Into the semis

By fits and starts, as nearly always, Team Pakistan has entered the semi-finals of the ICC T20 World Cup. Losing the first two games, the Green Shirts were almost written off from the last-four stage. But true to their reputation, of being highly unpredictable, the team won the remaining three games on the trot — against the Netherlands, South Africa and Bangladesh — to advance in the T20 format’s biggest tournament. Pakistan will meet New Zealand in the first semi-final tomorrow while India will take on England in the second a day later. There is thus every possibility of another Pakistan-India encounter in the tournament.

If statistics are any guide, Green Shirts have an edge over the Black Caps. The six times the two sides have come across each other in a world contest, Team Pakistan has come out victorious on four occasions. But the fact is that the New Zealanders are a far better unit in recent times. They are methodical and know their strengths and weaknesses very well, and prepare a game plan accordingly. As against this, Pakistanis play with passion, and can be very dangerous when cornered. A good contest is thus on the cards.

Pakistan’s batting is indeed their biggest strength. Shaheen Shah Afridi coming back to form — 4 for 22 in the crucial game against Bangladesh — is timely good news. With Haris Rauf and Mohammad Wasim also there, it makes a frightening threesome for any opponent. The batting line — struggling due to an off-colour opening pair of skipper Babar Azam and Muhammad Rizwan — has found a capable hand in Mohammad Haris. The flamboyant batter — inducted into the team in place of injured Fakhar Zaman — has grabbed the opportunity with both hands, performing in accordance with the demands of the T20 format. It will be interesting to see how passion fares against method tomorrow.

 

Published in The Express Tribune, November 8^th, 2022.

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