Experts criticise Wasim for opting to bat first (18 February 1999)
CALCUTTA, Feb 17: Former Test stars on Wednesday expressed their surprise over Wasim Akram's decision to bat first after winning the toss in the Asian Test Championship opener against India at the Eden Gardens on Tuesday
18-Feb-1999
18 February 1999
Experts criticise Wasim for opting to bat first
Our Special Representative
CALCUTTA, Feb 17: Former Test stars on Wednesday expressed their
surprise over Wasim Akram's decision to bat first after winning the
toss in the Asian Test Championship opener against India at the Eden
Gardens on Tuesday.
"I was surprised to note that Wasim Akram, having included three
pacers in the side, opted to take first strike. Having gained an
advantage, he should have exploited the freshness of the wicket by
bowling first. For some reason he did not, and the Indians were not
complaining," Dilip Vengsarkar, scorer of 17 centuries for India,
wrote in his column in The Asian Age.
South African Graeme Pollock commented: "It was very difficult to
choose your priorities. Pakistan could have been better off if they
had fielded. Even their fast bowlers would have come good on this
lively track."
Asif Iqbal, former Pakistan captain, however, remarked: "Akram was
justified in taking first strike. The pitch would have eased out
after the first session. And that is exactly what happened. I think
it was sheer bad luck that Pakistan lost so many wickets, though the
Indian pacers bowled well."
The Telegraph, in its lead story, said: "By his own admission, Wasim
Akram has, over the years, learnt from many mistakes as captain. But
whether or not he learns from his latest, the decision to bat, will
hang around his neck like the proverbial albatross."
The paper added that probably Akram had more faith in his batsmen
rather than the batsmen had in themselves. "Batting first on a wicket
known to offer juice in plenty, at least early on, definitely is a
positive move. But doing so after disastrous outings in succession,
at the Kotla, is pretty reckless."
The Asian Age wrote: "With at least half a dozen members in their
squad (who) have led the country at various points of time, it would
be foolish to assume that Akram's decision to bat first was a
unilateral one."
However, there was criticism from all the quarters for some spineless
batting by the Pakistan top order.
"The Pakistani top order struggled with their footwork and played as
if they were lost in the trance," observed former Pakistan captain
Ramiz Raja. He added: "Lazy movement and poor technique, coupled with
some ordinary half pushes and nudges outside the off stump led to the
carnage before lunch."
Vengsarkar felt that the visiting batsmen displayed poor technique in
negotiating the new ball. "Their footwork was faulty, as most of the
time they lunged forward and pushed at deliveries, only to be gobbled
up in the slip cordon."
Javed Miandad, the Pakistan coach who is writing a daily column in a
local newspaper, said India would have liked to have dismissed
Pakistan under a hundred after some spirited bowling by Srinath and
Prasad. "I am also sure that Pakistan, after being in dire straits,
were happy to make the total of 185 after two good partnerships."
Miandad, in his column, admitted that at 26 for six he thought his
team would touch its lowest. "But Moin Khan saved us. No praise is
high for Moin. In fact, every one of his centuries has come under
pressure."
However, Miandad diplomatically skipped to point out the mistakes
committed by his batsmen. "Moaning about our batting failure would
take the credit off some fine bowling by Srinath and Prasad."
Source :: Dawn (https://dawn.com/)