The first test between Zimbabwe and Pakistan ended the way everyone would have assumed it to. Pakistan defeated Zimbabwe by a huge margin of 221 runs. Given the superiority of Pakistan's bowling and batting attack compared to Zimbabwe's, the result was always on the cards.
Given the cricket crisis that Zimbabwe is baffled with, keeping a test match alive for five days against a formidable and victor Pakistan itself would be a motivation for the Zimbabwean cricket team.. Zimbabwe have ended on the losing side but there are good bunch of positives that Zimbabwe can carry from the first test.
Except for the last day's play, not on a single day did Zimbabwe let their fighting spirit dwindle. They knew they were up against a team much higher in ranks and a team that plays cricket more consistent then they do. From the word go, Zimbabweans were up to the task, a challenging one but not inconceivable.
The less experienced bowling attack featuring Chatara, Panyangara and Utseya delivered more than what would have been expected of them. Striking with the new ball, creating early in-roads to the middle-order by sending Pakistani openers Manzoor and in-form Hafeez back to pavilion, twice in the test match. Utseya and Maskadza complemented well with their bowling.
Zimbabwe had the first laugh as they successfully stopped Pakistan from surpassing the 300 run mark in the first innings. Had it not been for the fifties from Misbah, Azhar Ali and some fight back from the lower order batsman Saeed Ajmal, Pakistan would have been bundled out for less then 200.
On it's turn, Zimbabwe replied well, thanks to the superb innings from debutant Sikandar Raza and MN Waller. Chigumbura assured Zimbabwe of a first innings lead. Sikandar Raza has been the find of the season for the Zimbabwean cricket. His strong batting technique supported by good instincts makes him a complete batsmen. A lead of over 80 runs and three quick wickets in the first session of Pakistan's second innings, raised hopes of an upset for Pakistani team.
But then the experienced Younis Khan takes the command to rescue his team from the shackles. With all the experience of international cricket he has and a technique that has proved worthy for Pakistan on several previous occassions, Younis Khan along with Misbah steered the astray Pakistani ship. Younus Khan first with Misbah and then with Adnan Akmal stitched the Pakistani innings and assured it of a lead that wouldn't be easy for the Zimbabwean cricket team to chase on a five day old pitch.
Tired and disheartened Zimbabwean team gave up their fighting spirit on the final day. The lack of exposure to the international cricket for a long duration of time combined with the deficient experience of the team made it easy for the Pakistani team to win the match. The magician Saeed Ajmal who took 7 wickets when Zimbabwe first batted took another 4 in the second innings. While another in-from spinner Abdur Rehman chipped in with 4 wickets. Zimbabwe's inability to handle the spin attack, their inexperience to handle the turn on a five-day old pitch costed them the match.
Despite the loss Zimbabwe has several positives to carry into the second test match. The ability of new ball bowlers to take early wickets is definitely a plus point for Zimbabwe. Sikandar Raza, Waller and Chigumbara would be expected to continue their batting form. Expectations would be more from the top order batsmen, as a good start would help them aim at a 400 plus total. Given the inability of the Pakistani pace bowlers to take wickets in the first test , Zimbabwe have to make sure it finds a way to handle the opposition's spin attack.
Given the cricket crisis that Zimbabwe is baffled with, keeping a test match alive for five days against a formidable and victor Pakistan itself would be a motivation for the Zimbabwean cricket team.. Zimbabwe have ended on the losing side but there are good bunch of positives that Zimbabwe can carry from the first test.
Except for the last day's play, not on a single day did Zimbabwe let their fighting spirit dwindle. They knew they were up against a team much higher in ranks and a team that plays cricket more consistent then they do. From the word go, Zimbabweans were up to the task, a challenging one but not inconceivable.
The less experienced bowling attack featuring Chatara, Panyangara and Utseya delivered more than what would have been expected of them. Striking with the new ball, creating early in-roads to the middle-order by sending Pakistani openers Manzoor and in-form Hafeez back to pavilion, twice in the test match. Utseya and Maskadza complemented well with their bowling.
Zimbabwe had the first laugh as they successfully stopped Pakistan from surpassing the 300 run mark in the first innings. Had it not been for the fifties from Misbah, Azhar Ali and some fight back from the lower order batsman Saeed Ajmal, Pakistan would have been bundled out for less then 200.
 |
| Younis Khan |
But then the experienced Younis Khan takes the command to rescue his team from the shackles. With all the experience of international cricket he has and a technique that has proved worthy for Pakistan on several previous occassions, Younis Khan along with Misbah steered the astray Pakistani ship. Younus Khan first with Misbah and then with Adnan Akmal stitched the Pakistani innings and assured it of a lead that wouldn't be easy for the Zimbabwean cricket team to chase on a five day old pitch.
Tired and disheartened Zimbabwean team gave up their fighting spirit on the final day. The lack of exposure to the international cricket for a long duration of time combined with the deficient experience of the team made it easy for the Pakistani team to win the match. The magician Saeed Ajmal who took 7 wickets when Zimbabwe first batted took another 4 in the second innings. While another in-from spinner Abdur Rehman chipped in with 4 wickets. Zimbabwe's inability to handle the spin attack, their inexperience to handle the turn on a five-day old pitch costed them the match.
 |
| Sikandar Raza |
No comments:
Post a Comment