SPORTS WORLD: Hat-trick of victories Inzamam first Pakistani to score 10,000 runs in ODIs

Pakistan captain Inzamam-ul-Haq became the first Pakistani batsman in the world, after Indian batting maestro Sachin Tendulkar, to reach the milestone of 10,000 runs in one-day cricket, when he cracked 41 runs in the all important quarter-final of the ICC One-day International Champions Trophy to beat India by three wickets.
Though the victory has also turned Inzamam's dream of a hat trick of victories against India into reality, Pakistan failed to make to final of the ICC Champions Trophy.
While praising his boys performance against India, who turned the table to snatch victory from the arch rivals at Edgbaston on Sunday, Inzamam must be repenting his words as his batsmen were flattened by the Windies bowlers.
They outplayed Pakistan in every department of the game to reach final of mini-World cup.
Inzamam admitted his fault of batting first after winning the toss at chilly and windy Southampton when the pitch was moist and seaming.
"We took a chance. Two hundred runs would have been a difficult total to chase, but West Indies bowled well and routed us for 131 in 38.2 overs," he said.
After the match, even West Indies acting captain Ramnaresh Sarawan said he was surprised at Inzamam's decision to bat first, which cost Pakistan dearly.
Inzamam's decision apart, Pakistan's batting also helped the Windies win the semi-final.
Opener Salman Butt, replacing flopped batsman Imran Farhat, has also failed to click and was dismissed on the second ball of the day. And the rest is a story to ponder.
However, the only consolation is that Pakistan have defeated India for third consecutive time.
WIN OVER INDIA
Though Pakistan beat India, registering the third consecutive win, the weaknesses of our players have been thoroughly exposed.
Both the top order batsmen and key bowlers failed to deliver what was expected of them. While the batsmen chased the ball outside off stumps, the bowlers continued to indulge in over-stepping and wides, thus conceding too many extras.
Earlier, Pakistan after winning the toss, invited India to bat. But Pakistan's fast attack did not allow the Indians to score freely. India's top order batting, including skipper Sourav Ganguly, fell for just 27 runs.
But thanks to the ICC's "Best player of one-day cricket of the Year", Rahul Dravid, true to his reputation of mentally sound and patience, batted responsibly and kept his intact, while wickets from other end continued to fall at regular intervals.
However, with all-rounder Ajit Agarkar (47) Dravid scored 67 for a stand of 82 in 83 balls.
However, India wrapped up their innings for 200 in 49.5 overs, giving a 201 target for victory.
Rana Naved took four wickets, his career best, for 25 runs in nine over. He was well supported by Shoaib Akhtar, who took four for 36.
Chasing 201 for victory, Pakistan's start was almost a mirror image of India's as they too suffered a top-order collapse, declining to 27 for three. It was 19-year-old Irfan Pathan, who was adjudged "Find of the Year," by the International Cricket Council (ICC), sent Pakistan's top order batting to the pavilion for just 27 runs.
At this stage, Inzamam took the crease. Later, after the departure of opener Yasir Hameed, who was dismissed for 15, batted responsibly and braved the Indian attack to accelerate the run rate. Inzamam played a captain's innings and score 41 runs.
After Inzamam's dismissal, all hopes were pinned on Abdur Razzaq and wicket-keeper Moin Khan, but they fell cheaply with nine and 10 runs respectively. But
Youhana kept his side intact and the required run rate continued to pile up. Mercurial all-rounder Shahid Afridi, who joined Youhana, hammered two towering sixes and a four to lessen the asking run rate in one over of Irfan Pathan. However, while trying another six, he was trapped by Yvraj Singh and caught by Virender Sehwag on long on for 25 in just 12 balls.
Youhana, who called Yasir Hameed as runner at 75, continued to accelerate the score. He faced 114 balls with one six and five fours having come in his unbeaten 81.
MILESTONE
Inzamam, who reached the milestone of scoring 10,000 runs in his 322nd One-day International match, lauded the performances of Rana Naveed-ul-Hassan and fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar, who took four wickets apiece, and his deputy Yousuf Youhana's unbeaten 81, for making the victory possible.
He was also all praise for all-rounder Shahid Afridi for upsetting the run rate. However, all credit goes to captain Inzamam-ul-Haq and Yousuf Youhana, who took the crease after Pakistan lost three early wickets for just 27 runs.
Another bad habit, which cost Pakistan heavily, is that almost all the batsmen, especially Shahid Afridi, tend to play their favourite shots much before the ball come to their bat, thereby losing their wicket in a silly manner.
Anyhow despite ups and downs, Pakistan escaped narrowly and won the match.
In the match, our bowlers gave 24 extra runs as against India's just nine. This is really serious and needs special attention of the coach to ask the bowlers to bowl within the wickets.
WOOLMER'S TEST
Now it is upto British coach Bob Woolmer, who is being showered praises by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) officials, the captain and players, to apply his much-publicised coaching techniques, aimed at removing the flaws in the players.
Woolmer may be reminded of his article in London daily "The Guardian", expressing that he is optimistic as he surveys the talent and application of a notoriously awkward squad.
Woolmer said the Champions Trophy might have come a little too early for a youthful and still inexperienced side, but expressed his determination to make the team a 2007 World Cup winning squad. He opined that Pakistani players were "absolute gentlemen", and said he would turn them into the finest team in the world.
In view of Pakistan's flaws in batting and bowling, one is compelled to believe in Wollmer's claims. However, it is the game of wait and see how for he correct in his dealings with the players and their training.