New Zealand stamp their authority on the World Cup pretty early on with a thumping 98 run win over Sri Lanka.
Scoring an eventually decisively formidable total in the first World Cup innings setting the tone for things to come and bat’s domination over ball that can be expected in the mega event.
Aussies went a step further scoring an even more daunting first innings total of 342 against England (also their highest total against England in a World Cup) in their opening innings and look set to win the encounter with England reeling at 113/6 (as I’m writing this blog).
Not taking anything away from Finch, Maxwell, McCullum and Anderson who batted superbly, one felt a bit sorry for the bowlers who are prey to some quite one sided field restrictions.
Apart from the fact that batsmen will prevail there are 2 other things evident after the opening day at the World Cup.
One is that there is absolutely no place left in a playing eleven for Relu Kattas (the not genuine allrounders).
Life is miserable enough for good quality regular bowlers with the new fielding restrictions, leave alone part timers. Moin Ali considered a pretty decent part timer went for 60 runs in his nine wicket less overs and J.Root gave away 11 runs in the only over he was allowed to bowl by the Australian batsmen.
Dilshan another useful part timer otherwise, went for an unimpressive 35 runs in his five overs.
It’s worth mentioning that front line bowlers like Anderson, Broad, Finn gave away nearly 70 odd runs and Malinga was murdered with none for 84.
The other point i wanted to make is that on the contrary to some of the views some experts had about fast bowlers creating an impact, i think quality spinners will be the most effective.
Even if they don’t take wickets they would restrict the scoring rate just as Herath for Sri Lanka 1/37 in 9 overs and Vettori for New Zealand 2/34 in 10 overs.
Apart from the 2 above mentioned spinners Pakistan is most probably most equipped in that department with Shahid Afridi and Yasir Shah in its ranks.
Now with the opening day out of the way and the biggest encounter of this event just round the corner, i am hoping that Pakistan go in with 5 bowlers against India on February 15th because if they dont it might just be the mistake they regret for a sixth time in 12 odd years.
Having two quality spinners which no other team except W.Indies probably with Benn and Narine has, (both hardly play together) could be the X factor for Pakistan, may be not specifically against Indians who play spin well but generally in the World cup.
Harris Sohail might be a useful 6th bowler but cannot and should not be mistaken as the 5th bowler in these conditions.
The Pakistan cricket team over the years despite all controversies and instabilities has never failed to amaze us. So come on lads, forget about the result (yeah what ever) and play some quality cricket that would make the whole nation proud.
With all the tension and pressure of the Pakistan-India match it wouldn’t be fair to forget our greatest poet Faiz Ahmed Faiz “ Hum Phorain ge” “Lazim hai ke hum bhi Phorain ge”. Now whether its fire crackers or our heads is upto our beloved national team.
