Southerners aim to break monopoly

While the Asian trio of Pakistan, India and Sri Lanka pose a decent threat of mauling their opponents en route to glory, the southern hemisphere trio of the formidable ‘chokers’ South Africa, the ‘nearly-there’ New Zealand and the ‘undeniable’ Australia remain a huge obstacle.

New Zealand and South Africa made it past the first hurdle last year but the duo had their title-dreams shattered by eventual champions Pakistan. The Australians, however, have barely had time to dream so quick was their exit from the tournament.

The golden boys remain a potent threat

Despite its poor record in the shortest form of international cricket – winning just 15 of their 29 Twenty20 internationals – Australia remains one team that cannot be ruled out of walking away with a trophy every time they enter a tournament.

The current world champions and the Champions Trophy holders, Australia have won four of their last five T20s and with the likes of the hardhitting David Warner, the irrefutable Shane Watson and the dangerous Shaun Tait, the warning bells are already ringing for the opposition. Led by Michael Clarke, the side will also see Dirk Nannes in yellow instead of orange – he represented Netherlands last year in England and was instrumental in his side’s shock win over the hosts in the tournament-opener.

And with no Ashes to divert their attention, the Australians may well put their 110 per cent into the four-hour format to bear fruit, one that is missing from their trophy cabinet.

‘Chokers’ may well become the kings

South Africa may well be thanking the Indian Premier League in two weeks for instilling the attacking mentality into its players.

Albie Morkle was part of the winning unit, the Chennai Super Kings, while Dale Steyn proved his worth with the ball for Bangalore. Jaques Kallis, opening for the same outfit, scored at will while captain Graeme Smith got the much needed break courtesy a broken thumb.

The South Africans remained favourites in England until they faced a rejuvenated and inspired Shahid Afridi who handed them a ticket home – sealed with a kiss. The addition of Loots Bosman will provide the flair up the order but the exciting talent that is the 19-year-old Wayne Parnell, who was South Africa’s star finding of the 2009 World Twenty20, will be sorely missed.

Providing South Africa take time getting acclimatised to the conditions, their second match – against Afghanistan – may well prove to be more than just a stroll that the whole world expects.

Vettori desperate for onfield support

New Zealand have always been a nearly-there side. It gathers support, momentum and wins.

However, as things start heating up and wins become a necessity rather than a bonus, the team falls flat, more so due to lack of support for captain Daniel Vettori than due to lack of talent. Vettori, apart from being the chairman of New Zealand Cricket, is everything to New Zealand’s cricket: scoring runs, taking wickets, plotting other teams’ downfalls, restricting runs, inflicting run-outs and stroking the bristled chin.

However, with the oftenmisfiring Brendon McCullum promising glimpses of useful, and regular, contribution, and the availability of Shane Bond, Vettori may well find time to relax on and off the field. And with the slow and turning pitches in the Caribbean, Vettori will also get to enjoy his primary role in the team —as a spinner.

© Faras Ghani 2010
Published in The Express Tribune, Apr 28, 2010

Pakistan wary of unpredictable Kiwis in semi-final

Rewriting history books is Pakistan’s aim and need today as they take on New Zealand in the second semi-final of the ICC Champions Trophy at The Wanderers. A win will place them in the final of tournament, an unprecedented act for the team, and will also be a first for Younis Khan’s men against the Kiwis in the tournament since its inception — having lost twice before.

Pakistan lost their final group match in a final-ball thriller against Australia thus blemishing their perfect record on the tour so far. The two-wicket loss, however, has failed to disturb Pakistan’s momentum, according to Younis, who was already hoping to meet England in the final on Monday.

“New Zealand is a very good team, especially when it comes to fielding,” Younis said before Pakistan’s training session at The Wanderers. “It will be really good to play against them as they have very good options in bowling and have capable all-rounders. Their captain, too, has become a very good bowler and is now batting well as well.

“We don’t want anything special. It’s a matter of playing our natural game to stop them and hopefully we have a tough game, because that’s what we need, and meet England in the final.”

Selecting the playing eleven for the day-night match will prove to be a headache for the team management, especially given Asif’s effective international comeback after spending almost 16 months. His two for 34 against Australia, and an apt display of movement off the pitch, may force Younis into a lot of thinking.

However, it looks almost certain that the playing eleven that beat India earlier in the tournament will take the field today thus omitting Misbah-ul-Haq, who came in for the injured Imran Nazir, and Asif, in for the rested Mohammad Aamer.

“Luckily we have a fit 15-man squad to choose from but we will wait before the toss to name our playing eleven. It all depends on what conditions we’re faced with [scattered showers are expected during the semi-final] and having in-form batsmen and bowlers on the bench is a good sign for us.”

With Pakistan spinners creating a stranglehold over the opposition batsmen in the middle overs, Daniel Vettori, New Zealand’s captain, labelled Pakistan’s inconsistency as something his team could capitalise on. Having come off back-to-back wins over South Africa and England, Vettori remained confident of making it three in a row. “The momentum is definitely with us, going into a semi-final with two big wins,” he said.

“Qualifying top of the group also made a welcome changes from the past where we have scraped through. They have a very impressive spin attack coupled with a very good seam attack and no obvious weakness in their batting line-up. But we are hoping to catch them on an off day as they are a bit consistent like us.”

Vettori was a bit critical of the pitches used in the tournament so far but admitted there were a lot of runs in the offering, providing the senior players step up and accept the challenge from the Pakistani bowlers. “There’s no secret to playing well here. The pitches have been a bit different to what we expected — a bit like Sri Lankan pitches — but we have the ability to adapt to conditions. I also want to do well for personal reasons as leading my team into the final could be the most satisfying thing I have achieved in my career.”

With the Pakistani bowlers having a great opening spell in the tournament at The Wanderers against the West Indies — restricting them to 47-7 before a late-order fightback allowed them to post 133. Hoping for a repeat performance by his bowlers, Younis looked forward to adding another important win the year that would aid Pakistan’s upward movement in world cricket.

“We have been unable to reach the final of this tournament and as Pakistan’s captain, I hope we wipe that off our record books. We need two more good matches and wins in both should be nice for me and the nation. It may look silly but we really need big wins against big countries in order to not only improve our cricket but also help the country.

“Cricket is the only game that unites the whole nation and I sincerely hope we make it tot he final and then win it to give Pakistan another gift this year.”

Attending a local mosque on Islamabad Drive in Johannesburg for the Friday prayers, the team were met with hundreds of well-wishers. While the followers prayed for Pakistan’s success against New Zealand, Younis, who accompanied the team to the mosque, assured them that the squad had what it takes to come up to their expectations.

With New Zealand picking up the ICC Spirit of Cricket Award on Thursday evening, Vettori hopes to add the Champions Trophy to the excess baggage his team takes home. Judging by the ability to spring up surprises — and their run in the current tournament — Pakistan may well have their hands full this afternoon.

© Faras Ghani 2009.
Published in DAWN newspaper, Oct 3, 2009