Old woes resurface in new era

KARACHI: Bangladesh have been closing in on beating Pakistan for more than two years. After two nail-biters in the Asia Cup 2012, the hosts definitely fancied their chances of getting past the men in green after posting a big score in last year’s edition of the continental tournament’s Mirpur clash.

But a Shahid Afridi cameo-from-hell brought tears to the thousands gathered inside the Sher-e-Bangla stadium — the players were similarly disconsolate.

Surely, another miracle was well past the new look Pakistan team sans Afridi, Misbahul Haq and Ahmed Shehzad — who scored a century in the epic chase last year —and Bangladesh steamrolled to record as emphatic a win as they could have hoped for against a team they had failed to beat across all formats in 16 years.

Whatever the era Pakistan are playing in, the fielding department continues to cling to the historically infuriating and incredulous lapses. Tamim Iqbal offered an absolute dolly to debutant Saad Nasim, who floored it even more generously than the offer.

The southpaw made full use of the gift — posting an assured century against an increasingly pedestrian bowling attack.

Tamim’s partner in the record-breaking 178-run alliance for the third wicket, Mushfiqur Rahim, also had the good fortune of a clanger by Junaid Khan and the writing was very much on the wall with a haemorrhage of runs as the wafer-thin bowling line-up searched for answers. Pakistan conceded a staggering 262 runs in the last 30 overs at more than 8.7 runs per over.

Mushfiqur had only scored 35 when he was given a second life, and from there on in motored to the fastest century by a Bangladesh batsman, facing a mere 69 balls to reach the coveted mark.

The pocket-sized right-hander tore into Saeed Ajmal, whose return to the international arena was nothing short of a nightmare.

With the doosra chapter now likely to remain etched in history only, the off-spinner just didn’t have a fall back option as Mushfiqur and Tamim toyed with the once death-bowling maestro.

It was painful to see Ajmal’s helplessness against the onslaught, let’s face it the ‘remodelled’ Ajmal is only half the bowler he once was.

Unless he develops a new variety, his replenished repertoire of tricks remains ruefully short of the requirements of international cricket.

The hammering Ajmal received is certain to fuel further doubts about his future. Despite an economical start to his stint, the veteran was taken to the cleaners in his last five overs —conceding 63 runs to end with figures of 10-0-74-0; the next two ODIs are now make-or-break for the 37-year-old.

Pakistan also need to rethink their combination for the next two games. With an ineffective Ajmal, the part-timers’ trio of Nasim, Haris Sohail and Azhar Ali gave a deluge of runs at their end, furthering the woes of the inexperienced eleven.

The fifth bowler’s quota of 10 overs went for 79 wicket-less runs and most certainly such a luxury can’t be afforded again.

 

Impressive debut for Rizwan

Muhammad Rizwan, who stroked a masterful double century in the Quaid-e-Azam Gold League first-class tournament final at Karachi’s National Stadium earlier in the year, was a bright spot in Pakistan’s otherwise below-par chase.

The 22-year-old looked a class act on his debut and the selectors must be lauded for placing confidence in the youngster who has most certainly earned his spot after a spate of noteworthy domestic performances.

Rizwan’s 58-ball 67 included eight hits to the fence but it wasn’t his stroke play alone that was impressive. The right-hander ran well between the wickets and seized on every opportunity to rotate the strike —a vital ingredient in ODIs.

But Rizwan must not be allowed to wither away like so many other Pakistan youngsters, including Umar Akmal and Sohaib Maqsood, who have failed to push on after impressive introductions to the international arena.

Rizwan must retain his hunger for big scores in a team environment that in recent years at least has given the impression of thriving on mediocrity and average batsmanship.

A classic example of the apparently ‘easily sated’ Pakistan batsmen is Haris Sohail, who threw away a start for the umpteenth time in a still embryonic career.

Azhar did lead from the front with a fine 73-ball 72, but fell just when he looked set for a big score and a perhaps match-winning contribution.

The start to the ‘new era’ has only exposed the old chinks in the armoury and Pakistan need to immediately redress the concerns or else the Bangladeshis might make it two or even three wins in a week after 16 years  full of agony.

 

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