Spectacular light shows and pyrotechnics kicked-off the inaugural season of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) on Thursday, but it was a less than ideal start for Islamabad United who were decimated by Quetta Gladiators in the opening match.
Here are five highlights from day one:
Raise your hand if you knew who Mohammad Nawaz was before the PSL started. In an interview on the sidelines of the match, Nawaz was at pains to explain that just a couple of weeks ago, he had been representing Pakistan-A in Dubai, when the England Lions had come to play, and that he had also been doing well for National Bank in the domestic circuit.
But if we missed those performances, this match made Pakistan sit up and take notice of a young left-arm spinner with immaculate control and a great cricketing brain.
Allowing only 13 runs in his four overs while picking up four wickets is a complete spinner’s performance, and it set up the match for the Gladiators. Shane Watson was foxed, Sam Billings given a dose of reality, Babar Azam made to look like Umar Akmal, and Imran Khalid suckered into a loose slog.
If his bowling was sublime, his composure in the middle-order was rather pleasing.
No loose shots, rotation of the strike to the other, well-set partner, and sensible running between the wickets spoke of a man who understood his game very well and read the match situation even better.
Pakistan’s need for spinning options is pressing, given the ban on Yasir Shah, but on the evidence of this match, perhaps Imad Wasim needs to be looking over his shoulders too.
The argument that foreign players will benefit greatly by playing Pakistani spinners in the UAE has much merit, but the value of Mohammad Nawaz taking out Shane Watson is even higher.
The PSL had thrown up its first bonafide young star and all of a sudden, Pakistan spinners’ cabinet does not seem bare anymore.
But it could have been worse had Shane Watson been able to pierce the off-side field. Thrice he slapped Ali’s short bowling, thrice it was blocked from going to the boundary.
One short ball was pulled to the boundary in the second over, but it was clear that Anwar was struggling with his length.
An in-form batsman would’ve probably capitalised more on the loose deliveries on offer, and it is difficult to see him escape the wrath of Chris Gayle were he to bowl the same length at him.
More worryingly, Anwar's inability to correct his mistake and adjust his length is cause for concern.
In comparison, Umar Gul was also carted, by Andre Russell, but his reaction to being hit for 20 runs in his second over was to deliver a final over of the innings that leaked only seven.
The two men are likely to be competing for the same spot in the World T20 squad and Pakistan will surely opt for someone who isn’t struggling for form, rhythm and control.
Much hard work awaits both Anwar Ali and Umar Gul if they are to have a fighting chance to be selected for the World T20 squad.
Offering a tame catch to the impressive Imran Khalid, Shehzad squandered an opportunity to take his time, get the measure of the pitch, rotate the strike, and even to pick up some pointers from his partner.
For far too long, Shehzad’s over-estimation of his ability has seen Pakistan suffer.
As he will soon discover, chances are beginning to run out for him and sustained failure in the PSL will see him drop out of national reckoning too.
New spinners have already made their mark, what if a new opening batsman also makes his?
But in carting around Mohammad Irfan, Samuel Badree and Andre Russell, Wright provided the perfect template of what an opening batsman should be doing with aplomb.
Shehzad and other opening batsmen, please take note.
Gladiators seem fortunate to have stumbled upon a winning formula in the first match of the tournament; the challenge will now be to maintain the high standards they have set for themselves.
Wasim Akram has travelled far and wide, to all corners of the globe, coaching young cricketers and offering bowling consultancies.
But it has been a while since Akram was spotted sulking like he used to in his playing days, when he’d be witnessing a Pakistani batting collapse from the dressing room. As United crashed and burned in the first innings, Akram’s sulk was back.
In older times, that would have meant a very, very fiery bowling performance from Akram and in most cases, snatching the initiative back from the opposition.
His helplessness to impact proceedings directly saw him recoil into silence in the dugout, but one thing is obvious: PSL has reignited passion for the domestic game in Wasim Akram. Long may it continue.
— Photos by Pakistan Super League
The writer tweets @ASYusuf
