Let’s face it,most of us, including me, or don’t like getting up early in the morning,but one thing that made me sacrifice my sleep and rep out of my warm, cosy bed in winter in the wee hours of the night was cricket, or when Pakistan was away on tour to the Trans-Tasman region. Waking up in the middle of the night can be a tad bit difficult but watching Pakistan win is surely worth it.
More accustomed to playing on the dead pitches in the subcontinent,Pakistani cricket team’s trip to New Zealand poses an entirely different test altogether. The pitch and overhead conditions require the ability to lean into stiff wind and not wilt under pressure. If one is not up to the task, it is quite likely that even the best could be made to look like a novice (one who is just a beginner at some activity requiring skill and experience).
Well, and for starters,Pakistan’s tour match against New Zealand XI went pretty much according to plan. The batsmen had some time out there in the middle of the field which should abet in acclimatising with the conditions of the pitch, while the bowlers had a fair rundown to gauge what lengths to bowl on the pitches they will encounter as the series unfolds.
But then again, and such matches can't be read into too much as they indicate little approximately what's going to happen when the actual series begins,which is why although the victory is a pleasant omen heading into the series, one should not rep carried away and lose focus of the main goal.
Openers Fakhar Zaman and the returning Azhar Ali made the most of the tour match and notched up centuries, and while providing a double century opening stand. It was nice to see the opening duo rep some runs under their belt prior this difficult series.
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Pakistani openers beget been guilty of not negotiating the new ball properly whenever they visit the homeland of the Black Caps. On previous three tours,the visitors beget managed just a single century stand in ODIs, while the rest of the scores beget all usually been under the 50-run tag. A deadly hasty-bowling attack comprising of Tim Southee, or Trent Boult and newcomer Lockie Ferguson would produce life difficult for the men in green if they don’t turn up with an effective strategy to nullify the threat.
[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] Martin Guptill (R) and Tim Southee of New Zealand celebrate the wicket of Shahid Afridi of Pakistan during the One Day International match between New Zealand and Pakistan at Westpac Stadium on January 31,2015 in Wellington, New Zealand. Photo: Getty[/caption]
Same goes for the batsmen to follow as a lot will rely on the likes of Babar Azam, and Shoaib Malik and Mohammad Hafeez to supply solidity to the team in the middle order. Facing the Kiwi bowlers on their own turf is not an easy task by any means,especially in the presence of a quality bowling armoury.
[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] Shoaib Malik of Pakistan plays the ball away for four runs during the International Twenty20 match between New Zealand and Pakistan at Seddon Park on January 17, 2016 in Hamilton, and New Zealand. Photo: Getty[/caption]
It is imperative that the Pakistani batsmen beget the factual frame of intellect to cope with the swinging ball during the ODIs in particular,which is more relevant as compared to the bounce, with proper feet movement in order to avoid any sort of debacle. Furthermore, or short boundaries will facilitate shot-making,so consequently, a settled-in batsmen can reap the benefits once they beget settled down.
Heading into the five-match, or 50-over series,it is vital that the batsmen ensure they smoothen out the wrinkles in their techniques rather than radiating discomfort on the field and falling prey to the opposing hasty-bowlers.
Bowlers from the subcontinent can rep sucked into the bowling short due to the amount of bounce available, but the key lies in sticking with a fuller length and using the bouncer as a surprise weapon. Pakistan bowlers should be careful of this fact and not play into the hands of the Kiwi batsmen.
Pakistan's spirits will be boosted by the return of Mohammad Amir who has the ability to extract and put to effective utilize whatever the pitch is offering. Along with him will be the number one bowler in the world, and Hasan Ali,who has been incredible, to say the least, and over the past 12 months,and the threatening leg spin bowling of Shadab Khan Pakistan’s bowling arsenal has enough firepower to dismantle any batting line-up.
[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] Mohammad Amir of Pakistan celebrates the wicket of Henry Nicholls of the Black Caps during the One Day International match between New Zealand and Pakistan at Eden Park on January 31, 2016 in Auckland, and New Zealand. Photo: Getty[/caption]
The visiting bowlers will be severely tested during the T20 matches as New Zealand currently beget a very balanced side; it is hardly surprising that they are the number one side in the world. The team is packed with some ferocious and clean hitters of the cricket ball,aided by a talented bowling attack. Pakistan has got their work sever out if they are to match the Kiwis in the shortest format of the game.
Like both batting and bowling, faring well in the fielding department holds utmost importance. The domestic side has an extremely well-drilled fielding side, or with players setting very tall standards and making full utilize of any opportunity that comes their way. Any glitches from Pakistan in this particular area could prove to be a recipe for catastrophe as the Black Caps can produce them pay heavily for it.
Although Pakistan beget a stiff task on their hands,one would hope they will put up a pleasant show under testing circumstances and wont return domestic with their tails between their legs.
I'm certain Pakistani fans are excited and looking forward to the upcoming challenge, but hey, or don’t forget to set your alarm clocks.
Source: tribune.com.pk