Asif Ali: Now a hero

By Ehsan Qureshi in Dubai 

(Pakistan News & Features Services)

This is the story of Pakistan cricket. Starting from nowhere (zero) and going to become the hot-favourites (super hero). This is story of the ICC T20 World Cup 2021 as far as Pakistan and their latest six-hitting sensation Asif Ali are concerned. 

Not long ago, there was hue and cry from all quarters when Asif was selected in the Pakistan squad for T20 World Cup. The criticism appeared justified because the highly talented middle-order batsman had failed to live up to expectations the in Pakistan Super League (PSL) as well as in the Caribbean Premier League (CPL). 

Despite all the pressure to drop him, the chief selector, Muhammad Wasim, other members of the selection committee and skipper Babar Azam kept faith in him. Now finally Asif has delivered at the biggest stage to silence his critics. 

With Pakistan thrashing India by a record margin of 10 wickets in the opening game, the morale of the whole team was boosted and every member of the team felt motivated. The confidence level of the whole team got sky-rocketed and Pakistan, all of a sudden, became the team to watch out for. 

The expectations were on the higher side when Pakistan took the field against New Zealand, after having bulldozed India. But as we have watched on numerous occasions in the past, the Blackcaps, led by Kane Williamson, refused to give up even while defending a low total and the match looked in their grasp when they picked up a few quick wickets. 

Just as the Pakistani supporters were beginning to get tense and worried, Asif entered the arena and changed the complexion of the game with his flurry of sixes. 

In the company of the vastly experienced Shoaib Malik, he steered Pakistan to a dazzling win which boosted their hopes to qualify for the semifinals round. It literally changed the mood of the nation because India and Blackcaps were favorites to progress into the knock out round. 

The story was repeated in the following game which was played in a rather charged atmosphere against Afghanistan. It was Asif again who took Pakistan home when chips were down at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium 

The Afghanistan section of the crowd was preparing to celebrate victory as Pakistan lost Fakhar Zaman, Muhammad Hafeez and captain Babar Azam in quick succession. But at the othe end, Asif was thinking differently. Pakistan needed 24 off 12 balls. 

It was a tall order for Pakistan as Bangladesh had lost narrowly to the West Indies in similar situation just a few hours ago. Then what people watched at the ground was unbelievable and amazing. 

Asif banged Afghanistan’s medium pacer Karim Janat for four towering sixes to make hell for him and the Pakistan supporters were jubilant and ecstatic with celebrations having erupted across the globe. 

Now Pakistan feature among the favourites for the crown. But you cannot depend on only Asif because this is team and each and every player has to contribute vigorously to ensure they repeat 2009 history to add a new feather in their cap. 

On a personal note, Asif may be looking forward to replicate his own efforts of winning the trophy in the same manner as he had enabled Islamabad United to win the PSL in 2018 with his towering sixes in the final.

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Pakistan wins tension packed encounter to move closer T20 World Cup semis

By Ehsan Qureshi in Dubai 

(Pakistan News & Features Services)

Pakistan inched closer towards claiming spot in the semifinal rounds of ICC T20 World Cup with tension and drama packed five-wicket victory over Afghanistan at Dubai International Cricket Stadium on October 29. 

For the second match running, Asif Ali emerged as the hero when he hoisted Karim Janat for four sixes in the 19th over to seal the fate of the dramatic match in front of an enthusiastic and vociferous crowd. They shouted Pakistan Zindabad and Pakistan Aa Gaya Maidan Main as Pakistan completed their win after a few hiccups. 

The new finisher Asif smashed an unbeaten 25, under pressure, after facing just seven balls in blink of an eye. Pakistan had lost Fakhar Zaman (30), Muhammad Hafeez (10) and Shoaib Malik (19) as the asking rate kept mounting. 

The Pakistan captain, Babar Azam, played a decent knock of fifty but he could not finish the game. Having successfully reviewed leg-before decision which had gone against him, he was cleaned by the same bowler, Rashid Khan, while attempting a cross-batted swipe. 

Earlier Afghanistan staged a grand recovery, after having been reduced to 35 for four at the end of six-over power play, to post a competitive total of 147 for seven in their 20 overs. Skipper Muhammad Nabi and Najibullah Zadran lifted them from a precarious 76 for six in 13th over with a fighting unbroken 71-runs stand off 43 balls. 

The Afghanistan contingent, which outnumbered Pakistanis in the stands, was silenced by brilliant performance of Imad Wasim, Shaheen Shah Afridi and Haris Rauf. They removed the dangerous power hitter Hazratullah Zazai for five-ball duck and Muhammad Shahzad for only eight in first 16 balls to put them under pressure. When Rehmanullah Gulbaz and Gulbadin Naib went for ten runs apiece, the Afghanistan batting was in tatters. But experienced Nabi and Gulbadin stood firm against spin cum peace attack to keep them in the contest. 

Due to the intense rivalry between two neighboring countries, the UAE Police remained on high alert in order to avoid any untoward incident. The match was contested in a tense atmosphere as supporters of both teams expected their respective countries to run away with the game.

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