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Is it really a new dawn on Pakistan Cricket?

Dunya News

After the retirement of Misbah and Afridi, Pakistani cricket entered into new era.

LAHORE (Web Desk) – Ever since Azhar Ali took over the responsibility to lead Pakistan Cricket Team, he became the hot topic of discussion for cricket community and even for cricket fans.

From the day Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced Azhar Ali as our new captain, people started criticizing him by calling the youngster new Misbah. The criticism seemed quite right at that time as Azhar had the experience of only 14 ODIs under his belt and was only considered for longer format of the game. But no one knew that this mini Misbah will be leading Pakistan from the front in the days to come.

After the retirement of old horses Misbah ul Haq and Shahid Afridi, Pakistani cricket entered into new era as many young guns got their opportunity to represent the national team. Most of all, it was big opportunity for Azhar to silence those who bullied him.

Azhar s first series as captain was not very good as his side was whitewashed by World No. 9 Bangladesh. It was considered as an embarrassment for Pakistan cricket because that defeat put Pakistan on 9th rank, worst in Pakistan s history.

After the Bangladesh tour, things started to change for Pakistan. First, Pakistan whitewashed Zimbabwe. Then Pakistan convincingly defeated Sri Lanka in Sri Lanka after nine years.

The team that beat Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka was the same team that was white-washed by Bangladesh. When Pakistan ended up on the losing side after Bangladesh tour, cricket fans and so called analysts blasted Azhar Ali s captaincy but when the same team ended up victorious later, they suddenly changed their opinions.

We can t change the fact that the result Azhar Ali has given us was unexpected. The question to be asked is: What has changed for Pakistan under Azhar Ali s captaincy?

Better mind-set:

The reason Pakistan failed was the conservative mind-set of the former captain Misbah. Pakistan deteriorated to 7th position from fifth during Misbah s tenure. Before Misbah, we used to talk about the chances of team to qualify for semi-final stages of major tournaments and now the topic under discussion is how to qualify for Champions Trophy. This is the gift that Misbah has given us, bad luck aside.

Although Azhar also seems conservative in the field but unlike Misbah his conservative mind-set doesn t reflect in the team as he gives all his boys complete freedom to express themselves in the field.

Although Azhar also seems conservative in the field but unlike Misbah his conservative mind-set doesn t reflect in the team as he gives all his boys complete freedom to express themselves in the field. Some people may have disagreed with this but results speak for the new captain.

Fielding department that should not be ignored:

One of the main problems that Pakistan has faced is their sloppy fielding due to which Pakistan has lost some very important matches. Recently, Rahat Ali dropped a very important catch of Shane Watson that might have caused Pakistan a place in the semi-final of the World Cup 2015.

It seems someone has injected Jonty Rhodes  spirit into Pakistan players.

Somehow, it seems that Pakistan has got rid of the problem under Azhar Ali. Now  men in green can be seen diving in the ground to field the balls and doing it quite efficiently as well. Boys have not just stopped dropping the catches but have recently taken some blinders as well. Anwar Ali s 2 catches recently when he dived forward to get rid of Sri Lankan batsmen were example enough. Ground-fielding has also improved considerably. Even Muhammad Irfan, who usually hesitates to bend his back to pick up ball, has also started to dive in the field to stop boundaries. It seems someone has injected Jonty Rhodes  spirit into Pakistan players.

Morale-boosting home series:

What can be more pleasing for a sportsman than playing at home? This was the thing that Pakistan had been lacking for more than six years. It is obvious that you always play better at your home ground.

Home series against Zimbabwe proved as head start for Azhar Ali s men. Pakistan carried the same morale to Sri Lanka that they gained during Zimbabwe series and ended up as winners.

Balanced team combination:

One of the reasons of Pakistan s failure was bad team combination. From opening to tail, Pakistan s combination was among the worst in the world. With the presence of Azhar Ali, Pakistan team now has the balance it always wished for.

Hafeez is batting at No. 3, which is a crucial position in an ODI, yet he is scoring centuries in Sri Lanka. This means Pakistan, right now, does not need worrying about top 3 batsmen.

Misbah s slow batting was probably another reason of Pakistan s failure. But Shoaib Malik is playing at Misbah s position now and playing much better. With his ability to maneuver the ball around and keep the score-board ticking, Shoaib Malik is a much better No. 5 for Pakistan.

Muhammad Rizwan, who is playing at Afridi s number, is playing aggressive cricket with better average than Afridi. Shahid Afridi was never a reliable batsman; his stats scream louder than his bat. But Rizwan has proved that he is one of Pakistan s most reliable resources at the moment.

This may be too early to say that this is a new dawn on Pakistan s cricket. But the rate at which Azhar Ali s men are going, this once a distant dram now seems possible.

By Abdul Moiz

 

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