Main course goes cold as Pakistan falter

After Ireland and Netherlands served up a run-fest in what was meant to be an appetiser to the big clash of the day, Pakistan's batsmen failed to get out of second gear in a disappointing defeat to India

Crowe: Pakistan looked unsettled from the start

It was unfair to expect Pakistan to match what Netherlands did 272km northeast of Shere Bangla National Stadium. But the batting performance that came an hour or so after the six-binge at the Sylhet Stadium was a damp squib even in absolute terms.

Andrew Poynter, Kevin O'Brien, Stephen Myburgh and Tom Cooper concocted the perfect appetizer ahead of an India-Pakistan game, but despite the plethora of stroke-players in both sides, the main course only had six sixes after those 30 big ones in the Ireland-Netherlands game. Boredom seeped into the Mirpur crowd as they went for the Mexican Wave as early as the sixth over of the Pakistan innings.

Pakistan were underwhelming from the start, never threatening India with a spell of batting at any stage. They were restricted to 130 for 7, a below-par total by any standard. They wouldn't have been expected to defend the total too, having defended a total below 130 only once in Twenty20s - against Sri Lanka in Hambantota two years ago.

But the biggest disappointment was their batting as a whole, which was built through four poor clusters. Mohammad Hafeez picked out the Kamran Akmal run-out as the reason for the poor start but Ahmed Shehzad and the captain himself failed to force the issue in the first six overs.

Pakistan made 34 runs in the Powerplay, after which they lost the way further by losing two more wickets and adding just 16 more runs till the 10-over mark. From 50 for 3, Pakistan still had hopes from the remaining batsmen, particularly the pair in the middle - Umar Akmal and Shoaib Malik - who were steadying the ship and slightly threatening. But as it happened, the danger was minimal for India.

"You have to set the tone right from the start," Hafeez said. "But unfortunately one run out at the start of the innings and the pitch - the ball was not coming on to the bat and there was some spongy bounce in it. That's the reason we couldn't get that total in the first 10 overs.

"But still I believe that partnership between Umar Akmal and Shoaib Malik gave us some hope that we can score 150 on this track. But those three overs after the 15th, we couldn't get the momentum right and we couldn't get that total."

In the three-over period after the 15th, Pakistan added just eight runs and lost two wickets, enough to derail them. Sohaib Maqsood tried a few angles and was briefly successful, hitting two fours and a six, but that was the only six of the innings, and it was never going to be enough in the last few overs.

In the Powerplay overs, Pakistan's average RPO is 6.95, and in the next two slots, from the seventh to the tenth over and from the eleventh to the fifteenth, they usually score at 6.70 and 8.29 per over respectively. They batted below par in those three slots, and finally in the last five, they were 34 for 4, as opposed to the 8.71 they usually get in this time.

Hafeez said the wicket wasn't good enough to have a target in mind, but bemoaned the lack of one big score. Akmal made 33, the highest score in the innings.

"In a match like this, you need one big knock which unfortunately we didn't get this time," Hafeez said. "But still, these conditions - the ball turning - that is more suited to us against Australia and the other teams and our batting must play its role, there is no doubt about that."

As far as the opening match of the Super 10s is concerned, this was below-par. Pakistan, having always had the tag of being one of the favourites in World T20s, have to turn up with a better plan next time.

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ICC rules out changes to ODI rules before World Cup

The amendments to the ODI playing conditions introduced in October 2011 will stay in place till next year's World Cup, the ICC has said. The amendments include the use of two new balls, which has been opposed by India and other south Asian countries as it affects spinners.

ICC chief executive Dave Richardson has said the regulations will be reviewed after the marquee event, to be hosted jointly by Australia and New Zealand. India has been the flag-bearer of the subcontinental countries' movement against the new rules, which at times have resulted in the balance of the game tilting heavily in favour of the batsmen.

"We're not going to consider any changes prior to the World Cup," Richardson said in Dhaka on Friday. "After the World Cup the rules will be reviewed by the cricket committee again. As I said, we wanted to create a more attacking 50-over game, one that could compete on the entertainment scales with T20 cricket. It's too early to say. I think it's led to a more attacking game from a bowling and fielding perspective."

The BCCI, who had consistently raised the matter during ICC Board meetings over the last year, said they couldn't do anything till the World Cup but stuck to their stand. "There is a need to review is what India has been saying and there should be a fair contest between bat and ball which isn't the case now," a BCCI insider told ESPNcricinfo.

In fact, the BCCI's attempt to get the system overhauled was foiled in an ICC Chief Executives' meeting in September 2013. "There was a voting process and India along with Pakistan, Bangladesh voted against use of two new balls," BCCI secretary Sanjay Patel had said after the meeting. "Australia, New Zealand, England and Zimbabwe were among those in favour of using two new balls while West Indies and South Africa abstained from voting. We have expressed our reservations about using of two new balls."

According to the new regulations that came in place in October 2011, two fielders are allowed outside the 30-yard circle in the mandatory Powerplay of ten overs, and three during the batting Powerplay, which needs to be taken between the 16th and the 40th over. At other times, a maximum of four fielders can be placed outside the circle, a reduction from the earlier five. Most importantly, two new balls are used from each end.

The use of two new balls has resulted in the spinners finding it difficult to get into the game. Besides, in subcontinental conditions, reverse swing is also almost taken out of equation, thus resulting in the totals moving upwards with every passing series. In fact, India captain MS Dhoni said during the high-scoring ODI series against Australia last year that the new rules had converted bowlers into "bowling machines".

"Yes, runs per over might have increased and bowlers, at times on flat wickets, find it very tough," Richardson said. "But essentially the best bowlers are still top of the bowling rankings and the best batsmen still top of the batting rankings.

"We just might need to change our perceptions. In the old days, if you scored a run a ball everyone said you had a tremendous strike-rate. Now they're saying you have to be 120-130. Same with the bowlers. In the old days, Fanie de Villiers got upset if he went for more than three runs per over. Now, bowlers only get upset when they go for more than six runs an over. Yes, things have changed. But I don't necessarily think for the bad."

Another BCCI functionary agreed that "too many changes just before the World Cup won't be good" but stressed that the BCCI will continue to strive for getting the balance of ODIs back in place after the World Cup.

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Competition wide open - McCullum

If Brendon McCullum had a dollar for every time New Zealand are referred to as the dark horses at a global tournament, he would still not have as much as the $750,000 Corey Anderson was bought for in last month's IPL auction.

New Zealand face England on Saturday evening in the second Group 1 match and the teams' recent experiences could not be further apart. While New Zealand went through the southern summer winning both of their home Test series as well as beating India in ODIs and reigning World T20 champions West Indies in the shortest format, England suffered on a horrendous tour of Australia and then achieved mixed results in the Caribbean.

Another gap between the sides could be the relative power of each batting line-up. England are perceived to be a little light on rope-clearing fortitude - Stuart Broad talked about the importance of "skilful placement" on Friday - but in McCullum New Zealand have the leading run-scorer in T20 internationals. Then there is Anderson, who was bought by Mumbai Indians after scoring the fastest-ever one-day century, off 36 balls, in January. His highest T20 score for New Zealand is just 18 but an ODI strike rate of 159.39 is indicative of what he can do.

Even when such things are taken into account, teams are wary of making predictions. In the last two days along, Netherlands and Hong Kong have ably demonstrated the potential for upset at the World T20. Spin had been expected to determine the fate of most teams but a quicker, skiddy Chittagong surface is also forcing people to re-evaluate expectations.

"England are a huge challenge," McCullum said. "This competition is so wide open, it's hard to get a read on form lines, who's going to be the most dangerous team. We've been through some preparation and scouting, fine-tuning our plans and it's a matter of executing them against a very good England team initially.

"It's really important that we adapt to the conditions quickly. These conditions in Bangladesh will probably suit both us and England, more so than the subcontinent teams. If we start well we can get some confidence and build some momentum as the tournament goes on.

England have been training with wet balls to try and prepare for the possibility of dew affecting evening games and McCullum agreed that could be another key factor. "I don't anticipate spin will play a great role from the point of seeing the ball turn and bounce past the bat," he said. "Good spinners still manage to play a vital role in T20 cricket but it just won't be quite the same role that we'll see up the road in Dhaka."

Kane Williamson, more of a strokeplayer than a slugger, will open the batting but the presence of Martin Guptill alongside him, followed by McCullum and Ross Taylor, gives New Zealand plenty of firepower; in their most recent warm-up match, they fell just short of chasing 200 against Australia. Anderson could be the wrecking ball that elevates them into the bracket of title contenders.

"He is an incredible talent," McCullum said. "The hundred he got against West Indies was sublime hitting from ball one. He is one of those guys who when he does get himself in, he wins a game pretty quickly.

"Jimmy Neesham is another one who can be pretty exciting and those two balance your team quite nicely. But they have not played a great deal of cricket on the big stage, so it's going to be a challenge for them and hopefully we sit back in three weeks' time and say that not just New Zealand but those guys in particular really stood up and grabbed the opportunity at this World T20."

Asked about New Zealand's overall chances, McCullum said he believed winning the 2015 World Cup in home conditions was a more realistic prospect. Beating England and getting a fast start in a group that also contains the No. 1 side, Sri Lanka, as well as South Africa and Netherlands, would be the starting point in changing his mind.

"We've got the personnel and if we get it right early and get the some momentum going and nail our gameplan the way we want to, then I think we can be dangerous. But we've got to make sure we're right on top because these conditions will be quite challenging and the nature of the game as well, you're going to need a bit of luck. Hopefully luck favours us this time."

Two years ago, New Zealand lost to England during a disappointing World T20 campaign, as they entered a turbulent period in which McCullum took over the captaincy from Taylor in acrimonious circumstances. England's position now is not dissimilar and they will be hoping for a similar swing in fortunes. McCullum will be aiming to ensure it doesn't begin yet.

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Diffident Pakistan extend horror streak

For the umpteenth time in world tournaments, nervy Pakistan side lost to an Indian team playing with clarity of purpose

'Happy to contribute in a win' - Mishra

There was a time, back in the '90s, when India used to go down to Pakistan just because they were playing Pakistan. They would just not be able to play their game. Just the fact that Pakistan were their opponents was enough to prevent them from converting years of practice into performance on the field. That has not happened in a while. India, for most of the last decade, have played Pakistan like they would any other opposition.

India-Pakistan contests in world tournaments, though, have always brought out the '90s Indian team in Pakistan. Nothing seemed to have changed in Mirpur. They were diffident against India in Colombo two years ago, they were diffident today. They had managed 128 that night, they made 131 tonight. Both times, the tone for the game was set by their captain.

Mohammad Hafeez had pottered to 15 off 28 in Colombo at the top of the order; he made 15 off 22 in Dhaka at No. 3 following the madcap run-out that cost Pakistan their first wicket. Consciously or subconsciously, the approach of the captain often mirrors that of the entire side.

Pakistan have now failed to beat India in nine World Cup encounters - five defeats in the 50-over World Cup, four in the World T20. When asked the inevitable question about this infamous record, Hafeez did not think it had played on Pakistan's minds.

"Not really. It's getting into history now. Whatever has happened has happened," Hafeez said. "We tried our best but unfortunately we could not bring the result we wanted to... You can say whatever you want but my personal belief is that we don't think that it is a World Cup, that we can't beat India. We don't go out with that thought because the things were very positive. We unfortunately couldn't break this streak but next time we will try our best."

On the other hand, India were confident enough to play three spinners - one of those strategies for which captains are praised to the skies if it works and crucified if it doesn't. One of those spinners was playing only his second T20 international, having travelled around the world with the team, confined to the bench all along.

Buoyed by the captain's confidence in him for such a crunch game, Amit Mishra was then brave enough to do what is probably one of the hardest things to do in the game - for a legspinner to consistently flight the ball in a T20 game, that too against the archrivals in a world championship. Yes, the pitch was an ally with turn and bounce, but to first contemplate doing that, and to then pull it off with such control requires some nerve. Mishra said MS Dhoni had come up to him before the game and told him to stick to what he is known for, which is to toss it up and spin it, instead of getting worked up about the magnitude of the occasion.

"MS came to me and said you don't think too much, you do just what is your strength," Mishra said. "My strength is to spin the ball and I beat the batsman by giving it some flight. I did the same. I had their opener stumped. I dismissed Shoaib Malik. You gain a lot from such small tips. The way MS Dhoni keeps telling me it helps in such a pressure game. My strength is to spin and flight the ball. This is what has worked for me, so I look to work on it and improve.

"I always think about the short format that whenever you think to stop the runs, you cannot stop the runs. You always think about taking the wickets, how to take the wickets and keep the pressure on the opponent's side. This is working for me so I am doing it."

It was clear cricketing logic. It was brave, of course, but it was logical. It is what Mishra and Dhoni and India were able to plan and execute. They were able to do it because the thought of what opposition they were up against was not on their minds. The same couldn't be said of Pakistan.

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Bangladesh chastened after scare

The hosts are into the Super 10s, but it was with a whimper as they suffered embarrassment at the hands of Hong Kong after an awful display with the bat

In 1981 when Norway shocked England in a football World Cup qualifier, so excited was the late Norwegian commentator Bjørge Lillelien that he beckoned four British prime ministers, an admiral, a press baron, a boxer and a member of the Royal family in a famous outburst.

Hong Kong does not have a famous cricket commentator, nor cricketers. But they have handed Bangladesh an objective lesson in how not to be overconfident after crushing two Associate nations.

Bangladesh captain Mushfiqur Rahim, like he has done a few times in the past, took a bit of the blame when clearly he was not the only one who played a shocking shot or showed a shocking attitude. Tamim Iqbal did not necessarily have to chop a ball homing in on off stump, neither was Shakib Al Hasan was required to slog one right into deep midwicket's throat when Bangladesh were batting well on 85 for 3.

Anamul Haque had struck three boundaries in a row but got out trying to play another attacking shot off the next ball. But Mushfiqur did not mention him, nor held Tamim or Shakib responsible.

"I don't think they were too attacking," Mushfiqur said. "Tamim missed the line of the ball while trying to play a defensive shot. Shakib was the only set batsman in that wicket and he had the responsibility to not just keep the batting in shape but put up a competitive score.

"So in that sense, he was playing well and nobody was supporting him that well. He played a good shot but it went to the fielder. I could have waited to play my shot for two or three overs. But I never expected the collapse that came after me. I was telling them in the dugout that we need a partnership in the late order. It is really disappointing because there is a way to get out. I think they are trying, but they should do it a little more willingly."

The full impact of the collapse was 7 for 23 in 5.5 overs. Bangladesh crashed from 85 for 3 in the eleventh over to be bowled out for 108 in the 17th. Mushfiqur laid the blame for the defeat on the collapse, but said Nasir Hossain was unlucky to have Al-Amin Hossain as a partner in the last five overs and suggested Farhad Reza will be dropped in the next game.

"Nasir hasn't been performing up to his potential but he didn't have a batsman at the other end to support him at that stage. He could have batted naturally in the last three or four overs. He was having problem timing the ball so he was unlucky. The full blame is on the top and middle-order.

"The team management thought that it would be better to pick the extra seamer in an evening game. Unfortunately he didn't perform tonight and in the last few matches. Hopefully we will have a different combination in Dhaka where there will be different conditions."

Mushfiqur still had hopes of a turnaround in the Super 10s, to which they qualified quietly in the 14th over of the Hong Kong's innings.

"This is a very bad feeling, whether we make it to the Super 10 or not," he said. "I could never expect such a poor batting performance from our team. But having said that, anything can happen in T20s, so I would say that we have a chance against all four big teams. If we play to our potential, we can win any day."

That day however wasn't Thursday. With Lillelien's spirit hovering somewhere over the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury media centre, moments after little-known Haseeb Amjad took a six off accomplished left-arm spinner Abdur Razzak to win Hong Kong the game, who could almost hear a version of the famous line 33 years ago.

"We are the best in the world! We are the best in the world! We have beaten Bangladesh by two wickets in cricket!! It is completely unbelievable! We have beaten Bangladesh! Bangladesh, birthplace of minnows. Akram Khan, Aminul Islam, Minhajul Abedin, Naimur Rahman, Habibul Bashar, Mohammad Ashraful, Salma Khatun - we have beaten them all. We have beaten them all."

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Great to knock off a Test nation - Atkinson

Jamie Atkinson, Hong Kong's captain, said that his side's victory over hosts Bangladesh in front of a packed house at the World T20 was a significant moment for Associate cricket as well as a dream come true for his own team.

Hong Kong had lost both their previous games and, going into the match, Atkinson said it would be one of the greatest upsets at a global tournament if they were to win. The pressure of playing in front of big crowds and a worldwide TV audience had inhibited their performances against Nepal and Afghanistan but, in the biggest game of their careers, they held their nerve for a two-wicket win that was celebrated on the Hong Kong bench to almost total silence in the stadium.

While Hong Kong remained bottom of the group despite victory and Bangladesh held on to top spot and a berth in the Super 10 stage, much else had changed. The last side to qualify for the tournament, apparently the weakest after two poor displays, had scalped a Test-playing nation and joined the likes of Kenya, Ireland, Netherlands and Bangladesh themselves in the category of giant-killers.

"We're just absolutely over the moon, to beat Bangladesh in their home ground in front of a very big crowd is just fantastic, it's the sort of stuff the Associate teams dream of and I'm just really proud of how all of our players performed today and got us through in the end," Atkinson said.

Hong Kong could have eliminated Bangladesh at the expense of Nepal by winning inside 13.1 overs but Atkinson said they "didn't have any thought" about trying to do so. "We just wanted to concentrate on our own game, we wanted to pick up a win for Hong Kong because we always knew it was going to be tough against a strong Bangladeshi side, particularly playing at home as well, so we wanted to concentrate on getting the runs.

"I think it's another significant victory for Associate cricket, it shows that the gap is beginning to close and it shows how far Associate cricket has come as well. It's a big win and it's always great when some of the lower-ranked sides can knock off a Test nation."

While Bangladesh were guilty of reckless batting, the noise that greeted their early run-scoring came in crashing waves. Tanwir Afzal had taken two wickets in the opening over before Anamul Haque and Shakib Al Hasan appeared to have righted the innings during a 48-run stand but a full-scale implosion was to come, Bangladesh dismissed for 108 with 21 deliveries unused. Given how Hong Kong had wobbled previously, particularly in the field, their response to a situation of much greater intensity was impressive.

"We told them throughout the game that there was likely to be quite a bit of noise when Bangladesh were scoring boundaries and just to concentrate on our own game and enjoy the atmosphere because there's not many times that we'll have the opportunity to play in front of such a big crowd," Atkinson said.

"They were very attacking and our bowlers responded really well. It would have been easy to fade under the pressure of the Bangladeshi batsmen but the bowlers performed very well, managed to pick up a few dots balls here and there and that's what put pressure on the batsmen. They went for quite a few big shots and that brought about their downfall. It was fantastic how we clawed it back."

In the circumstances, a straightforward march to victory was never likely to materialise and Atkinson admitted the usual superstitions had taken hold on the Hong Kong bench as they edged closer to victory.

"We definitely made it difficult for ourselves, we got off to a decent start being 30-odd for one and then lost a couple of wickets so at 50 for 5 it was looking a bit more in the balance. But the lower order got us through, Munir Dar played a fantastic hand and then the two bowlers Nadeem and Haseeb played very sensibly at the end and got us through. It was very nervous for us in the dugout, people staying in the same seats, that sort of thing."

Munir was Hong Kong's leading wicket-taker at the World T20 Qualifier last year but he has since been banned from bowling due to his action. He was retained in the squad because of his ability with the bat and could still offer advice to fellow left-arm spinner Nadeem Ahmed, who credited one of his four wickets to his 40-year-old team-mate.

"He gave me advice on the last wicket I got," Nadeem said. "I was having a mid-on up and he said keep mid-on back and bring midwicket up and that's where I got another wicket... That wicket is for him."

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Finn makes Middlesex return

Steven Finn had his first bowl in a match situation since the end of November as he began to plot his way back towards the international scene after becoming, what Ashley Giles termed, "not selectable" during the Ashes tour.

He took 1 for 25 from 11 overs against Surrey in a two-day friendly at Merchant Taylors' School, significantly without sending down a single no-ball or wide during his spells. His wicket came after lunch when he had Zafar Ansari caught behind for a duck.

Finn flew home before the end of the Ashes tour after it was decided that it was not in his best interests to remain around the England squad with no chance of being selected for the one-day or Twenty20 series.

The decision made between Finn, the ECB and Middlesex, whose director of cricket Angus Fraser is now an England selector, was that he needed a complete break from the game and he was not considered for the World T20.

The last time he bowled in a match was against a Chairman's XI in Alice Springs when he took none for 61. He had lost his Test place last year after the opening match against Australia, at Trent Bridge, although was part of the one-day side at the end of the season.

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Shillingford to return after action work

Shane Shillingford, the West Indies offspinner, will return to first-class cricket on Friday after undergoing remedial work on his action following his suspension from international cricket in December.

Shillingford was reported for a suspect action during the second Test against India, in Mumbai, during November and following analysis in Perth both his regular offspin delivery and his doosra were found to breach the 15-degree limit laid down by the ICC. It was the second time he had been suspended due to an illegal action.

The findings came out during the Test series against New Zealand and Shillingford then returned to the Caribbean. Since then he has been working in Barbados alongside Vasbert Drakes, the former West Indies pace bowler, to find a solution to his problems and is now confident of the outcome ahead of playing for Windward Islands.

He has had follow-up Tests at the University of Western Australia, which took place on March 4, and the results of those are awaited before Shillingford can be cleared for a return to international level.

"Obviously, I am extremely happy that I will be playing this weekend," Shillingford said. "I have put in a lot of hard work over the past few months.

"It was a bit tough at first, but once the coaches told me what I had to do, I went straight to work. I just had to be really patient and I worked really hard."

"I am happy for the advice that I have received from the coaches, especially Vasbert, and I must also thank everyone for the support they have given me during this period."

Richard Pybus, West Indies' director of cricket, said: "It's great to have Shane playing first-class cricket again and I'm sure Windwards are delighted to have him back We look forward to getting the results of his re-test in Perth, so that he can re-start his international career."

West Indies' next Test cricket will come around May or June when New Zealand are due to visit the Caribbean.

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Khurram hopes for UAE investment

Two tame defeats to Netherlands and Ireland revealed the gap that exists between the amateurs of UAE and the leading lights of the Associate world. They are yet to play Test nation Zimbabwe, but UAE's World T20 campaign has already come to an end.

They fell short both on fitness and skill levels, more the former. While they will have picked up plenty of insights by participating in a world tournament, as their captain Khurram Khan agreed, he was also forthright in admitting that unless more professionalism was introduced by administrators back home, it will be difficult for UAE to bridge the distance between themselves and top Associates. While UAE do have the services of a respected former Test cricketer in Aqib Javed as their coach, the squad is composed entirely of part-time cricketers.

"The cricket board and the authorities in the UAE have to look into this matter," Khurram said. "Obviously if you are not professional...even if at least five, six, seven, eight guys, if you make them professional, let them get fit, I think it is going to make a difference. It is a good idea, the suggestion is already there and hopefully they are working on it."

Professional or not, UAE had earned their right to share this platform, and Khurram had said earlier that playing in this World T20 this was the biggest moment for them. He was confident that the exposure would assist his side's development considerably. Their next challenge at this level will come in less than a year at the World Cup.

"Definitely it is going to help a lot. The teams that we are playing at the world stage, we have not been exposed to such a stage. So obviously we are going to learn a lot from here and that is what we are doing. We already tried working hard since we came from New Zealand (where they played the World Cup qualifier). There wasn't enough time to prepare for this tournament but hopefully we will go back and start working hard for the next one."

While Khurram had blamed poor fielding and bowling for the defeat to Netherlands, he said UAE had just not been able to put enough runs on the board to push Ireland. "On this wicket the score was below par to be honest. If you look at the previous games 140-150 has been regularly achieved here. So 25-30 runs short on this wicket because of the finishing overs. I think we did not score much in the last few overs. In the last two-three games, every time that has been happening."

Not that the UAE batsmen fell short for lack of trying. They kept going for the big shots but were pulled down by eight overs worth of dot balls. Khurram admitted they had tried too hard, and in the end, could come up with neither enough boundaries nor rotate strike regularly.

"Let us not take any credit from them. They bowled very well, in very good areas. We were looking to get boundaries. The batsmen who were batting at that stage did not try to get singles. That does not mean you cannot get a boundary also. So a mix of both. We tried to get boundaries and did not concentrate on singles at that stage.

"There were a couple of times when we sent a guy in with the message that if you are not getting boundaries at least keep getting the runs , rotate the strike, and in between you will get the boundary. I think that was the difference in the end. We could not get enough boundaries in the last four or five overs to put pressure on the opponents."

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Sibanda shreds Zimbabwe nerves

Zimbabwe thought they'd sealed the deal, albeit fortuitously, when Sean Williams' inside edge skooted past Wesley Baressi for four. The scores were tied and there were three deliveries remaining. Surely it could not go wrong from there?

Williams missed the next ball but the scores were still tired and there were two deliveries remaining. Surely it could not go wrong from there?

Then Williams ran himself out trying to scramble a single to ensure it did not go wrong. The scores were tied and there was only one delivery remaining. It could easily go wrong from there.

Vusi Sibanda was under intense scrutiny. He was batting well outside of his regular opening berth, having being pushed all the way down to No. 6 because of the strategy on the day. He also didn't inspire much confidence. He only averages 15.28 in the format, an indictment for a batsman of his quality. Two of his last five T20 scores were in single fingers and when he did get going, he failed to push on. In the last match, he succumbed to the pull shot - the stroke that he tends to go back to when he feels cornered and that is often responsible for his undoing.

Against that backdrop, he had to face more pressure than has befallen him. It was not the pressure of building an innings but the pressure of ending one. At least someone one backed him to stand up to it.

"Vusi has been playing international cricket for 10 years; he is a very talented player," Brendan Taylor, Zimbabwe captain, said. "Obviously it was not a familiar position that he is used to and something new to him. But we always had faith in him and when the field's up, it does make it a little bit easier."

All Netherlands fielders were saving the single so Sibanda's only choice was to go over them. He sent Ahsan Malik's last ball further into the stands than anyone else had managed to in the match to remove Zimbabwean worries and keep them alive in the competition.

Sibanda gave fighting spirit a new image, one Taylor feels it could have done without, given what it did to his nerves. "We needed that win but we made it very difficult for ourselves," he said. "We shouldn't have finished in the last over."

Taylor felt the same about Zimbabwe's first match against Ireland. That was decided on the last ball as well and then, Taylor blamed his batsmen for not posting a sizeable enough score to defend. Then, a total of 180 on this pitch looked par, this time Taylor thought it had much less in it and felt responsibility lay with his fielders for not restricting Netherlands even further. "We leaked 15 or 20 runs and we should have restricted them to 120," he said. "We were really sloppy and we made it a lot more difficult than it should have been."

Although Zimbabwe did not drop any catches, they were lazy in protecting the boundary and on three occasions, lost the ball as it approached the rope. They were also beaten too often in the infield and sometimes, more times than Taylor was happy with, failed to pick up the ball cleanly when chasing. Taylor identified that as one of the areas they need to improve on before their last qualifier on Friday.

Despite letting Netherlands get away a bit, Zimbabwe never felt the chase was out of their grasp, even when the run-rate ballooned over nine. "We felt we needed wickets in hand," Taylor said. "Chasing 140 with a quick outfield on a pretty decent wicket to bat on, if you have got wickets in hand, you can always chase 10, 12 or even13 runs an over at the end." And if you are Sibanda you can even get six off the final ball.

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