PPer "fight_club" gives his personal, passionate account of Pakistan's dramatic, nerve wracking exit from the World T20 Semi Finals: “This is the final announcement, Passengers please get out!!”

By:  "fight_club"

16 May 2010

“This is the final announcement, Passengers please get out!!”

Ok, I am one those Pakistan cricket supporters.

Those crazy roller coaster rides always fails to excite me. I learned about Heartbreaks, Betrayals even before falling in love I lost my sense of disbelief long before the first man Flew please don’t tell me that is yet to happen! I have been subject to few highs and many lows my faith has been butchered but still survived the funny and the scary thing
Is I haven’t still seen the last of it.

Its silly me...

So, Clark was looking smug, Afridi petty grateful half of the continent cocksure about Australian invincibility other half skeptical about men-in-green knowing fully this team does Rewards its cynic.

True to the expression Clark chose to field, a surprising decision considering Pakistan Inglorious history chasing under pressure more so as their batting looked more vulnerable then their bowling but having the team Clark has at his disposal he can be smug notwithstanding his own poor form.

I have been wondering who will call the bluff against this Over-rated Australian attack. Batsman (mostly sub-continental) have been busy gifting them wicket throughout the tournament with some thoughtless and reckless batting I don’t think Australian attack has plan B nor do they have a worthy back up as Watson and smith will hardly instill any fear in the opposition.

Pakistan batting today was intelligent packed with excellent shot selection they did not succumb to the bait, kept their head and did not conceded the early advantage. Butt to me has been the find of the tournament for Pakistan its very comforting to see finally one the opening slot has been sealed.

Kamran has this fetish to play too square not a healthy habit for any opener I also had a raising suspicion that he has started thinking that way as well but in last two encounters He seems to have straightened up, more then his batting, his thinking and if this is what half of the other side can do Pakistan will be a different side.

I have been having impulsive attacks of lenting into Kamran every time I hear him barking “Shabash” today though I silently murmured to myself “Shabash Kami, Shabash Pakistan”

The other Akmal seems to have been rubbed by the rare sighting of “Thinking Cricket” What a soothing sight. Finally few gentlemen put a price tag on their wicket.

Pakistan batting today is the best you would have seen for some time san the trademark Panic or Violence it was more of self-assured display the pitch was to their liking but who in their wildest of dream would have thought they will plummet Australian attack for 191 odd.

Pakistan was clear favorites and Clark smugness was a poor shadow of its former self.

All one need is a disciplined fielding and bowling display and 9 out of 10 you will defend 191 and Pakistan almost did that but a sparkling display by few was not to be overshadowed by years of mediocrity, pathetic selection, defensive and wishful thinking against an opposition like Australia.

When White struck like White lightening one could sense Panic button desperate to shoot off. Afridi obviously did not have any faith in Razzak bowling, not surprising but that bought another half into equation Hafeez. Pakistan never seems to learn “Two half never makes one”

Now instead of thinking wickets and going for a kill Afridi was having his calculator out Who will bowl death over? A Team like Australia feeds on opposition being under pressure, a defensive opposition makes Australian confident you simply can not show them any nerves and even as Australia needed 70 odd from 30 with 7 wicket down They were still not out of it, not till Hussy was at the crease.

Many will argue that he played innings of his life and to be fair he never gave up but Pakistan were guilty of thinking they have won it before the last bowl was bowled, there lack of pace option was found out so was lack of aggressive options and leadership.

Afridi could be seen running to bowler almost after every delivery when things were Going Pak way but Ajmal was left on his own when he needed his captain most Pakistan were numbed by the onslaught they allowed Hussy to keep the strike throughout penultimate over by Aameer which was bowled superbly under pressure but let down by poor fielding and defensive intent

Pakistan was too happy to concede strike and two’s to Hussy their Captain seems to have abandoned the ship once it starts rocking. Ajmal could have taken a leaf out of Aameer who exposed Hussy shortcoming whenever he bowled outside off.

There was no field change, change of angle no discussion nothing once Ajmal was hit for the first six, defeat was written all over Pakistani faces and that happens when you are scare and too shocked.

Pakistan showed great intent, intellect and courage with the bat and in despair I wondered did they deserve it? how can fate be so cruel, but honestly they did.

You can’t win wars if you carry passengers same goes for the game also.

Hafeez, Lateef, Mishab and Razzak to some extent, A Captain short of ideas, courage and choices if ever Pakistan would like to repeat the same feat of winning any major event then it better start making every Pakistani Cap count get a leader who is devoid of defensive mindset and content with lack of choices.

It s becoming more and more obvious that in the shorter format every small chink get magnified be it poor running, fielding, body language, dropped catches, headless cricket
Poor selections and above all mediocrity at any level

I will remember this Semi-final as a day when Pakistan aspired to rose above the mediocrity did it in an admirable manner for the greater extent of the game but the game being as brutal as there opposition were it finally caught up with the mediocrity just a tiny window opened up opposition grabbed it with both hands and teeth images of last world cup win flashed through many souls before the light was snuffed out of what would have been a glorious day for Pakistan.

Fight_club