Pakistanis were too loudmouthed before the final

If memory serves me right, Lord's has always been a very happy hunting ground for Australia against England -- the oldest traditional riv...

If memory serves me right, Lord’s has always been a very happy hunting ground for Australia against England — the oldest traditional rivalry known in cricket history. The Aussie-Pakistan rivalry is more recent but in no way less passionate. If anything, the ugly phenomenon of the betting and bribery associated with cricket, in fact had the two finalists at each other’s throat for some time now.

So, a lot needed to be settled on the actual playing field. A war of words was expected here and there, more so for the benefit of the media. However, when the action time arrived, Akram won the toss and was instantly in a dilemma of sorts. Batting first was the logical answer for him. Sadly for him, his batsmen lacked application as well as belief against a charged up Australian bowling attack. I reckon the Aussies are more familiar with the slope at Lord’s than the Pakistanis like Azhar Mehmood, Wasti, Razzaq and Afridi. The atmosphere at Lord’s can be pretty awesome for fresh faces, no matter how talented onecan be. The in-form Anwar played on to his stumps and the lesser mortals like Wasti and Razzaq were easy pickings for the upbeat Aussies. I know some people were raving about Wasti and his temperament without taking into account the mediocrity of the Kiwi bowlers. Against top class and accurate bowlers the Pakistanis literally manufactured their own downfall.

It was the poorest of batting displays in a World Cup final, 132 all out in just 39 overs. A houseful at Lord’s definitely deserved a better contest between bat and ball. I am afraid such one-sided one-dayers show up the truncated version as a dismal spectacle.

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Pakistanis were too loud-mouthed prior to the final, Shoaib Akhtar especially. He has apparently enjoyed all the adulation from British media. The raw Rawalpindi Express will soon realise words and deeds must go hand in hand for the world to stay focussed on a new find. Speed alone will not fetch him many loyal followers.

Another comment which amused me a little bit was: “Cricket’s futurelies in Asia.” It was a remark emanating more from sheer lack of logic. If Asian following of cricket in UK is bewildering it is simply because they have little to look upto in an atmosphere which is not very conducive for mingling with the locals. And if this World Cup has maximum monetary investment from the Asian corporate giants, there is little to cheer as far as performance is concerned. All three teams India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka have not really complimented the financial backing. Loving money using people, you have got it wrong. Loving people using money, you have got it right. This is a small message for all the cricketers and administrators in the sub-continent.

And as for Lord’s, let me quote John Curtin, the Australian Prime Minister during the World War II (1918). “The Australians will always fight for those 22 yards. Lord’s and its traditions belong to Australia just as much to England.” Not much has changed in the Aussie attitude since then as Pakistan’s listless surrender wouldtestify. Shane Warne was a delight to watch and so was the Australian fielding. Steve Waugh was the most deserving captain.

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