ODI is totally changed format comparatively the test matches.
In ODIs a great winning combination should comprise of the players who have versatility in all departments: batting, bowling and of course fielding. Batting should have a couple of hard hitter whose consistent hits in almost every ODI can make sure the victory.
What Shaheens are found to fall while they fly is their batting area, which has been unpredictable for years. If one partnership or two develops in any match, it concedes too many balls with the economy rate less than 70 or 75. This is time to have Shahid Afridi or Abdul Razzaq type player who can beef up the economy rate in late overs up to 90 or sometimes more than 100. Against a tough side like South Africa, the target should be given around 280 plus at least. Or if Pak team has to chase the target of 300 plus, how will they achieve with the same defending batting order with no consistent hard hitter?
Likewise, the temperament of a batsman in cricket matters a lot that is nowhere found in Pak batting order except for very few examples like Babar Azam. The same lack of patience was seen in test series, the absence of temperament while bat was the major reason behind the failure of their batting and none of the three matches went on fifth day in any test.
Let us discuss five basic things Pakistani team should follow and act upon:
1) They should be patient and technical while bat. It is usually seen the batters of Pakistan play hasty strokes and gift their wickets to opponents. They have to go for ground shots not airy ones. They have to be persistent performer not seasonal. They had better respect a good delivery and look forward to the poor ones. There is always a bad delivery after some quality ones, but they generally do is not to wait for a poor ball. They just show haste which always goes waste.
2) They should try to set off their innings well in every ODI; if they intend to win the ODI series against mammoth-Proteas. Their opening partnership should not break out unless they cross at least their two power plays. Because when openers do not run more and get out in early overs, strike rate of batting side goes down and ultimately the middle order have to lose the wickets for striking hard.
3) Winning does not rely on only the openers performance, but does it depend upon their middle order performance which banks on a couple of good partnerships. The lacking that was at its peak in test series too is not to let the partnership build up. Had couple of 50 plus partnerships been developed, the result would have been at least not 3-0 in recent test series.
4) Pakistani fielding is always a challenge for Pakistan team. They lose their winning matches due to their immature and ill-disciplined fielding. They drop the catches, misfield and give extra runs. What they need to do in their battle field is not to let a single chance that an opponent gives you because of their mistakes.
5) A brilliant captaincy transforms the losing team to the winners’ side. A captain uplifts his team to think higher than to just defend the match. Captain Sarfaraz Ahmed needs to buck up his playing eleven and keep their moral high not only with the shouts on field but also with his runs on pitch. If any above four points missing during the match, the last means this number 5th point can still keep the hope of victory lightened up. Sarfaraz ought to make plan “a”, plan “b” and this time plan “c” too, having thought of every aspect: positive and negative. He has to utilize his bowling combination properly that has always been the strength of green shirts.
Pakistan team needs to do SWOT analysis where they are strong and weak. How can they get opportunity to take wickets, stop runs and bat well against the fast pace during the match? Moreover, what are the threats that could obstruct to let Pakistan win against gigantic South Africa. This SWOT analysis will surely help Green Shirts to lead them victory. This will showcase where Pakistani team stands for ICC Cricket World Cup 2019.
Let us hope for great performance and victory against South Africa.
Written By: Hafiz Abdul Mannan Iqbal
