A last chance for Pakistan to redeem lost pride

Pakistan's performance must rank as the most disappointing in their World Cup history. They have been beaten by Australia, England, and now India this time around. And all that remains is a game against Zimbabwe, which Pakistan will have to win by an almost impossibly high margin to sneak into the Super Sixes. In the circumstances, Pakistan need a miracle.

While all the other teams have improved as the tournament has progressed, Pakistan is one team that has refused to do so. Time has run out on these players, and if they don't put up an extraordinary performance against Zimbabwe, they might be in for a few shocks when they return home.

I must say that it is every cricketer's dream to play in the World Cup, because it is the one big opportunity you get to prove yourself against the very best in the world. It is an opportunity that a player just can't allow to pass by. I was privileged enough to participate in six World Cups in my career, and I know the fire, passion and pride with which we all competed in each one of them.

Let us face it - we lost to a better team at Centurion. It didn't really matter who the opponent was, all the media-hype about playing India in a crucial game should not have had any influence on both the teams. Remember, these guys are professionals.

What baffled me most about the Pakistan side for the match and during the rest of the World Cup is the fact that too many players seem to be in the side purely on the basis of reputation. The batting, for its part, looked mediocre for the best part against India. They huffed and puffed till they reached 200 against an Indian attack that was nowhere near the best in the World.

Saleem Elahi should not have been dropped from the side; he averages well above 50 in his last 10 appearances for Pakistan. Having said that, I don't have words to describe what Inzamam-ul-Haq has been going through. By the looks of it, in his current form, Inzi won't even score against a local club side. His terrible run out was the last thing Pakistan wanted.

I do not intend to pick on individuals, but then, what was Shahid Afridi doing in the side? And that too at the cost of Saqlain Mushtaq! This meant that when Sachin Tendulkar and Virender Sehwag were smashing the bowling to all parts of the park, Waqar just didn't have a bowler who could slow it down.

I must say that Tendulkar made full use of Pakistan's obvious strength. The faster Shoaib bowled at him, the more powerful his shots were. Wouldn't Pakistan have loved to have someone who could play with half the passion that Sachin played with at Centurion?

If the players lack the passion for the game and the hunger to go for a win, there is very little anyone can do. It was again clear that there seemed to be no game plan, no thinking in the middle; once Tendulkar smashed 18 runs off the second over, I saw a few heads drop. No, this is not the Pakistan team I have known.

At that stage, Pakistan sorely missed Rashid Latif, who was injured while batting. In the afternoon, it was Latif's late charge that helped Pakistan go past the 250-run mark. When the bowlers were getting clattered around, he would have been one man who would have been capable of lifting the morale of the side with his enthusiastic presence.

Before I end, let me say that even with a professional coach and the numerous experienced stars in the side, if the team can't get the basic things right, then it is time for major changes in the setup.

Bulawayo offers this Pakistan team their last chance to redeem lost pride. They will be up against the likes of the Flower brothers, Andy Blignaut and Heath Streak. Andy Flower, in particular, will be keyed up to play one last memorable knock in what might in all possibility be his last hurrah as an international cricketer. The rest of the home team players too will be right behind the legendary Zimbabwean cricketer. It is certainly going to be a battle of passion and pride at Bulawayo, and I have a feeling that Zimbabwe will beat Pakistan, and enter the Super Sixes.