The form of Inzamam-ul-Haq was the main area of concern for Pakistan after he was again dismissed without scoring in the Cricket World Cup match against Holland at Boland Park on Tuesday.
Pakistan scored 253 for 9 in 50 overs with Yousuf Youhana top-scoring with 58 off 59 runs in 94 minutes at the crease.
Inzamam is considered Pakistan’s premier batsmen. He was caught first ball on Saturday at Newlands in the World Cup match against England off the bowling of James Anderson.
On Tuesday at Boland Park he was trapped leg before wicket by Tim de Leede off only the second delivery that he received.
Pakistan desperately needs Inzamam to find form before Saturday’s crucial match in Centurion against India.
The burly Inzamam had scored 8948 runs in 288 one day internationals at an average of 38.74 before Tuesday’s match, but failed yet again.
He was one of the stars of the 1992 World Cup by scoring 60 off 37 deliveries in the final against England. His stylish stroke play and flair are much needed qualities if Pakistan are to have any chance of beating India.
In his last 8 innings on South African soil Inzamam has scored 154 runs at an average of 22. Youhana was also struggling before Tuesday’s match and was
removed by Anderson for a first ball duck on Saturday.
In his last eight innings he had scored 199 runs at an average of 24.87. On Tuesday he was more circumspect, and content to stay at the crease as long as possible.
Most of the Pakistan batsmen curbed their natural attacking instincts against disciplined bowling and energetic fielding. Occupation of the crease and batting practise were part of the script. In that respect Taufeeq Umar (48), who started the innings with Saeed Anwar, and Abdur Razzaq, who scored 47 at number three,
did what was expected of them.
Yet the innings lacked urgency, fire and aggression. When Shoaib Akhtar strolled to the crease in the 43rd over, he started to inject some aggression into the Pakistan innings with a quick fire 26 (27b, 1×6).
The Netherlands’ spin bowler JJ Esmeijer (0/35 in ten overs) and Roland Lefebvre, the captain, with 1/39 in ten overs, were the pick of the Dutch bowlers. – Sapa
More cricket in our Cricket World Cup special report