Monumental blunders cost Pak

I find it difficult to believe that Pakistan opened the innings with Kamran Akamal. Shahid Afridi seemed such a waste at number 7, writes Javed Miandad.

I really feel Indians looked a terrified lot when they took the field in the first One-Day International against Pakistan. Their body language, the way the fours flowed, the helpless look on their faces — Pakistan were in cruising gear when they lost the plot.

HT Image

I was disappointed with Sourav Ganguly, not because of the way he got out but the manner in which he abdicated responsibility in the field. He might have failed as a batsman but he still had a role to fulfill as captain. He needed to show authority; instead he appeared someone who was enveloped in his own darkness.

But the blunders of Pakistan were far more monumental.

I find it difficult to believe that Pakistan opened the innings with Kamran Akamal. He swapped position with Shahid Afridi who seemed such a waste at number seven. Then Mohammad Hafeez came at number six while he was batting at one drop in Australia.

It points to muddled thinking and players are now being allowed to grow in a role. The stop-gap method will not serve Pakistan cricket.

But they would be first to admit it wasn't a safe total. In an India-Pakistan tie, a total of 280 is never safe. India mismanaged their last 10 overs when a 300-plus total was there for the asking. For all their hard work, it still seemed the innings of Virender Sehwag and Rahul Dravid would go to waste.

Arshad Khan was ready to go to pieces but suddenly batsmen after batsmen chose new ways of getting out to him. Don't tell me he was spinning the ball or the wicket was a minefield. It was terrible cricket.