz. It was a surprise move as Shoaib was bowling quite well. He cant be blamed for the defeat against New Zealand as it were the drop catches not Shoaib that had led the humiliating defeat. Razzaq and Umer Gul shared the new bowl and both of them bowled exceptionally well with the new ball. Especially Razzaqs line and length was accurate. Pakistan managed to get first three Zimbabweans wickets for giving away 17 runs. Taibu and Ervine played carefully and took the score pass 40 before Misbah dropped a straight forward catch of Ervine. Being the vice captain of the side and fielding at first slip Misbah was supposed to hang to such a simple catch. Some fine and quality bowling Pakistan managed to restrict Zimbabwe to 50 for four in first 15 overs. Pakistan always enjoy tremendous support wherever they played and the situation at Kandy was not different as most from the crowd were chanting slogans for Pakistan team. A major turnaround was witnessed in Pakistans attitude on Monday as they were looking to attack right from the word it go and their ground fielding was also very sharp. Ervines drop catch proved costly for Pakistan as he took full advantage of that chance and punish Pakistan with an otherwise well played 52 valuable runs. One thing, which Afridi must know, is how to use DRS. There are only two chances and despite Kamran Akmals clear indication, Afridi wasted a chance by asking for a review and the replay showed the ball was pitched off the leg stump. One should be very careful and clear before going for a review. The rain also disrupted the match, once again Pakistan let the opposite team let off the hook and allowed Zimbabwe to make a decent score of 151 runs in 39.4 overs. Pakistan was given a revised target of 162 runs in 38 overs to win under Duck Worth Luis system because of the rain. Umar Gul was the pick of Pakistan bowlers grabbing three for 36 runs. He bowled with sheer pace and accuracy, and never allowed any batsman to settle down or play freely on his bowling. Wahab Riaz once again failed to impress with his bowling. He was clearly looking rusty. In reply after playing 11 consecutive maiden balls, finally Ahmed Shehzad hit the boundary on the last ball of Price over to kick start Pakistans run chase. Ahmed like in past tried to play a lofted stroke on a ball of Price and was easily stumped by Taibu when the team total was only 17 in the fourth over. Asad Shafiq, who was playing his first World Cup match, was surprisingly sent at no three despite the likes of Kamran Akmal and Younus Khan. When there were two senior players in the team, how could preference be given to a rookie at such an important number? This was a great risk and could prove costly. Asad consumed too many deliveries as was expected of him, because he had to overcome his nerves. Pakistan players were too defensive as it seemed they were playing a Test match. The batsmen must have to learn how to rotate strike when boundaries are not coming. They have to take singles at that critical stage. Asad and Hafeez wasted two consecutive powerplays by not taking even a single run. Their approach towards the game was too casual. You cant win big matches by playing so defensive cricket. Afridi must adopt an attacking approach to move beyond the quarterfinal. Rather than overcoming his past mistakes, Afridis captaincy is going from bad to worse. His body language is clearly looking down and he is gradually loosing grip on the team, too. Leading a world-class side, you have to stamp your authority on all the departments of the game. After scoring 30 runs in five overs for the loss of one wicket, Pakistani batsmen went in to a shell. Hardly a single could come out as Asad was struggling to make impact. You cant expect from him to cut loose as he was playing his first match. Afridi should have opened the innings with either Ahmed Shehzad or Kamran Akmal to make fast runs. This could have helped not only in making runs at a faster pace but also release the pressure for the later order batsmen. By looking at Pakistans reply, one thing is dead sure. They cant beat the Australians by wasting so many balls and not taking even singles. There is a big question mark on Afridis captaincy. The batting order needs to be changed afresh. Younus Khan and Misbah couldnt hit big shots at the later stage of the innings. Afridi made a big mistake by not sending Younus Khan at no three. An experienced campaigner like Younus was required at that stage to keep the scoreboard ticking and wrap up the match as early as possible to achieve a healthy run rate. This will count as the Group is shaping up. The run rate can be a deciding factor in teams position if they finish on same points. Hafeez paid the price of being overcautious and gave an easy catch in the slips after making 49 runs. It was a brave move on the part of Afridi to come at no four as the team needed someone to make quick runs without wasting too many balls. Asad after a slow start finally came in to rhythm and started scoring runs and played some delightful strokes. Afridi once again threw his wicket away playing a rash shot at the bowling of the dangerous Ray Price. Slowly but steadily Asad pasted his innings and made a brilliant match-winning knock of unbeaten 78 runs. Asad proved that he deserved a place in the starting 11. Now after the first task of reaching the quarterfinals has been achieved. The match against Australia will decide the fate of Pakistan team whom they are going to face in the quarter-final. If the team plays to their potential without any fear, the victory is not an impossible one to achieve. Overall, Pakistans performance in Mondays match was quite satisfactory but the team have to lift their game and start scoring runs a bit quicker to put the opponents under pressure. The batting line required to be changed. Younus must come at no three in the next game against Australia as the team need an experienced campaigner like him to be at the crease. It will help the non-striker batsmen too.