DALLAS (US): The two unfortunate overs that deprived Pakistan of putting up a better show and even the win against the US will continue haunting millions of fans in the world.
The crowd gathered in Dallas from all around the West Coast of the US to watch Pakistan kicking off their World Cup campaign. No one was expecting an upset win or the US team that is fresh to the international stage with no one but Corey Anderson having a vast international experience. But the US skipper was not even required to play any role leaving it to the newcomers to handle Pakistan in batting, bowling and fielding.
The crowd mostly from Pakistan was upset at Haris Rauf’s handling of the last over of the scheduled play and were surprised at the management’s decision to throw the ball to Mohammad Amir to bowl the Super Over instead of Shaheen Shah Afridi. “We were shocked to see Haris Rauf bowling ordinary full toss deliveries in the 20th over. How a team like the US could manage 15 runs in the last over. Pressure always comes on you as a new team. On the contrary, Haris who has played so many internationals and league matches took the pressure while bowling loose deliveries, making it easier for the US batsmen to hit out.
They struck a six and four on the last three balls to earn a tie. It was highly unimaginable to see such an attitude from a bowler like Haris,” said Zaheer Minhas, who is working as an IT Expert in Sacramento (LA) and had come all the way taking an hour’s flight to watch the team in action.
He was also upset over team management’s decision to introduce Amir ahead of Shaheen Afridi when it came to Super Over. “I am at a loss to understand why a bowler having no pace these days was preferred. Shaheen or for that matter Naseem Shah would have been a better option.”
Even Zahra Ahmed supported Shaheen as the best choice for the Super Over. “He is a far better option. If you give him the first over every time you land at the wicket that means he is your best pick. Why then the best pick was not asked to bowl the Super Over was surprising,” she said.
