Champions Trophy: ‘Pakistan still favourites’

Former captain Rameez feels team can bounce back.

KARACHI:

For weeks, preparations focused on improving the team’s batting performance. But on Friday, a disappointing performance in the Champions Trophy opener against the West Indies means that Pakistan now face an uphill task to qualify for the semi-finals.

The team was bundled out for 170 in 48 overs with captain Misbahul Haq and opener Nasir Jamshed being the only two with scores in double digits. The bowlers tried their best but the total was just too meagre as West Indies clinched the low-scoring encounter by just two wickets.

Former Pakistan captain Rameez Raja, however, felt the team was still favourites to win the tournament.

“I still believe that Pakistan are favourites,” said Rameez. “It felt like there was a mental block in the Pakistan batsmen as they didn’t play their natural game, which made it easier for the West Indies.

“But yes, the batsmen need to stand up as the bowlers cannot win a game on their own.”

Another former captain, Wasim Akram, blamed Pakistan’s ‘faulty’ strategy.

“In England, you can’t hit drives while the ball is new. The top order needs to learn when to play shots and when to leave the ball,” said Akram. “They also tried to attack spinner Sunile Narine who was West Indies’ only strike bowler. They should have respected him and targeted other bowlers for runs.”

Pakistan face South Africa in their next match on June 10.

ICC charges Ramdin for claiming dropped catch

Meanwhile, the International Cricket Council (ICC) charged West Indies wicket-keeper Denesh Ramdin for wrongly claiming a catch against Pakistan.

The incident took place when Ramdin ‘caught’ an edge off Misbah’s bat before the batsman had opened his account.

Australian umpire Steve Davis gave Misbah out, but the decision was referred to third umpire Tony Hill following the intervention of English official Nigel Llong at square leg.

Replays showed that while Ramdin had, initially, caught the ball, he had subsequently allowed it to spill out of his grasp.

The ICC said that Ramdin had been charged with a Level two breach of the ICC Code of Conduct which relates to ‘conduct that is contrary to the spirit of the game’.

Ramdin has pleaded not guilty to the offence, and a hearing will take place in London on Monday, the ICC said.

If found guilty, Ramdin could be fined between 50 and 100% of his match fees and/or be suspended for up to two one-day internationals.

Misbah had slammed Ramdin’s action after the match. “I don’t think I would be happy if my wicket-keeper did that,” the Pakistan captain had said.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 9^th, 2013.