Pakistan provided strong evidence on Sunday during their first group match against New Zealand why they were considered top favourites in the ICC World Twenty20. First, Pakistan’s top order dominated New Zealand’s bowling under sunny skies in Pallekele and then their variety of bowling led by leading T20I wicket-taker Saeed Ajmal, who claimed four wickets yesterday, ensured a 13-run victory. The result made things all but clear for Bangladesh — who now not only need to win against a formidable Pakistan on Tuesday but do so by a comfortable margin to reach the Super Eights.
Despite the defeat New Zealand, by getting as close as they did, are guaranteed a place in the next round. Pakistan just need to avoid a big defeat against Bangladesh to go through.
Pakistan’s batting line-up is their weak link, according to some experts, but they put in a disciplined and powerful batting display to post a challenging total of 177 for six wickets in 20 overs thanks largely to a 35-ball 56 by Nasir Jamshed in front of an electrifying crowd at the picturesque Pallekele International Cricket Stadium.
“I really enjoyed batting with the captain [Mohammad Hafeez]. My team-mates gave me a lot of confidence in the dressing-room and just told me to play my normal game and natural game. There are different formats and you have to change your game depending on the format you are playing,” said Jamshed after the match.
Hafeez and Imran Nazir put on 47 for the first wicket, after which the left-handed Jamshed joined his skipper to share 76 runs for the second wicket. Pakistan lost three quick wickets for eleven runs following the dismissal of Hafeez, who hit 43 off 38 balls with two fours and as many sixes. That slowed them down somewhat during the second-wicket stand they looked well on course for the 200-mark — but Umar Akmal and Shahid Afridi came up with small cameos to set a challenging task on a pitch where the spinners got assistance unlike in the first match played between New Zealand and Bangladesh.
New Zealand however were pathetic in their fielding — otherwise things might have been different. New Zealand made a steady start but Hafeez — who conceded only15 runs in his four overs — and Shahid Afridi bowled brilliantly to slow them down and leave the Black Caps 70 runs to win from the last five overs.
Afridi provided the first breakthrough removing Nicol and it was then Ajmal who captured four wickets to dash Kiwi hopes despite a late surge by skipper Taylor before he fell to run-out. New Zealand then needed 19 runs from the last over but they could score only five, ending with 164 for nine.
“They (Pakistan spinners) are world class spin bowlers. It was a totally different wicket. It didn’t quite skid on like it did the other day [the match against Bangladesh]. It spun a lot more, was a lot drier. They put the ball in the right areas and asked a lot of questions. Any time you’re chasing more than 10 runs an over for a period of 8-9 overs, it’s going to be a tough ask,” Taylor explained the reasons behind their defeat.
-With The Daily Star input
