Yet another series starts before the end of 2020 cricketing season and the visiting team (Pakistan) has lost the first test match of the series after fighting hard on the final day of the test match against hosts (New Zealand) in a 2-match test series. After losing the T-20l series by 2-1 earlier and playing without the player like Babbar Azam Pakistan don’t be very disappointed with this performance but losing the match after fighting it very hard to chase the target no teams wants to have by the end of the game. Winning and losing is definitely part of cricket but if a team is inconsistent against the A-list teams there are signs to think about the strategies and plans. In the recent last one decade, Pakistan's team has changed completely with the great players having retired and the amount of test cricket they have played in recent times is very less from other teams in the world. Performance is a different thing but not playing is another thing about the Pakistan cricket team.
Earlier after winning the toss visitors (Pakistan) have invited the hosts (New Zealand) to bat first and they have scored 431 runs in the first innings with another century from Kane Williamson (129). In response Pakistan team has bowled out at the score of 239 in the first innings with only contribution from Faheem Ashraf (91) and Mohammad Rizwan (71) before given the lead of 192 runs to the hosts which they have capitalize in the second innings to declare the innings at the score of 180 runs with the loss of 5 wickets. The target to Pakistan was 372 runs in the final innings of a test match but they were unable to reach the target after the 165 run-stand partnership between Fawad Alam and Mohammad Rizwan for the 5th wicket. But wicket of Mohammad Rizwan has triggered the collapse at the team score of 240 runs and within the 31 runs the visitors team has been wrapped before losing the remaining 6 wickets to give the hosts 1-0 lead in the series. Second test century from Fawad Alam (102) after the almost 11 years of gap with the announcement in his style from the left-handed batsman what a talent you have “Wasted" Pakistan cricket board. It’s not one case recently Mohammad Amir – “A Child Prodigy Into The Shambles Of Disgrace” was the another player who have criticised selectors and board management for being biased towards the players before he has retired at the age of 28. Just some individual performances from the exceptional players won't take the bail of the team every time. Again with the weak team line-up a strong captain can be a factor which can make the difference in every sense. Let's try to recap some of key points and examine the defeat of Pakistan.
PAKISTAN DECISION TO BOWL FIRST BACKFIRED:
Although it a test match any team can bowl first but try to look from the different perspective if team after winning the toss still have to chase the target of 372 runs in the fourth innings of a test match. It clearly defines the plans didn’t executed well enough for the losing team in a match or no great captain in the world wants to such chase in any conditions even if they have 10 wickets in hands.
Pakistan strength is always their bowling and rated best in the world. But in the first innings New Zealand has scored 431 runs and half of the match they have already won after such score. From that point the possibility of New Zealand losing the match was next to impossible only if the Pakistan have batted for next days. But Pakistan was reduced to 239 runs in the first innings which removes the doubt of uncertainty for New Zealand. The hosts were on the top with the 192 runs lead already in the first innings and they have made more difficult for the visitors with the target of 372 runs to chase. It’s only miracle that could save the Pakistan but some individual performances showed some spirit to fight till last but couldn’t clear the line before losing the match by 101 runs.
PAKISTAN BOWLERS WERE IN-EFFECTIVE:
If your bowlers unable able to pick the 20 wickets in a match understand that team has already lost the match their. With bowling is always Pakistan strength in the both innings the bowling looked clueless where Shaheen Afridi got 4 wickets in the first innings he went wicket less in the second innings. There were bowler who have picked up 5 wickets in any innings of a match.
The current Pakistan bowling line-up is complete in experience they need the bowler who can produce match-winning spells and take the wickets at regular intervals. The experience factor like Yasir Shah only get 3 wickets in a match understand the situation of the team who had the best bowling at once. Test matches are win the best bowling line-up only no matter how good batting a team has in cricket.
WEAK BATTING LINE-UP OF PAKISTAN:
A weak team without the strong captain is look like the current line-up of Pakistan. In the both the innings Pakistan openers were failed and the middle order have surrender. The possibility of winning the match after such intent is already very less. Expect some individual performances down the order in both the innings for Pakistan showed the fighting spirit.
But with this intent if Pakistan playing in the next test match they will getting the same result without any doubt. They will have to come with the some plan against No.1 test team New Zealand to beat them to level the series.
