On the Prowl
The Canadian feast notwithstanding, the Americans were on the prowl in the green pastures of the Prairies in Texas, hungry for more. They had set their sights on the timid Pakistani Team leisurely grazing the greens, unmindful of the dangers lurking nearby. The driven Americans swooped on them as accomplished hunters and after a bit of a friendly struggle, the Stars and Stripes had gulped down the hapless, visibly clueless and once formidable Asian Giants.
A Close Match…Not Really
Team USA, the host of the ICC T20 Cricket World Cup after a resounding win over Canada in the first match of the Tournament outclassed the much fancied Pakistan side at the Grand Prairie Stadium in Dallas, Texas last evening. Though the match went right down to the wire and eventually culminated into a super over finish, the Americans had their stranglehold on the match right through. They were the better side by huge strides and were deserved winners. Chasing 160 for a win, Team USA tied the score and then went on to win the super over with ease. Pakistan needing 19 to win, fell short by a good 5 runs.
Netravalkar- Pak’s Techie Nemesis
The Americans were all over Pakistan for most part of the match. They bowled well, fielded brilliantly, caught exceptionally and went about chasing the total with great intent and belief. Pakistan on the other hand looked more the Associate side rather than the Americans. They batted as if the pitch was a minefield, being tentative on every shot they played. The innings crawled and the wickets fell with mindless batting. Saurabh Netravalkar, a full time techie ( hailing from Mumbai ) gave the blues to the men in green with his disciplined left arm seam bowling. Pakistan batted like novices as the Americans gained in confidence.
Monank Patel : A Captain’s Knock
With just 159 to chase down, Monank Patel played a captains knock and with good contributions from Andres Gous and Aaron Jones, the match got tied. The Pak bowling was all over the place, lacking both direction and bite. The Americans played them comfortably and on occasions devoured their spin and lethargic pace bowling like easy meat. Their inexperience got them into trouble but a dropped catch and couple of full tosses from Haris Rauf in the final over got smacked for 10 and the match was tied.
The Super Over & Faltering Pakistan
The super over bowled by Mohd Amir was extremely below par with 3 wides, poor fielding and an appalling body language. USA scored 18 of the over with just one boundary and lots and lots of determined running. With 19 to get it was an uphill task. Netravalkar again bowled a decent over and ensured his team crossed the line.
Team Pakistan in Deep Slumber
Pakistan looked more of a Club side, completely out of sorts and bereft of any plan or strategy going into the match. Their fielding was terrible to say the least. The apparently unfit looking players could hardly move in the field as if lost in a deep slumber. The once feared bowling was simply ordinary with nothing to write about. Gary Kirsten, Head Coach of Pakistan would be tearing his hair. It was a waste of an opportunity from Pakistan, while the Americans under the sharp eye of Stuart Law, played like true professionals and are in a good position to move to the second round.
No Rivalry Any More
Pakistan play India next. The great rivalry hype has been created by the broadcasters, but the truth is there is hardly any rivalry left between India and Pakistan, after thumping wins by India in all these years.
Let’s create some hype for India and Australia.
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Featured Image : Saurabh Netravalkar, USA’s Talisman