In a critical showdown on October 20, Pakistan faced off against Australia at the illustrious M. Chinnaswamy Stadium. It was a highly anticipated clash, and the stakes were sky-high. Australia won the toss and opted to bat first, setting the stage for a monumental innings.
The Australian openers, David Warner and Mitchell Marsh, embarked on a monumental journey with their blades. Their partnership was nothing short of spectacular, a testament to their batting prowess. They shared a mammoth 259-run stand, effectively laying the foundation for their team’s substantial total.
Australia piled up an impressive 367 for 9 in their allotted 50 overs, leaving Pakistan with a challenging target to chase down. The magnitude of the task ahead was evident, but cricket has a way of surprising everyone.
Pakistan’s opening pair, Abdullah Shafique and Imam-ul-Haq, provided a glimmer of hope with an impressive partnership of 134 runs for the first wicket. The crowd was on the edge of their seats, and Pakistan’s supporters had reason to cheer. But the tale took a different turn when Marcus Stoinis came into the spotlight.
Marcus Stoinis, the Australian all-rounder, delivered a crucial performance. He managed to dismiss both Abdullah Shafique and Imam-ul-Haq in quick succession, halting Pakistan’s progress and tilting the balance in Australia’s favor.
As the game progressed, Pakistan found themselves struggling. Wickets kept falling at crucial junctures, leaving Pakistan with an uphill battle. The team eventually managed to score 305 runs before being all out, falling 62 runs short of Australia’s total.
In the aftermath of the intense clash between Australia and Pakistan, Shoaib Malik stepped into the spotlight. He highlighted a significant issue that had affected Pakistan’s performance – the high dot-ball percentage among Pakistani batters.
Malik pointed out that openers Abdullah Shafique and Imam-ul-Haq struggled to rotate the strike effectively. It was a vital aspect of the game that needed immediate attention. He emphasized the importance of making better use of the deliveries that did not result in boundaries.
For instance, Abdullah Shafique faced 61 balls and managed to score 64 runs, including 7 fours and 2 sixes. However, the significant number of dot balls in his innings raised questions. Similarly, Imam-ul-Haq’s 70 runs came off 71 balls, including 10 boundaries, leaving 44 deliveries unutilized. Even Iftikhar, who contributed 26 runs, hit three sixes, but the remaining 17 balls were not optimally utilized. Malik stressed that such areas required improvement, especially when playing against top-tier teams.
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“Abdullah Shafique faced 61 balls, scored 64 runs. Boundaries – 7 fours and 2 sixes. What about rest of the balls? Why was it not utilised in a better manner?” Shoaib Malik told a Pakistani news outlet.
“Imam scored 70 runs in 71 balls. 10 fours which is 44 (40) runs. What about the rest of the balls? Even Iftikhar hit three sixes in his 26-run knock and the remaining 17 balls were not utilised well. We lack in these areas. Whenever you play against top teams, their top batters focus on rotating strikes even after hitting boundaries,” he added.
Shoaib Malik’s concerns did not stop at the issue of dot balls. He also provided valuable advice to the Pakistani batsmen on how to handle spinners and pacers effectively. In the high-pressure world of international cricket, adaptability is a key asset, and Malik’s insights could be a game-changer for Pakistan.
Shoaib Malik reveals the real reason for Pakistan's batting failure against Australia.
— Tanveer Hassan (@tanveercric56_) October 20, 2023
Will Babar Azam & Co. be able to adjust their batting?
Video credit: A Sports#PAKvsAUS #AUSvsPAK pic.twitter.com/x1OTHOF9DK
