After having beaten the West Indies in Pakistan's turn of confrontation in the tri-series one-dayer one thought they have regained assurance and would put up a decent show against the Australians. This was a crucial tie for the Kangaroos - a victory took them to the finals of the VB series. However, the Australians were shaken in a rain-hit match at Brisbane facing the Caribbeans. They were 45 for 5 when a second burst of rain-storm saved them from a humiliating defeat and the tie was abandoned when the Calypso cricketers were nearing success and celebrating the tumbling of the Australian wickets at regular intervals.
On a simple calculation and the form of the teams in the triangular competition Pakistan should have repeated their Hobart resistance and performance at the Sydney match.
The start of tie was delayed by one hour due to rain which made the pitch comparative by more lively. Ricky Ponting had the wisdom to put Pakistan in and soon Glenn McGrath displayed his class to put the Pakistani top order, particularly the in-form Salman Butt, in uneasy insecurity. He was trapped plumb lbw for a duck. Kamran Akmal was beaten neck and crop by Brett Lee at the other end. Then again it was the turn of McGrath to fire the second salvo to remove Shoaib Malik. It was 38 for 3.
Wickets fell like ninepins till Inzamam with dour competence gave the onlookers a flavour of fine batsmanship which proved that the Australian attack could have been hit by correct play, will power and cricket sense. His 50 was a pretty knock.
The contributions of Yousuf Youhana, Hafeez were minor ones. Razzaq, for sometime, gave able support to Inzamam for a stand of 30 till he was run out.
Inzamam after reaching 50 drove Lehmann uppishly in the deep, where he was confidently taken by Clarke. It was 103 for 7 and Pakistan were in dire straits, literally down and out. Who could have rescued them from a certain defeat?
Yet Afridi, the flamboyant and adventurous Afridi, came, rather late in the batting order to exhibit his gorgeous strokes. Lehmann and Brett Lee were blasted straight for two sixes.
There was no aide for Afridi, still he was in full sail, each shot a flick of delight, a demonstration of happy life on the field of cricket. Running out of partners at 48 - he jumped out to Lehmann to be stumped to the sorrow of the spectators. A cavalier innings, a knock to be enjoyed and admired, had come to an end.
Pakistan could only manage 163, a tiny target for the in-form Australians. There was little doubt about the outcome, though at least three wickets could have been taken. Shoaib Malik's catch of Clarke at cover appeared to have been taken rather cleanly but the third umpire ruled in favour of the batsman. Clarke again got a reprieve when Hafeez grassed a chance at long-on. One or two umpiring errors of judgement denied wickets to the Pakistanis.
Australia inevitably coasted to a nine-wicket victory to qualify for the best-of-three finals.
The hosts appeared in top form in this match. Their bowling, despite the destructive approach of Shahid Afridi, was not prepared to give anything away. Their ground fielding and catching were extra-ordinarily sure and quick. The batting, especially of Clarke, was a thrilling for the connoisseurs.
Pakistan's only hope rests with the result of the remaining round-robin tie against the West Indies. The latter are not the power of yore but as the tournament progresses they are making an impact as they showed in the abandoned duel at Bribane.
Regretfully Pakistan's ailments continue. The seam attack has no bite, there is no bowler to send red-hot deliveries. Then apart from Afridi there is no genuine spinner to harass and trouble the batsmen.
The batting sadly has again become uncertain. The way Salman Butt, Kamran Akmal and Shoaib Malik were sent back to the pavilion betrayed the bankruptcy of technique. There is no upper or middle order. What Bob Woolmer is doing only the PCB officialdom can explain?
However, the touring outfit's performance may not be satisfying but sad are the allegations of criminal assault being levelled against a member of the team. Maybe the Australians are trying to undermine the morale of the playing set. The story of the alleged rape appeared in the Australian media after some weeks. Why not the very next day or two days after?
There is no complaint by the woman to the police against any player.
The cricket board has off-hand rejected the allegation as having no legal basis. The board officials revealed that they have sought the opinion of the High Commission in Canberra for legal action against the tabloid.
The purpose of the newspaper may be scandalising but it cannot but be termed as yellow journalism.
Let the team play the game and not take the issue seriously.
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