Yes, he only got fifty. Yes, the shot that he got out to was hot-headed and a bit reckless considering the team situation. Yes, he's only 19 and has barely started his Test career. But I'm jumping onto the Umar Akmal bandwagon. Perhaps jumping isn't the correct -ing verb - more of a tentative step. However, here I am.
What really impressed me about this kid was the way he played the short ball once he'd been hit. Other nebulaic players lacking in stature like JP Duminy and Phil Hughes have been shown to be vulnerable to short-pitched bowling. Not Umar. Once he'd been clonked on the helmet by a ball that stayed down, he decided that he'd show off a few shots. Out came the pull, out came the hook, out came the hoick, out came the leg-glance and the glide to third man. And before the audience could blink, up came the half-century. Sadly he couldn't go on with it today, but there's always the second innings, and many more innings to follow with such obvious talent as this.
There, Samrain, are you happy now? Have I worshipped your hero enough? Or would you like a few more adjective-laden paragraphs?
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i don't think he'll get the chance to make a hundred against australia in the second innings, especially not if they're chasing 100. :)
ReplyDeletePut him in with Misbah to open. He'll get a hundred then :P
ReplyDeletepft. misbah is pakistan's best batsman. he consistently scores in the low to mid-teens.
ReplyDeletehowever, i did notice that umar is on 49 now. should make it to 50, but he's quickly running out of batting partners (running out of support while chasing 177? only pakistan!)
"Bollinger to Umar Akmal, OUT"
ReplyDeleteon 49. :(
"There goes Pakistan's chance of a win"
i can't believe i actually thought pakistan might pull a win out of this one.