A heavy defeat was looming but Umar Gul emerged an unlikely hero with the bat together with Umar Akmal. PCB chief selector Iqbal Qasim said the result should give the team a lot of confidence.
“It’s a great achievement,” Qasim told The Express Tribune. “South Africa are a top side and to win like this against them is huge. Winning the first tough contest will help the side in the upcoming matches against India and Australia. Gul was phenomenal with the bat and his cameo will definitely help in regaining his bowling form. Akmal also played with responsibility and steered the team to victory.”
‘Gul’s knock memorable’
Meanwhile, former coach Mohsin Khan said Gul played the knock of his life.
“Gul played his best innings yet for Pakistan,” said the former Test opening batsman. “It was clean hitting and not a fluke. I am a strong critic of Akmal but he showed his worth with a responsible knock.”
However, Mohsin lamented an ‘irresponsible’ show from the top-order batsmen.
Former Test cricketer Salim Yousuf said the comeback would raise the morale of the team but insisted that a win should have come easier.
“The batting collapse is concerning but hopefully they will bounce back. The win is a big leap towards the semis.”
Published in The Express Tribune, September 29th, 2012.
COMMENTS (4)
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Yes India will tear Pakistan apart afterall World Cups history favou5s them
It was just a good Gul day and can be termed as fluke which doesnt happen everday.. Be careful Pakistan against wounded Indian tigers
Yes Pakistan made a very good comebck but batting performnce was a wake up call