Dubai: Pakistan put up a spirited performance against South Africa on Wednesday to notch up two vital points in the ongoing Champions Tropy. It was a spectacular comeback by Pakistan, especially after their big defeat to India. Pakistan’s win has lifted the spirits of the cricket fans and players in the UAE from Pakistan. They are now hoping for an India-Pakistan final.
Former UAE team captain and national team selector Khurram Khan said: “Pakistan finally got their act together against South Africa. I think Pakistan received a wake-up call from their defeat to India. Pakistan is still playing old-fashioned cricket as their coach Mickey Arthur too had remarked. Their bowlers have to restrict teams and it was because they did it against South Africa that they were on top. The Pakistan batting has to click and in a way it is good that it rained; otherwise to reach the target would not have been easy as the wicket was very slow. India and England are playing so well because their domestic structure is so strong. Pakistan should also focus on improving it.”
UAE all-rounder Amjad Javed said: “Pakistan is an unpredictable team with so much talent in them. Their bane is their inconsistency. They can crash to a defeat without putting up a fight as they did against India. Actually they can do wonders if they believe in themselves and can win games like they did against South Africa. If they can keep on fighting like they did against South Africa they might end up playing in the semi-final.”
UAE’s senior umpire and tournament organiser Tariq Butt said: “Pakistan showed that in cricket anything can happen and they did make it happen against South Africa. Actually South Africa were the favourites to win but against Pakistan no one is a favourite. So I am hoping for Pakistan to beat Sri Lanka and India to beat South Africa to watch an India-Pakistan final.”
Raza Abidi, the Administrator of the UAE Hockey Association, feels that, be it in cricket or hockey, when Pakistan does well, it is a treat to watch. “It is a fact that the day that Pakistan plays well, it is impossible for any team to beat them. It was Pakistan’s day against South Africa. Those who criticise Pakistan’s inconsistency should remember that in cricket as well as hockey Pakistan is suffering due to a lack of international matches in the country. So to beat South Africa, one of the top ranked teams, is not a joke. The Champions Trophy will have a great finish if it is an India-Pakistan final,” said Abidi.
