ICC World T20: India v Pakistan – 5 lessons to learn from Pakistan's defeat

Like its a tradition since the inception of ICC World Cups be it the 50-over format or the Twenty20 India tend to clinch the competition against Pakistan. Itdoesnt really matter how differently they do it as long as itcomes the same way around: in form of a victory!Nevertheless, the Asian arch-rivals clash setan appealing start to the main leg of the ICC World T20 2014 where India registered a 7-wicketwin over Pakistan in a one-sided game.Only time will tell how this defeat wouldhamper Pakistans chances. In the meantime,lets look at the mistakes that may save the former champions campaign.

#1 Basic errors in batting - The usual weakness

Pakistan is famous for their unpredictability. They can win you matches from nowhere and are equally capable of losing a match after some dominate performances. No matter what, batting has never been Pakistan’ forte as a unit.

What happened on Friday was yet another easy batting collapse. Right from Kamran Akmal’s unnecessary run-out in the 2nd over, nothing went right for them. Whilst Ahmed Shehzad’ classic leg-spin dismissal off Amit Mishra did the remaining harm; leaving Pakistan 50/3 after 10 overs that extended to 130 from 20-legitimate overs. Wasim Akram had made a point in saying “Even a club cricketer knows how to make calls (for singles) between wickets.” Clearly, there were basic mistakes made during batting. And, further, practice sessions have a way-to-go for!

#2 Over reliance on bowling

Pakistan has world-class bowling attack features Saeed Ajmal and Umar Gul as main weapons in the bowling department. And saying so, it automatically demands a decent score to defend on when you are bowling second. Moreover, situation becomes tragic when it comes to T20s since each bowler holds a quota of 4-overs. Therefore, opposition batsman has more choices to target upon like Suresh Raina mentioned after the match “Kohli and I discussed to target seamers as ball was coming nicely on bat. We decided to rotate strikes for Ajmal and not even to target Hafeez as he was getting good turn from the wicket.”

Enough said. Your key players will not win matches for you every now and then. There must be contributions from other departments as well. In order to fetch oppositions wickets early on, there must have been competitive-total to target for.

#3 Dropping catches - the cardinal sin

Anticipation is important in team games. And even more in T20s given the nature of the game where every ball, every run counts to a great extent. Look at these examples to prove it better.

In first scene, Mohd Hafeez (33) was dropped by Yuvraj Singh on the first ball of 6th over which later cost Shami with 2-fours off Hafeez – producing 12 runs in the over – boasting the RR to 5.66 RPO: their most conceding PP over of the match. Had this been a wicket Pakistan would be in massive trouble since Hafeez was then playing on the score of 5. One can assume the tainted Pak scoreboard after deducting his further contribution from team total. On contrary, as it happened in the 2nd inning, Suresh Raina (35*) survived from his then individual score of 7 when Afridi dropped him in the first slip off Hafeez. Pakistan would have added some pressure there had that catch been taken as India was, then, playing on 80/3. Although, Dhoni and Jadeja were left to bat and chances were meagre. Still a chance is a chance worth having! Period!

#4 Keeping Plan B can fancy your chances!

Cricket is a funny game. More than playing conditions and the format, toss, at times, adjudges match result precisely! Keeping in mind, a team has to have backup plan or alternative strategies if they were to face the flip side.

And guess what, same was the case with Pakistan in the yesterday’ match. After losing the toss, they were invited to bat first. Further, facing the early setback in name of Kamran Akmal there seemed no strategy as to who will keep the one-end tight to anchor the inning. In turn, Pakistani players kept marching towards pavilion on regular intervals, missed to capitalize some gifted fielding mistakes of Indian players and completely gave-up to stand a bit long. Be it a hole in team strategy or the mounting pressure to keep the scoreboard going: either ways Pakistan lost the match with both hands.

#5 Let it Crickets Enthusiasm and not the Indo-Pak match pressure to play with!

Traditional rivalry – either it is of historic or dominative reasons – has its own share even in sports. Players have to deal with it. Somehow, anyhow. In these circumstances, captain and coach play an important role. Nevertheless, an individual’s own ability sums it better at last.

Both India and Pakistan are quite matured teams and thus, understand ‘the term’ equally. And often it is said “the one who hold the nerves better, would win this contest” about Indo-Pak matches. But Wasim Akram concluded this defeat with Pak’ inability to cope with match-pressure. Though, I believe ‘Under-pressure’ would be an understatement here. Simply because it clicked for one and a better team won on a match-day.

Apparently, a good captain never expect come back scopes from opposition. Neither a wise one would ever allow. If match-pressure would play pivotal role, we should stop talking about arch-rivalries as it will put all teams under the same code of competency!