Boom Boom Afridi can turn the tide

ISLAMABAD - Pakistan is all set to take on West Indies in the first quarter-final of the World Cup 2011 at Mirpur, Dhaka today (Wednesday). On ground, 11 players wearing the green shirts will test their luck to beat West Indies to earn the right to play the semi-finals, but in realty millions of fans back at home will be praying for their heroes not to only win that particular match but also bring the World Cup back where it belongs, after a gap of more than 19 years. Pakistan must not take this match easy as the West Indies can cause a huge upset by beating the pre-match favourites Pakistan. Pakistan must play attacking game and not allow the opponents to settle down if they want to beat West Indies. Shahid Afridi in the most crucial match of his carrier as captain must lead the side from the front; all of his past mistakes can be forgiven if he finally lets his willow do the talking, as he was selected in the team as a batsman who can also bowl. But Afridi has failed to deliver something good from his willow since long. Millions of fans across the globe want to see the return of the man, whom they recognise as Boom Boom Afridi. Afridi is a big player and this is the best platform for him to excel and provide the fans the much-awaited entertaining knock. Looking at the entire Pakistan squad Afridi is by far the most stylish and hard-hitting batsman. If he plays according to his potential, no body can stop him from hitting the balls out of the park. For the sake of the team and the millions of people back at home Afridi should deliver now. The opening department of the national squad could not give a half-centaury stand in the last six innings. With Hafeez and Kamran Akmal there is a slim chance of improvement in the worst record. If Afridi decides to open the innings with Kamran Akmal, there is a great chance the team would have a flying start and an on-song Afridi is never easy for any opposition to handle. Playing a do or die match Pakistan can't afford to take any risk. Now its up to Afridi whether he wants the side to put the opposition under pressure right from the beginning or like past wastes a golden chance to let opposition dictate its own terms. After opening, wicket-keeping of Kamran Akmal is a big question mark. His butter finger keeping has already cost Pakistan dearly and the team can't afford further lapses on his part. Kamran must be trained harder in the nets to overcome his shortcomings. Practice makes a man perfect, and Kamran must remember these famous words of wisdom for the sake of the team and himself. The ground fielding of the green shirts was exceptionally well against Australia and the same kind of performance is required against the West Indies too. Bowling remained the main weapon of Pakistan throughout the tournament. Umar Gul is bowling the spells of his life. He has not to only maintain his line and length but also improve it further. Abdul Rehman had bowled well against Australia as an attacking bowler and Afridi has an opportunity to use him either as opening bowler or for the middle overs of the innings. Abdul Razzaq had bowled some excellent overs while opening the bowling, but he was a complete failure against Zimbabwe when Afridi tried him in the middle of the innings, but he bounced back in style against Australia at the same position claiming two prize scalps of Clarke and Johnson. It would be better for Afridi to use Razzaq in the beginning of innings and bring on Rehman in the middle overs. Overall Pakistan has a real chance to beat this somewhat weak West Indian side by overcoming their minor mistakes. Younus Khan, Asad Shafiq, Umar Akmal and Misbahul Haq hold the key for Pakistan to make progress to the semi-final. Misbah is having a lean period of late but he has got the class to bounce back and the team needs his experience to make inroads into the opposition. Asad has made a tremendous impact in the World Cup with his two innings' batting at the most crucial No three position. He has showed his class of being capable of playing big innings whenever the team requires. Pakistan has an almost perfect squad and there is no reason they can't beat the West Indian side. The only drawback is the leniency, which the team shows and allows the opposition to make in roads. If the team plays the quarterfinal according to a set plan and to the best of their potential, they are more than capable of lifting the World Cup for the second time in their history. This is arguably the most balanced and naturally God gifted bunch of players Pakistan ever had.