For decades, our cricket team has remained a dark horse as we have always failed to consistently perform. And this is what is happening again. After winning the test series in a superb manner, our cricket team has failed spectacularly in the first two ODIs. The batting collapsed poorly in the first one day. Every batsman was in a hurry and flurry. No positive game plan was made in both matches. Misbah-ul-Haq reminded us of his World Cup semi-final stint. His belated endeavour for runs cost Pakistan the match. Afridi and Younis both miserably failed as did most others (either failing to start or failing to convert good starts). Mohsin Khan, a good batsman in his heydays, must give some useful tips to the batsmen to remain cool and calm and go for big partnerships instead of throwing away their wickets.
The experts and commentators are laughing at our performance and are of the opinion that the bubble of our success has burst immediately. Pakistan cannot now win the ODI series. Crumbling instantly is very painful for cricket lovers watching the game back home. The team management should lift the morale of the players and ensure victory in the remaining two matches.
IFTIKHAR MIRZA
Islamabad
