The difference today for Team Pakistan

Question on 2004-08-29 2141:
Hi Bob. I am gutted that Pakistan lost. I do believe that it proves my point yet again. "Utility" as u call them or "bits and
pieces" players will get you so far but they wont quite finish the job. To me, Pakistan were a bowler short and a batsman short.
Malik went for one bad over which probably proved crucial in the end, thats the difference between a malik and a saqlain, a kaneria
even an arshad khan! the three S's bowled well as did Afridi I must say. Bob, I feel that Pakistan need a finisher. Not Razzaq who
can blast 30 off 20 at the end, I mean someone who will say "If I am there at the end we will win and I will be there at the end".
SA have Jonty, India have Dravid/Yuvraj/Kaif and Aus had THE finisher Michael Bevan. I also believe that the criticism of the
openers is unjustified. In my view if u have a Nazir or Afridi opening the likelihood is they will get out cheaply and stupidly thus
putting more pressure on the mid order batsmen. Yasir should stay, Farhat maybe is the answer though u are aware of my preference for Nasim Khan. Just to end this, watch out for a young batsman Ashraf Ali who I think plays for Lahore. Sorry to have went on Bob. Good luck for the ICC CT but i have to say that aaj jeetiga! some great pics by
the way from holland from tk! next time u tour england plz come to Ireland (Belfast)

Answer by Bob:
Hi mishra500,
I continue to be amazed that you consider Afridi and Malike to be biots and pieces players! I rate them far better than that. I
agree about the finisher, we will need to address that. I was hoping that YKhan could fulfil that role.
BW Bob

It seems I was wrong about Razzaq but he certainly stepped up to the plate. I have always maintained the Razzaq of old was a world class all rounder. We hopefully will start to see him go back to that form. All credit to Woolmer on this one.

[Amjid Javed]

YK finisher lol!

bob quit THE BS!

[Mercenary]

todays game was even more bits and pieces than usual. We had a part-time wickie!! So much for your theory!

[dan hudson]

The "bits and pieces" players won them the game today whilst Australia's "specialists" (Hogg and Symonds) were just not up to the job.

[razzler]

I have told you before and let me see it again that ODI game has changed and one can afford to have players like Razzaq and Afridi.

[Daoud]

:oD
Flash in the pan, Dan

[dan hudson]

I want to see Gary twist this one round.

[Schiller]

;-?

[Amjid Javed]

DAN, Hogg and symonds are bits and pieces players.. do u see them playing tests!

I do not indulge in knee jerk reactions like most Pakistani fans. Abdul Razzaq showed the form today that made him a world class all rounder. That is why Pak won, that and the fact someone decided to finish the game off unlike in the Videocon! Inzi should still come in at 3 and Pak will be a lot better with their pace attack back. Remember its the final that really matters but this is a good win for Pakistan, keeping the proud record at the WACA going. They clearly learnt from the last test they played there which is a very encouraging sign.

[razzler]

Pointing even credited them and he said that they are pretty good allrounders to have.

[razzler]

Gary its not knee jerk reaction and they are a very valuable part for our ODI team.

[dan hudson]

Amjid: That's my point mate!

I have never said a genuine all round player should not be in the team! And I always said Pak needed a finisher. I thought it could be Malik, looks like Razzaq has stepped up. Any team with these 2 factors added to a potent bowling attack will be very hard to beat. They just need to sort out the top order.

[Daoud]

Why do we need to find a finisher if Razzaq can do the job perfectly. A finisher doesnt have to be in the Jonty Rhodes/Bevan mould. He can also be in the Symonds (when in form) or Clarke mould. In fact, I'd say that if we're batting first, I'd rather have Razzaq at the end than Bevan (chasing is a different scenario, but he did pretty well today)

I just said Razzaq could be the finisher!
He is in the Bevan mould as he has a cool head, can run quickly when he wants and can take singles as well as hit a long ball! btw, Bevan has a 51 average batting first. Hogg has a good bowling record in odis but I would agree he is only the 3rd best spinner Australia have. Symonds is a pure batsman who has been handy with the ball.