RINGING THE CHANGES
With the hosts already holding a 2-0 series lead, both camps used the final match to swap out personnel. For Pakistan, Hasan Ali returned in place of Rauf and Shahnawaz Dahani got his ODI debut replacing Afridi. The WI traded in Seales for Phillip while Carty and Paul got their first action of the series over Bonner and Joseph. As mentioned before, with these opponents, unpredictability is normally par for the course. Would the hosts take too casual an approach to the game with the series already in the bag? Could the WI, with the gloss of their Netherlands triumph already fading, summon up the pride for a consolation victory? It would take a brave soul indeed to even hazard a guess as to the answers to those burning questions. As for this humble writer, I will stick to easy stuff like why Math is inherently, irrefutably better than Literature.
POORAN, NICHOLAS POORAN, AGENT 029
Zaman and ul Haq saved their best opening partnership for the last innings of the series. There would be no early breakthrough for the WI as the Pakistani lefties indulged on some pretty ordinary bowling. They tallied 10 boundaries and one massive welcome-to-Pakistan-bro six off Keemo Paul until Pooran took matters into his own hands. With his batting reputation suffering from repeated low scores, the WI skipper decided to lead with the ball. His first 2 overs of what could be generously called gentle off-spin were tidy enough and went for 13 runs. Then, in his 3rd over, Zaman played completely over a straight ball and lost his stumps. The opening partnership had raised 85 runs, but 85-1 would become 88-2 in the very next over. Walsh jr. silenced the Multan crowd and all of Pakistan when he got Babar L.B.W. for just 1. There was still more drama to come from Pooran, now known as The Man with The Golden Arm.
WHO SAYS SPINNERS CAN’T BAT?
Pakistan stuttered to 119-5 at the halfway mark of their innings. Imam, Haris, and Rizwan somehow, inexplicably, all got themselves dismissed by Pooran and his magical deliveries. If the WI expected the remaining batters to fold quickly, Shadab did not get that message. He put on a priceless 84 run partnership with Kushdil for the 6th wicket and later a 40 run effort with Wasim for the 8th. His eventual career best knock of 86 lifted Pakistan to 269-9 and gave his fellow bowlers something to defend. They responded by reducing WI to 94-5 by the end 21 overs. From there, Akeal Hosein took over the spinners-can-bat challenge. In successive partnerships of 36, 26 and 49 with Carty, Paul, and Shepherd, the former Fatima College and North Zone star blazed brilliantly. His own career best knock of 60 was studded with 6 glorious strikes beyond the ropes. It was not enough on the day, however, and his dismissal at 204-8 only hastened the end for the WI. They folded 12 runs later, giving Pakistan a 53-run series sweeping victory.
PLENTY OF FLAIR, NOT ENOUGH SUBSTANCE.
The WI leave Pakistan with more questions than answers hanging over their new white ball setup. They undoubtedly possess batters who have proven how dynamic they can be on their day. The problem, though, is that those days do not come around on a consistent enough basis to instil major confidence. Hope (152) and Brooks (130) were the only ones crossing 100 runs for the series. In fact, Hosein’s last match heroics got him closest to them on 82. The WI plundered 53 boundaries and 22 sixes over the series yet totalled 676 runs to their host’s 850. Somehow, someone has to realise that this big-hitting strategy is no longer viable for consistent success. The tale of the tape for the bowling department looks even bleaker, with no one better than Hosein’s 5 wickets. Pakistan’s 2 main spinners collected 14 scalps between them – in contrast, Walsh could add just 1 to Hosein’s 5. The WI next host Bangladesh, India, and New Zealand in quick succession and must address these concerns post haste.
Well done Zaheer!