Re: Pakistan vs South Africa @ Johannsburg, Feb 14th 2007
When Pakistan lost the first one day, everyone thought we are destined for doom. Than we won the second ODI, we are back and ready for World Cup. After loosing last two, we are done, team is weak and we won’t make it.
Team is strong, passionate and mentally tough. The reason we won second ODI and loss the rest three is because of our openers. The more they expose our middle order early in the inngs, the more we will loose series and matches, it is simple as that. It’s been over 3 and half years and still we cannot rely on a single pair, make-shifts only make it worse. Whose fault is it? Neither coach, captain, management or selectors….it is the players, so many opportunities given and still they can not hold on to their wickets for 10 over.
The game was a déjà vu’ of 3rd Test against South Africa, where Pakistan came into bowl after giving a very weak target, Asif bowls his heart out, Kallis and company way off the trouble over not playing loose shorts. When comfortable, go for the kill. In contrast, our openers did exactly the same they have been doing for a long period of time.