A wasted opportunity

Pakistan struck its second lowest score of 81 against West Indies which is the tenth lowest score it has ever made

Cricket fans detest capitulation of any kind. Worse still, after watching their side dominate all sessions of play on the first four days of a Test match. Pakistan did all that against the West Indies at Bridgetown on Thursday. But the batsmen squandered a great and historic opportunity of a series win in the Carribbean. Not only was the chance thrown away, the team also set about a few other lows as well. Pakistan struck its second lowest score of 81 against the West Indies which incidentally is also the tenth lowest score it has ever made. It was humiliating to be on the receiving end of a West Indies pace resurgence — yes, all 10 wickets were rolled over by the quickies — a unique feat in itself as it has not happened in Test cricket since 2011. One has to feel sorry for Yasir Shah, whose heroics with the ball, did take Pakistan to the brink of victory but not past it. Close but no cigar.

Our much-vaunted men of crisis Misbahul Haq and Younis Khan were found wanting again. If figures could tell the whole story, Misbah struck himself an elusive 99 and nought. This is illustrative of our patchy performances of late. The team lacks consistency and there are clearly not enough guys available to do the needful.

The turnaround for both teams was remarkable. Eleven days before Pakistan convincingly beat the West Indies by seven wickets in the opening Test. On paper, so long as Pakistan had Yasir Shah, Muhammad Amir and the likes of Younis and Misbah, there was no question which team would come out on top. No punter worth his salt, even those fully familiar with the unpredictability of the Pakistan side, would have bet on the West Indies levelling the series. Yet it has happened. Misbah’s men can redeem themselves by sealing the decider next week.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 6^th, 2017.

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