Smith, Kallis doubtful but heat on Pakistan batsmen
October 30, 2010October 31, Abu Dhabi
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The Big Picture
Pakistan's batting is going through one of its worst phases, not far behind the shambolic Sharjah Test in 2002 against Australia when their 20 wickets scrounged a total of 112 runs. For 30 overs of Friday's game, Pakistan seemed to have overcome their woes: Younis Khan and Mohammad Hafeez resorted to the old-school formula of conserving wickets and setting up a late surge, a method that has been the cornerstone of Pakistan's many memorable one-day successes. However, the middle order imploded once again; Shahid Afridi and Misbah-ul-Haq exited to strokes whose replays should have made them cringe, while Abdul Razzaq fell fending lethargically at one that angled in. The fact that some of their most accomplished players were at the forefront of the collapse suggests the current phase is a crisis of confidence and attitude, more than a question of talent.
Pakistan's senior batsmen have to do some serious introspection, and they don't need to search too hard to find inspiration. After nine months of upheaval, when he possibly visited tribunals and disciplinary committees more often than the batting nets, Younis walked into the middle overs with the assurance of someone completely at ease with his methods. Inevitably, there was some rust - he survived a palpable lbw shout, and managed only two boundaries in the sapping conditions - but unlike his colleagues, the rust was restricted to the physical aspect of Younis' game, while his mind remained uncluttered. Can Afridi rally his team-mates to follow Younis' example?
Having sealed three easy wins on the trot, South Africa's main concern will be that they are not being stretched enough in subcontinental conditions, ahead of the World Cup. Their batsmen were challenged more by the elements than by Pakistan's attack in the opening ODI, and the question mark over Graeme Smith and Jacques Kallis' availability for Sunday could even things a bit. Lonwabo Tsotsobe has been the star of the tour so far, but even he will be a little surprised by the success his honest off-cutters and in-duckers have courted. The conditions, and a look at the schedule, may prompt South Africa to consider rotating their players, but they won't want to give Pakistan an opportunity to draw level either.
