LEEDS – Pakistan’s roller-coaster World Cup campaign is alive due to aseries of heroic efforts.
Against South Africa, it was Haris Sohail, while Babar Azam lifted them atEdgbaston just when New Zealand were beginning to look threatening.
On Wednesday here at Headingley, it was Imad Wasim’s turn to wear the capeof a superhero. Pakistan were looking in clear and present danger whenskipper Sarfraz Ahmed departed after a suicidal attempt for a double.Pakistan were six down and still needed 72 more on a tricky wicket againsta dangerous spin attack.
Imad, who had taken two wickets to help Pakistan restrict Afghanistan to227-9, played perhaps the most important innings of his career – anunbeaten 49 from 54 balls to help Pakistan survive in the do-or-die match.
“I was disappointed at myself previously for not helping the team finishgames but thankfully I managed to do it today,” Imad said after Pakistan’sthree-wicket win.
Imad paid due credit to the duo of Shadab Khan and Wahab Riaz for theirsupporting roles in the death overs. “Shadab was really good. I must saythat Wahab Bhai played a very important role. He bowled with a brokenfinger and batted in pain. His six and four were very important for us,” hesaid.
Pakistan had taken the field against Afghanistan following impressive winsagainst South Africa and New Zealand. With momentum on their side, Pakistanwere supposed to comfortably beat the bottom-placed Afghans but it turnedout to be a different story.
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So did the Pakistanis allowed complacency to creep in?
Imad doesn’t think so.
“We weren’t complacent, no way. Afghanistan are a very tough side.Especially in conditions that suit them. Today’s wicket was very good fortheir spinners. It was a very tense chase for us. Playing against RashidKhan and Mujeeb on this wicket was tough. They are world-class spinners.”
Imad must have been under great pressure especially after the dismissal ofSarfraz. “Not really. I never really think about it. Cricket is not amatter of life and death for me.
I love my country and I go there thinking about giving my best.” Imadbelieves Pakistan’s biggest loss in the second half of their run-chase wasthe departure of Sarfraz. “I don’t how he got run out. He is our bestplayer against spin and if he had stayed there I’m sure we would have wonmuch more comfortably.”
