Hafeez is suspended, So-hail our new all-rounder

KARACHI: At 124-6, Pakistan were down and out. Sarfraz Ahmed’s dismissal brought to the crease perhaps the most unpredictable batsman the game has ever seen and even the most optimistic of fans had given up on the first ODI against New Zealand at the Dubai International Stadium.

But on Monday night, a remarkably restrained and sensible Shahid Afridi showed up. In company of rookie Haris Sohail, Boom Boom didn’t go bust and instead churned out a match winning 110-run seventh-wicket partnership; scoring 61 runs of his own in the process.

Remarkably even in a ‘restrained’ effort, Afridi managed to score at better than a-run-a-ball, underlining his incredible batting talent, which unfortunately has often been overshadowed by his rashness over 18 years of international cricket.

Our new all-rounder

Sohail, who scored an unbeaten 85, capped off a truly remarkable game, where he went from being a probable in the team to a bowling all-rounder with a promising future in one fell swoop.

But the transformation did not come out of nothing. While all eyes were on Pakistan’s Test series against Australia and New Zealand, Sohail, a reserve in the Tests who had only bowled 68 deliveries in first-class cricket, bowled tirelessly in the nets. All that hard work paid off in incredible fashion, as Sohail bowled 10 accurate overs on the trot, conceding only 39 runs in the process.

“I have been bowling in the nets for two to three hours daily, and spin-bowling coach Mushtaq Ahmed, coach Waqar Younis and skipper Misbahul Haq all gave me confidence and encouraged me to bowl," said Sohail.

The Sialkot ‘all-rounder’ hopes to cement his place in the team after an almost flawless performance in the ODI. “I am confident that my performance will help me cement my place in the team," he added.

Muhammad Hafeez has been banned from bowling so there will invariably be more experimenting before the World Cup.

Sohail, despite his sterling start, shouldn’t be expected to deliver consistently with the ball as on a flat track any international batsman worth his salt is likely to take the left-arm spinner to the cleaners.

Hafeez has remained the most economical bowler in the ODI format in recent years. His ability to cast a stranglehold on southpaws is almost legendary now. The team management must release him from the team to start remedial work on his action immediately. The clearance of Kane Williamson and Sachitra Senanayake must surely ignite the hopes of all international bowlers currently going through their suspension sentence.

The PCB has spent a hefty amount on Saeed Ajmal’s rehabilitation, Hafeez too should be asked to remedy his action straightaway as the clock ticks by to the squad selection deadline.

World Cup spots up for grabs

Pakistan will also need to give Umar Akmal an extended run before the premier ODI tournament. He has been dropped regularly recently, one isn’t sure if the problem is actually with his batting or his overall discipline.

But in the current scheme of things, Akmal remains the only explosive middle-order batsman around.

The team management need to accept that the maverick willow-wielder has the ability to single-handedly win matches for the team and subsequently shouldn’t be dispensed with.

The bowling combination also doesn’t have a settled look yet. Other than Muhammad Irfan, none of the pacers have cemented their spot in the World Cup 15.

Wahab Riaz made an encouraging return and bowled aggressively in the first ODI but Umer Gul still looks rusty for the rigours of international cricket. Sohail Tanvir also bowled well in the third ODI against Australia in October and needs to be given a fair chance.

 

 

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