Australia’s good time continues by Hassan Butt

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Player:	Inzamam-ul-Haq, B Lee, RT Ponting, Salman Butt, Shoaib Akhtar
Event:	VB Series 2004/05

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DateLine: 27th February 2005

 

After the comprehensive win in the Test series against Pakistan, World Champions Australia also lifted the VB Series trophy by beating Pakistan in two consecutive finals. The third side in this triangular tournament, and former twice World Cup winners West Indies, failed to qualify for the best-of-three finals.

 

'Austrophobia' continues to haunt Pakistan and no one can guess how long it will take them to beat the Aussies on their own terms. Australia have won the one-day event in its various guises 17 times out of 26. Their limited-overs side has not been beaten in a finals match since 1999.

 

The fate of the second final was effectively sealed when Pakistan slumped to 4 for 38. After restricting the hosts to 239 for 9, Pakistan must have fancied their chances of taking the series on to Adelaide for the third final. But the experienced Glenn McGrath ensured there was no need for a decider by helping bowl Pakistan out as Australia wrapped up a 2-0 win with a 31-run victory in Sydney.

 

In the first final at Melbourne too, Australia had narrowly beaten Pakistan by 18 runs. Batting first the World Champions made a slightly disappointing 237 all out at MCG, losing their 7 wickets for 47 in the last ten overs. In reply, Pakistan fell short and Australian captain Ponting was delighted especially with the performance of bowlers like Brett Lee, McGrath, Michael Kasprowicz and Jason Gillespie saying, "(they) are four very good bowlers and we are extremely lucky to have them in our side at one time."

 

What happened in Australia was not unexpected for Pakistan were playing without their best spinner Saqlain Mushtaq and had to play the VB Series with an inexperienced pace attack. They do deserve all the credit for not bowing to the pressure of playing opposite some greatest players of the game.

 

During the VB Series Pakistan tried out various batting combinations; Salman Butt, Kamran Akmal, Yasir Hameed and Taufeeq Umar were tested as openers. Individually, some did play the odd impressive innings but overall, failed to provide solid starts for the middle order. Only Inzamam-ul-Haq used his experience and performed consistently with five 50s in eight matches.

 

Two other players, Naved-ul-Hasan and the ever-aggressive Shahid Afridi came through well and impressed all the critics. Afridi smashed his 192nd and surpassed Sri Lankan Sanath Jayasuriya's pervious most sixes record of 188.

 

Shoaib Akhtar's frequent bouts of fitness problems have been the subject of much debate and not all of it has come from the game's followers. Last year after the Indian tour to Pakistan in which Shoaib injured himself, a high-level inquiry over the team's performance also questioned Shoaib's commitment to the team.

 

Other than the fact that the Pakistan team remained in the news off the field in Australia far too often, worse was an allegation of sexual harassment filed against an unnamed Pakistani player. This grabbed all the headlines to shake the cricket world far and wide. The allegation first came to light on January 21 and the incident was alleged to have happened when the team was in Melbourne for the Boxing Day (26 December 2004) Test. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) closed its investigation into the claim after it found no supporting evidence.

 

PCB sent reinforcements for the VB Series in the form of allrounder Azhar Mahmood and Test specialist batsman Taufeeq Umar. Azhar disappointed in both departments, only managing 57 runs in five outings and 2 wickets at a high average of 84.

 

Salman Butt emerged as a talented opener after he had shot to fame when he hit a century in the BCCI Platinum Jubilee match against India at Kolkata. He played well in the Test series but could not quite show his class in the one-dayers.

 

Michael Clarke was the highest run-scorer in the VB Series with 411 at an average of 68.50. For Pakistan, Inzamam topped with 364 averaging 52 and also pocketing five important 50s. Shiv Chanderpaul hit three 50s and was the Windies highest run-getter with 314 at an average of 62.80.

 

On the bowling front, Brett Lee ended up with 16 wickets at an average of 21.31 and Pakistan's Naved was their chief wicket-taker with 14 scalps averaging 29.21. Ian Bradshaw of the West Indies emerged their best bowler with nine wickets at 26.33.

 

Inzaman deserves credit for leading the team at a time when nothing seemed to work for him. He has a very young side at his disposal and must be praised for keeping his calm and making every effort to pull his wards through this difficult stage.

 

Some contentious umpiring decisions marred the VB Series in Australia but only helped the Australians inevitably to the trophy. Umpires Billy Bowden, Rudi Koertzen and the local umpire were criticised in the press and on television for their performance in the two finals. The Pakistan coach, Bob Woolmer was even reported as having said that the majority of decisions went in the opposition's favour and the PCB wrote to the ICC calling for appointment for two neutral umpires to supervise one-day internationals.

 

Setting it all aside, Australia's good times continue and Pakistan, like all the other teams, need to hone their skills and mental strength if they are to pose a challenge.

(Article: The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author only.
Copyright © 2005 hassanbutt6@hotmail.com)