But at the same time one must not forget that Pakistan, known to cave in easily, fought well till the end and against the expectations of their countrymen. There is no shame in this kind of a defeat
In a nerve-wracking semi-final against Pakistan in the ICC World Twenty20 at Gros Islet on Friday, Australia, with their clinical performance, showed why they are the most professional and top team in the world. In the nail-biting and thrilling contest, Australia, as well as Pakistan, played some marvellous and dazzling cricket. The excitement stretched till the final overs. Australia owed their victory to Michael Hussey who played a memorable innings to steer his team to the final for the very first time in this shortest version of the game. Hussey’s striking in the final 12 balls was a master class in limited-overs batting. The target began as 34 from 12 and Hussey collected all 16 that came from the 19th over with deft placement and brilliant running. It was one of the finest chases, and beyond one’s comprehension, ever seen in modern cricket. Had Pakistan been chasing that kind of a target, the result would have been obvious for the unpredictable bunch.
What must go through the mind of a cricketer when he produces a sublime innings, only to see the fruits of his labour turn to dust? The match was a tale of two precocious talents producing moments of brilliance, brothers Kamran Akmal and Umar Akmal struck half-centuries as Pakistan piled up an imposing total of 191 for 6, only to end up on the losing side. Kamran (50 with 6 boundaries and 2 sixes) and Salman Butt (32 with 4 boundaries) gave Pakistan an electrifying start. The duo’s partnership was a master class of technique and timing. Umar (56 with 2 fours and 4 sixes) gave glimpses of his vintage form as he produced a barrage of exquisite strokes on both sides of the wicket. Captain Michael Clarke’s decision to bowl after winning the toss looked to be a costly call.
Chasing 192 to win, the Australians rarely seemed in the hunt and were down in the dumps at 105 for five in 12.3 overs with David Warner (0), Shane Watson (16), Brad Haddin (25), Clarke (17) and David Hussey (13) back into the hut. But the man of the moment Hussey hammered a 24-ball 60 to script a dramatic run-chase as Australia snatched a three-wicket victory over Shahid Afridi and his charges to set up a summit clash with England.
Coming at number seven, very thoughtful Hussey added 53 runs off just 16 balls with Mitchell Johnson (5) and blasted 3 sixes and a four off spinner Saeed Ajmal in the last over as Australia romped home with one ball to spare. A lot of credit should also be given to Cameron White because the sixes (in all 5) that he hit, probably Australia would have had no chance of getting there in the end.
Defending champions Pakistan never deserved to be in the semi-finals. It was the lady luck that smiled and they qualified for the last-four stage on a better run-rate. Throughout the tournament, their fielding was pathetic and captaincy even worse. Their below par performance, except against South Africa, was unforgivable. Pakistan were always well behind other teams when it came to fielding and running between wickets. Afridi failed to lead from the front and let Pakistan down. His decision of bringing in Ajmal in the last over of the semi-final and not any pacer was a criminal act. Had shrewd Shoaib Malik been the captain, the result would have been quite different.
But the curse being faced by Pakistan cricket, since Ijaz Butt’s arrival at the PCB, has started showing its affects even on outcome of the matches. Pakistan were unable defend the formidable total as a wag by the Australian tail ensured to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat with an exhilarating finish. Australia, who whitewashed Pakistan in all formats of the game earlier this year in Australia, not only gave a good cricketing lesson to Afridi and his men but also put a deep scar on their minds. But at the same time one must not forget that Pakistan, known to cave in easily, fought well till the end and against the expectations of their countrymen. There is no shame in this kind of a defeat.
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