Great analysis, Carte.
Bashar should get a D for not being assertive and for not rising to the occassion. He had the best opportunity to bring glory to his team and his nation. He blew it in the worst possible fashion.
Shahadat should get a B. Reason: regardless of his erroneous line, at an early age of 19, with all that speed, he brings is something that Bashar is so sorely missing. The magic word is aggression. He brings in this precious, enjoyable element of necessary disrespect that is so lacking in our team mentality. I would upgrade Shahadat to B even for the great show in his last over. "Never give up"! He showed us that. During the last 3 deliveries of that over, I was afraid Bashar was gonna run to Ponting to apologize for Shahadat's aggression. Bashar is so severely allergic to the stuff. Any team in the world would have been confident to throw a 307 challenge to the Aussies. Not Bashar, he conceded the match after the 3rd day's play. Whereas Shahadat - he did not give up until the last ball he bowled.
We desperately need more of that and less of Bashar captaincy.
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