In the first decade of this century Pakistan lost almost all its cricket stars to aging phenomenon. Except of course Younus Khan. Loss of Inzamam and Yousuf was particularly crippling. Our batting strength dropped many degrees in a single jolt.
This decade has already witnessed the flowering of enormous talent of Misbah ul Haque and Younus Khan whom our Karachi-based critics had written off quite disdainfully. Younus Khan in his dying years has produced his very best so far. As has Misbah ul Hque who still seems to be ageless. But there comes a moment in life when even the most extraordinary have to call it a day. Both Younus and Misbah will be playing their last series in days to come.
But this write-up has been inspired by the match-winning performance last night of two of our most under-rated wizards—Mohammad Hafeez and Shoaib Malik.
They have been at ‘the receiving end’ from our ruthless cricket analysts who never miss an opportunity to target these stars—specially Hafeez—with stinging combinations—now left hook—now right cross—and now murderous straight. These are boxing terms.
Of course the Old have to call it a day at last. Even Don Bradman couldn’t fulfill his dream of retiring with three-figure average. But both Hafeez and Shoaib have been phenomenal.
Without them the two series we have won, could have been disastrous despite the rise of a prodigal called Babar Azam.
Hafeez in the series that ended last night was earlier accused of slow batting and having played too many ‘dot balls’. But he has aggregated 200 or so. He made sure in each of the three matches that Pakistan wasn’t ‘three down’ early in the innings—putting entire pressure on Sarfaraz. Same is the case with Shoaib.
Both of them—specially Hafeez—has bowled very crucial overs in the three matches— and made life difficult for batsmen. In the match we lost, Hafeez was accused of slow batting. Yet Pakistan was able to cross 300 because of his contribution. It was poor captaincy on the part of Sarfaraz that earned Pakistan an unexpected defeat.
Let us learn to back our stars. Let us criticize them for what they fail to deliver, but at the same time applaud them for what they achieve for Pakistan.
I have failed to mention here the name of another of our unsung heroes—Abdul Razaque. He deserved a much more generous farewell. He was a joy to watch when in full cry.
In the end let me mention the names of Shadab Khan and Hasan Ali who are born match-winners. Pakistan test team, fielding Yasir Shah and Shadab Khan—both leg-spinners—at the same time—will look potentially destructive. Both have different varieties. Yasir Shah has already proved himself. And Shadab Khan is well on his way…….
- Latest
- Trending
