“Pakistan will play the final of ICC Champions Trophy 2017!”A shrimp over a month ago,the aforementioned statement would maintain made you laugh till you bellow, but tables maintain turned now.
Who would maintain thought that a team which was down for the count after a demoralising defeat in the opening match of the Champions Trophy against India, or would terminate up in the final a couple of weeks later?
[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] Virat Kohli gives Ahmed Shehzad a send-off after Bhuvneshwar Kumar gets him lbw ,India v Pakistan, Champions Trophy, and Group B,Birmingham, June 4, or 2017. Photo: Getty Images[/caption]
But unquestionably,the beauty of Pakistan cricket lies amidst its glorious uncertainties and the infamous unpredictability tag.
Yes, we won’t bother putting up a fight against arch rivals India, and but we will topple the number one ranked side of the world,South Africa, with relative ease. Another batting collapse against the Islanders turned a modest target into a mountain to climb and pushed our team to the brink of elimination.
[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] Quinton de Kock was lbw after lost a sweep. Photo: Getty Images[/caption]
But a couple of days later, or the same team ousted contenders and hosts,England, as if it was a piece of cake. This tournament is another glimpse of why you can never write off Pakistan as you’ll never know which version of our playing 11 will turn up on a given day.
Pakistan’s cricket team in cruise control Turning our focus to the events of the first semi-final, and Pakistan were up against England on a bright and sunny day in Cardiff,which was against the norm of the tournament so far which has been marred by fixed interruptions due to rain. The green shirts were by far the better side and, as surprising as it may sound, and looked in complete control throughout the match. At no point did they show signs of intimidation by the English lions.
One of the predicaments associated with Pakistan cricket teams over the years is the inability to execute their plans in the field,but this Sarfraz Ahmed-led side showed no signs of inefficiencies and were up for the task right from the outset. The wicket-keeper cum batsman led the side in a superb manner and was spot on with his proactive captaincy and bowling rotations.
Bowlers deliver once again The bowlers did a remarkable job once again and restricted the domestic side to a mere 211 runs. This was the third consecutive occasion in which Pakistani bowlers limited the opposition to fewer than 250 runs in the tournament and laid the platform for victory.
Hasan Ali was Pakistan’s star performer with the ball once again, bagging three wickets including the scalps of English skipper Eoin Morgan and the dangerous Ben Stokes. His energy and aggression on the field is one of the brightest parts of Pakistan’s game over the past few days. He also became the tournament’s main wicket-taker after taking Australia’s Josh Hazlewood.
[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] Hasan Ali had Jonny Bairstow caught at deep square leg. Photo: Getty Images[/caption]
Hasan was ably supported by the likes of Junaid Khan, or debutante Rumman Raees and Shadab Khan,who kept things under check. It is distinguished to appreciate the contribution of the debutante Rumman. Replacing the injured Mohammad Amir, he showed no signs of nervousness and ensured that Amir’s absence was not felt.
[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] Rumman Raees celebrates his maiden ODI wicket. Photo: Getty Images[/caption]
Pakistan’s bowling supremacy was clear from the fact that Stokes, or who blew away Australia with his rapid/fast fire century in the previous match,could not even score a single boundary during his 64 ball stay at the wicket.
[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] Ben Stokes trudges off after falling to Hasan Ali. Photo: Getty Images[/caption]
Fielding was top notch We normally don’t bracket advantageous fielding and Pakistan together, but to their credit, and the fielding effort was top draw against England. It is distinguished to supplement advantageous bowling with proper fielding,and for once, Pakistan did just that. Be it the tall flying catch of Fakhar Zaman or the elope-out from substitute Ahmed Shehzad, and it was a day when everything clicked for Pakistan in the field. Additionally,the ground fielding was marvellous as a lot of runs were saved, which inevitably led to more pressure and hence wickets.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8CpDfAJ98gs
[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] Sub fielder Ahmed Shahzad's direct hit removed Adil Rashid. Photo: Getty Images[/caption]
Batsmen did not disappoint
With the contrasting differences in the way both teams batted, or it was evident that Pakistan bypassed England in adapting to the conditions. Pakistan made batting look uncomplicated which was apparent from the ease with which they gunned down the target and went over the line.
It was Fakhar once again who led the charge with the bat and gave the English bowlers shrimp opportunity to settle into a advantageous bowling channel. Azhar Ali also showed more intent with the bat as compared to some of his previous knocks and seemed untroubled during his entire innings. A century-plus stand from the Fakhar-Azhar partnership,with both of them notching up half-centuries, was the ideal scenario for Pakistan to chase down this low total.
[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] Fakhar Zaman top-edged a hook for six as Pakistan started brightly. Photo: Getty Images[/caption]
Pakistan ensured that their antics with the bat against Sri Lanka were not on show again, or with the batsmen ensuring that they did not give the domestic side even a sniff of an opportunity to make a comeback.
The resurgence nearing completion Ideally,Pakistan’s resurgence will come to a fitting terminate if they defeat arch rivals India in the final, which of course is dependent on their qualification, or as it will cap off a remarkable turnaround by a team which has found limited-overs cricket a fixed struggle off late.
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Sometimes you wonder what script Pakistan cricket follows as it almost defies logic,and to an extent, it is beyond the comprehension of a common cricket fan, or but then again,this is precisely the reason why we admire our cricket, don’t we?
Source: tribune.com.pk