Pakistan's 5 wonders from the World Cup
The Green Shirts ending their World Cup campaign on a bitter note is not something we want to remember. There were high expectations, the nation was motivated, people were right behind their team...
April 07, 2015
But somehow, things didn’t go according to script, or as per the expectations of Coach Younis.
Like after every major disappointment, the team arrived in groups while the Coach himself decided to take a Sydney siesta, leaving the nation and fans searching for answers.
While there is not much to write about Pakistan’s below par performance, there were however a few individual acts of heroism that saved the team from ultimate humiliation.
Thanks to these sudden spurs, the eggs and tomatoes collected by inflation hit fans, intended to target players, were effectively utilized and later turned into mouthwatering omelets.
So let’s take a sip of our well brewed doodh patti and recollect 5 wonders form the World Cup.
NO.1: Wahab gifts Watson the bouncers of his life
“You don’t mess with Pakistan’s fastest bowler”, was the clear message Wahab bounced towards Watson in front of a packed SCG crowd.
Earlier, the combo of fried Mitchell Starc, boiled Clarke and roasted Watson highlighted their sledging side but picked the wrong opponent. Wahab missed a few short ones from Starc who reminded him that “It’s the white thing you have to hit.”
Wahab is not a guy who likes to keep credit, and promised to pay back with Green and White.
After removing Clarke on the 4th ball of the 10th over, Wahab waited for Watson, and the world was about to witness one of the most ferocious spells of left arm fast bowling in the games history.
The first ball from Wahab was a short pitched beauty that forced Watson the take the evasive action. Watson was left shocked with this unexpected welcome, Wahab spited venom while back in the commentary box, an amused Wasim Akram couldn’t help put a big smile.
There were a few more bouncers and claps from Wahab, while the stunned Watson must have considered himself lucky for not fracturing his wrist or cracking skull. Wahab would have walked out victorious had Rahat grabbed a dolly from Watson. The deafening scream and stressed veins on Wahab’s face said it all; he had just lost the battle of his life.
Watson, however, had the last laugh as he smacked the last bouncer out of the park, but till then Wahab had made a statement, his lethal spell will be glorified with every repeat telecast and be remembered as the fiercest ever bowled.
No.2: Dubach La Bagha, Nasir Jamshed finally captures one…
He was not scoring runs anyways; he then came up with the noble idea of dropping sitters from Dwayne Smith, Elton Chigumbura and finally Brandon Taylor.
Trying to catch on Nasir’s slippery form, Shaiman Anwer thought he had played smart once he lofted Afridi high towards mid-off. But he was tricked as Nasir made sure he licked the butter dips off his fingers.
For the few seconds the ball was in air, the entire nation held its breath and prayed for a miracle. When Nasir did finally grab the ball clean, that entire nation erupted with joy.
No.3: Sohail Khan shows Kholi the way back
He was returning to the international stage after four long years, naturally he had to make an impact. The strong build Sohail Khan had already initiated the war of words before hitting the field.
When a reporter reminded him that he would have to bowl to the swashbuckling Virat Kholi, the pacer didn’t lose a moment to show the aggression fast bowlers are loved for.
“Virat Kholi Sher ho ga Apnay Ghar ka”, a statement that simultaneously showcased his innocence and the will to go hard against the forceful Indian.
He lived up to his words when he trapped Virat into slashing wild and edging to Umar Akmal, but perhaps a bit too late.
No.4: Sarfaraz catches Amla low to lift his team high
Sarfaraz will never forget that night in Eden Park, the match that gave him mythical fame. Having spent the early part of the tournament carrying water bottles and drying towels, Sarfaraz suddenly found himself on the tricky side of things. Thrown in for the must win encounter against the killing Proteas.
After scoring a street smart 49 to give his team a steady start, the gutsy gloves man from Karachi took the field to give the much needed calm effect to the pacers.
On a moisture filled pitch that gave bowers swing and required instant adjustments from keepers, Sarfaraz showed the world his class when he dived low to his right and grabbed a one hand stunner to send the rampaging Hashim Amla back home.
His record 6 grabs and man of the match award left the team management searching for justifications.
No.5: Misbah 56 against the Protease holds the team together, yet once again
Misbah is no stranger to batting breakdowns, but things kept swinging in the crunch match against the South Africans. After countless flops when the top order finally clicked, the middle order decided to break down once again, leaving Misbash with the job he so frequently was forced to do all throughout his career.
He played his trademark calm and composed knock to hold the innings together and take Pakistan to 222 on a nightmarish wicket. The fighting efforts gave his bowlers the total to fire all out against the protease and eventually walk into the Quarter Finals.
Ashar Zaidi is a Senior Anchor/Sports Journalist with Geo News. He tweets @AsharZaidiGeo
