The recent controversies surrounding Pakistan cricket did not stop Abdul Razzak from displaying his all-round skills in finishing off one of the best matches so far in the ICC Champions Trophy 2006. In the second match of the group B, he took 4 wickets and scored 38 runs. The number of runs may not look great, but certainly the way he attacked the bowlers is.
Sri Lanka too had its all-rounder firing. Sri Lanka made a challenging score of 253 in 49.2 overs, thanks largely to Sanath Jayasuriya's 48 runs from just 35 balls. He came back later to bowl a very good spell, giving away just 33 runs and picking up the wicket of Shahid Afridi.
Pakistan started off its run chase in great style, with Imran Farhat displaying great form. In the first 15 overs, Pakistanis had scored 95 runs at 6.33 runs per over. This cost them the wickets of Mohammad Hafeez and Younis Khan. Jayawardene, realizing that the match is slowly getting away from his hands, brought on his main strike bowler Murali to bowl the 16th over. He also delayed enforcing the third power-play, a move that paid great dividends. Murali bowled a tight over and then Jayasuriya came on to bowl the next over. With spin attack from both ends, Farhat found the going tough. He immediately played a reckless shot against Murali and was gone for a very well compiled 53.
At this stage, the Pakistani skipper wanted to make a strategic move on his part. He sent Shahid Afridi at the fall of Imran Farhat's wicket. This move, I believe, is made to upset the Sri Lankans thinking a bit and give them a hard-time in deciding when to enforce the third power-play. But, Shahid Afridi is no were up to challenge Murali. He had no clues whatsoever while facing Murali. No wonder he charged against Jayasuriya and he is gone for just 1 run. Suddenly, Pakistan looked vulnerable.
Sri Lanka enforced the third power-play from overs 23-28. This is when Mohammad Yousuf and Shaoib Malik tried to steady the ship with a partnership of 47 runs. Malik was tentative in his approach, but he survived. They also relished playing the seamers. This pair played sensibly until a comical mix-up cost the wicket of Yousuf for 49. Yousuff was very composed in his approach.
In came Kamran Akmal with the score reading 161 for the loss of 5 wickets. The game was still in favour of Pakistan. Kamran Akmal played a good knock and Malik also slowly getting his confidence. This pair added 40 valuable runs for the 6th wicket. Malik hit Murali for a sweet six. The introduction of Vaas brought the downfall of Kamran Akmal, who played a good pull shot but found Maharoof taking a well judged catch in the end.
Now, the game is interestingly poised. Pakistan had just 4 wickets in hand and still need to score 53 runs from 8 overs at close to 7 runs per over. Abdul Razzak stepped in and the entire game changed. The spinners were in their final overs. It was left to the Sri Lankan seamers to bowl some good finishing spell. But, Abdul Razzak played some stunning shots against Vaas and Malinga in the 47th and 48th over. Suddenly, Pakistan needed just 5 runs from the last two overs. Razzak finished the match in style by sending Fernando's first delivery of the 49th over to the stands for a six.
Shaoib Malik also played a part in Pakistan's win. He was unbeaten on 46 runs from 59 deliveries. He was involved in three crucial partnerships. He played hesitantly with Yousuf, confident with Kamran Akmal and then watching and rotating the strike with Razzak.
Sri Lanka was close but their seamers could not control the onslaught of the Pakistanis in the opening overs and the finishing overs. That cost them the match. Pakistan looked a great team. In Boycott's words, there were some "stupid" moments but in the end they showed how good they are. A strong signal sent to other competitors in the tournament. Beware of Pakistan!
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