New Zealand have put an end to the winning spree of Pakistan in the One-day Internationals (ODI) when they made short work of the visitors for a paltry 126 in the fourth one-dayer, winning the series 3-1 at Napier on Wednesday. They made easefully reached the modest target, clinching the victory by eight wickets.
After winning the toss, the Black Caps put Pakistan in, who were bundled out for a meagre total of 126 in 22.5 overs.
None of the top and middle order batsman could withstand the accurate bowling on a perfect batting wicket. However, a defiant last-wicket stand of 39 by pacers Shoaib Akhtar and Mohammad Sami took Pakistan to some "respectability," providing Pakistan a chance to cross their record one-day low of 116 against New Zealand.
Shoaib Akhtar with unbeaten 26 was the top scorer.
However, the fourth one-dayer was a classic example of batting collapse, depriving Pakistan of a chance to level the series. Moreover, the myth that paceman Shoaib Akhtar is the key to Pakistan's success against any team was shattered when the Black Caps avenged their 5-0 defeat they suffered in the One-day Internationals in Pakistan last year.
Both the pacers remained wicketless.
MEMOIRS OF 2003: One may recall that the year 2003 started with humiliation for the Pakistan team, but in the later part of the year, the team started showing signs of recovery and it was hoped that Pakistan would maintain the winning graph, but the year 2004 heralded with a dismal performance of both the batsmen and bowlers, in the one-dayers against the Kiwis.
During 2003, Pakistan, prior to the start of World Cup, played a two-Test series against South Africa, losing series 2-0.
This was followed, beyond expectations, by shameful defeats in the first round matches and elimination of Pakistan from the competition without qualifying for the Super Six round of the 2002-03 World Cup.
As a result, the then Chairman, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), Lt-Gen. Tauqir Zia (retd), had to review his policy and decided to restructure the team, replacing many "super stars" with new faces.
The induction of new blood in the team has paid off and Pakistan have started showing signs of recovery when they registered victories in the Test and One-day Internationals.
During the year, Pakistan played eight Test matches, winning five and losing only one against South Africa at Cape Town in the first week of January 2003, while two of these were drawn.
In the One-day Internationals (ODI), the performance of new look team was quite satisfactory. Out of 33 one-dayers, Pakistan won 21, lost 11 and one match against Zimbabwe at Harare -of World Cup -- remained incomplete due to bad weather.
Besides, Pakistan appeared in two three-nation One-day International competitions at Sharjah and Sri Lanka.
In Sharjah, they annexed the trophy by beating Sri Lanka in the final, while in the Sri Lanka Bank Alfalah Cup three-nation contest, Pakistan lost to New Zealand.
HOME SERIES: At home, Pakistan defeated Bangladesh 3-0 in the three-Test series and beat South Africa 1-0 in the two-Test series.
In the One day Internationals, Pakistan won 5-0 each against Bangladesh and New Zealand, and lost to South Africa 3-2. At the fag end of the year, Pakistan won the two-Test series in New Zealand 1-0.
After beating New Zealand 5-0 in the One-day Internationals (ODIs) in home series, Pakistan were rated third in the official ranking. They are, at present, trailing behind South Africa, who are second.
They are just four points away to upgrade their rating.
South Africa have been second in the ratings since they were launched in October 2002.
Australia with 136 points are on top followed by South Africa (118 points), Pakistan (111 points), Sri Lanka (107 points) England (106 points), India (105 points), West Indies (101 points), New Zealand (97 points), Zimbabwe (68 points), Kenya (28 points) and Bangladesh with zero point.
During the year, four captains led the team. Waqar Younus was replaced by Rashid Latif, who led the team to success against Bangladesh in the Test series, but after that series, he had to sit outside after being reprimanded by match referee Mike Procter on a controversial catch behind during the third Test against Bangladesh.
In his place, Inzamam-uI-Haq was appointed captain for the five one-day games.
Rashid Latif, who is known for his outspoken comments, bitterly criticised the policies of Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), which resulted in his dismissal from the captaincy and confirmation of lnzamam as skipper.
After leading the team in two one-dayers at home against South Africa, Inzamam became unfit and could not appear in the next two matches.
In his absence, vice-captain Yousuf Youhana took the charge. Inzamam, however, returned for the fifth game, but again he found himself unfit and Youhana once again had to lead in the first Test at Lahore. He led the side admirably and won the Test in his debut as captain.
During the year, not only the team but also the selection committee, headed by Wasim Bari, was also replaced by new selectors with Aamir Sohail as chief selector. Veteran cricketer Javed Miandad was recalled and appointed coach of the team.
While 2003 is considered the year of rebuilding the team, three "star" cricketers - Wasim Akram, Saeed Anwar and Rashid Latif - have announced their retirement from international cricket.
MOST SIGNIFICANT: The most significant episode of 2003 was that Karachi and Peshawar, thought to be dangerous venues by foreign teams, were deprived of international matches.
Though South Africa and New Zealand had refused to play in Karachi and Peshawar, Bangladesh played both the Tests and one-day matches at these two venues, proving that these venues are as safer as any other city in the world.
Following refusal of South Africa and New Zealand to play in Karachi and Peshawar, the matches were shifted to Lahore, Faisalabad, and Rawalpindi.
This decision of the PCB created a sense of deprivation in Karachi and Peshawar. Despite strong protests from Karachi City Cricket Association and Peshawar Cricket Association, the PCB refused to amend the itinerary, arguing that South Africa and New Zealand are not willing to play in Karachi.
Anyhow the PCB succumbed to the pressure of South Africa and New Zealand and deprived millions of cricket crazy fans of Karachi and Peshawar to the watch the games.
While the team was on path to success, some controversial issues regarding award of rights to telecast Pakistan-New Zealand matches to a Dubai-based television channel in December, ignoring official Pakistan Television, forced Gen. Tauqir Zia to resign as the PCB Chairman.
He was replaced by a former diplomat Shaharyar Khan, who had been manager of Pakistan team, which faced humiliation in the World Cup.
PERFORMANCES: Performancewise, the new blood played a vital role in Pakistan's successes during 2003.
Yasir Hameed became only the second batsman to score hundred in each innings in his Test debut. He scored 170 and 105 against Bangladesh at Karachi in his first Test. He is now bracketed with West Indian Lawrence Rowe, who scored 214 and 100 not out against New Zealand at Kingston in 1972-73. Asim Kamal, on his Test debut against South Africa at Lahore, fell on 99. He became only the third batsman in the Test cricket history to be the victim of bad luck. The other two are Australian AG Cipperfield, who was dismissed on 99 against England at Nottingham in 1934 and West Indian Rd Chnistiani against England at Bridgetown in 1947-48.
During the year, no Pakistani batsman, except Yousuf Youhana, could score 1000 runs and no bowler could take 50 wickets in Test cricket.
Fast bowler Mohammad Sami took 40 wickets, while speed merchant Shoaib Akhtar captured 12 wickets in 20 matches. They were followed by Shabbir Ahmed, who took 33 wickets in six matches, and Umar Gul 19. Mohammad Sami also took eight wickets in four Test matches.
Taufeeq Umar top aggregated with 752 runs in seven Test matches and Shabbir Ahmed became the highest wicket-taker with 33 in six matches. However, Yousuf Youhana is on the top of the five batsmen and only Pakistani to score 1,000 or more runs in 2003. He aggregated 1168 runs at an average of 43.25 with one hundred and 11 fifties.
The other batsmen are Australians Ricky Ponting, Adam Gilchrist and Mathew Hayden and Indian Sachin Tendulkar.
The year 2003 saw Pakistan humiliated in the World Cup, as they, for the first time in the World Cup history, had failed to reach the qualifying round.
Despite experimentation and frequent changes, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has been able not only to raise a winning combination, but was also successful in finding substitutes both in batting and bowling departments.
After the three home series, the new look Pakistan team is now touring New Zealand.
In the two-Test series, Pakistan proved their superiority in all departments of the game, especially the bowling, over the hosts Kiwis and won the series 1-0. The first Test ended in a draw.
Anyhow the recent victories demand reassessment of the team's strength before taking on arch rivals India in the two-Test and five one-dayers at home.
Performance of the boys, both batsmen and bowlers, against South Africa and New Zealand on the home soil, spoke volumes of the potential and talent, but still a lot of hard work is needed to face the strong Indian side, who will be touring Pakistan in March-April after a 15-year lapse.
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