Scared by the minnows, saved by the captain

Afridi takes five for the second time in the World Cup as Canada lose by 46 runs.

COLOMBO:

It was a 46-run victory but Pakistan captain and hero Shahid Afridi was not impressed by his team.

Afridi claimed his second five-wicket haul in the three World Cup matches as Pakistan survived a Canada upset to prevail in their Group A match at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo.

“It was a poor batting performance,” said Afridi about his team’s display when they were shot out for 184 with no batsman scoring more than Umar Akmal’s 48.

Canada, who were 104 for three at one stage, were sent packing 34 runs later as Afridi became the destroyer-in-chief with his bowling before effecting a run-out as well. The all-rounder now has 14 wickets in the tournament and heads the list of leading wicket-takers.

“There was nothing wrong with the pitch but poor shot selection led to the collapse. It was a slow track and batsmen needed to stay longer. All batsmen got a fair chance of playing a long innings but they failed. I’m aware what kind of a situation we could have faced if there was an upset but I’m happy we avoided it.”

Pakistan failed to bat out their quota, being bowled out in 43 overs with openers Ahmed Shahzad and Mohammad Hafeez failing to provide a sound start. This time, however, there was no consolidation from the middle-order as Younus Khan and Kamran Akmal left to reduce Pakistan to 67 for four.

Misbahul Haq, as he so often does, tried to rebuild with Umar and added 73 for the fifth wicket before leg-spinner Balaji Rao broke through. A collapse ensued and Pakistan lost their last six wickets for 44 runs with Afridi (20) and all-rounder Abdul Razzaq (eight) failing when they had their chance.

Wake-up call

The captain warned his side to make amends ahead of tough clashes in later group stages.

“It’s a wake-up call and we need to improve in the coming matches otherwise we would be in trouble.”

Pakistan are yet to face New Zealand, Zimbabwe and defending champions Australia respectively in their remaining Group A fixtures.

Strategy after collapse

Afridi said he had planned to prevent the flow of easy runs after his side was humbled for their lowest score in this World Cup.

“We intended to control the runs by bowling on a proper line and it worked out well,” said the captain referring to Canada’s snail pace at the start of the innings.

Afridi, who also became the first Pakistan bowler to take two five-wicket hauls in a World Cup, also downplayed his own performance.

“I’m just focusing on my bowling and I’m happy it is yielding good results.”

Afridi the difference: Canada captain

Canada captain Ashish Bagai said Afridi snatched away a golden chance of his team recording an upset.

“Afridi was aggressive and bowled with variation. Once he starts taking wickets he is unstoppable,” said Bagai. “He proved to be a huge difference between the two sides. It is disappointing to lose after such a splendid bowling performance. But we have proved our critics wrong by putting up an improved show.”

Pakistan rested fast-bowler Shoaib Akhtar for the match and replaced him with Wahab Riaz, who took the final wicket.

Off-spinner Saeed Ajmal came in for the injured Abdul Rehman and broke a 60-run fourth wicket partnership between Zubin Sarkari (27) and Jimmy Hansra (43) before Afridi took over.

Afridi’s bowling performance

As player

Matches:     291

Runs:          9,448

Wickets:     272

Average:     34.74

Best:            6-38

As captain

Matches:      24

Runs:           968

Wickets:      34

Average:      28.47

Best:        5-16

Published in The Express Tribune, March 4^th, 2011.