Sun, Jun 15 12:40 AM
That Pakistan perform better under pressure was underlined here on Saturday when openers Salman Butt and Younis Khan destroyed an Indian attack that suddenly became lacklustre at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium here on Saturday. Pakistan invited undue criticism for their heavy defeat to India in their previous clash.
It was pay back time in the Kitply Cup final as they posted 315 for three after Shoaib Malik decided to bat. Butt (129 retired, 136b, 12x4, 3x6) and Younis (108, 99b, 8x4, 3x6) added 205 for the second wicket in just 195 balls, demoralising Dhoni and his young bowlers.
Butt was in tremendous form coming into the tournament. But Younis wasn't, in fact, he was to score a run in the tournament.
Younis ensured that it was not a dubious three-in-a-row, making a chanceless 108. Entering at Kamran Akmal's fall in the 10th over, Younis overcame the initial nervous moments with a handsome cover-driven boundary off his first ball.
Butt and Younis built their huge partnership patiently. It was sensible batting by the left-right duo, watching out the early overs and settling down with cautious strokeplay.
Unlike in the previous game, early breakthroughs did not come for India. But the scoring rate was under check.
In the first 20 overs, in which all the Powerplays were utilised, Pakistan were 75 for one. The introduction of slow bowlers halfway through the third Powerplay in the 18th over gave Butt and Younis a free hand to play their strokes.
There were far too many vacant spots in the outfield. While Butt slowly collected his runs, Younis showed the way, dominating the attack and cashing in on very little help that the spinners got from the surface.
Butt ought have gone early on when, on 19, he was dropped by Rohit Sharma at point off Praveen in the 11th over (Pakistan, 40/1). Pakistan have been at the receiving end for dropping catches earlier in the tournament with the beneficiaries going on to make big.
It was Butt's turn to cash in on the reprieve and he did not look back since. How much does he love playing India? The 23-year-old left-hander took the cue from Younis, posting his seventh hundred and fifth against India (the other two coming against Bangladesh).
The tiring conditions got the better of him when, with four overs remaining in the innings, he retired hurt with cramps. The Indian captain Dhoni did not have alternate plans when things went out of control.
He made too many bowling changes, none of which worked in his favour. Such was the nature of the pitch that the bowlers had very little assistance from it.
The playing conditions was amended by the International Cricket Council for this match. The customary change of ball was in the 31st over and not the 35th over to facilitate better sighting of the ball.
This, though, did not have any positive effect on the Indians. Younis and Butt were unstoppable.
