The unpredictability factor with Pakistan is so high that we are not sure which Pakistan will turn up on Monday. Will it be the nervous bunch that capitulated spectacularly against India or a completely transformed unit that stunned the world number one ranked South Africans?
It is tough to analyse such a team and tougher to predict which way they will go. But yes, one thing is sure they will either sink like a stone or rise like a Phoenix, there is rarely a middle path.
It is this unpredictable nature of the team that draws the followers of the game to tune into Pakistan’s matches. So it will be when they line-up in Cardiff to take on Sri Lanka, another outfit that has bounced back into the tournament with a resurgent display. There isn’t much to choose between the two teams: both are undergoing a transition period with a lot of fresh players in their ranks.
It is always captivating to see new faces take centre stage with their abilities like Kusal Mendis, who rattled the Indians with his brilliant strokeplay or Hasan Ali, who created havoc in the South African’s batting line-up with his pace.
Graeme Smith "Hasan Ali is a hugely impressive bowler. He looks to take wickets rather than contain & made a big impact v S Africa" #CT17
— Saj Sadiq (@Saj_PakPassion) June 9, 2017
There is, however, a question mark on how such players would cope with the pressure of playing crunch games back to back. And that is where the Sri Lankans are better placed than their Asian counterparts because they have more experienced players.
Captain Angelo Mathews, middle-order batsman Dinesh Chandimal, sling bowler Lasith Malinga, pacer Nuwan Kulasekara, all-rounder Thisara Perera all have featured in more than 100 one-day internationals. In comparison, Pakistan have just two players with such an experience – all-rounders Mohammad Hafeez and Shoaib Malik.
But what Pakistan lack in experience, they make it up in talent, especially their bowling. Fast bowlers Mohammad Amir, Junaid Khan and Hasan Ali and leg-spinner Shadab Khan make for a far more potent combination than the Sri Lankan bowling attack comprising pacers Malinga, Suranga Lakmal, Nuwan Pradeep, Thisara and leggie Seekuge Prasanna.
The teams are evenly placed on the batting front but it is the bowling that gives Pakistan the edge that too on a Cardiff track which has assisted the bowlers in the earlier games.
All Pakistan have to do is to repeat their bowling and fielding display from their previous game, a helpful Cardiff pitch will take care of the rest. But therein lies the challenge as consistency has rarely sat well on the team’s shoulders in any format of the game.
That’s where the senior pros in the squad Hafeez and Malik have to play a leading role along with captain Sarfaraz and coach Mickey Arthur in keeping the team focused on the task ahead.
I'll keep plugging this till Sarf realizes he needs to bat in top4. By no logic is Hafeez more suited to that role https://t.co/lrJsYSSVbM
— Hassan Cheema (@mediagag) June 7, 2017
Tactically, Sarfaraz has to stay alert like he did against South Africa, ringing in the bowling changes at the right time. He also has to keep in mind the utility of Hafeez and Malik, who can provide variety with their spin bowling. A few overs from them will give him a lot of options to use his five bowlers judiciously.
The wicketkeeper-batsman should also try to be a bit bold in juggling the batting line-up according to the match situation. Promoting himself to No.3 or sending in Hafeez if a wicket falls early could help in overcoming the early jitters.
The advantage with Sarfaraz is that he is a busy player who rotates the strike well and keeps the scoreboard moving. Hafeez, on the other hand, brings in a wealth of experience as he has also donned the role of an opener in the past.
These suggestions are not to indicate that current No.3 designate Babar Azam is not suited for that role. Of course, he has earned his spurs but what would inspire the troops more – a captain taking charge from the word go or after the ship has sunk? We will know it by Monday night.
