Pakistan captain Misbahul Haq will be looking to all-rounder Mohammad Hafeez to turn in another match-winning performance as the hosts look to seal the series in the fourth One-Day International (ODI) against Sri Lanka today, after outplaying them by 21 runs in the third ODI.
Hafeez made a 101-ball 83 and along with fellow-opener Imran Farhat who made an 82-ball 70, gave Pakistan a solid 151-run start, after they had won the toss and batted. He later also picked up an important wicket, which prompted Misbah to declare him as one of the best all-rounders in the game.
“He’s one of the best all-rounders because of the way he’s performed over the last one-and-a-half years,” said the captain. “He’s really doing well in all formats, be it Twenty20s, ODIs or Tests. He can bat, bowl well, and is good at fielding. It’s really a blessing to have him in the team.”
‘My hard work has paid off’
Hafeez was equally elated at his performance.
“I worked very hard on my technique, which has paid off and really given me confidence,” he said. “I’m thankful to my batting coach who really worked hard with me to correct things.
“Bowling is natural for me, I don’t really work hard on it. Basically I’m a batsman, so I can understand batsmen’s psyche while bowling. The confidence given by the management is important. Previously Shahid Afridi was using me well and now Misbah.”
Pakistan bowlers peg down Sri Lanka
Earlier, Pakistan bowlers held their nerve to stop Sri Lanka batsmen from running away with the match.
Umar Gul (three for 48) bowled well to make sure that the good work by spinners Saeed Ajmal (three for 42) and Afridi (two for 42) did not go to waste as they dismissed Sri Lanka for 236 chasing a competitive target of 258.
Sri Lanka were set on course for a win by captain Tillekaratne Dilshan (64) who added 106 runs for the second wicket with Kumar Sangakkara (45).
Afridi and Ajmal then put the brakes on the innings, as Dilshan dragged a leg-break from Afridi onto his stumps. Sangakkara failed to beat a direct throw from Afridi after he set off for a quick single.
‘Sanga’s run out turned the match’
Dilshan felt that Sangakkara’s dismissal changed the complexion of the game.
“The turning point was Sangakkara’s run out and I got out to a bad delivery,” said Dilshan. “Had one of us batted for four more overs we would have clinched the game.”
Misbah also agreed with his counterpart saying that Sri Lanka were well on course for victory before Sangakkara’s dismissal.
Earlier, after the Pakistan openers had gotten their team off to a solid start, Sri Lanka grabbed four wickets for just 26 runs to stage a comeback and restrict Pakistan to 257.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 20th, 2011.
COMMENTS (12)
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misba should remain captain and he and younas should groom hafeez. So he can learn the tricks of the trade. MISBA has changed the pakistan team for the best. After our legendery captain Imran he is best thing that happened to pakistan. Shame about his age. Goes to tell you how the board has wasted another talented player in Misba. We should make most of him. While he is around.
Hafeezhas worked on his game ( unlike Imran nazir and co ). i think it would be foolish to make him captain just on his form as an all rounder. Captaincy should go to the person who is in form, has well balanced personality and has good man managment skills.We all know Hafeez is in form, however we dont know much about his man management skills.
not today mate
Just like the ad every Pakistani wants to be a captain not a player!. Not everyone can be a leader and leading team requires a lot of maturity and skill to handle people and field performance is one such quality. So far I feel we should groom Hafeez but keep Misbah and Afridi who have proven to be match winners. Afidi definitely change a game still in few overs despite his sometimes crazy tendencies. last game he was the again game changer.
This is the best period of Hafeez's life.
I have heard he has been called "Professor" by the teammates. Is that true?:P
Yes recommend Hafeez for captaincy, the performance goes down and then further recommend to drop him from the team.
Yeah Hafeez is definitely a candidate for one day and t20 captain, he has a thinking mind and has age on his side as well. Misbah is aging and I think he should remain test captain, but hafeez should be given captaincy for t20 and odi's keeping in mind the 2015 world cup.
I fail to understand the fetish people in Pakistan have for a change of guard as far as captaincy is concerned. We all know the turmoil the team went through over the last year and a half and since then they have been quite consistent. The credit should be given to Misbah (in test matches) and & Afridi (in the shorter version) for leading the side amidst such turmoil. Post Afridi's conditional retirement which came as another jolt, Misbah again did well and the results are there to be seen. I hardly see things settling down and now we have people asking for a change of guard! Grow up guys and think before you comment...
Hafeez Is performing really well in last one year, i would recommend that he should be made captain of one day international and 20-20 format.
He has the thing required to be a great sportsman.
I would not have any issue if Hafeez will be T20 Captain... Thumbs Up..