World Cup fever is finally catching on in Pakistan after triumph against South Africa, with a festive atmosphere of the kind not witnessed since the 1992 triumph.
The whole nation stands united right now and there is a genuine belief that Misbah-ul-Haq’s charges could do the unthinkable of lifting the World Cup.
No-one gave Pakistan a chance of such a fightback after being beaten by India and West Indies in their first two matches but they have erased those doubts after registering
a first ever World Cup win against South Africa at the fourth attempt.
I had been regularly stressing importance of bringing in star wicketkeeper-batsman Sarfaraz Ahmed because of his never-say-die attitude and must have repeated that point in all previous columns.
Even the readers must have felt bored by my repetitive pursuance of Sarfaraz but I know that he was one guy who had that ability of hitting the sort of sucker punch that can defeat any side in the world.
Those living in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Pakistan especially know the flair Sarfaraz brings to the side after his exploits in 2014 against Sri Lanka, Australia and New Zealand.
The much-awaited moment of truth arrived when Sarfaraz was named in the XI and within a flash it gave satisfaction to the whole nation.
There have been some doubters, surprisingly among the selectors, with some suggesting that he lacked the ingredients in his technique to open in conditions of Australia and New Zealand without testing him.
Yes, sometimes you need capabilities but there is something more important than that: sheer courage.
Pakistan had been dictated to by the opposition many times at this World Cup but Sarfaraz’s raw courage and warrior-like attitude put South Africa on the backfoot.
Only really brave players can use the ploy of standing two-and-a-half-feet outside of their crease against Dale Steyn and that provided the assurance to Pakistan’s top-order because there was someone who had a plan against pacers.
Pakistan struggled for singles early on but there was technical reason attached to it. The spongy grass meant the ball was not travelling at a good pace and fielders were able to cut the shots with ease to stop singles.
South African skipper AB de Villiers straight away knew that he had a fighter in front who was standing with a broad chest and his sleeves folded and even the best thinker was forced to make a change by bringing in Morne Morkel.
The change reflected that Pakistan had forced the issue and that the Proteas were put under pressure. Despite Ahmed Shahzad’s early departure to Steyn’s blinder of a catch, Sarfaraz kept on going about his business with calmness and authority, along with Younis Khan.
With straighter boundaries being small, the batsmen – Younis, Misbahul Haq, Hashim Amla and De Villiers – tried to dispatch the balls wide of off-stump or even on the legs with invented drives and different shots.
When we played in 1980s-90s, the Eden Park pitch was not in a similar position and the straighter boundaries used to be mid-wicket and cover boundaries. Having scored a century against New Zealand in 1989 against the likes of Sir Richard Hadlee, I knew the ground really well.
I remember that the legendary Javed Miandad scored 271 and I made 112 as we put on a 248-run stand. Miandad played the lead role naturally and looking at his shots, it gave me an idea where I could get those extra runs. He taught me during that innings where to hit boundaries and we just plundered the Kiwis’ bowling attack – so much so that Hadlee did not come on to bowl on Day Two.
Back to 2015 and leg-spinner Imran Tahir’s threat was nullified as he struggled to bowl a fuller length – knowing Sarfaraz and Younis are ferocious sweepers of the ball and Pakistan capitalised on his short bowling.
The two then went after JP Duminy, who was supposed to be the team’s fifth bowler, and De Villiers had to bring on himself. But the real moment which lifted the whole dressing room was three sixes Sarfaraz struck in Duminy’s over. Pakistan never looked back from there on.
Though Sarfaraz got run-out after a run-a-ball 49 studded with three sixes and five boundaries, the damage had been done already.
Younis and Misbah then played assuredly despite wickets falling at regular intervals and the two senior players delivered when it matter the most. Misbah remained the fulcrum throughout the innings with yet another 50 while the youngs guns Umar Akmal and Sohail Maqsood failed to fire again.
Shahid ‘Boom Boom’ Afridi also played an important 22-run cameo while the run also helped Pakistan’s cause as it changed the game into a 47-over affair and freshened up the pitch, which was exploited perfectly by Pakistan’s pacers.
South Africa were jolted up front as Quinton de Kock was removed on the second ball by Mohammad Irfan and that really lifted the team.
However, Amla and Faf du Plessis threatened for some time by dealing in boundaries – especially Amla, who was improvising and waiting for balls to send to boundaries as singles were not easy.
But both got out one after the other and Amla’s catch by Sarfaraz was exceptional – allowing Pakistan to sense victory was not far away. Sure enough, South Africa crumbled under pressure and Pakistan’s pace battery took command.
The left-arm force of Pakistan – Irfan, Wahab Riaz and Rahat Ali – jolted the Proteas and AB de Villiers was left standing a lone survivor with a huge task. He showed why he is the best batsman in the world right now as he made a match out of the unthinkable dealing in boundaries and sixes for fun.
The South African captain’s resolve came to end thanks to the exceptional presence of mind shown by Sohial Khan, who showed why I insisted on his selection as he was the best among the lot in the death overs.
He showed that class, sensing that De Villiers would jump out of his crease, and bowled a shot-pitch ball which the batsman failed to execute over the boundary line and South Africa’s resistance finally gave away.
It was Sarfaraz who really made his mark with an impressive World Cup debut, also equalling Adam Gilchrist’s record of six catches in an innings as well.
Pakistan’s chances of success have certainly improved; my trust has strengthened that they are up for a fight and victory over South Africa must have provided genuine self-belief to the team to excel in the bigger matches ahead.
