Re: Bravo Butt!
I do not think opening with Afridi was such a bad decision unless it was solely based on his performance here in 2005.
It was not as if Pak had a great alternative. Akmal's form with the bat has not been great. Pak had near 300 to chase on a dual-paced track. As an Indian, I was hoping Pak would not send in Afridi to open - because the guy just has to be at crease for 10 overs and damage would be done, humiliating the bowlers totally in the process.
I think the reason for Pak's defeat yesterday was again their batting in the middle overs. They had the same problem in Guwahati and Mohali.
At Mohali - hitting in the last 10 overs repaired the damage, but it was not the same here in Kanpur.