In a year where positive news seemed a rarity, Pakistan Cricket Team of all filled that void with some tremendous performances, also achieving the top position in the ICC Test Rankings. But it did not come without the usual surprises Pakistani team is so good at. There were highs and lows, but they fought their way through. The test match at Brisbane encapsulated it all. From a first-innings collapse to extremely poor show in the fielding; till an incredible comeback where this predictably most unpredictable bunch had the most distinguished record in sight, the test match had it all. Pakistan’s summer had started with a tour of England where the team had earned the praises of the critics with a determined show. They continued with the same grit against a depleted West Indies in UAE but struggled in alien conditions of New Zealand.
Many had written off Pakistan following the batting collapses against the Kiwis. But this team, as it has done many times now, proved everyone wrong to the extent that the country is cheering for the team even in defeat.
Set a target of 490 in just of two days play, and with the pedestrian performance in the back of their minds, Pakistan embarked on a journey to achieve the unimaginable. Although most of the people had written off Pakistan, some were hoping for a fight from Pakistan; but very few could have imagined what transpired with the momentous innings of highly underrated Asad Shafiq. Till his fall of the wicket on the fifth day, he kept the minutest of hopes alive.
Although Pakistan fell 40 runs short of what could have been the most memorable win for not only Pakistan but the history of the game, there were many positives and the moral highs that could potentially give the much-needed push in the upcoming games.
There has been a lot of criticism of the playing tactics of Pakistan being too defensive. The innings of Shafiq and the resilience shown by the tail demonstrates how to survive in the toughest of conditions by not going into a shell. Moreover, there are a lot of things that could be blamed for the loss, but Pakistan’s fielding will continue to be the critical aspect. It is the one department where they need to improve by a mile in order to improve their chances in the upcoming games.
Pakistan was for once able to shake the opposition in their own backyard in one of the most alien conditions. This is where the role of management comes into play. Pakistan should take heart from the positives in the game, yet, not forgetting what went terribly wrong at other times either.
Lastly, Pakistan will continue to be the most predictably unpredictable side. Though Pakistani fans would hope those surprises are full of smiles.
