COMMENTS FROM MUNEER HUSSAIN

Exclusively for worldcup.cricpoint.com

Date 21-03-07

Pakistan have just finished their innings, batting first in their last match of World Cup against Zimbabwe. Their batsmen played extremely well to score a huge total of 349 in their 50 overs. Imran Nazir, the opener played brilliantly for his not out 160 runs. He played his shots freely and all around the ground. He held the whole Pakistani innings together and got out in the 45th over after coming to open the innings with Kamran Akmal. Pakistan played Afridi in this match but he got out for just 16 runs including a six. Pakistani batsmen played some great shots, especially Imran Nazir who hit 14 fours and 8 sixes.

Pakistan team is under great stress and pressure, not only they have been thrown out of the tournament but also their coach Bob Woolmer has died 2 days earlier and now the Jamaican police has said that it will treat the Woolmer’s death case as ‘suspicious’, which only worsens the situation for Pakistan cricket team.

Although, the result of this match will not affect the Pakistan position in the World Cup as they have already been eliminated from the tournament after losing their first two matches against West Indies and the minnows Ireland, the win in this match will surely boost the Pakistani team’s moral to some extent and will also give some pride to the country.

This was also the last ODI match for the captain Inzamam-ul-Haq in which he scored 37 runs. The effect of the past few days on Pakistan was clear when Inzamam came in at No. 4. At the toss he said: "It's a very tough time for me and the team because the coach is not with us," and appeared intent on leaving a mark for Bob Woolmer in his final innings. With utmost professionalism he set about batting, stamping his authority with a straight six off Utseya and another over midwicket off Williams. When a couple of shots landed short of fielders it appeared it might be his day but then he picked out cover. Every Zimbabwe player ran up to shake his hand and the moment got to Inzamam as his team-mates formed a guard of honour as he walked off.

He has been a great servant for Pakistan cricket. He has scored second highest ODI runs after Sachin Tendulkar, which is a great achievement from any perspective. Although, he couldn’t deliver what was expected from him in the last few months, Inzamam’s services for the Pakistan cricket will be remembered for long as he is one of the greatest batsmen Pakistan have ever produced.


Date 18-03-07

Sad demise of Bob Woolmer
It has been told by a television channel that Pakistan Cricket team coach, Bob Woolmer has died of a heart-attack in a hospital of Jamaica. Mr P J Mir, Media Manager Pakistan Cricket Team told that Bob Woolmer was discovered unconscious in his hotel room in the morning and was rushed to the University Hospital, Kingston – Jamaica. Initially, it was stated that doctors tried to save Bob’s life but he couldn’t survive however, later it was told by the doctors that Woolmer had expired before he was brought to the hospital. Although no official statement was issued by the Cricket team management as they said details would be displayed after receiving reports from the doctors, it seems that Woolmer was shaken by the Pakistan team’s defeat to Ireland and he couldn’t survive it. However, the final verdict can only be obtained after doctors issue their report whether he had committed suicide or taken excessive pills since it is said vomit was seen around the his place.

Nevertheless, its regretful news as Pakistan lost their match against Ireland and were thrown out of the World Cup. Consequently, Pakistani team and Coach Bob Woolmer were being criticized by everyone in Pakistan. However, after the death of Bob, situation will get changed and more depressed because it seems that he couldn’t bear Pakistani team’s defeat, got a heart-attack and died eventually.

Bob Woolmer had been Pakistan cricket team’s coach for 4 years. Although he was criticized for not providing right openers and proper back-ups to the team, it is a fact that when he joined Pakistan team, the team was on 8th position in the ICC ranking. Due to his efforts, Pakistani team progressed to 3rd position until the start of 9th World Cup. The efforts Woolmer had made for the Pakistan Cricket team will be remembered for always. He did all he could for them. I would like to express my condolences to the Woolmer’s family as well as the Pakistan Cricket Team over his sad death.


Date 17-03-07

Pakistan's poor batting against Ireland
Pakistan are playing their 2nd match of Group-D in the World Cup against Ireland. Pakistan have scored 132 runs batting first and were bowled out in 45.4 overs. Pakistani team’s performance has been very disappointing in batting, especially from the batsmen who are considered dependable and holding a number of world records. If this performance was shown against a world-class team like Australia or South Africa, it would have been a different scenario, but it is Ireland, a team which is no where near the standard of Pakistan. Although they did well to draw their first match against Zimbabwe but Zimbabwe were very much parallel to their caliber. The way Ireland bowlers contained Pakistani batsmen today is praiseworthy, their fielding was extra-ordinary and they didn’t allow any extra runs.

On the other hand, Pakistan batted poorly. Apart from Kamran Akmal and Imran Nazir, who got some runs, no other batsmen were able to make any impression. Reliable players Inzamam, Younis and Yousuf came onto the wicket and got out quickly without thinking about what their nation would feel over this performance against a team like Ireland.

Now, all depends on the Pakistani bowlers. No doubt our bowling is much better than that of Ireland, but our batting was also stronger than them. We have to see, how our bowlers bowl after Pakistani batting failed to deliver the performance that was expected from them. Pakistan will be relying on Umar Gul and Rao Iftikhar for wickets. Since Sami is out of form, I am not expecting too much from him but it’s cricket, who knows he comes up with the most wickets in the match.

If Ireland manages to beat Pakistan today, they will get 3 points collectively; as they have drawn their first match with Zimbabwe. This will leave Pakistan as the only team in Group-D without a point. In that case, Pakistan will play their last match against West Indies as a routine since they will be out of World Cup after today’s defeat.


Date 13-03-07

Pakistan all out for 241 against West Indies
The first match of the 9th Cricket World Cup is being played between Pakistan and West Indies. Pakistan won the toss and asked West Indies to bat first. West Indies scored 241/9 in their quota of 50 overs. Samuels batted well for his 63, while Sarawan and Lara also batted well. For Pakistan, Rao Iftikhar took 3 wickets, while Umar Gul and Muhammad Hafeez got hold of 2 wickets a piece and Kaneria claimed 1 wicket. Pakistan’s fielding remained reasonably good as they caught most of the catches. But wiicket keeper Kamran Akmal, though took 3 catches, dropped a chance given by Brian Lara off the bowling of Malik when he couldn’t get hold of the ball. He missed a run-out chance too. Besides, he was unable to stop a throw from the fielder, which enabled the batsman to get back into the crease. Though, shouting of wicket keepers has become a trend in cricket, I would suggest Kamran Akmal to concentrate more on his performance.

In my opinion, 241 doesn’t seem to be a big target for Pakistan but openers ought to give a stand of 50-60 runs so that Younis, Yousuf and Inzamam can reach the target easily. If the openers get out early, then the target of 241 will become difficult to achieve.

Nevertheless, I can say that if Pakistani batsmen play with responsibility, 241 can easily be achieved.


Muneer Hussain