Perfect day for cricket (17 June 1999)

17 June 1999

Perfect day for cricket

Nizamuddin Ahmed

Old Trafford, June 16: Ijaz Ahmed's brilliant catch at gully to see the back of dangerman Roger Twose and Shoaib Akhtar's gem of an yorker to send the wickets skittling behind Stephen Fleming put Pakistan on top on a bright and sunny day at Old Trafford.

Although there were still the prospect of late afternoon showers, conditions were perfect for cricket; only too perfect for Pakistan. Warm, sunny and dry for Wasim Akram and his battery of pacemen to unnerve the New Zealanders. Nature, as it seemed, was on Wasim's side; at least to begin with.

The Pakistan fans were in full cry. Many were in their team colours, as were some English and Bangladeshi fans. But for the stray New Zealand flags and the appreciative applause of the neutrals to Mathew Horne's academically consummate shots, the gallery belonged to the noisy and boisterous Pakistanis. It was a day they had come to enjoy for that was what their captain ordered.

"I want the boys to go and enjoy the semi-final," said Wasim on the eve of the match.

Stephen Fleming won the vital toss and understandably opted to bat to take advantage of Pakistan's suspect ability to chase. Bangladesh and India must have been on the mind of the New Zealand captain.

Wasim Akram did say that the three consecutive defeats, including the one against South Africa, 'was a matter of the past'. And so it appeared, as New Zealand, devoid of any flamboyant batting, meandered past 200 with barely five overs to go.

The wicket was well baked from two days of beating from a generous sun.

There was the early bounce. Only Nathan Astle, victim to the one that kept low, may disagree in contempt.

The New Zealand openers did not know for quite a while what went past them as skipper Wasim Akram and his talented disciple Shoaib Akhtar let loose a barrel of scorchers. At 58 for three, the New Zealand scorecard was not entirely truthful about the number of times they were beaten and of the runs that came from accidental brush of the bat.

After the initial excitement of wickets tumbling in the first fifteen overs, there was a lull in the game for the next fifteen. Rightly, Wasim brought back Shoaib Akhtar in the 32nd over. The excitement was back. The Pakistani speedster was timing in the nineties and the one that Fleming was too late to tackle was pitched at 92 mph.

The Old Trafford pitch is known to be a heaven for spinners, but it also has encouragement for the seam bowlers. Pakistan, unfortunately for the Kiwis, has a large store of both. And so it was. All the Pakistani bowlers, with the exception of Shahid Afridi, seemed to gain from the well-worn wicket.

Contrary to earlier BBC reports late last evening, Salim Malik was not recalled into the side and Wajahatullah Wasti found his place safe. This was as per Wasim's announcement after yesterday's nets that the team would be announced this morning.

Roger Twose, who was unlucky to find Ijaz's stretched-out right hand after the gully fielder flew to his right, had moments that was not in cricket's daily routine. In the 25th over, Twose kicked the dust after Moin Khan made a failed stumping attempt. He did, of course, apologise immediately to the wicket-keeper. Later, he stopped Shoaib in his track as something got in his eyes and was only relieved by the help of his captain, his running mate at the time.

This being cricket, one never knows what lies in store. New Zealand may be rewarded for their cautious approach for they finished in the vicinity of 240, always a big ask if the inconsistency of the Pakistani batsmen takes over. And, for certain, if the Kiwi bowlers get the movement that the wicket promised all day.

Source :: The Daily Star