Since the start of Pakistans campaign in the Champions Trophy,Younis Khans broken finger has poked out prominently in all his interactions with the media. Before the game against India,he was seen as a daring leader who didnt worry about pain or aggravating his injury as he held the reins of the team for a crucial game. But after the teams semi-final loss,in a sudden change of opinion,Youniss boldness has begun to be perceived as unnecessary bravado. Fielding at short cover,he dropped Grant Elliott trying to catch the ball with his fingers pointed up,the way the Aussies do when getting under a high ball. Elliott,who went on to make 75,was then on 42. Later,Younis was to say that he would have taken the knee-high,simple catch in the conventional fingers down style if not for the injury. I was trying to save my finger, he said. It was a forthright comment from a skipper who doesnt believe in hiding behind clichéd answers when asked uncomfortable questions,a rare trait in world cricket. Later,he went on to add that he had got Gautam Gambhir run out with a direct hit,the India games turning point,with the same hand. In the previous matches,I had got a run-out and a good catch and people praised that,saying he is doing it with a broken finger. Aware that the fickle fans would blame him for the loss,the straight-talking skipper said that he doesnt care about such things. But the questions continued to chase Younis. Would the result of the game have been different if he had taken the catch? It was an answer that started with the captain uttering the words may be four times. Actually it was very crucial. It was a simple catch but I just dropped it. Maybe after that catch things wouldve changed, he said. Listening to Daniel Vettori,who was at the non-strikers end when Elliott played the ball in the air to Younis,it was clear hes not the kind to repeat those famous Steve Waugh words you have dropped the cup to his rival skipper. I dont think it would have mattered since we had the likes of (Neil) Broom,(James) Franklin and (Kyle) Mills to follow, Vettori said. For years to come,Pakistan fans might debate if playing with a broken finger was boldness or bravado,but after hearing Younis,one thing was quite clear. The Pakistan skipper had shown ample boldness in admitting that he dropped a crucial sitter in a crunch game trying to save his injured finger.
