Saeed's day as Pommie rues his luck (11 June 1999)

11 June 1999

Saeed's day as Pommie rues his luck

Trevor Chesterfield

London - When Africa and Pakistan meet you should expect a clash of cultural differences: some of it explosive, some of it a touch tribal, and when the two meet on an alien field and a climate bereft of sun the drums beat a different note.

Pakistan's innings would have turned out very differently had Zimbabwe captain Alistair Campbell held on to the catch offered by Saeed Anwar off the bowling of Mpumelelo 'Pompom' Mbangwa.

What happened at the end of what descended yet again into a one-sided game was defeat for Zimbabwe by 149 runs, the result in part of a Saqlain Mushtaq hat-trick which ended it all in the 41st over. As has become customary the hordes of supporters galloped across the field in a charge that resembled a dust-covered cavalry seeking to wipe out whatever enemy stood in its way.

While Zimbabwe, would you believe, cling to the vague hope of reaching the semi-finals based on a variety of calculations, run rates and who beats who over the next 48 hours, the fine line of success and defeat could have hinged on that dropped catch.

At the time of the botched bit of fielding Pakistan were 32 without loss and Saeed 20; 83 runs later, Zimbabwe started losing the plot as well. You had to feel for Mbangwa, though; rushed into the side when Neil Johnson complained of body cramps after his century against Australia at Lord's. If that had left him a feeling stiff, imagine what he felt when Campbell grasped at the catch and allowed it to spill through his fingers.

A few days short of his 23rd birthday and playing his third game of the tournament, young Mbangwa's head could have dropped. Only he is made of sterner stuff. He has been to the Dennis Lillee school fast bowling in Madras and has had advice, help and coaching from Clive Rice in Johannesburg when attending the South African Academy.

He did not disgrace himself at The Oval in this Super Six series outing: figures of 8-0-28-0 with three wides were a better than normal return; much better than teammate Henry Olonga. Olonga's return was less notable in its accuracy and more noticeable for the runs he gave away. He may have taken two wickets on a pitch where there was some sideways movement for seam as well as spin, but two for 38 off five overs is not a great return.

It was always going to be a gamble to play both bowlers and leave out a much-needed batsman. Anwar, having survived, enjoyed himself. There was a good deal of loose stuff delivered in the way of short deliveries and the sort of half volleys Tim Henman would swiftly dispatch with a passing forearm drive to win the point. If there had been any worry about his class, if not his form this tournament it was quickly dispatched. A top score of 36, an average of 19.57 and 136 runs off 202 balls does no evoke happy thoughts for a man with such flair and pedigree. But, given the luck of the let-off and Pakistan's need to win this match Anwar's century was the sort of innings on which an eventual match-winning total was built.

What did come as a surprise, despite two leg-spinners in operation in Adam Huckle and Paul Strang was Zimbabwe being docked an over for slow over rate, not at all the clever thing when chasing a run rate which was, as was the total, just those few too many.

When Saqlain began his seventh over he was bowling to Olonga, whose ability as a batsman in Lance Klusener's favourite position of nine could be seriously questioned. There was no doubt about the stumping though: Moin Khan smartly lifting the bails. Then we had Adam Huckle in a repeat performance; perhaps a little more elegant than Olonga, but stretching that little too far forward..

The lbw decision given by Steve Bucknor against Mbangwa may be queried, but camera elevation is not a good way to judge whether is was going down leg or not; it looked a lot straighter than some others given this tournament, so why quibble? At least Johnson could have the excuse he was too far forward when Azhar Mahmood's victim after scoring 54 off 94 balls.

Outside the ground the Pakistan supporters, perched atop the narrow balcony of Archbishop Tenison School overlooking The Oval, almost spilled over as Bucknor signalled Mbangwa's demise. They had the bird's eye view those perched in the media centre had. Unfortunately for England, those watching did not see the hat-trick until the BBC deigned to give their hightlights deep into the night and hours after the event; there was a clip on the news but it's not the same is it?

And that sums up the BBC's attitude. No doubt those watching match of the day would have howled in anguish. So, whoever in charge of sport programming in that disaster of an organisation should be asked a few questions or fired.