A splendid comeback

By K. Srikanth

Pakistan was able to raise its game when it mattered most to pull off a victory over South Africa in the final of the Coca-Cola Cup at Sharjah.

It also represented a splendid comeback for Moin Khan's men who seemed down in the dumps after losing their first two games. They looked rusty then but were a transformed lot after defeating India and South Africa in the league.

Pakistan does have the habit of peaking at the right time in the one-day tournaments. One is reminded of the 1992 World Cup where the Pakistanis finished on top after being nearly eliminated in the league stage of the competition.

What happened in Sharjah was similar with key players delivering when the heat was on. This is a factor that counts the most in international cricket.

Pakistan's strength in both versions of the game lies in its four frontline bowlers. Men like Waqar Younis, Wasim Akram and Shoaib Akhtar are always on the look out for wickets, even in one-day cricket.

The side has good all-rounders in Abdur Razzaq, and Shahid Afridi, who apart from providing more options to their captain, make up somewhat for the brittleness of the middle- order, where there is too much dependence on a couple of players.

Javed Miandad, a crafty coach, has managed to get the best out of Shahid Afridi, who loves nothing more than going for the bowling. In Sharjah, despite not firing in the earlier games, Afridi took the attack by the scruff in the final.

His crucial half century set the tempo really. Every side needs an opener like Afridi who can hit through the line and scatter the field in the initial overs.

In the absence of Allan Donald, the South African bowling looked rather thin and it will take some more time for the newcomers to settle down. Coming to batting, skipper Hansie Cronje played a superb attacking innings when the chips were down. While he was in the middle it did appear as if the Proteas would win the game.

Mark Boucher carried the fight into the Pakistani camp after Cronje departed but Waqar Younis picked crucial wickets in his third spell to turn the match in Pakistan's favour.

It has indeed been a fine comeback by the wily fast bowler, and with his extraordinary display in the series, he has forced his critics to eat their words.

Before the triumph in Sharjah, Pakistan went through a dismal phase losing to Australia (away) and Sri Lanka (home). Now the mood in the team would be upbeat as it travels to the Caribbean.

www.krishsrikkanth.com

Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Section  : Sport
Previous : Kanwaljit keeps Hyderabad afloat
Next     : Martyn, Gilchrist turn the tide