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DHAKA: Shahid Afridi may have taken four wickets in Pakistan's first ever 10-wicket win at the World Cup on Wednesday, but the captain had to concede man-of-the-match honors to his opening batsman and bowler.
Afridi has been one of Mohammad Hafeez's most vocal supporters, and his faith was repaid with the allrounder's eye-catching performance in the crushing quarterfinal win over West Indies.
The 30-year-old Hafeez took 2-16 in 10 overs, and was 61 not out alongside fellow opener Kamran Akmal as Pakistan coasted past its victory target of 113.
“I really worked hard over the last couple of days and it worked for me,” Hafeez said.
“The coach told me a couple of days back that I would bowl with the new ball, and I tried it at the nets.
“I just kept them on a line and length today, and it worked. My batting form came back at the right time and I hope to carry it on.”
Pakistan recalled specialist spinner Saeed Ajmal for the game against West Indies in Mirpur, but it was Hafeez who was given the responsibility of opening the ball with seamer Umar Gul.
The pair combined to leave West Indies reeling on 16-3, Hafeez's two wickets coming in the sixth over as Devon Smith and Darren Bravo fell to straighter deliveries from the spinner.
“These were great conditions for spin if you landed it on the length,” Afridi said, adding “We had tried (Abdur) Rehman to open the bowling against New Zealand and Australia, he did well, and today we backed Hafeez and he pulled it off with the ball.”
Hafeez's economy rate of 1.60 was the best in the tournament over more than five overs.
“He is a very smart cricketer,” Pakistan coach Waqar Younis.
“He is pretty confident when he comes to bowling. He's got such a self belief that whenever we give him a ball he delivers.”
Hafeez made his Pakistan debut in 2003, but he has been in and out of the side. He was recalled again last year and his performances in the series against England, South Africa and New Zealand made him an automatic pick for the World Cup squad.
His maiden century came against New Zealand in Christchurch in January, but he had struggled in the opening six matches of the World Cup.
Pakistan has regularly chopped and changed its opening partnerships in recent times and this World Cup has been no different. Hafeez began by opening with Ahmed Shezhad, but their best partnership was 28.
Shezhad paid the price and was dropped against Australia, with wicketkeeper Kamran Akmal moving to the top of the order.
Hafeez and Akmal confidently took Pakistan to victory against West Indies, Hafeez setting the tone by stroking two stylish fours off the first over of the innings. Their assured play appeared to drain any last hope from the opposition.
“I'm more than happy,” Younis said. “We've struggled with openers and it's very pleasing to see them getting runs. Hopefully that will help us in future games.
“Hafeez played an outstanding knock with the bat and when he bowled he was just superb. Full credit to him for the way he stuck in when he was given the ball and when he went in to bat he looks like a man in form. It's very pleasing.”
