Timid is the best way to describe how the boys have meekly surrendered their arsenals to the Kiwis at Chennai. Five relatively easy catches were grassed followed by a scratchy chase that never got going.
Young and Ravindra dropped by Rahmat and Hashmat
The toss went Hashmat’s way but strangely decided to attack the Kiwis with his bowlers on a fairly good pitch. Although Farooqi induced a big nick from Young in the very first over, Rahmat Shah dropped a sitter in the slips. Mujeeb adjudged Conway lbw with the one that moved sharply towards his pads. Just after that Rachin flicked Mujeeb uppishly towards mid-on where Hashmat dropped another dolly diving to his right.
Double blow by Azmat brought Afghanistan back in contest
After getting lives at a pretty early stage, both Young and Ravindra stitched a big partnership and made Afghanistan pay heavily. Just as when it seemed that the duo were taking the game away, Azmat was introduced into the attack. At first, Rachin was foxed by Omarzai trying to pull a hard length only to discover his stumps rattled. Couple of balls later Young tried to drive a fuller length delivery that reversed a bit. It took the inside part of his blade and Ikram plucked the ball out of the thin air. It was indeed a catch that every keeper dreams to take.
Spinners applied brakes but fielders continued to drop catches
Rashid was operating from the other end. Daryl Mitchell pulled a short of length ball straight into the hands of Ibrahim stationed at mid wicket. From 109/1, New Zealand quickly slipped to 110/4. And Afghanistan was back in the game. Both skipper Latham and Phillips started to cautiously build the game. The spinners tried to squeeze them out but fielders let them down. Catching was so ordinary that four more were dropped along the way. Couple of these catches were put down by Mujeeb and skipper Hashmat which were kind of regulation on any day.
Farooqi’s round the wicket operation failed against Phillips
Riding on such luck, New Zealand made merry and piled up a huge target of 288/6 which seemed improbable even after the end of 40 overs. Fazalhaq was brought in the 45th over. He conceded two sixes to Phillips from round the wicket. From over the wicket, he kept things fairly tight but somehow he has been wrongly advised by someone to use round the wicket angle to right hand batters. Fazalhaq should stop using this angle unnecessarily when proceedings are going right. It’s common sense. Historically this angle has not brought him enough success but he still keeps going back to this strategy which is quite baffling.
Lack of trust on Farooqi to bowl at the death
After this over, Hashmat didn’t use Fazalhaq further in the death. If Farooqi can’t be trusted in the slog overs then there’s no point in keeping him in the playing eleven. Skipper bestowed upon Azmat to do the job but he leaked 38 runs from a two over spell which proved to be very costly. Naveen on the other end was keeping it comparatively better and ultimately got rid of the dangerous looking Phillips and Latham in the 48th over.
Afghanistan huffed and puffed to 139 all out
If the fielding was poor, the chase was even poorer. Afghanistan was never in the game at all. After they cheaply lost the openers, which basically is their lifeline, the curtains were drawn pretty early than expected. Rahmat Shah struggled to rotate the strike. His painful stay came to an end through a soft caught and bowled dismissal. Azmat was looking good but couldn’t tackle the smartness of Boult who with each passing day is becoming more cleverer. Ikram also was showing good intent but the toothless tail didn’t give him an opportunity to build any more partnerships. Afghanistan was wrapped up quickly giving New Zealand a comfortable victory by 149 runs.
Skipper’s unimpressive performance is the weakest link
Everyone wants to see the skipper lead by example. But in the case of Hashmatullah, it’s quite opposite. Neither he is able to held on to the simplest of catches nor is he bringing any momentum to the middle order. His strike rate must be the poorest amongst all the skippers including the Netherlands. Additionally his vulnerability against hard lengths is not a secret anymore. With so many weaknesses, Hashmat may not be able to survive in this team for too long. Riaz Hassan is still lingering in the dug out. It will be worth a decision to try him at some point benching either Rahmat or Hashmat.
Expect some changes to turn the tide
Modern cricket has become too much fast paced. Such an timid way to build the innings slowly is not desirable any more. If Najib’s injury is too serious then they should seek the inclusion of Naib at his place. Abdul Rahman is another option which can be tested at Farooqi’s place. In both the scenarios, the tail will become stronger. Right now the tail is looking too fragile with lot of sloggers. It’s important that the tail provides some sort of resistance whatever be the situation. Afghanistan lost their last five wickets in the space of only 14 runs. In a long tournament like world cup, where the run rate becomes a huge factor, the lower order and tail mustn’t throw away their wickets in a heap.