What a way to start your world cup campaign! What a way to tell your squad that you are here and ready! Hats off to you Sarfraz, you were a breath of fresh air. Now let's keep it going.
He didn't take a step wrong in his first match against South Africa. He gave us the best start so far in this World Cup with an attacking knock against a high quality fast bowling line up. He played with a lot of confidence and without much pressure, it seemed. It looked like he had nothing to lose. He was swift on his feet, swung his arms freely and went for his shots. That's because he is playing as a specialist wicket keeper, and he knows that that's his main job, and that he will do that well. So when he is batting, he knows if he doesn't perform, it's not that big of an issue. In reality, it is an issue, we need him to perform, but just having that mind-set or that thought in your head, allows you to relax and play without that pressure to perform.
I wish he had got his fifty. One run doesn't make that much of a difference in the larger scheme of things, but there is a big difference between 49 and 50. It's a milestone that has a psychological significance. It puts a stamp of approval on your effort. It gives you great confidence going into the next match. Not that he won't be beaming with confidence anyway.
With the keeping gloves on, he was flawless again. He can thank the bowlers for giving him the chance to set the world record for most catches in an innings. Credit to him for taking them all. It hasn't been the trend lately. Looked like our bowlers really knew where those South African outside edges were and they hit them at will.
Good to see Younis Khan getting a start. It's important that he gets some runs now and builds confidence because in the latter stages of tournaments, under pressure, experience helps a lot, and we don't have many with the same level of experience as him.
May be one down isn't the spot for him. He is better when the ball is a little beaten up and isn't doing as much. With our top order failing, most of the time he's playing the brand new ball. He should be better at three down after Misbah. We have another option for one down, but it's a gamble.
We could promote Afridi to one down and when is he not a gamble. I think if he scores a quick 30 up top, it's more valuable than at the end. It will take some pressure off Misbah and Younis. They won't have to worry about playing quick for a while. Once they are set, they are capable of going for the big ones later. If Afridi fails, well we're always prepared for that. If not, we should be.
Afridi should be better with the new ball than the old. It should suit him more. It's crisp and comes on to the bat nicely, and if you make good contact, it leaves even easier. Also, the field restrictions work in his favor. He just has to clear the circle. With his strength and the ball still hard, it shouldn't be too tough.
The bowling was pretty spot on. They have showed that the batsmen don't need to do anything extraordinary for them to win the match. We have twice defended totals less than 240. Afridi still hasn't clicked but the pacers have been good enough. I think they prefer bowling second, with a target in front of them. They are more effective that way. When they know they need wickets or they'll lose, they attack. They look to get wickets. They don’t try to contain the batsmen.
Pakistani bowlers have never been known for discipline bowling and containing the batsmen. We have always had wicket taking fast bowlers, like Wasim, Waqar, Shoaib, Muhammad Amir, and Muhammad Asif. They were no Glen McGraths or Shaun Pollocks or Chaminda Vaass who were masters of keeping that perfect outside the off stump line and length with great control and patience. Our bowlers will bowl 4 different balls every over. Will bowl that odd loose delivery too but won't settle for repetition, because that's boring, right?
