An easy victory

Pakistan managed to register a convincing 129-run win over the UAE in their fourth World Cup encounter that helped, to some extent, their net run-rate situation and ensured that the team remains in contention for a place in the quarter-final. The highlight of the match was clearly the team’s batsmen — barring the one lost soul — who managed to power the score through the 300-run mark to set up the win. The contest, which fans were expecting Pakistan to win, also saw opener Ahmed Shehzad return to form with Haris Sohail also finding himself among the runs. Captain Misbahul Haq, the pillar of the batting line-up, was impressive as well.

A closer analysis, however, suggests that there are still some kinks that need to be ironed out. Nasir Jamshed managed to hold onto a catch this time, which finally sparked a smile on his face, probably more out of relief than joy, but lady luck continued to desert him at the crease. The left-hander improved to score four runs this time around after managing zero and one in the previous two games. No attempt to explain why he is in the playing-eleven, while an in-form — but getting rusty — Sarfraz Ahmed continues to sit out, will satisfy anyone. Umar Akmal continues to be forced to keep wickets and the crunch game against South Africa on March 7 will test his temperament even more. Jamshed’s inclusion, besides adding to Pakistan’s top order woes, is in effect leading to a good fielder being wasted by being placed behind the stumps.

There are also uncomfortable questions regarding Mohammad Irfan’s fitness, who left the field after bowling only three overs. At a time when the team is missing frontline players, Irfan’s potential absence could be a fatal blow to Pakistan’s World Cup campaign. Apart from this, the fielding effort needs to improve and the bowlers need to develop the killer instinct when playing against the big teams. South Africa, and AB de Villiers in particular, will be keen to expose these weaknesses in Pakistan’s next World Cup encounter.

Published in The Express Tribune, March  5^th,  2015.

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