It was a final for the ages. For many, it was the greatest ODI ever played, toppling yet another high-profile World Cup tie. However, where the 1999 semifinal between Australia and South Africa had all the drama that limited overs cricket could muster, it really doesn’t get more thrilling than the World Cup final itself being tied – both in 50 overs and then the Super Over – eventually to be decided by the number of boundaries hit in the match.
For many, the fact that the England-New Zealand contest was settled on boundaries was itself “unfair”. The 1999 Australia-South Africa semifinal saw the former go through in the final because they had beaten the latter in the Super Sixes stage. If that criteria had been implemented in the final, England would’ve come out on top again.
Of course, the rules – unfair or otherwise – were decided beforehand. Although it was unfortunate that Ben Stokes was erroneously given an extra sixth run on the over throw in the final over, but it was just one of the human errors that officials make in sporting competitions. Indeed, it was what was at stake that made those mistakes global talking points.
Sarfaraz Ahmed and Mickey Arthur
The World Cup final was one of those matches where it is unfortunate that one of the competitors had to lose. However, in such matches the eventual winner simultaneously deserves their crown as well.
While the world debates what should and shouldn’t have happened in the final, what’s crucial in our neck of the woods is the future of the Pakistan cricket team.
The rumour mill is churning all out kinds of verdicts for the team management and the players as well. However, what shouldn’t be questioned is that change is needed in the national side.
In this regard, the Pakistan Cricket Board should look to learn from the two sides that contested that memorable final on Sunday, the two sides that went the furthest at the World Cup.
Inzamam-ul-Haq
England, the World Champions, have been the best ODI side in the world since the debacle that the 2015 World Cup was for them. They play a fearless, explosive brand of cricket that no other side can. They’ve bred a group of cricketers, many of whom are best at what they do. However, what they proved at the World Cup is the fact that it’s not the skills and the talent where they excel, they have the mental fortitude to win bilateral contests and world events.
Mental strength has long been a characteristic of New Zealand sport. Their cricket side has always punched above their weight, thanks largely to the cohesion they display as a unit and the ability to bring out their best at the most crucial moments. That’s the reason they’ve played the last two World Cup finals, only losing out the decider against home sides – the latter of which was on the number of boundaries hit.
World Champions
The current England and New Zealand sides are tough nuts. That’s something that cannot be said of the Pakistani side. The team looked all over the place at the World Cup when they were expected to do well. And once, they were all but out of the competition, they produced their best – once the expectation had plummeted and hence there was no pressure.
Pakistan need mental strength at the helm, something that neither Sarfaraz Ahmed nor Mickey Arthur bring to the table. The current squad of players is arguably the best limited-overs pool of players Pakistan have had this decade. All they need is a leader who can get the best out of them; someone who can produce the goods for the side himself when most needed as well.
