The Hindu : Sport : No need for the bowl-out

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Monday, Sep 17, 2007
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Sport

No need for the bowl-out

India-Pakistan match has been the most closely-fought contest in the tournament so far, writes Imran Khan

The next stage of the World Twenty20 has begun, but both India and Pakistan teams would certainly have liked a little more time to catch their breath after a really closely fought encounter.

It has been the most closely-fought contest in the tournament so far, and what is heartening that the bowlers were not reduced to cannon fodder like in some of the other games.

The Indians have lost their first game in the Super Eights to New Zealand and their bowlers did look a little jaded on Sunday. But in this version everything has to happen super-quick, and that means you have to get ready for the next game in less than a day.

I was not happy to see a bowl-out deciding the result of the India-Pakistan game, because any shoot-out is an unfair way to reach a result. There was no need for the bowl-out also because teams are not carrying points into the next round.

I don’t approve of penalty shoot-outs in any game, and it’s an unnecessary import into cricket, even the Twenty20 version.

The plus from that game was that Mohammed Asif once again showed the world what an exciting prospect he is. He has the rare ability to move the ball late.

He does not have the pace Glenn McGrath possessed in his prime, and unlike McGrath he has more swing rather than nagging line and length.

Superb prospect

He is a superb prospect for Pakistan, and along with a much-improved Umer Gul gave their team a perfect start. But Full marks to Mahendra Singh Dhoni for marshalling his team to a good total.

India was not able to replicate the same intensity on Sunday, and that flatness is something that Pakistan needs to guard against on Monday. The Sri Lanka team is in really fine form, clobbering all bowling line-up they come across. The key will be taking early wickets, because they have some of the game’s most destructive batsmen at the top of the order. Asif will once again be a crucial player for Pakistan.

At this stage, it’s difficult to predict favourites; but the manner in which Australia bounced back to beat England makes it a strong contender. The format does throw up surprise winners every once in a while, but eventually it will be the good teams that win most consistently — just like in any other form of cricket. Gameplan

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