Pakistan vs West Indies – 1st ODI

Pakistan won the first ODI of Pakistan tour to West Indies 2011 by 8 wickets at Beausejour Stadium. An opening start of 68 runs from Muhammad Hafeez and Ahmed Shehzad made the task easy for  upcoming batsmen. Muhammad Hafeez, Misbah Ul Haq and Asad Shafiq scored half centuries. Misbah was highest scorer from Pakistan with 73 runs not out. Batting first West Indies scored 221 runs by the lost of 6 wickets. Dwayne Bravo was the highest scorer from West Indies side with 67 runs.

Hafeez was declared man of the match for his 54 runs and 1 wicket. From West Indies side Bishoo took 2 wickets.  Overall it was a good contest. The pitch was slow and Pakistani bowlers took complete advantage of it. In 30 overs of Shahid Afridi, Saeed Ajmal and Muhammad Hafeez approximately 100 runs were scored. These three spells of 30 overs changed the match in the favour of Pakistan. Bishoo from West Indies bowled a good spell but he did not find any support from other  bowlers.

Although Muhammad Hafeez scored 54 runs and was awarded man of the match award but still he needs to change his habit of got out after 30s and 50s runs. He must try seriously to convert his 30s to 50s and then 50s to 100s. He is from long time in the team now and it is a matter of concern for Pakistan that he is not been succeeded to convert his good starts into 100s.

New Talent in Pakistan Cricket Team – Who Will Groom Them?

PCB has announced team for the Tour of West Indies 2011. Some senior players have been dropped and new talent has been inducted. The induction of new talent is good step. Now these new players have to be groomed by the seniors, but unfortunately there is no senior like Javed Miadad and Imran Khan in the current team who can aware them regarding importance of  singles and doubles. Younis Khan has been dropped and Misbah has no potential to groom this talent. Asad Shafiq and Umer Akmal are young and they required grooming themselves.  So, this is huge disadvantage for this young talent. Kamran Akmal has been also dropped because of his bad wicket keeping, no one can support him as wicketkeeper, but he was the only batsman who was able to play drives like Saeed Anwar and Inzamam. If PCB gave him a chance as batsman and released the pressure of wicket keeping from him he has the potential to become a useful part of batting line.

Now, how can PCB meet the problem of grooming the new talent? Only an enthusiastic coach can dot it off the field. Therefore, an enthusiastic coach is required. Although Javed Miadad is legend, but he is aged and had been unsuccessful in making his relationship with the players in past, therefore, PCB should think for some one else. Saeed Anwer and Basit Ali can perform the duties. Both were attacking players and were gifted to adjust themselves with situation occasionally as well.

So PCB should take bold step for appointment of one of them as coach quickly for the upcoming tour of West Indies.