Pakistan made unholy mess of batting

Wasim Akram, superbly supported by Shoaib Akhtar and Shahid Afridi, had handed the second match of the Super Challenge, to Pakistan on a silver platter. Australia had been bowled out for 167 and Pakistan, had it chosen, could have got these runs in singles.

Instead it made an unholy mess of its batting and the match went to the wire and Pakistan scraped through by the skin of its teeth.

In the first match Pakistan had been blown away and we rationalized that the team had not adjusted to the extra bounce of the Australian wickets, the batsmen had no clue where their off stump was and hung out their bats, as one hangs out the laundry and the bowlers bowled too short and gave too much width. The bowlers had learnt from the first match. Not so the batsmen. Clearly much work needs to be done to bring some discipline in the batting.

A gutsy innings from Younis Khan saw Pakistan home but he had his share of luck because the Australians were not so sharp in the field, off-season blues, as one commentator described it.

Pakistan lost Saeed Anwar in the first over, run out when he backed up too far and was a little lazy in getting back. To our consternation, Azhar Mahmood was sent in next. It made no sense to change the batting order and if the order had to be changed Shahid Afridi who is an opening batsman, should have been sent.

To no one's surprise Azhar had only a walk-on role to play and with Imran Nazir, out of sorts and all at sea, Pakistan was soon on the back foot. Inzamam did not look fit and was limping and he was out to a wild shot.

I was surprised that he had not asked for a runner unless he brought his injury to the match which should raise some eye-brows. I raise the question once more about Pakistan getting itself a fitness trainer. The trainer need not necessarily come from abroad.

In the seventies when Geoff Hunt ruled the squash world, we discovered that what separated him from a bevy of Pakistani champions was his supreme fitness. If we had to dethrone him, we could have to match his fitness.

Nur Khan arranged for a fitness trainer from the PAF. I still remember him as a very tall man, ramrod-straight and a no-nonsense man. I had nicknamed him 'Commando'. He put the players through their paces and they howled in protest. He was too strict. But there was no let-up, no relaxation. Came the Irish Open in Dublin, Geoff Hunt was beaten and from then on, Pakistan reigned supreme in the squash world.I don't ascribe all their success to the fitness-training. The Pakistanis were superb players but they had also become extremely fit.

Mark Waugh who has turned commentator rated Australia and Pakistan as the two best teams in the world. According to him, Australia had the edge in fielding and running-between-wickets. It seems a fair evaluation.

I think Pakistan was 'unlucky' with the umpiring in the second match. Damien Martyn was caught by Waqar Younis and Waqar claimed the catch. Darrel Hair who was standing only ten meters away and was in a position to judge himself whether it was a clean catch or not, chose to ask the third umpire. The moment this is done, some doubts are created in the minds of the third umpire and its almost a certainty that the benefit of doubt will go to the batsman.

I don't think umpires should abdicate their responsibilities merely because technology is available. In the good, old days, a fielder's word was enough whether he had caught the ball cleanly or not.Martyn should have asked Waqar. But these are not the good, old days.

Still, Pakistan go to Brisbane, one-all. This match will be played under open skies and Pakistan will have to brave the elements which includes the Australian winter. The ball seams a lot on the Brisbane (GABA) tracks.

I have fond memories of Brisbane which is one of the most beautiful cities in Australia. The going will be tough for Pakistan but Pakistan has the bowling to make life difficult for Australia.

It is the batting that is a matter of concern. Saeed Anwar has yet to face a ball in the Super Challenge. It would be great if he could get some big runs on his come-back and give Pakistan the start it hasn't had so far.