Sore fingers and Aching backs

An encounter that promised so much ultimately delivered very little other than some wonderful batting performances from both team’s skippers, as well as Samaraweera and Kamran Akmal, together with half centuries for Sangakkara, Yasir Arafat, Faisal Iqbal, Warnapura and Shoaib Malik. In fact this was such a placid pitch that if a top order batsman scored less than 50 then it could be deemed as a failure of sorts.

If this was a fictional film, then the groundsman would be the villain. A sporting pitch was what we were promised – whatever happened to that sporting pitch is anyone’s guess as rumours surfaced that the grass was ordered to be removed the night before the match was due to commence. Younis Khan was not a happy man at the toss, believe it not he wasn’t smiling when looking at the surface, especially given that Pakistan had pacemen Gul, Arafat and Sohail Khan in their lineup and they must have been horrified when they saw a pitch that was absolutely devoid of any grass and looked rather bare and brown.

The bowlers suffered in the Karachi heat and there must be some very sore fingers and aching backs amongst both teams bowlers – ice bath’s to the ready I would reckon. Make no mistake, this was the sort of wicket that makes bowlers wake up in a cold sweat and sends shivers down their spine. In fact I was surprised that we didn’t see some of the bowlers throwing in the towel and opting for some “rest” in the comfort of the dressing room. Many more of these wickets and we’ll see even less fans going through the turnstiles than there were at the rather sad and empty looking National Stadium.

It will be remembered as a memorable match for Younis Khan as he lead from the front in his first test as “official” captain and became the third Pakistani batsman to cross the 300 mark in test cricket, following in the footsteps of Hanif Muhammad and Inzamam ul Haq. Younis really is a smiling assassin, he reminds me of one of those Spaghetti Western movie stars who expertly sling their guns at every opportunity with the minimum of fuss. Younis’ gun was slinging in full flow in this match, as he hit the much vaunted Sri Lankan bowlers to every corner of the ground with the minimum of fuss and relevant ease and showing the watching world (well those that actually got the coverage of this match) what an expert batsman he is and how well he plays under pressure. Younis at the helm and I feel that this Pakistan team can certainly go places, especially if he is given the right support and the correct team compositions are selected.

Mahela Jayawardene also deserves a mention as he passed 8000 runs in test cricket. He reminds me so much of Salim Malik and Mohammed Yousuf – wristy, elegant and has the ability to caress the ball to the boundary with and effort. A world class performer who is of course stepping down as skipper after this series.

Kamran Akmal has had his fair share of detractors on PakPassion and he shoved a few words down the throats of some posters in this match as he kept beautifully, took some excellent catches and batted like we all know he can. It seems like young Sarfraz Ahmed may have to wait a little longer for his chance if Kamran can keep this forum up.

There was a sniff of a chance of a Pakistan victory, but it was only a small chance although the Sri Lankans rather carefree effort did ensure that they lost 5 wickets rather quickly on day 5. But it was heartening to see a Pakistan side in the ascendency against an opponent that had played much more test cricket in the last year or so.

A satisfying performance in my opinion considering the nature of the wicket and the fact that this was Pakistans first test match for over 14 months. More plus points than negatives and Pakistan go to Lahore with their heads held high and the spirits good.

As for team changes at Lahore, I would bring in Shahid Afridi in place of Faisal Iqbal. Yes it may be harsh on Faisal who has just scored a half century but I feel that Pakistan need another bowling option if they are to take 20 Sri Lankan wickets at the Qaddaffi Stadium.

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