Dropped catches, sloppy fielding and inconsistent batting are the highlights of the first one-dayer of five One-day International (ODI) series against India. It seems, Pakistan did not take on archrivals with a definite planning and strategy.
The whole selection process lacked pragmatism and the selectors, of course, in consultation with captain Shoaib Malik, failed to pick up right squad to face the archrivals on latter's home soil.
Electing to bat first after winning the toss, left-handed opener Salman Butt and Kamran Akmal opened the innnings, but soon the wicket keeper batsman was seen back in the dressing room after scoring 12 runs. He was followed by vice captain Younus Khan, who made 25 runs, before mistiming a shot against Harbhajan Singh to be caught at long on.
Then came experienced Mohammad Yousuf who, along with Salman Butt, accelerated the run rate. Butt, who has a brilliant track record against India, provided the early momentum after being recalled ahead of Imran Nazir to bolster Pakistan's shaky opening partnership. He hit eight boundaries, playing wristy shots to reach his fifth one-day fifty off 56 balls, but was run out off the next delivery by Yuvraj Singh while attempting a risky single.
Salman Butt, dropped for the recent home one-day series against South Africa, did the bulk of scoring in the initial overs and executed some handsome strokes against new-ball bowlers Zaheer Khan and Rudra Pratap Singh.
Mohammad Yousuf took time to settle down before playing many improvised shots towards the end to give Pakistan a fighting score. He struck a superb unbeaten 83 to steer his side to a respectable total of 239 for seven in the first One-day International against India.
The 33-year-old Yousuf hit his 58th one-day fifty, his sixth score of over 50 in last nine innings, facing 88 balls and hitting seven boundaries. Yousuf added 63 runs for the fourth wicket with Shahid Afridi (31) before taking charge in a sixth-wicket stand of 68 with Misbah-ul Haq (27).
Sachin Tendulkar earlier struck twice in successive overs to remove dangerous Afridi and skipper Shoaib Malik (two) cheaply.
Left-arm seamers RP Singh and Irfan Pathan, off spinner Harbhajan Singh and left-arm spinner Murali Kartik then limited the scoring with accurate bowling. Indian spinners Harbhajan, Kartik and Tendulkar earlier played major roles in restricting Pakistan.
Part-timer Tendulkar grabbed two crucial wickets, while off-spinner Harbhajan and left-arm spinner Kartik conceded just 65 off their combined 20 overs. Tendulkar dismissed hard-hitting Afridi (31) and Malik (two) just when Pakistan threatened to go for big shots.
At this stage India looked in command after tight spells from the spin trio, but Yousuf kept his end intact and helped his side score 74 in the closing 10 overs.
It seems the team management, including captain Shoaib Malik, were off balance and committed mistakes after mistakes. This is evident from banking on Kamran Akmal, whose potentials as opener, are very well known. Besides, his performance behind the stumps, exposed the whole selection process, which lacked pragmatism.
The national selectors instead of going for the in-form players from domestic cricket opted for players like Kamran Akmal. As regards the fitness level and performance of the players, the selectors continued to gamble on him, ignoring Zulqarnain Haider.
For India, captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni and Yuvraj Singh slammed solid half-centuries to guide their side to an emphatic five-wicket victory over Pakistan in the first One-day International,
Skipper Dhoni top-scored with 63 and Yuvraj made 58 as India surpassed Pakistan's total of 239-7 with 18 balls to spare for a 1-0 lead in the five-match series.
Left-handed Yuvraj and Dhoni applied themselves remarkably well on a low, slow pitch as they took no risks during their 105-run stand for the fourth wicket to ensure a comfortable win.
Yuvraj hit one six and six fours in his 31st half-century while Dhoni hammered eight fours in his 17th. When Dhoni was caught behind off paceman Shoaib Akhtar, India were just 15 short of victory target with five wickets in hand.
Akhtar briefly raised Pakistan's hopes of defending the total when he troubled the Indian top order in a sharp four-over opening spell, but was unlucky not to get more than one wicket.
His eagerly-awaited duel with record-breaking Sachin Tendulkar (four) ended early as he trapped the Indian leg-before in his second over with a slower delivery that kept a bit low.
Akhtar then came close to removing Gambhir early in the batsman's innings, the ball going between wicket-keeper Kamran Akmal and first-slip Younus Khan and then eluding the outstretched right hand of the slip fielder for four. The lapses proved costly as Gambhir (44) went on to add 82 for the second wicket with Souray Ganguly (39).
As usual Pakistan's fielding had been consistently inconsistent. It was lethargic, sluggish and de-motivated which allowed the Indians to take singles and twos at ease. Pakistan players, particularly skipper Malik, were, it appeared, too satisfied with the situation, so that they didn't feel that any right change was necessary. The selectors must have drawn a lesson from this match. They must not become complacent about progress. The team needs players who complement each other.