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Sports: Pakistan: A commendable performance
The Tri-nation series was staged in Pakistan from September 30 to October 16, 2004. Apart from host, Pakistan, resurgent Zimbabwe and Asian champions Sri Lanka participated in this series as well.
Status of the teams before the tournament
Pakistan has never won a one-day tournament at home. Since coach Woolmer’s arrival in June this year, Pakistan won seven of their eleven matches.
Srilanka enjoyed a great Asia Cup victory over India but were unimpressive in ICC Champions Trophy 2004. They would be searching for their lost form in this tournament.
Resurgent Zimbabwe did give England and Sri Lanka some hiccups in the ICC Champions Trophy preliminary matches. They are sure to give their hundred per cent on the field and would not be an easy opposition to defeat.
Each team was to play the other twice before the finest of them lock horns in the final.
Pakistan VS Zimbabwe
Pakistan won both the matches against Zimbabwe despite playing some unimpressive cricket.
Batting first in the series opener, Pakistan slumped to 36/4. Skipper Inzamam-ul-Haq scored a well structured 73 along with some useful contributions by Shahid Afridi and Abdul Razzaq to rescue Pakistan. Afridi then returned with figures of 3-18 (in 6.3 overs) as Zimbabwe crashed to 148 all out.
In the second match, Zimbabwe batted first and set Pakistan a decent target of 253 to win. As usual Pakistan had to counter early hiccups as they slumped to 89-4 in the 20th over only to be rescued by Shoaib Malik and the experienced Younis Khan. Both the batsmen got out when Pakistan needed a mere 30 to win. Stand-in captain Yousuf Youhana’s scalp delayed the victory a bit. But Shahid Afridi ended the run chase with a towering six.
Sri Lanks VS Zimbabwe
Srilanka simply crushed Zimbabwe in the first match between the two sides. Batting first Zimbabwe was bundled out for a mere 104 in 33 overs. The Srilankans chased the target with ease and won the match by seven wickets with approximately 32 overs to spare.
The second game could not be played between the two teams due to bad weather.
Sri Lanka VS Pakistan
Pakistan won both the matches against Sri Lanka in the preliminary round of the Tri-nation series.
A superb unbeaten century by Yousuf Youhana, coupled with a brilliant all-round performance by Shoaib Malik, carried Pakistan to an emphatic eight-wicket victory over Sri Lanka in the first match between the two Asian giants. Sri Lanka scored 232-9 in their allotted overs. Chasing a decent target, Pakistan lost its openers cheaply again and slumped to 33-2. Shoaib Malik and Yousuf Youhana then took charge and steered Pakistan to victory with eight balls to spare.
In the second game between Pakistan and Sri Lanka, Inzamam-ul-Haq won the toss and chose to field first. Srilanka set a gigantic target of 293 for Pakistan to chase. Pakistan began their chase very well with the top order finally chipping in with runs. Salman Butt (57), Yasir Hameed (48) and Inzamam-ul-Haq (76) guided Pakistan to an easy victory.
Final
Pakistan and Sri Lanka met in the final played at the Qadhafi Stadium Lahore on October 16, 2004.
Sri Lanka, defying odds and the dew factor avenged the two league defeats as they overwhelmed Pakistan by 119 runs in the final to lift the tri-nation trophy. Batting first the visitors once again set Pakistan a challenging target when they scored 287-7 in 50 overs.
Pakistan got off to a good start and were evenly placed at 91-3 but lost their way since then; as the Sri Lankans decided to counter dew factor by operating with spinners. Sanath Jayasuriya was the chief destroyer as he finished with 5-17 (8 overs) with Pakistan bundling out for 168 in the 38th over.
Status of the teams after the tournament
Sri Lanka, apart from avenging the preliminary defeats against Pakistan, took a step towards retaining their lost glory.
Pakistan failed to make history and continued to choke in crucial matches.
Zimbabwe was unable to end their dismal run in international cricket that has now seen them go 13 matches without a win.
Player of the tournament
Shoaib Malik was adjudicated Player of the Series of the Tri-nation series 2004. He scored 260 runs and took seven wickets in the Tri-nation series. The only other contender for the award was Rana Naved-ul-Hasan, who also picked seven wickets. Rana Naved-ul-Hasan has been very successful for Pakistan with the new ball in the one-dayers, but Shoaib Malik must have got the judges attention for his all-round performance in the series.
Shoaib Malik has emerged as a good middle order batsman lately and is the sort of player any captain in the world would love to have in his team.
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