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In Lahore One Day International Pakistan beat South Africa by 25 runs and equalized the ongoing series with 1-1. Pakistan scored 265 runs batting first, which can be called as an average score on the dead wicket of Qaddafi Stadium Lahore, and also by keeping the strong batting lineup of South Africa, 265 wasn’t an ideal score, but despite of that Pakistan won the match even after dropping five easy catches.

It was a strange miracle that Pakistan won the match after dropping five crucial catches, and the fact that the opponents were South Africa makes it stranger. Catches weren’t difficult and even any district team could handle them with ease. Current series hasn’t been that spectacular from Pakistani side. No department of the game has shown any significance brilliance. Pakistani batting, bowling, and fielding all are below average. Except of Mohammad Yousuf and Captain Shoaib Malik, nobody seems to give a darn about anything.

One of the biggest failures is of Imran Nazir, who will never learn, that’s for sure. It’s beyond comprehension that why selectors are repeating the vicious cycle of same openers again and again. He is the remains of Inzamam-ul-Haq, and was the main reason of ignominious defeat in World Cup 2007. From last four years, Pakistan is suffering from the opening problem, but it’s the sheer in-competency of Pakistan Cricket Board and is the direct responsibility of Chairman PCB Dr. Nasim Ashraf, that they are unable to find any solid and reliable openers. I cannot remember when exactly last time any Pakistani opener carried a bat.

Pakistan’s tour of India is just around the corner, and if Pakistan really want to screw themselves, then they should carry on with the current squad and go to India. PCB should muster courage, and give chance to new batsmen and bowlers, because they couldn’t worse than the current pigeons.