Rampaul, Sammy dent Pak claims

ISLAMABAD - All the gigantic claims Pakistan made before start of Test series against West Indies like carving history by beating the Indies at their own courtyard have been shattered with a comfortable West Indian victory. After restricting the West Indian batsmen to 226 runs in the first innings Pakistan batting badly flopped, as they were piled up for partly 160 runs giving WI the first innings valuable 66 runs lead. Pakistani bowlers started brightly in the second innings and owing to outstanding bowling by spin wizard Saeed Ajmal, WI at a stage stood with 104 runs for nine wickets. But like past Pakistan let the opponents make a remarkable comeback, as the last wicket pair of Chanderpaul and Bihoo turned the tables on Pakistan by their match winning partnership of 48 runs. Umar Gul who was supposed to spearhead the Pakistani bowling failed to even take a single wicket during the entire match. Like the first innings, Saeed Ajmal came to rescue the bowlers and took six wickets in the second innings carrying his match wickets total to 11. Muhammad Hafeez also bowled well but no other bowler made any significant contribution. The opening pair of Muhammad Hafeez and Taufeeq Umar badly flopped. They made a combined total of 25 runs in the match that is a shameful contribution, as the main job of openers is to provide solid start to their team. Despite having so many chances, Taufeeq Umar failed to show he had the guts to perform at this level. At numerous opportunities, he could not show any glimpse that he deserved a place in starting line up and the team management must be in a better position to justify his selection. No team can beat even an average side by playing with too many new comers in the side. The youngsters cannot handle the big match pressure and melt under it. If Younus Khan had left the tour sitting death of his brother, his ideal replacement could have been Muhammad Yousuf, who is already applying his trade in England and making runs in the county cricket. Instead of recalling Yousuf PCB and its selectors panel went to the match with inexperienced players that resulted in yet another defeat for the Green Shirts. Muhammad Salman is a complete failure in both forms of the game. He was unable to make any contribution during the recently concluded ODI series and now he has managed to score four runs in the match. Kamran Akmal made errors behind the wickets but he was by no way a mug with the bat. Had Kamarn in the side the result could have been far different. Pakistan middle order is fragile as the openers failed to perform as required. The game was left with the middle order to hold the innings together, but Pakistan does not have the depth in this department. Chasing a modest total of 219 runs against the weak bowling was by no means a difficult task but the batsmen gifted their wickets. Bishoo proved once again to be the dangerous for Pakistani batsmen taking four wickets in the first innings while Ravi Rampaul, who has yet to impress at this level, was also very successful with match figures of seven for 75 runs. Darren Sammy led his side from the front by his match winning bowling in the second innings that proved to be turning point of the match. Sammy took seven for 45 runs. To avoid defeat in the next episode, PCB must set aside its personnel grudges against players and without wasting further time must call M Yousuf, Abdul Razzaq and Kamran Akmal to the side, as they would not only strengthen the much needed depth in the middle order but also the bowling department would get a huge boost. If selectors keep on making blunders like this, result of the next match will not be the different.

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