Saeed Ajmal took a 4 for as Pakistan beat the Proteas in the St Lucia sunshine on Monday and subsequently by doing so have miraculously managed to reach the final 4 out of the blue !
http://www.cricinfo.com/world-twenty20-2010/engine/current/match/412697.html
However, it was team England who helped them achieve this by beating the Proteas on Saturday and then the Kiwis on Monday even without their star performer KP for the latter as he was away for the birth of his first son !
England vs. RSAhttp://www.cricinfo.com/world-twenty20-2010/engine/match/412694.html
England vs. NZ http://www.cricinfo.com/world-twenty20-2010/engine/match/412698.html
Therefore England had won all 3 of their super 8 fixtures with beating Pakistan as well, they (Eng) topped the group with maximum points of 6. Pakistan/NZ and RSA were left with 2 points each, however the net run rate favoured Pakistan and therefore Afridi's men progress to the knockout/climax stages of the competition! It was looking unlikely and improbable but yet is the most overwhelming eventuality for our passionate and ever following supporters to express a sense of celebration with!
Pakistan are now just one match away from a third consecutive final appearance, what a formidable achievement that would be IF it happens! I say "if" because by the looks of things Pakistan will be facing a really tough opponent in their semi fixture as they finished second in their super 8 group and therefore will play a stronger team ; the team that finished top of the other group! The exact opponent is still undecided as I convey this article!
Ajmal is Pakistan's leading wicket taker by a fair distance as things currently stand with 10 wickets in the competition, the 3rd highest whereas Salman Butt is Pakistan's leading run scorer with an average of 47.75 including 2 half centuries against Bangladesh and NZ respectively. Pakistan will need these two key and ever developing players to continue their good form going into the climax stages of the short and exciting tournament!
Although Pakistan have only won 3 competitive games of cricket this year as a nation, the victory against the RSA yesterday was a highly significant one and now Pakistan should be all confident and hopeful of going the distance and bringing back the cup to Pakistan once more ! My hopes are with BoomBoom's gang !
Oz special
14 years ago
1 comment:
playing the semi final will be tough no matter which team we play. because at this stagae all the teams will be tough to beat. its a god sign that our bowling strenghth has revived after Afridi retaining his bowling form. Ajmal impresses every time. our fielding has to be at level best in the coming matches. but the batting problem still gives rise to many eye brows..batters need to take some responsibilty and come to the party.
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