Pakistan's mature approach in run chase augurs well for future

Pakistan’s convincing seven-wicket win over Bangladesh in Lahore on Wednesday highlighted two positives among other things; one that Babar Azam is fast learning the ropes of captaincy, and secondly, the team has acquired an overall maturity to keep its nerve while chasing a stiff target.

In the game against India, that eventually produced no result due to rain, Pakistan let the arch-rivals off the hook after making early inroads by taking four wickets in quick succession.

Babar’s decision to abruptly remove Shaeen Afridi when he looked absolutely on song with his line and length really puzzled everyone. The tall pacer was on fire after dismissing Rohit Sharma and Kohli and could have lapped up both Pandya and newcomer Ishan to seal the fate of the game then and there.

Playing Nawaz was also injudicious on Babar’s part as spin has never been a major threat for the Indian batsmen. Quite predictably, both Pandya and Ishan went after Nawaz and Shadab and plundered runs at will to pose a fighting total on the board.

On Wednesday, though, Babar made timely amends. He brought in all-rounder Fahim Ashraf in place of Nawaz and used Shaheen, Faheem, Haris and Naseem in short bursts to never allow the Bangladesh players to settle and post a big total.

Having said that, skipper Shakib-al-Hasan and Mushfiqur Rahim put on a dazzling hundred run partnership to stabilise the innings after Bangladesh were reduced to 47-4 in just 10 overs.

Former captain Rashid Latif was quick to point out that Pakistan needed to keep the tempo going in the middle overs, both in batting and bowling, to keep constant pressure on the opposition.

“Quite honestly, Pakistan lacks a good spinner who can restrict runs and take wickets in the middle overs,” said Latif while talking to The Express Tribune. “Perhaps a mystery bowler like Abrar Ahmed would have been a better bet here. Despite the early hiccups, the opposing teams find room to stabilise by going after bowlers like Nawaz, Shadab and Agha and Babar should check that.”

Latif, however, said Babar was coming to grips with captaincy and was showing definite improvement in bowling changes, field placing and team selection. “That change is quite noticeable in Babar’s approach today. He is more aware of the situations and is taking timely decisions to take control of the game,” said Latif.

Commenting on the poor form of opener Fakhar Zaman, Latif said he could regain his touch soon. “But Pakistan ought to have carried another opener, like Shan Masood, to ensure a solid start if Fakhar is struggling,” he said.

Another former captain and wicketkeeper batsman Moin Khan, while speaking to The Express Tribune, said the composition of the current team is good and it has a good balance.

“It is great to see that now the team is not entirely dependent on Babar Azam’s batting and players like Imam-ul-Haq, Iftikhar, Rizwan, Shadab and Salman Agha are taking the responsibility by scoring useful runs at crucial times to win matches,” said Moin.

“Our fast bowlers, too, are bowling very well and are more in control of their line and length and speed and are proving handful for the rival teams.”

Moin said he was noticing a lot more maturity in the bowling of Naseem Shah and Haris Rauf now as compared to before when they conceded runs freely due to wayward bowling and losing their cool.

Moin said that he could see that the rival teams are players are wary of Pakistan’s pace attack and that is a big advantage for the Greenshirts. “The Asia Cup matches are the best dress rehearsal the teams could have before the World Cup in October.

“Despite the rain, I think the Asia Cup has had some very exciting contests and I am really looking forward to the Super 4 stage now,” Moin concluded.