CRICKET
The moments that defined
Pakistan cricket in 2015
S
ometimes the magnitude of a single ball is so enormous that it leaves a permanent mark. Hundred,
double hundred and the accolades that follow are
etched in history, but the perfect drive that paved the
way for it is forgotten through assumed inconsequentiality. These events in forgotten dimensions of time and
space constitute the actualisation of an innings, a career
or simply a team's performance as a whole.
Here's what defined Pakistan cricket in 2015:
Sarfraz Dhoka Nahee Deyga (Sarfraz will not betray)
7th March 2015, Pakistan vs South Africa (Eden Park,
Aukland, New Zealand), Dayle Steyn marks his run-up
for the first ball of the match. Sarfraz Ahmed takes his
guard, ready to face his first delivery of the World Cup.It
is Pakistan’s fifth match in the competition and it is a do
or die encounter. As public and media pressure mounts,
the team management and in particular coach Waqar
Younis have run out of excuses for not giving Sarfraz a
go.And here he stands facing arguably the most dangerous fast bowler of his generation, while senior partner
Ahmed Shehzad watches the first ball from the nonstrikers end. But Sarfraz is not just standing and waiting. He is mounted almost two feet outside the crease
to South Africa’s meanest and fastest bowler.Sarfraz is
already a hero, at least in his own mind and those backing his inclusion in the Pakistan side. Seven and a half
hours later, he is declared man of the match for his attacking 49 and ODI record-equaling six catches.Sarfraz
is now a hero in the mind of millions. conference.
Fast and Furious
20th March 2015, Pakistan vs Australia (Adelaide Oval,
Adelaide, Australia)Wahab Riaz comes steaming in towards Shane Watson on what has already been a spell
for the ages. He has earlier bounced David Warner and
captain Michael Clarke back to the pavilion. They must
be counting their lucky stars for not being at the receiving end after watching Watson survive twelve bloodthirsty deliveries. He has scored just two runs, one of
them from the shoulder of the bat, the ball flying over
the slip cordon. Wahab fires another thunder bolt at over
150kph aimed between the batsman’s ears. Watson in a
desperate attempt manages to get some willow on that
one as the ball skies towards fine leg in what appears to
be the simplest of catches. Rahat Ali spills it. Wahab is
gutted. Watson g