An entirely different proposition awaits Pakistan on Saturday but given how poorly they often start big tournaments, the comprehensive thumping of Kenya is likely to have pleased the team management more than they will let on.
The only slip was the stilted start to their innings, on a pitch which did a little more than expected. But four middle-order fifties, a successful implementation of their trademark ODI batting plan (build first, blast later), the captain’s five-fer and some lively fielding made for an unexpectedly smooth start. The selection of Abdur Rehman over Saeed Ajmal, or even Wahab Riaz seemed puzzlingly defensive - Ajmal and Riaz are wicket-takers and they will need them in this campaign - but Pakistan maintained the intensity in the field they had shown in a quite electric practice session on Monday.
Then the younger men in particular had thrown themselves into fielding practice, yapping away, diving and leaping around, hitting stumps, taking good catches. Keeping things at that pitch was Waqar Younis, the coach himself, screaming for catches to be taken as if they were off his own bowling, throwing gloves down in disgust at misfields, not putting up with slackers, taking time out for fresh faces and generally making sure things ran precisely to plan.
It is what Pakistan’s demanding followers say they always want, even if in defeat: spirit, fight, passion and energy. “The way we practiced, we were very focused and positive and what we do there, we deliver in the games as well,” Shahid Afridi said. “We try to focus on practice sessions and don’t waste our time. The coaches are doing a great job with the fast bowlers and the senior players are helping the young batsmen.”
So, despite having 300-plus to defend, Afridi insisted the team go out and defend much less. “We wanted to make a big total and when we went in, I told the team that we are defending 120, we need to fight like we are defending 120, because tough matches lie ahead.”
In those tough matches the middle order will not be allowed to rebuild as freely as they did here if the start is squandered. The concern over Ahmed Shehzad and Mohammad Hafeez’s contributions were not so much with the score as the tentative manner in which they came: the former made a single from 18 balls.
The pair has been in good form recently, scoring fluently so the sudden, sharp dip and the nature of it concerned Afridi as well. “Whether in batting or bowling you need a positive start always,” he said. “The ball was sticking to the pitch a little, so it wasn’t so easy but we need to stick to our strengths and play positively. The start is always important and I’m confident our openers will not repeat these mistakes. Shehzad and Hafeez are positive players so hopefully they will change their style in the next game.”
Good starts guarantee nothing of course and nobody forgets that Pakistan’s two world titles have come when campaigns have stuttered at the beginning. Nevertheless in a week in which several big sides have made statements against associate nations, Pakistan have put in their own. “Definitely it emphasises that we are a dangerous team. It’s a good start but we shouldn’t be 100% satisfied because there is a lot of work ahead of us still.”
The game against SL in SL should prove a good test for this Pak team. If they can defeat the Sri Lankans, it will be a big morale booster and will give them the momentum to do bigger things in the tournament.
Even if they don't win against SLA, they should atleast put in a good show against them
This year's world cup is too long (the group games alone span in excess of a month) and it is important therefore not to peak too early. The games against NZ and Australia are more significant IMO. Few sides have been good enough to win every single WC game - only the dominant Windies of 75 and 79 and Aussies of 2003 and 2007 won all their games
Hafeez's indifferent form is a worry. He is slipping into his old bad habit of throwing away his wicket so early in the innings. Hopefully he will deliver against SLA
I wouldn't read too much into this result, it was Kenya and the way they're playing, I would expect nothing less from a test playing team. With the schoolboy cricket they're playing Kenya would probably get beaten by a local club team.
I'm worried about our openers, if that's the kind of start we get against Kenya then I can't imagine them doing too well against the bigger teams. I know it's only one game but really Hafeez is the most inconsistent player we have, he scored the first century of his long career a little while ago and now he's back to being the piece of crap player he always was. Ahmed Shahzad, would be too early to judge but comes across as another flat track bully to me.
I am not going to read any kind of 'omen' from the result, I am simply happy that after very long time we treated a minnow like a minnow and won convincingly without hiccups.
Shehzad is top class. IMO, he should be an automatic selection. This is a long tournament - like a long distance race. There will be ebbs and flows. No need for everyone to peak at once.
Just watched the highlights field/ground was crap. ball was not travelling to boundary and stopping by its-self on the way. bounce was really uneven. I wonder if ICC was paying more attention to facilities outside the field....
Just watched the highlights field/ground was crap. ball was not travelling to boundary and stopping by its-self on the way. bounce was really uneven. I wonder if ICC was paying more attention to facilities outside the field....
so even with bad outfield pakistan scored 317....good....
I am not going to read any kind of 'omen' from the result, I am simply happy that after very long time we treated a minnow like a minnow and won convincingly without hiccups.
yeah agree- however its a good start...hope they give their 200% on the important matches...and not get a big head from this one..