Pakistan won yet another test match at UAE beating New Zealand by a huge margin of 248 runs at Abu Dhabi. This is the third consecutive test win by Pakistan after white washing miserable Australians 2-0 in a thoroughly one-sided test series.
Pakistani Cricketers are having their time in their life. In deserts of UAE teams from down under are getting shocked and awed by relentless onslaughts of Pakistani Batsmen. All top Paksitani batsmen Hafiz, Shehzad, Azhar, Younis and Misbah are in form of their life. Even Asad Shafiq and Sarfraz shone brilliantly when given opportunity. One cannot say Australia and New Zealand do not possess quality test bowlers. But they looked tooth less and pedestrians against very impressive Pakistani batsmen. We cannot remember when Pakistanis batted so consistently as a disciplined unit. Misbah deserves all the credit for making his team turn around for the edge.
Paksiatn was looking down the barrel after getting white washed in ODI and T20 against Australia in UAE. Even Misbah dropped himself from ODI team for the third match for his terribly poor form. Pakistan batting was crumbling like cookies. Superstar Younis ignored in ODI in emotional outburst asked PCB not to consider him for tests also. But he was persuaded and what a right decision it was.
World Cricket witnessed what a batting talent the Pathan is! He batted superbly against Australia and New Zealand so far writing his name alongside of many greats of the game.
Captain Misbah also smashed a few records batting like a genius. Beating the record of Jack Kallis for the quickest test fifty and equally the record of master blaster Sir IVA Richards in the same innings he stole the highlights of the series against Australia.
Azhar Ali looked solid and reliable at number three. Ahmed Shehzad batted aggressively. Unfortunately he got injured and may not feature in the remaining tests against the Kiwis. Fortunately reliable Hafiz, the Professor is back in business. More confident Asad Shafique and Wicket Keeper batsman Sarfraz Ahmed has given reliable depth to Paksiatn batting.
Ace spinner Saeed Aajmal’s suspension rocked the team. Junaid, Wahab Riaz and Irfan all got injured. Desperate Pakistan had to appear with a new look bowling attack. Only Rahat Ali and Zulfiqur Babar had some exposure to international cricket. Imran Khan and Yasir Ali made their debut in UAE.
Credit must be given to all Pakistani bowlers that they bowled so impressively in three back to back tests so far winning all three against Australia and New Zealand. Their success must be measured in comparison with Australian and New Zealand bowling.
On the same wicket where M Johnson, M Starc, P Siddle, N Lyon, Tim Southee, Corey Anderson, Trent Boult struggled, Paksitani pacers like Imran Khan and Rahat Ali bowled differently.
Yasir Shah and Zulfiqur Babar were the revelations. Ironically on the same low slow flat wickets the visitors are struggling to decode the mystery of Pakistani bowlers.
The most experienced bowler in Pakistan’s line-up was Mohammad Hafeez, and the most experienced specialist bowler was Rahat Ali, who was playing his ninth Test.
Captain Misbah rightly credited his bowlers for winning tests at UAE when he said “The kind of conditions we are getting, the world-class bowlers are struggling but these youngsters are living up to the expectations of the team, me and the whole nation.”
Misbah further said, “They are getting 20 wickets every match. So that’s a really big achievement for them,” adding “You can’t say these are spinning tracks and that’s why we are getting wickets. The fast bowlers are really chipping in and they are doing a wonderful job. These are the same pitches where the top-class bowlers are struggling.”
Pakistan will play two more tests and five ODIs against New Zealand at UAE. We find no chance that New Zealand can create greater challenge for Pakistan in tests.
Then in ODI Pakistan with the confidence they now have may look an altogether different unit. With ICC World Cup round the corner Paksiatn will be keen to develop winning habits in ODI before they move to Australia in new Zealand in February in 2015.
One must not forget charismatic Imarn Khan’s cornered tigers against many odds won the World Cup at MCG in 1992 beating England. No one rules out Pakistan in limited over contest as they can appear in winning mood any time in any match.
For a change Pakistan is looking a settled exciting unit and no longer an unpredictable team. It is great to see Pakistan Cricket team marching on. It will create greater balance in world cricket where India –England – Australia as Three Musketeers are trying to rule ICC. Pakistan is derived from international cricket in its home for too long a period.
BDST: 0906 HRS, NOV 15, 2014
