Bob woolmer and few words on todays PAK WI match.

Samad · September 23, 2004, 12:54am

22 Sep 2004
Well it didn’t go well today I am afraid as you are well aware. The boys are pretty down as you will expect. Many of you will have wondered why we batted first as the West Indies like chasing and it being September.
In hindsight it is easy to call that we should have batted first, however we did not have the benefit of that. Don’t think that we did not give it serious consideration. We took advice and were told quite correctly that this was the driest pitch produced during the tournament and that it would be difficult to chase and would turn. It has that reputation as well. Indeed sides batting first have won here consistently.

We had hoped to take advantage of the West Indies bowling attack and put up a large score and then defend it with our bowlers. That was the script but unfortunately it did not happen that way.
Firstly the West Indies bowled very well a good line and lentgh and it nibbled (seamed a bit). But every time we built a partnership something went wrong. Yasir’s run out - some brilliant fielding - did not help as he was playing so well.

The result as you know went against us and we will ask ourselves many questions why? what? When etc. in reality we have to look at ourselves and move on. There have been a lot of positives as you have all suggested and that we will take forward we return to Pakistan disappointed but far from dejected.
It will also give me a chance now to have a look at other contenders. Feel for Saman Butt too, it is not easy to take a duck in your first game and he will have to live with that and in the knowledge that many great players have made a duck in there first game.

It will be difficult for me to answer any questions for a few days now as we will be travelling most of the time.
Hence this little piece for you.

Thanks again for all your support
Bob

link

Lucid_Chaotic · September 23, 2004, 1:02am

aah - just as I was gonna do a Ctrl V ... :)

Samad · September 23, 2004, 1:03am

We took advice and were told quite correctly that this was the driest pitch produced during the tournament and that it would be difficult to chase and would turn. It has that reputation as well

So that means it was kinda planned. Inzi ki fault to na hoi then.

system · September 23, 2004, 12:36pm

What is Pakistan’s strength – Bowling
What is Westindies Strength – Batting
The pitch favours whom? – Bowling side
What do aggressive leaders do? – Believe in their strengths and go for the kill

You do the math

Captain1 · September 23, 2004, 1:38pm

As Bubloo said the wicket was expected to "turn", then why Shoaib Malik given overs so late and Afridi not at all? Why was Razzaq required to bowl and get thrashed?

Sadiyah · September 23, 2004, 7:33pm

A friend of mine pointed out how Inzi, before the match said he discussed it with Ganguly. Ganguly's advice was to bat first if Pakistan wins the toss. :p

Btw.. this was on htcricket.com

Not that Pakistan team totally relied on his advice, but very stupid of Inzi to go up to Ganguly asking him what to do in case he wins the toss.

Faisal · September 23, 2004, 7:35pm

The way I look at it, a 'good' team will win regardless of who bats first. Good teams make toss irrelevant. Pakistan team need some time to become "good". Lets accept it and move on.