Dramatic clouds gather over The Oval cricket ground like an omen and the English spring rain is falling gently under the yellow floodlights. The sell out crowd doesn't mind. The excellent Pakistan fans make it a party atmosphere as Twenty20 cricket gives us the spectacle of an English Cricket Team on home turf fighting for its survival.
Three days before England had stumbled and fallen before a haphazard team from the Netherlands. Embarrassing for sure, but now a loss at the Oval would mean a humiliating departure for the host country. There is tension, apprehension even, in the minds of the England fans. By striking contrast the Pakistan fans are characteristically exuberant. They chant, they sing: the English spectators are virtually silent as England lose the toss and are put in. Twenty20 favours the team second to bat ... another omen perhaps to jangle the nerves of player and spectator alike.
The proverb says "cometh the hour cometh the man", and today he was Kevin Pietersen. Nerves needed to be settled, doubts cast aside and who better than Pietersen to rise above the stubborn achilles injury that left him in the stands as England faltered against the Netherlands. He is the embodiment of nonchalence as he leans against his seeming tiny bat surveying the outfield. He exudes confidence and swings his way to 58 off 38 balls. It is a well balanced scorecard and a solid if not exceptional batting performance by England.
Pakistan come into bat to chase 185 runs and within 10 overs we know it is beyond them. The run rate required rises inexorably as wickets fall. Only captain Younis Khan stands proud as others fail around him with an unbeaten 46. As Misbah (in at number 7 and already chasing a lost cause) hits a 6 we realise with a shock that it is the first of the Pakistani innings. England fielding, so often a source of criticism, is assured. Even the one dropped catch (by Bopara dazzled by the lights) only highlighted the gulf between the teams: Pakistan had dropped four. England are cruising, their fans are loud and proud and the empty seats show that many Pakistani fans have seen enough.
Victory by 58 runs gives England near certain qualification to the next round. Relief is the prevalent emotion but truthfully the Netherlands could have beaten Pakistan tonight. They have until Tuesday to regather themselves and push for qualification. Pakistan have quality which will shine through, but tonight belongs to England. They have done enough: we breathe again.
