Kamran catches Taylor, triggers celebrations
Pakistan's stumper Kamran Akmal has infused life into the tournament with his sloppy catching, drawing needless attention to Pakistan that had been surprisingly enjoying a quiet campaign. Amol Karhadkar elaborates.
With the bottom three teams turning out to be no hopers, the World Cup Group A was turning out to be as monotonous as the middle overs of a one-day game. That is until Kamran Akmal stuck out his now famous 'keeping gloves'.
The Pakistan stumper has infused life into the tournament with his sloppy catching, drawing needless attention to Pakistan that had been surprisingly enjoying a quiet campaign.
After his two dropped chances, New Zealand's Ross Taylor ripped into the the Pakistani bowling last week, making Kamran the butt of jokes.
One of the best jokes after last Tuesday's disaster was: Which is the unluckiest dismissal in cricket? ... caught by Kamran Akmal.
Well, if the Kiwi Taylor was lucky to be spared that agony, Zimbabwe opener Brendan Taylor was caught behind as Kamran finally caught one. Yes, that too in the first over of Monday's match. No wonder his teammates mobbed him as if he had won the World Cup for them.
Having made the hapless Kamran go through rigorous drills during the five-day break, the Pakistan support staff also jumped with joy in the dressing room, as if they had seen a miracle.
If Kamran started the Zimbabwe downfall by accepting a straightforward catch - something he finds the most difficult to take even in the nets - he was at it again off the ball that eventually turned out to be the last of the Zimbabwe innings.
Prosper Utseya mistimed a pull shot off Umar Gul. Younis Khan was running in from short fine leg but he must have been stunned to hear Kamran call for the catch.
Mr Calamitous not only ran a few yards but also made sure the catch did not slip through his otherwise slippery gloves.
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