Imad does a Wasim
Plays of the day from the first T20I between Pakistan and West Indies in Dubai
Deivarayan Muthu
23-Sep-2016
Left-arm spinner Imad Wasim became the second Pakistan bowler, after Umar Gul, to take a five-for in a T20I • AFP/Getty Images
Imad's Wasim impression
Imad Wasim was preparing to study medicine, but switched to cricket with a desire to emulate his hero - Wasim Akram. He didn't have enough pace, so he took up spin. Still, on Friday night in Dubai, Imad emulated his hero, tearing the opposition's top order into shreds with the new ball. He struck in the first over when he had Evin Lewis top-edging a slog-sweep to deep midwicket. In his next over, Imad nipped out Andre Fletcher and Marlon Samuels to leave West Indies 15 for 3 in 2.4 overs. Imad swerved one into Fletcher and beat his slog, before pinning Samuels lbw with an arm-ball. "You have to play Imad like you play an inswing bowler," Waqar Younis, Akram's former new-ball partner, said on TV commentary. West Indies' batsmen, clearly, weren't listening.
Imad Wasim was preparing to study medicine, but switched to cricket with a desire to emulate his hero - Wasim Akram. He didn't have enough pace, so he took up spin. Still, on Friday night in Dubai, Imad emulated his hero, tearing the opposition's top order into shreds with the new ball. He struck in the first over when he had Evin Lewis top-edging a slog-sweep to deep midwicket. In his next over, Imad nipped out Andre Fletcher and Marlon Samuels to leave West Indies 15 for 3 in 2.4 overs. Imad swerved one into Fletcher and beat his slog, before pinning Samuels lbw with an arm-ball. "You have to play Imad like you play an inswing bowler," Waqar Younis, Akram's former new-ball partner, said on TV commentary. West Indies' batsmen, clearly, weren't listening.
The six from No. 10
In their previous completed T20 fixture against India in Lauderhill, West Indies immediately set to work piling on the runs with opener Johnson Charles muscling Mohammed Shami down the ground for six in the first over. On Friday, the first six of West Indies' innings came from the unlikeliest of quarters: No. 10 Jerome Taylor. In the 13th over, with his team 50 for 8, Taylor danced down the track and hoisted Mohammad Nawaz over his head.
In their previous completed T20 fixture against India in Lauderhill, West Indies immediately set to work piling on the runs with opener Johnson Charles muscling Mohammed Shami down the ground for six in the first over. On Friday, the first six of West Indies' innings came from the unlikeliest of quarters: No. 10 Jerome Taylor. In the 13th over, with his team 50 for 8, Taylor danced down the track and hoisted Mohammad Nawaz over his head.
The four from No. 10
Taylor wasn't done yet. On a surface where his team-mates lurched from one bad shot to another, Taylor pulled off an outrageous scoop. Seeing Taylor walk across the off stump for a fine scoop over the leg side, Hasan Ali delivered a wide full-toss on the off side. Taylor rearranged his shot and managed to smartly scoop the ball over short third man instead for four.
Taylor wasn't done yet. On a surface where his team-mates lurched from one bad shot to another, Taylor pulled off an outrageous scoop. Seeing Taylor walk across the off stump for a fine scoop over the leg side, Hasan Ali delivered a wide full-toss on the off side. Taylor rearranged his shot and managed to smartly scoop the ball over short third man instead for four.
Latif's bullet
Pakistan's coach Mickey Arthur did not mince any words on the fitness and fielding of the team following the trip to the UK. "Every player who arrived on this ODI and T20 tour has been below standard in fitness, which is not a good place to be," he had said. Khalid Latif showed glimpses of improvement when he speared a direct hit from mid-off to run Sunil Narine out for 1. After Narine had tapped Wahab to mid-off, Latif swooped in, picked the ball up and splattered the stumps, all in one swift motion. Narine was caught short by a handsome margin.
Pakistan's coach Mickey Arthur did not mince any words on the fitness and fielding of the team following the trip to the UK. "Every player who arrived on this ODI and T20 tour has been below standard in fitness, which is not a good place to be," he had said. Khalid Latif showed glimpses of improvement when he speared a direct hit from mid-off to run Sunil Narine out for 1. After Narine had tapped Wahab to mid-off, Latif swooped in, picked the ball up and splattered the stumps, all in one swift motion. Narine was caught short by a handsome margin.
Deivarayan Muthu is a sub-editor at ESPNcricinfo