Oz-some Hussey humbles Pakistan
When Pakistan were literally humiliated earlier this year in not-so-famous Test at Sydney, the Asian nation swore of never repeating the mistake of taking their opponents from Down Under. But Pakistan being Pakistan, lessons are never fully learnt. The champions side not only entered the final but for the umpteenth time in this year, crushed their opposition to submission despite being behind in the World Twenty20 semifinals for 39 overs.
Not for the first time has Australia proved to be a fantastic side, ready to recover from any adversities and show their opposition what stuff they are made off, but the way they battled it out must have woken up the great Sir Don from his grave. Mike ‘Mr Cricket’ Hussey (60 not out) literally screamed, sauntered and took turned the game by the scruff of its neck and showed the defending champions the exit door.
There was one big similarity to the Sydney Test and the T20 semifinal at St Lucia on Friday. The demolition squad was led by Hussey and as he played shots all round the park, the biggest fan who cheered for him was his skipper Michael Clarke who whistled and hooted for his middle-order mainstay.
The left-hander walked in when his side was tottering at 13th over with half of his mates cooling their heels in the dug-out. With 70 needed off 30, the Aussies had a task but not too many by their heavenly standards. ‘Prevailing in adversities’ is a quality that Australians indulge in better than any other team in the world, and the match on Friday has just gone on to reiterate it.
Chasing a behemoth 192 for a win to qualify for their first ever World T20 final and they face compatriots England who are making their first ever ICC event final in over six years, the last being the Champions Trophy in 2004 where they lost to the West Indies.
What was most heartening about Friday’s win was that the smiles in the Australian fans are back and that’s not a very good sign for the opponents. Beware Barmy army, with Ashes set to take place Down Under, the battle on Sunday would just be a curtain raiser to that.
