After being overwhelmed by the Aussies in the first test in Melbourne, the Pakistanis were desperate to bounce back in the New Year’s test match at the Sydney cricket ground. Historically the pitch at the SCG has always been conducive to the sub - continent teams, in that regard the Australians were wary of a Pakistani backlash.
As Ricky Ponting got the call of the coin right he chose to bat first, which was a brave decision, as the conditions were overcast and the wicket also had a tinge of grass to assist the seamers.
The decision to bat first soon backfired, as Mohammad Sami &Mohammad Asif ran through the Australian batting order reducing the total to a paltry score of 127. In reply the Pakistani openers laid a strong foundation for the batsman to follow, the middle order capitalized on the start and went on to get a respectable score of 333.
The Australians batted with more purpose in their second innings, as they were facing a colossal deficit of 206 runs. Opener Shane Watson made a dazzling 97 to give the innings the required impulsion. The Aussies were breathing easy, but, as we all know Crickets a funny game. As it turned out to be the Aussies lost 5 wickets for not much in quick succession with a lead of only 50, which was inadequate at that point leaving the Aussies in a big hole.
In a remarkable turn of events Michael Hussey and tail - ender Peter Siddle added on 123 runs for the 9th wicket stretching the lead to 175 which was not a winning total by any means, but certainly a competitive one, leaving the Pakistanis 176 to get for the win.
Inexplicably the Pakistanis allowed the Australians to get away. Mohammad Yousuf the Pakistani captain was sluggish, defensive and reluctant to take any risk, as a result he played into the Australian hands. The advantage was soon frittered.
The Pakistanis were confident of the chase, the Aussies too fancied their chances.
Again the openers started solidly, but his time the middle order failed to consolidate. Mohammad Yousuf and Misbah got out playing a reckless short .The Pakistanis were tottering at 77for 5, having to get another 99 runs for victory. Now the Pakistanis were banking on the Akmal brothers to see them home, but, worse was to follow, a brain damage from Umar Akmal and the tail resulted in Pakistan getting bundled out for 139.
In the end it was a meek surrender by the Pakistanis falling short by 36 runs.
Yet again the Pakistanis continue to leave its viewers dumfounded.
Now who is to be blamed for this embarrassing loss?
Was it the captain’s fault that he allowed the game to drift. Did complacency creep in to the Pakistani camp as it has so often managed to, Or was the test match cricket pressure a bit too much to handle for the young Pakistani side?
Whatever the reason, this has been the story of Pakistan cricket for a long time. It’s so infuriating to a see a team with such abundance of talent lose a match in such fashion. How can a team lose after having dominated four days in a row? Time and again they have found themselves snatching defeat from the jaws of victory. Clearly there is no dearth of ability, but still they panic and choke at the crucial juncture, which leads to their downfall.
It’s sad that the captain has to bear the brunt of the loss, but a captain is always as good as his team. The experienced players have to lead by example. And for a moment spare a thought for Mohammad Asif who bowled his heart out on the first morning. He must be absolutely devastated.
It’s time that every individual from the team steps up and takes responsibility rather than pointing fingers at others. And making sure that the next time a similar situation arises they are able to cross the line.
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