Australia silence India

Ravi Shastri confidently said that India will lift the trophy at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad two days before the final of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023. The World Cup committee for this event planned in a way that all the party was kept for the final only with the stars of Bollywood coming out in numbers at the expense of two World Cup winning captains – Kapil Dev and perhaps, MS Dhoni. BCCI values Bollywood more than Kapil, who changed the face of Indian cricket.

Maybe BCCI thought Kapil could not dance like a Bollywood star and may not add spice to the party they are planning at Ahmedabad – an over-confident BCCI wanted the party to rock the cricket world with India lifting the trophy – but sadly, the party happened everywhere except in India.   

India played outstanding cricket throughout the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 and raised the bar so much that they created an aura like the invincible of the past – West Indies of Sir Clive Lloyd and Australia of Steve Waugh and Ricky Ponting – they became the team to beat in this tournament and threw a tough challenge to every team that included Australia, who were thrashed by the Men in Blue in Chennai.

Virat Kohli’s composure bailed India out on that eventful night and set the tone for a dream run, which no Indian unit ever experienced in an ICC event – unbeaten in ten matches in a trot. Their manner of victory was so ruthless that the fans and experts started discussing the topic “Who will beat India?” Surely, there is no team in this tournament that can deal with the ruthless brand of Team India.

But there is one team known as Australia who has a history of dealing with “Who will beat the X, Y or Z team?” – Australia were the team that ended the glorious run of all-conquering West Indies in 1995. They halted Pakistan of Imran Khan in the semifinal of the Reliance World Cup 1987 by silencing the vociferous crowd at Lahore and triggering fatal heart attacks across Pakistan. The Ashes was retained in a dominating fashion in 1989 after almost seven years despite being the underdogs against a competent English unit. The hot favourites South Africa experienced the toughness of Australia in the ICC Cricket World Cup 1999 while the brilliance of Pakistan was tamed in the final at Lord’s.

There had been so many times the Australians stepped up to accept the challenges and silenced everyone and once again – Team India asked Australia whether they could beat them in their own backyard in the final of the greatest show in cricket amid the sea of blue in the Narendra Modi Stadium at Ahmedabad.

The Australian skipper Pat Cummins, over the years, has experienced the ups and downs in a cricket match – the final of the World Test Championship and Ashes in England had tested the mental and physical limits of Cummins and his boys, but also, made them battle-hardened. Cummins knows very well how to deal with pressure like his predecessors and bounce back in time when it is needed the most.

When the stage is big, similarly to Real Madrid - Australia loves to own it rather than standing back and clapping for the winners. In world cricket, there is hardly any team that can match the self-belief and professionalism of Australia.

After losing back-to-back matches in the World Cup for the first time since 1992 – Cummins and co knew what they needed to do. While India went on a rampage, Cummins was traveling through the choppy waters where he was challenged against New Zealand, Pakistan, Afghanistan, and South Africa in the semifinals– Cumimns and Australia prevailed in the nail-biters. They were one match away from the sixth triumph but the team was the mighty India.

Cummins won the toss and surprised everyone by choosing to field first.

The deck was slow and required immediate adjustment by the bowlers – Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, and Mitchell Starc did not take enough time to adapt and get the length right from word go. Each of the pacers dragged length back and maintained the tighter line that they used against South Africa at Kolkata.

The length had deceived Shubman Gill to attempt a pull and was out caught – but Rohit Sharma was in the mood to kill Australia until Travis Head produced a Kapil Dev-like moment to dismiss him with the momentum-shifting catch.

ESPNcricinfo states, “Rohit had already slammed ten runs in two balls from Glenn Maxwell's second over, when he stepped into another slap over the long-off boundary and miscued high out into the covers. Travis Head tracked back from point with the ball skewing high over his shoulder, and with his eyes never leaving the prize, timed his dive to perfection to cling on with both hands.”

Australia slowed down India’s attacking intent and when Virat Kohli looked to flex his arms after reaching his half-century – Cummins got him with the length that prompted Virat to play onto his stumps. There was no respite for Ravindra Jadeja and Surya Kumar Yadav as the length factor was exploited smartly by Australia and the use of the slow-ball bouncer was in effect. KL Rahul dished out an epic vigil but that was ended by the length of Starc while Hazlewood was a hard nut to crack.

In between, Maxwell, Adam Zampa, and Mitchell Marsh delivered the goods that supported Australia’s plan to keep India silent with the bat. Above all, the Australian fielding was top-notch and saved extra runs to pile more pressure on India.

From the 11th to 40th over Australia leaked around 80 runs with the ball.

As a skipper the field placement of Cummins had struck the right chord according to the bowling changes – Cummins was the leader of men and his self-confidence in the middle was contagious which inspired the Aussies to go for the sixth glory.

India had been bowled out for 240 – still, against the best team in the tournament chasing this total would never be easier, and at 47 for 3- it seemed, India would run riot.

Travis Head and Marnus Labsuchagne decided to relive the memories of Aravinda de Silva, Asanka Gurisinhge, and Arjuna Ranatunga in Lahore in 1996.

Labuschagne dropped the anchor while Head played his shots and rotated the strike smartly.

The situation did not demand any rustiness but a Test match like batting where the balls would be hit according to their merit and milking the singles and twos by picking up the gaps. Labuschagne’s sheet anchor role helped Head to flourish over by over and run by run – Rohit kept on rotating his bowlers but they leaked runs as Head never let them settle and adjust their line and length – the dew factor was evident during the fourth wicket stand of 192, but exploiting the conditions and absorbing the pressure of playing in the final make the factor irrelevant.

Head joins the list of the legends who scored hundreds in the final for a winning cause and when he was dismissed Australia required two to win that finished by Maxwell.

India were the choice of many to lift the trophy but Cummins and Australia ultimately silenced Narendra Modi Stadium with his sheer boldness, intelligence, and leadership qualities – Australia deserves to win the title for the sixth time.   

Thank You

Faisal Caesar 

Australia fly for Ahmedabad

If the situation is a tough one in any format of cricket and requires a response then without a second thought anyone would call for Australia for the best of responses. Time and again they have been proving why Australia remain the most successful team in the history of cricket. Cricket has witnessed the rise of empires and watched them fall and never rise again – but since international cricket commenced – the display of Australia’s mental strength remains an example for others to emulate.

The scenario of the second semifinal of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 at Kolkata was similar to one at Edgbaston in 1999. Australia needed 2013 to catch the flight for Ahmedabad – a total that they posted 24 years ago and like Edgbaston – it was the spinners who posed a threat. Like Shane Warne – the South African spin duo – Keshav Maharaj and Tabraiz Shamsi were not turning the ball enough but choked the life out of Australia with their accuracy.

They operated in tandem for 16 overs and produced a dot in every two balls, a false shot once every four balls, and almost the same number of wickets as boundaries.

The wicket at Kolkata had the spice for the pacers with the new ball where the Spartan line and length of the Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, and Pat Cummins set jitters in the South African batting lineup who, as usual, won the toss and elected to bat – sticking to the plan that had paid rich dividends throughout the tournament.

With overcast skies over the Eden gardens – threatening of a heavy shower any time – Starc, Hazlewood, and Cummins made the ball talk and maintained the line so accurately that the Proteas batsmen failed to adapt and went back to the hut quickly. But from the ashes - rose David Miller, whose valiant hundred under pressure could have proved vital until the iconic mental strength of Australia showed up.

David Warner and Travis Head started playing shots as if they would finish the match in 20 overs.

Shamsi and Maharaj accounted for the crucial wickets of Marnus Labuschagne, Head, and the Hercules – Glenn Maxwell.

The match was hanging on the balance at 137 for 5.

When Josh Inglis – the man who was playing his 17th ODI – walked out to bat, everyone back in Eden Gardens and those watching on TV thought that South Africa would break the jinx of the Cricket World Cup knockouts. But Inglis is an Australian and all he needed was to hang out there and play with caution and enough control so that the momentum shifts toward Australia.

In cricket – the little cameos are always forgotten and in the coming days – people will talk about the hundred of Miller or the swashbuckling knock of Head – but not the chicky innings played by Inglis that helped Australia register a place in the final.

When Inglish fetched a boundary against Shamsi, who was the height of his powers, it indicated his mental toughness and composure – it was hit against the turn, with a straight bat and minimum back lift. He was going behind the ball by maintaining his full authority on the initial trigger movement off the back foot. The runs were coming courtesy of the ability of Inglis to find the gaps amid the consistent pressure created by Samsi, Maharaj, and the pacers. 

The close chances cropped up but Inglis remained firm on his task.

When Coetze accounted for the scalp of Inglis – Australia were 19 runs away from victory – but a team like Australia would not choke.

It was up to Cummins and Starc to steer the ship safely to shore.

But their task was not without danger.

Starc nicked one that went through the vacant slip region. Cummins scooped one towards short midwicket but the ball fell short of a diving Miller. Quinton De Kock dropped a tough catch behind the wicket. Rabada was missed but he was healing his bruised heel. The Proteas created pressure, the Australians absorbed it like a sponge.

South Africa choked again – the composure of Inglis and Australia won. 

Thank You

Faisal Caesar 

 

Hercules Maxwell

Miracles are true. If you believe that miracles happen in life then your belief is not at all absurd. Your self-belief can lead to some wonderful miraculous stories. And, in fact, no miracles can happen until and unless there are difficulties – once all the struggles are grasped, miracles happen – what is life if there is no story of miracles – what is cricket if does not produce a miracle on the biggest stages!

When Mitchell Starc walked back to the dressing room during the group stage match of the ICC Cricket World Cup at Mumbai against Afghanistan – Australia were reeling at 91 for 7 and everyone was waiting to tell you the story of another Afghan fairytale – the big Glenn Maxwell thought of motivating himself from this hopeless situation and essay tone of the greatest knocks in the history of 50-over format.

Maxwell missed his side's win against England last week after suffering a concussion following a freak golf cart accident last week but returned with a phenomenal knock that is already part of cricket’s folklore.

The heat and humidity at Mumbai had taken a toll on Maxwell and in the 41st over he was seen agonizing with pain prompting the next batter, the number 19, Adam Zampa to wait by the boundary line while the physio patched him up to keep him going.

It was not about skill anymore but the strength of temperament – being an Australian, Maxwell knows what mental strength is all about. The man transformed into Hercules and relied on his big-hitting abilities that witnessed the ball leaving orbit several times as it was raining sixes in Mumbai.

No footwork, but clean hitting by standing tall at the crease smothered the Afghanistan bowlers as Maxwell took the game away from them gradually.

Nevertheless, he was well aided by his skipper Pat Cummins who kept one end firm and scored a mere 12 runs facing over sixty-six deliveries.

The mayhem of Glenn Maxwell

Maxwell had walked in to face Omarzai's hat-trick ball in the ninth over. He was then involved in a mix-up, which cost Australia the wicket of Marnus Labuschagne and then witnessed the ship sinking in the Indian Ocean fast and something had to be done.

Drastic situations demand drastic measures and he unleashed hell on the Afghan bowlers.

Mujeeb Ur Rahman could have dismissed Maxwell on 33 had he not dropped a sitter at short fine leg.

Maxwell then walloped Noor Ahmad over midwicket. He smashed Mujeeb over his head and carted Mohammed Nabi over midwicket too. The reverse sweep and other trick shots were also on display in Mumbai as he surged to a hundred off 76 balls. He then needed just 52 balls for his second hundred.

At the other end, Cummins defended resolutely.

When 21 runs were needed off 24 balls for Australia's win and Maxwell's double-hundred, he went 6,6,4,6 against Mujeeb and created history most astonishingly.

Maxwell's 201 not out is the highest score ever by a batter at number six or lower in 4696 ODIs.

This is also the first double-hundred by an Australian in ODI cricket and the third double-ton in World Cups.

Maxwell's unbroken 202-run stand with Cummins is also the highest for the eighth wicket or lower in ODI cricket.

What a knock from the Hercules Maxwell!

 

Shakib Al Hasan was not wrong

In 2010 during the group stage match of the Tri-nation Tournament in Sri Lanka - India were scripting an easy win against Sri Lanka at Dambulla with Virender Sehwag reaching yet another One-day Internationa (ODI) hundred.

With the scores leveled, Suraj Randiv bowled a no-ball to deny Sehwag a hundred, and the ploy was condemned by everyone as it was not within the spirit of the game. Sehwag was left stranded on 99 though he hit the no-ball for a six. It was a deliberate no-ball to deny Sehwag a hundred and when you bowl a deliberate no-ball, surely, the Spirit of the Game is dented.

 According to The Island, it was Dilshan who suggested Randiv to bowl a no ball at the fag end of the match which India won by six wickets. Dilshan, who was fielding at cover point, shouted in Sinhalese 'Oney nam, no ball ekak danna puluwan' (if you want, you can bowl a no ball).

None of the Sri Lankan players reacted to Dilshan's advice to bowl the no-ball, the report said.

Hindustan Times stated that at the post-match press conference, captain Kumar Sangakkara had given indication that someone may have suggested to Randiv to bowl the no ball.

"If it was deliberate, I will have to have a chat to him (Suraj) and make sure it does not happen again. I will have to see also whether there was any talk about it on the field, prior to that delivery," Sangakkara had said.

Sangakkara also came under the scanner as he was heard instructing Randiv in Sinhalese "If he hits the ball, he gets the run" - after Sri Lanka Cricket examined stump microphone audios to determine whether any player had played a role in coaxing Randiv to bowl a 'no-ball.’

Embarrassed by the controversial incident, Sri Lanka Cricket on Tuesday initiated an inquiry under team manager Anura Tennekoon even as Randiv and top SLC officials offered apologies to calm things down.

The apologies prompted the Indian team management to declare the episode a "closed chapter" while the BCCI also made it clear that it would not pursue the case any further.

Four years later, during the fifth One-day International between England and Sri Lanka at Edgbaston in 2014 – Sachitra Senanayake, a spinner with a suspected bowling action became the topic of discussion for a couple of days around the cricketing globe.

Having twice stopped in his delivery stride during the 42nd over to warn both Jos Buttler and Chris Jordan for backing up too far, Senanayake followed through on the threat in the 44th, turning slowly to break the wicket with Buttler a yard or so down the pitch.

The on-field umpires consulted then Sri Lankan skipper –Angelo  Mathews and he nodded his assent in upholding the appeal. That meant the first instance of 'Mankading' in international cricket since Peter Kirsten's innings was ended by Kapil Dev in such a manner during an ODI between South Africa and India in 1992.

The cricket pundits were divided with their opinions regarding the Spirit of Cricket but Mathews did not bother as Sri Lanka won the ODI and Mahela Jayawardene had his backing for the skipper back then.

Jayawardene said that Sri Lanka had warned Buttler twice before the incident and felt he had been claiming an unfair advantage by leaving his ground early.

"We gave him a fair chance. Twice. Before the first warning, we told the umpires that he was taking too much of a lead and then he was warned again. We had to do that because they kept doing it.”

"We analyzed our game after Lord's. They took 22 twos in the last 12 overs. Ravi Bopara and him ran riot. And most of the time they were taking starts that are not legal by the written laws. We just wanted to make sure we got a fair chance. We warned them and we warned the umpires, but they didn't listen to us, so we had to take the right steps”

"We always try to play in the right spirit, but if the other team is not playing in the right spirit and not going with the law, then unfortunately we had to take the law into our hands. It was the third time. It is fair enough, I think. We all need to play by the rules.”

"If the other sides are not going by the rules, then they're not playing by the spirit, so what can you do?"

Mathews was not wrong in his stance neither Senanayake was not wrong because mankading exists in the laws of cricket – people may be divided by the issue of Spirit of the Game – but if any action is done within the laws then how could it hamper the spirit of the game remains a moot question.

In that sense, whatever Shakib Al Hasan did against Sri Lanka during the group stage match of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 in Delhi was not at all wrong

ESPN Cricinfo states, “Mathews was already on the pitch and in his final preparations before taking strike against Shakib Al Hasan. His helmet strap broke just as he was tightening it around his chin.”

“He called for a replacement helmet, which was run out to him by Chamika Karunaratne. Shakib then appeared to initiate a discussion with umpire Marais Erasmus, after which Mathews, as he was not ready to face his first ball within the two minutes to do so as allowed in the ICC playing conditions, was informed he was timed out.”

“During the innings break, reserve umpire Adrian Holdstock explained the process behind the dismissal to broadcaster ICC.tv: "The fielding captain initiated the appeal to Marais Erasmus, who was the standing umpire, that he wanted to appeal for timed out."

 “Mathews was yet to put on the new helmet and Karunaratne was still standing near the pitch when the news of his dismissal was relayed to Mathews. At this stage, at least three minutes and twenty seconds had elapsed since previous batter Sadeera Samarawickrama's dismissal.”

“Mathews initially seemed to think the umpire was not serious, but quickly wore a worried expression, and engaged in a long discussion with both Erasmus and square-leg umpire Richard Illingworth.”

“Erasmus then approached Shakib and had a quick discussion (the second between the two), following which Mathews also spoke briefly to Shakib, who offered a consoling tap on Mathews' shoulder. But ultimately, the decision to rule him timed out was upheld, prompting more animated and visibly upset gesturing from Mathews at his broken helmet strap.”

The ICC playing conditions stipulate clearly that the batter must be ready to receive the ball within two minutes, which Mathews was not as the law says, 40.1.1: “After the fall of a wicket or the retirement of a batter, the incoming batter must unless Time has been called, be ready to receive the ball or for the other batter to be ready to receive the next ball within two minutes of the dismissal or retirement. If this requirement is not met, the incoming batter will be out, Timed Out."

Bangladesh held their nerves to beat Sri Lanka while the anger among the Sri Lankan players and especially Mathews was evident – who expressed his frustration at the presser after the match:

"It was obviously disgraceful from Shakib and Bangladesh," Mathews said. "If they want to take wickets like that and stoop down to that level, there's something wrong, drastically”.

"It's very disappointing way that Bangladesh played. If it was mankading or obstructing the field, there's no issue. Within two minutes I was at the crease, and it was when I was at the crease that my helmet broke. The umpires saw this. I still had five seconds left. After I showed my helmet, the umpires said [Bangladesh] had appealed. So I asked where common sense was because my two minutes hadn't passed.”

"I've got no words to explain it. In my 15 years of playing, I've never seen a team or a player stoop so low.”

While Shakib Al Hasan stated, “One of our fielders (Najmul Hossain Shanto) came to me and said, 'If you appeal now, he will be out, if you are serious'. Then I appealed and the umpire asked me whether I was serious and whether I was going to take it back or not. I said no if it is in the rule if it's out, I [won't] take it back."

“It is in the laws. I don't know if it is right or wrong. But I felt like I was at war. I had to take decision to make sure my team wins and whatever I had to do, I had to do. Right or wrong - there will be debates. But if it's in the rules, I don't mind taking those chances," said Shakib.

ICC and MCC have made laws for cricket worldwide. 

The rules are followed by the players and the umpires give their decisions according to the laws and if any dismissal is produced under the law, a player has to follow that rather than getting emotion about the Spirit of the Game.

Even though - the laws of cricket have also had an introductory statement or preamble. It states that cricket should be played not only according to the laws but also in the “spirit of cricket.”

This preamble is aimed at reminding players and officials of their responsibility for ensuring cricket is played in a truly sportsmanlike manner.

But frankly speaking – the concept of the “Spirit of Cricket” is subjective and has remained hazy since 1882 when even the great WG Grace denied following it.

In the one-off Test match against Australia in 1882 at the Oval, Australia were 114 for six in their second innings, with a lead of just 38, when the young batsman Sammy Jones completed a run and made his ground at the end of an over.

Jones then went back down the pitch to talk to his captain Billy Murdoch at the other end, and certainly to pat down divots in the pitch.

WG threw down the stumps, demanding a run out in his high-pitched voice. The umpires were Bob Thoms and Luke Greenwood, a former Yorkshire player who had played Test cricket for England had responded to the appeal of Grace, and Jones had to walk back to the hut.

131 years later, at Trent Bridge, during the first Ashes Test, 2013 - On the third day at a delicate point in the match with England leading by 297 with four second innings wickets remaining, Broad fairly smashed an Ashton Agar delivery off Brad Haddin and into Michael Clarke’s hands at slip.

Inexplicably, Aleem Dar failed to give him out; Broad wandered down the wicket and tapped gloves with Ian Bell. Australia had no reviews remaining. Broad went on to make 65 and England won by 14 runs. Aus coach Darren Lehmann called it “blatant cheating”, but Broad pointed out he was under no obligation to walk and replied “I’ve never walked in cricket. I don’t see why I would.”

10 years later, in the second Test at Lord’s – England batsman England batsman Bairstow was stumped by Australian wicketkeeper Alex Carey on day five of the second Ashes Test when Bairstow left his crease. The incident triggered controversy but Carey was within the rules to dismiss Bairstow who was repeating this for a while. If you don’t reach the crease after the ball is in the end of the keeper then you have to face the consequences.

Neither did Justin Langer start to walk during the second Test at Hobart in 1999

Shortly after Pakistan had taken the new ball, Justin Langer, on 76, appeared clearly to have snicked one to wicket-keeper Moin Khan off Wasim Akram but 'home' umpire Parker ruled that not out. Australia's total then was 5 for 237, chasing 369 – that decision broke the Pakistani spirit and helped Australia trigger one of the most successful runs in the history of Test cricket – that decision gave rise to the invincible Australia – Langer decided not to walk because the umpire did not give him out and he had every right to stay at the wicket – the Spirit of the Game factor becomes irrelevant in the crucial juncture of play.

The lawmakers need to sit down and decide whether the “Spirit of the Game” and the Laws of Cricket co-exist or not.

Whatever the cricketers of the past and present are doing – most of them are within the laws of the game.

It’s better to take a look at modifying the Spirit of the Game.

Everyone plays the game hard to win – and of course, by following the rules of the game.

Thank You

Faisal Caesar  

Pakistan being Pakistan

The name of the cricket team is Pakistan. 

They are one of the mysterious sides in world cricket. 

Just when you think that they would breathe fire they end up burning their own pants and become a laughingstock. Just when you think that you have humiliated enough to gift them shame – from nowhere – they will start kicking your back, slap on the face and punch on the rib cage to a point from where it would take time for you to recover. You take a break and try to analyze this mysterious unit - you end up with no result because no one ever has been able to define the Pakistan Cricket Team.  

They have a board that keeps on changing like a train on a railway platform. Even a railway engine has a destination but the Pakistan Cricket Board – aka PCB does not know what they are doing and what it will do in the future. They have a media whose only job is to blame each other and the arch-rival. The fans are always passionate but remain confused. There had been a history of groping, in-fights, ego clashes, arguments, and pathetic petty politics among the players. The talented players are misguided. The talents fade and the talents keep on coming. But they have no definitive system like India – but they show up – perform and yes, win matches.

In the ongoing ICC Cricket World Cup in India – Pakistan’s performance has been below par. They had been pale against Holland. Mighty against Sri Lanka. Worst against India. Lost their mind against Australia. Looked out of ideas against Afghanistan. And, broke the hearts of everyone against South Africa.  

Well, the story of this team is over and out.

But – they are Pakistan – Freak. Perennially fractious. Mysterious. Unpredictable.  

A couple of weeks back – in Bangalore, Australia taught Pakistan a lesson for not batting first and punished them for their sloppy fielding and pathetic bowling that lacked skill and control. Australia posted a huge total. Pakistan’s response was positive but they lost their way as usual on a flat deck letting David Warner and Adam Zampa come back in form – such generous work!

A few weeks later – in a do-or-die encounter – Babar repeated the mistakes against New Zealand, whose team was experiencing a setback due to injuries.

The ideal task was to win the toss and exploit the injury-prone Kiwi attack via Fakhar Zaman on a flat deck and small boundaries – well, it was New Zealand, who went all guns blazing Kane Williamson and Racn Ravindra had a jolly bash against Shaheen Shah Afridi, Haris Rauf and Hasan Ali – a match where Pakistan went with an all-pace-attack with a little benefit except the young Wasim Junior.

Afridi remains pale with the new ball and his figures in this tournament have been terrible whereas the ICC ranking says that he is the number 1 fast bowler in the world. He leaked 90 runs from 10 while Rauf leaked 85. Just after Rauf conceded the highest runs leaked by a Pakistani bowler in the World Cup, Afridi broke the record of his colleague – it was a total mockery out there while Pakistan’s sloppiness on the field was as consistent as ever.  

New Zealand put on 140 runs in the 14.1 overs since Ravindra fell, breaching the 400 barrier against a battered, broken Pakistan fielding unit.

Pakistan’s hopes in this tournament are dead and buried – the coffin would land safely at Lahore after the final match of the group stage.

But the team is Pakistan!

Fakhar Zaman – who had scored 4, 30, 27, 4, and 12 in the last five ODIs before regaining his form against Bangladesh at Kolkata – transformed into Muhammad Ali and used his willow like Ali that was flying like a bee and stinging like a bee.

Two fours and a six in the third over of Trent Boult set the tone, with the 17 he conceded was Boult's most expensive World Cup over. It was followed up by another 16 in his next as Babar was playing the role of sheet anchor but didn’t step back from hitting the loose ones.

Tim Southee was also taken on, as was Santner By Fakhar, for whom the white ball seemed like a football and sent the ball out of Bangalore City several times. Glenn Phillips felt how it feels to be taken to the cleaners. Just when you stopped cheering those hits, Mitchell Santer was taken to the cleaners brutally.

The evening turns out to be Pakistan’s party and when they are having their time in the middle – the galaxy and the multiverse start supporting them.

The heavens opened – and the rain started pouring down.

Pakistan were ten runs according to DLS

When the match commenced, Pakistan started the party again, with the target becoming 342 off 41 overs.

 Williamson fatefully turned to Sodhi, who conceded 32 in the two overs he sent down, including two gigantic sixes off Fakhar.

The heavens opened up again – and the match never took off – Pakistan ended up as the winner.

No one knows how to analyze this match. The cricket experts out there have no words. The fans are still recovering from the Fakhar show. New Zealand is left clueless. The Cricketing Gods are still figuring out how to define Pakistan cricket.

Thank You

Faisal Caesar