Bowling wins the game

On this day, two matches were held at 2019 Cricket World Cup. In this, one game went till the final over of the match, while the other finishes as an one sided encounter. Both were matches regarding low scores, but there is another commonality fact between these two games. That is, at both the matches, the bowling were so crucial and ruthless. Both the winning teams and the losing teams were perfect in their bowling execution. Whereas, in terms of batting, the game's result were decided. So, here it is the war between both bat and the ball. The team,in consistent form, won the game.

Afghanistan vs Pakistan, Leeds

Afghanistan were out of the tournament, as they found themselves without a single win in this tournament. Whereas Pakistan were in need of win, and each and every win counts ! For placing a berth at semi finals. But, when it comes to Asian teams, Afghanistan were serious contenders to clinch the game. Which we may have seen in both the games against Sri Lanka and India. Luckily, both have snatched the victory, in a close tight fight. On the other hand, even though Pakistan had defeated the likes of New Zealand, England, they had lost against West Indies, which is a team below in rankings than Afghanistan during that tournament. So, still the game is unpredictable. As per Leeds pitch, it supports spin in a brighter light, but when it comes to pace, it is uncertain as it is based on the skills of the Fast Bowler. 

Afghanistan had won the toss and decided to bat first. Pakistani pacers were right on the top. Three spearheads of Pakistani bowling attack, Shaheen Afridi, Wahab Riaz and Mohammed Amir, were so phenomenal in their line and length. Also, they weren't lowering their speeds, even during middle overs. Rahmat Shah started well with hitting 5 boundaries, but Gulbadin Naib and Hashmatullah Shahidi, lost their wickets too early. Which tempted Rahmat Shah, and he was dismissed for 35 runs. The star performers with the bat for Afghanistan team were truly Asghar Afghan and Najibullah Zadran, where they played right shots. Asghar Afghan played an aggressive hitting before Pakistan team removed him with a smart adjustment in the field setting. Others weren't much into the game, with batting failing miserably. Also, if Najibullah had failed, they would have been under terrible slump. His 42 at lower order, saved the team and helped them to post a mere 227/9 at the end of 50 overs. Shaheen Afridi topped the bowling charts with 4/47 runs. His line and swing so perfect. But, Pakistani fielding were bit sloppy, as they have lost few catches. 

Pakistani team came into bat. Everybody was expecting an easy win for Pakistan. But, many had forgot that the spin attack of Afghanistani team is of one such top quality. They have poor pace lineup. But, they have world class spinners and they could change the game at the spinning track. Mujeeb Ur Rahman was handed the ball in the first over. It was a master stroke, as he dismissed Fakhar Zaman for duck, in just the second ball of the innings. Imam Ul Haq and Babar Azam streatched a planned partnership under a bit slow track. They both timed the bowlers well before both were being dismissed in a quick matter of time by Mohammed Nabi. On that day, spin were at top notch. From there, a slider of wickets were grabbed, including the poor running by Sarfaraz Ahmed between the wickets. The situation came to 156/6 at the end of 39 overs. Same Middle Order Collapse. But, remember, Pakistani team has a deep batting lineup, where a No.9 batsman could play better shots. Imad Wasim was at the crease along with Shadab Khan. Here, Afghanistani team's fielding were so worst on that day. Also, as Afghanistani team doesn't possess great pace bowling, why the hell Gulbadin Naib, bowled overs as much as possible. This mistake, instead on sharing overs to Rahmat Shah and Shamiullah Shinwari, who could be very effective, why didn't he allowed them and instead he himself took the matters in his own hands. I'm not criticizing but, this mistake along with poor fielding of Afghanistani team, cost their match. Imad Wasim batted well with picking up the gaps so perfectly. On the other hand, Shadab Khan supported him with rotating singles. At 47th over, Shadab Khan was dismissed for 11 runs, and the score during that time was 206/7. Almost three overs remaining with 22 runs needed to be taken, the game came back into Pakistani hands. But, it should have been in the Afghanistan's hands. Imad Wasim finished the game with 2 balls and 3 wickets to spare. He top scored with an unbeaten 49 runs. Afghanistani pace bowling ruined their game.

Imad Wasim was awarded Man of the Match, not only for his healthy 49* but also in addition to his two wicket scalp during his spell. An all round performance helped Pakistani team to still stay in the semifinal race. Again, it is proved that having a depth in batting lineup will surely click the match, which I personally believe.

Australia vs New Zealand, Lords

Australian team had booked a spot in the Semi Finals berth, in their last game itself after clinching the game against their arch rivals and the hosts, England. On the other hand, New Zealand is almost into the semifinals, but for confirming their spot, they need just a win. Also, before their last game, they were on a winning streak, including the washed out game against India. But, last game costed them, as their competitors, Pakistan beat them quite comfortably, which might have lowered down the team's confidence. To regain their positivity, this win is a must. Even though, Australian team had booked a spot in the semi finals, they have few major issues in their batting, including the team's middle order settlement. When we think about the pitch at Lord's, it is basically a tricky surface and purely based on team's performance. It isn't focused closely on either batting or bowling. If you bat well, you get runs. If you bowl well, you get wickets. So, delivering the best game is the only moto

Australia have won the toss and decided to bat first. During the match between Pakistan and Afghanistan, the fielding were poor from both the sides. Whereas, at this match, there are few references to show why these teams are best in the world. The match had witnessed few stunners. Both have a destructive bowling lineup. Australian team came into bat. During previous matches, their openers were shining lit, but on this match, both were dismissed cheaply. Also, both the dismissals were so aggressive and topped Kiwis' bowling attack. Finch were dismissed with a beautiful inswinging delivery, exposed him Leg Before Wicket. David Warner's dismissal was even more beauty of the bowling. During the 10th over, Ferguson came into bowl his first spell. In his first delivery of this match's spell, he bowled a bouncer, which attacked David Warner's chest. A surprising bouncer, where he tried to defend the ball, nicked his glove and the keeper, claimed the catch so easily. It ran 142 km per hour. Then next one is another screamer. This time its Steve Smith. Ferguson bowled another bouncer to Steve Smith, who were regarded for hitting skills against Bouncer deliveries. He was attacked with a bouncer, where he tried to pull, and he did it perfectly. But, was caught at Short Leg Gully by Martin Guptil, who took a blinder by diving to his front. Steve Smith was dismissed with his own best skill. Thanks to Kane Williamson's strategy skills. Then Stoinis, too lost his wicket. At one end, Usman Khawaja was wondering what is going on. Maxwell too lost his wicket cheaply, where at one stage, the situation was 92/5 at 21.3 overs. Alex Carey came into bat. He had good numbers in this tournament so far. He joined along with Khawaja where both scored slowly by building a partnership. Both had scored fifties and after fifty, the game was like Carey for Hitting while Khawaja for defence and strike rotation. This worked perfectly, and this partnership literally saved their team from a collapse. It also showed the less effectiveness of Kiwis' bowling attack during middle overs. But both were dismissed without scoring a hundred with Khawaja for 88 off 128 balls and Carey for 72-ball 71. Also, this match had witnessed the 2nd Hattrick in this World Cup alone. It was Trent Boult, who dismissed Khawaja, Starc and Beherendoreff in three successive deliveries during the final over of the match. At the end, Australia posted a fighting total of 243/9 at the end of 50 overs. Boult topped the bowling charts with 4/51.

New Zealand team came into bat. Comparing to Australian side, they had a better start, even though losing 2 wickets for 42 runs. Kane Williamson played well and built a good partnership with Ross Taylor. It was seen again that New Zealand would be winning the game easily. But, spearheads of Aussie bowling attack weren't ready to give up and it's their true nature. Kane Williamson was dismissed for 40 runs, during which the score was 97/3 at the 25.4 overs finished. From that position, it was a great collapse. Unnecessary shot from Ross Taylor, caused his wicket. Promotion of Colin de Grandomme, above the batting lineup didn't click. He lost his wicket trying to hit a six on his first ball, which were bowled by Steve Smith. Atleast Tom Latham and Jimmy Neesham would have finished the game as similar to Khawaja and Carey. But, overs were running quickly. Here, the greatness of fielding were proved during the dismissal of Tom Latham. He timed a flick shot to mere perfection, which would have definitely reached the boundary. But, Steve Smith was placed at Silly Mid On Position. When he flicked, Smith dived towards his right and grabbed it. It was an another stunner dismissing Tom Latham. Great skills and thanks to Aaron Finch !. From there, all players, had chipped through and gave away their wickets as a gift. In the end, they were bowled out for 157 runs at the end of 43 overs. Starc topped the bowling charts with a five wicket haul. Another Day, Another Finish by Mitchell Starc. 

Man of the Match was given to Alex Carey for his gritty 71 and also he had claimed three catches during wicket keeping. Australia had won the game comfortably by 86 runs. Now, a stiff competition is going on in between the Kiwis and Pakistanis for the playoff spot. But, still Kiwis are holding an upper hand, as they need only one win. Whereas Pakistan, needed to win all the matches and most importantly, they needed to finish with a better net run rate