Outclassed and thoroughly outplayed

It is difficult to find suitable words to describe Pakistan's dismal performance in the opening encounter against Australia. A match so eagerly awaited by the whole nation, ended in thorough disappointment. The Australians showed the mental strength they are so well known for, bouncing back so professionally after injury setbacks and the Shane Warne affair which would have set any other team back.

Waqar Younis' decision to put the opposition in after winning the toss was a complete shocker. Pakistan's inability as far as chasing totals is concerned, is one that has been talked of for ages, and surely the team management must have been well aware of it too? The pitch may have had some early life but not enough to warrant the decision of fielding first. Pakistan in the past has folded up while chasing meagre totals let alone the mammoth 311 set by the Aussies this time.

While half of the battle may have been lost at the toss, the Pakistanis also lost the initiative they had gained early on through some mediocre captaincy. When Shoaib Akhtar got rid of Ponting, Australia were in a vulnerable position, and it was the ideal time to go in for the kill by employing Wasim Akram. Instead, Waqar opted to stick with Afridi and later on, even introduced Younis Khan. While it is obvious Younis Khan was brought on to improve the appalling over rate but had the lower order been cleaned up it may not have been a factor. It would have been better chasing a total like 250 in 45 overs had a few overs been docked, rather than a massive 310. By letting the Aussies off the hook, he allowed Andrew Symonds to put the match out of reach and that he did in no uncertain fashion.

To top it all off, Waqar was even disallowed from completing his final over after producing two beamers, certainly not acceptable at this level of the game. Andrew Symonds was quite justified in being furious, and umpire Shepherd had really no other option but calling Waqar off.

Even the most optimistic of Pakistan supporters would find it hard to pick positives out of the game, but its time for the team to sit down and think about what they can do in the future matches. Firstly, putting the opposition in after winning the toss would be a dangerous move if it is repeated, especially against the stronger teams.

Secondly, the team structure needs analysis, as that might have cost us the game. I think its wrong to go in with five bowlers, two of them being Razzaq and Afridi who are virtually incapable of completing their quota of 10 efficiently. Saqlain's exclusion was unjustified, and one hopes to see him in the line-up in future games. Afridi unfortunately is contributing neither with bat nor ball, so it is pointless to include him as an all-rounder.

Saleem Elahi looked to be in good touch, so he deserves to be retained, to open with Saeed Anwar, who is expected to be fit for the next match. Taufeeq Umar on the other hand looked too unsettled in his brief knock. He may have brilliant technique, but in one-days he fails to rotate the strike which builds pressure, causing him to play some wild strokes. The number three position needs to be filled by Youhana, as he is the best batsman in the side on current form, and sending him in at five is wasting his potential.

The practice of hiding the best batsman from the new ball is a poor one. If anyone can be expected to deal with the early pace onslaught, its got to be Youhana and Inzamam, so they must be put in at number three and four respectively.

Another matter that needs attention is who should take the new ball? Shoaib Akhtar looked good at the start, but the problem is that with Waqar and Razzaq bowling first and second change there is no pressure in the middle overs. Shoaib Akhtar is far more effective in the middle overs as the pressure exerted by him helps the bowler at the other end and in picking up a few key wickets. Waqar in the middle overs is not as consistent as he was in line at length and with Razzaq not bowling as well these days, the batsmen can cash in.

Another important issue that needs to be addressed is the poor over rate. The Pakistani fielders are very casual in the early overs, strolling between their field positions at the change of overs. The excessive extras do not help matters either. The bowlers can't be expected to cut down their run ups on such short notice, so the captain must try and make sure the fielders hustle through in the change between overs, something the Australians do very well.

All in all, there needs to be a lot more thinking in future matches if the team are to progress in the tournament. The team was not short of spirit and enthusiasm, as was evident early on, but that alone is not going to win us games. The captain must put in more thought, and be a little more aggressive rather than sit back and wait for the opportunities to present themselves.

Ed: If readers wish to correspond with the author, please email Taha Noor