Sinking ship ready to emulate the Armada

In the end, as Salman Butt aptly worded it, it was just a win. A series-levelling win. A win that had taken 15 years to arrive and one that left Pakistan none the better on the rankings table or the trophy cabinet but one that exhumed that ounce, or tonne, of confidence, and belief, that had often deserted the most mercurial of sides.

The panache, the talent, the aggression, nothing had seemed to matter of late as even the most evangelical of efforts, brimming with prime levels of conscientiousness and inscription, had landed short or met with brutal opposition, stamping authority of proceedings in an manner unprecedented, with the opposition heads resting on cernuous shoulders that gave it all away.

This, though, was a long time coming. Signs were clearly visible at Lord’s: the ball swung and seamed alarmingly for the Australians, the clean catching annoyed them and the watchful batting, at times, left them surprised. Pakistan did not drop a single catch in the series. Even Kamran Akaml’s functioning remained flawless behind the stumps - despite a few byes given. But Australia dropped when it mattered. Even on the penultimate day when the jitters in the Pakistan camp could have gone out of control, as aptly displayed on the final morning, Imran Farhat’s carking poke to a rising delivery was grassed by Shane Watson.

Given the whipping Pakistan had received from the Australians of late, winning three out of four matches against them on the tour is nothing short of remarkable. The management, the captains and the observers had spoken about the lack of patience, of Pakistan’s authority on the shortest format but inexperience at the longer one. They had spoken of a rebuilding phase, where results may not be immediate and satisfactory, where the youngsters would shine briefly, show glimpses of what may lie ahead, but perhaps succumb to the transcendency that history, and internal strife, had piled upon them.

Pakistan’s chief selector Mohsin Khan had warned before the tour that youngsters may not be risked on the tour due to the conditions, and perhaps the opposition, that awaited Pakistan’s arrival. In retrospect, he must be thanking whoever forced the issue on him as both Salman rightly admitted the resolute defence and outright confidence that oozed out from the youngsters formed an integral part of the win.

“It came as no surprise to us how the youngsters batted,” said Salman after the Australian pace barrage met with solid defence and astute shot selection. “They were regularly playing first-class cricket in Pakistan for the last four to five years on pitches full of moisture and that’s how they learnt how to play close to the body.”

Perhaps stronger tests await the young side, perhaps even a complacent one, against England in four Tests but the resolute grind against what Salman described as ‘the best side in the world’ over the span of four matches shows the potential, and the hunger, that lies within. Pakistan may lose the forthcoming series, as predicted by Ponting, but, like Lord’s, positives far outweighed the loss in numbers but the sinking ship as it was once portrayed, missing the sturdy lumber, now has its sights set on emulating the Armada.

And despite Australia’s frailties against swing exposed to the utmost degrees, Ponting remained adamant that his top order’s failure would not dent the team’s confidence too much going into much harder series against India away and England at home. With 98 runs in four innings, and 30 of the 40 wickets to fall taken by Pakistan’s fast-bowlers, he just might need a second opinion.

Player ratings

Salman Butt - 8

Salman Butt ended as the highest scorer in the Test series. His half centuries at Lord’s gave Pakistan hope but his perfect start as captain gave his side the much-needed win.

Imran Farhat- 8

The rejuvenated opener showed the patience of a Test player which was clearly visible as he abstained from his natural aggression to provide stable platforms.

Azhar Ali- 8

The man that earned great plaudits for his Test temperament, often lacking in Pakistani youngsters. His half century in the final chase may close the door for Mohammad Yousuf’s return.

Umar Amin -8

Straight bats often do not come straighter than Amin’s be it playing a stroke down the ground or avoiding a bouncer. Amin provided crucial breakthroughs with the ball to help Pakistan.

Shahid Afridi -5

Lacking the Test temperament, Afridi bowed out, again, of the Test arena. Reckless batting but an honest self-review, he will want to make up for lost time in the shorter formats.

Umar Akmal -6

Much was expected fromhim: aggression, runs and the flow of raw talent oozing out when he would bat against Australia. It will just be his smart catching though that he will be remembered by.

Kamran Akmal -6

Kamran played with great aggression and confidence at Lord’s. His dismissal with the scores tied in Leeds left many questions unanswered but his alertness in the field must be lauded.

Shoaib Malik -5

Malik failed to stamp his authority that his Test average suggests he is capable of. It was perhaps his presence in the field that helped Pakistan the most in their victory.

Mohammed Aamer - 9

What would Pakistan have done without Aamer? Their work-horse and go-to guy, Aamer grabbed 11 wickets in the series and his partnership with Asif destroyed the opposition time and again.

Mohammed Asif - 9

Asif’s accuracy and nagging length proved impossible to score off and easy to be dismissed against. Dumbfounded by the out-swingers, Asif spifflicated the mighty Australian line-up.

Umar Gul- 7

Gul was often seen missing his rhythm with the ball and the length and faltered frequently. He shattered stumps but at times, with Aamer and Asif tired, a much composed backup was found wanting.

Danish Kaneria- 6

Kaneria showed glimpses of his attacking bowling but his 57 overs in the series did not include a long spell that he needs to take wickets and despite six wickets, his presence was often questioned.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 26^th, 2010.