BRISBANE: Queensland seldom overlook their leggie Cameron Boyce whenever they play a match at Gabba.After all, the wicket at this magnificent stadium offers sufficient grip and noticeable bounce to spinners.But in a decision that seemed to have defied logic, Pakistan decided against fielding their leg-spinner Yasir Shah in their do-or-die
By our correspondents
March 02, 2015
BRISBANE: Queensland seldom overlook their leggie Cameron Boyce whenever they play a match at Gabba. After all, the wicket at this magnificent stadium offers sufficient grip and noticeable bounce to spinners. But in a decision that seemed to have defied logic, Pakistan decided against fielding their leg-spinner Yasir Shah in their do-or-die World Cup game against Zimbabwe on Sunday. Yasir has been consigned to the bench by coach Waqar Younis after he failed to impress much in his World Cup debut against India in Adelaide last month. Many thought he would be used against West Indies in Christchurch considering the fact that the Caribbean batters usually struggle against quality leg spin bowling. But he was overlooked. Many were sure that Pakistan will field Yasir against Zimbabwe considering that the Gabba wicket suits his bowling style and also because the African side is not comfortable facing good spinners. But Pakistan coaches thought otherwise and Yasir was once again missing from the playing eleven. But in the end, the decision clicked as the four-man pace attack helped Pakistan defend a modest total of 235-7. It was anticipated that Sarfraz Ahmed will be given his World Cup debut considering the fact that Umar Akmal’s performance with the gloves has been shabby. But once again, Pakistan decided against going for a specialist stumper. And they paid the price for it when Umar dropped Craig Ervine off Shahid Afridi in the 33rd over. It wasn’t the first time that Umar had failed to hold on to a catch in this tournament. Nasir Jamshed has been a failure as an opener but Pakistan continued to persist with him despite the fact that he is a poor fielder. However, Pakistan captain Misbah-ul-Haq defended the decisions saying that the idea was to get the best out of the team in a must-win match. “It is difficult to ignore players like Younis Khan and Sarfraz Ahmed but we have to try and find the right combination,” he said after Pakistan’s 20-run win against Zimbabwe here at Gabba on Sunday.
