Pak batsmen playing to gallery

A cracker of a match. With two of the top teams in world cricket trying to get the better of each other, cricket was undoubtedly the winn...

A cracker of a match. With two of the top teams in world cricket trying to get the better of each other, cricket was undoubtedly the winner.

This game was dubbed by many as a dress rehearsal of the final and not without reason. Such was the contestants8217; dominance over their rivals in the league, the assessment could not be ignored. I know Pakistan were humbled by Bangladesh and South Africa came a cropper against Zimbabwe. But these two setbacks ought to be viewed as no more than a storm in a tea cup. South Africa look stronger on paper. They have more depth than Pakistan, with the possible exception of bowling, which the latter have upper hand. It was important for both teams to try and establish their superiority over each other in this game. If nothing else, it would help them gain the psychological advantage if at all they meet in the all-important showdown at Lord8217;s.

Two points here would have strengthened Pakistan8217;s claim for a place among last four. South Africa made the Super Six with just twopoints and had to win to consolidate their position. And they did it in style.

Pakistan opted to take first strike, but their intentions were curbed by tight bowling and fielding. I guess they thought it was easier to score 220 first than to chase it.

Over the years, after the retirement of Javed Miandad, not many batsmen are prepared to work for their runs. They prefer to play to the gallery and do so by indulging in flamboyant shots, which only hastens their downfall. It wasn8217;t any different on Saturday, the run out of Inzamam-ul Haq was hilarious. Not to be counted among the swiftest between wickets, Inzamam forgot to drag his bat into the crease. Such things are basics of cricket 8212; while making it to the other end, a batsman simply must ground his bat.

Moin Khan, a batsman in the mould of old fox Miandad, fought it out gamely. Moin is a vital cog in the team for his fighting qualities and positive body language can rub into the others, and that8217;s been a great motivating factor forPakistan.

Pakistan bowling too lived up to their reputation. They showed they have the best attack in the world by ripping through the South African top order.

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Pakistan hadn8217;t reckoned with Lance Klusener who came up with a spirited display. With pressure building up, Jacques Kallis lost his patience. But Klusener showed grit and gumption to win the crunch match for South Africa who must have been extremely relieved to add two points to their kitty.