Semi Finals and Finals

[Arjun]

The Dinesh Karthik story is one of immense confusion, in so many steps- wicketkeeper in ODI's, wicketkeeper-batsman (?) in Tests, wicketkeeper-opener (horror) in one Test, specialist opener for a Test series, middle-order batsman (weak link) in ODI's, regularly pushed to the top three. He needs to take a break from ODI's and decide what to do- open an innings or keep wickets, and stick to that. As of now, he's neither here, nor there, and shouldn't be in this team.

That apart, this Indian team is certainly the best limited-overs combination in action. Players are playing to their roles, they support their frontliners well, and even rank outsider reserves have risen to the occasion. A young, unfancied team in a relatively unknown form of the game has knocked over two stronger, more favoured teams on their way to the semis. Expectations from the forthcoming match may be very low, but this team has performed extremely well and deserves to continue for a long time after the series- and with at least Tendulkar and Zaheer returning, the combination will become stronger.

 

[R_D]

You seems to be among the absolute minority of Pakistanis who seems to be supporting Australia rather than India. Everyone i met wants to see India win against Australia.

He maybe Pakistani supporter but don't think he's Pakistani.... i think he said he was from Afghanistan. This maybe a bit of stereotype but Afghani's don't seem to be particularly fond of Indians.

Looking forward to Ind V Aus match. It'll be interesting to see how the batting fares against Lee, Clarke and co and Also how the bowling does against Gilchrist and Hayden.

Ind Vs Pak final would be great.

 

[Sanz]

Afghani's don't seem to be particularly fond of Indians.

Benazir and KhudaBakhsh are very Upset. - Badshah Khan from Kabul.

 

[Flem274*]

Interesting how everyone is taking it for granted that Pakistan will beat NZ, and the winner of the other semi will win. I remember a post that if india played Pakistan in the final the India would win because they had the momentum. Wtf? Unless my memory is wrong don't Pakistan have to win to get through as well? Dire post whoever that was.

My thoughts on the Pak/NZ semi are that everything depends on which sides turn up on the day. Both are incredibly inconsistent with their form and have factors that will need to go right for them to win. Ours is the openers getting a good start and Bracewell staying away from selecting dire players like Martin. Pakistan is pretty much the whole team. If they turn up in that unbeatable frame of mind, they will win. Simple as that. Not even Australia at full strength can beat them when they do that. If they turn up in the normal frame of mind or in the "We are going to play as dire as possible" mindset then things will be competitive. If Pakistan turn up on a flop day and we play at medium level we will win. If they turn up at medium level and we turn up at medium level then the deciding factor will be who plays better out of Vettori and Asif. If NZ turn up in top gear and Pakistan flop or play at medium level then we win.

And because people are being annoying about the other semi I am rebelling against it and say the winner of Pakistan vs NZ win win the tournament.

 

[Turbinator]

Interesting how everyone is taking it for granted that Pakistan will beat NZ, and the winner of the other semi will win. I remember a post that if india played Pakistan in the final the India would win because they had the momentum. Wtf? Unless my memory is wrong don't Pakistan have to win to get through as well? Dire post whoever that was.

My thoughts on the Pak/NZ semi are that everything depends on which sides turn up on the day. Both are incredibly inconsistent with their form and have factors that will need to go right for them to win. Ours is the openers getting a good start and Bracewell staying away from selecting dire players like Martin. Pakistan is pretty much the whole team. If they turn up in that unbeatable frame of mind, they will win. Simple as that. Not even Australia at full strength can beat them when they do that. If they turn up in the normal frame of mind or in the "We are going to play as dire as possible" mindset then things will be competitive. If Pakistan turn up on a flop day and we play at medium level we will win. If they turn up at medium level and we turn up at medium level then the deciding factor will be who plays better out of Vettori and Asif. If NZ turn up in top gear and Pakistan flop or play at medium level then we win.

And because people are being annoying about the other semi I am rebelling against it and say the winner of Pakistan vs NZ win win the tournament.

I usually skip through long rants, but your's kept me entertained till the last sentence.

But yeah I agree, it isn't a given that Pak will beat NZL. It's just a very very very likely they will .

 

[Flem274*]

I usually skip through long rants, but your's kept me entertained till the last sentence.

That was a rant? I was trying to be semi-sane and logical with a bit of bitterness.

I seem to be good at ranting without realising it...

 

[irfan]

Interesting how everyone is taking it for granted that Pakistan will beat NZ, and the winner of the other semi will win. I remember a post that if india played Pakistan in the final the India would win because they had the momentum. Wtf? Unless my memory is wrong don't Pakistan have to win to get through as well? Dire post whoever that was.

My thoughts on the Pak/NZ semi are that everything depends on which sides turn up on the day. Both are incredibly inconsistent with their form and have factors that will need to go right for them to win. Ours is the openers getting a good start and Bracewell staying away from selecting dire players like Martin. Pakistan is pretty much the whole team. If they turn up in that unbeatable frame of mind, they will win. Simple as that. Not even Australia at full strength can beat them when they do that. If they turn up in the normal frame of mind or in the "We are going to play as dire as possible" mindset then things will be competitive. If Pakistan turn up on a flop day and we play at medium level we will win. If they turn up at medium level and we turn up at medium level then the deciding factor will be who plays better out of Vettori and Asif. If NZ turn up in top gear and Pakistan flop or play at medium level then we win.

And because people are being annoying about the other semi I am rebelling against it and say the winner of Pakistan vs NZ win win the tournament.

Haha. Afridi for mine. In my mind NZ = darkhorses = perennial semifinalists. Wouldn't be surprised if you beat Pakistan but doubt you lot will win the whole thing

 

[irfan]

Same here.

I am afraid their luck will run out big time. If it holds against Australia (the big big big test) anything can happen.

They have issues with Sreesanth. He is not only inconsistent he maybe affected by his relative lack of success compared to RP. The guy is very fragile tempramentally and I dont see a senior who can calm him down.

Another issue is Harbhajan. He started brainlessly with flatish deliveries in his first over and kept going for runs. Hasn't he been watching this tournament and whats been happening when spinners come on. Cant he learn from what Vettori is doing. I hope he will slow down on the pace he puts on his stock delivery.

My third issue is Dhoni. Someone has written somewhere here about Dhoni's consistency in this tournament. I am amazed that once a hero we are so blind. The guy has been batting in what can be called 'test match mode' in this format. He has easily the worst strike rate of all major batsmen in the entire tournament. He has played more deliveries than most and has what, two sixes. I am not saying sixes are the only way to go but its an indicator to whats happened to him.

There isnt a single innings of fire and thats been the case from the beginning of this English sunner. In the last couple of innings he has stopped trying those fancy "Dhoni specials" which dont go anywhere but are all strength and work and yet he isnt able to make the ball say 'ouch, I am hit". There is something wrong with him as faras batting goes and I wish we had a batting coach to talk to him.

I think that maybe, just maybe, Dhoni realises that he is having a problem hence his reluctance to go higher himself. But India needs him to fire on all cylinders. I hope it all falls together for him against Australia. That will be the boost we need.

Who will they drop with Yuvraj coming back for the semi final ?[/QUOTE]

Immediate thoughts on this was Gambhir but he has been really good in this tournament so far but I just don't see him scoring heavily against Australia so it would be a terrible injustice to him if he gets dropped. Karthik will probably get the chop, but what if Dhoni screws his back up then who's gonna keep (Uthappa ??). Uthappa is OK in spurts but the Aussies won't let him get on to the front foot which will minise his effectiveness.

On a green Durban pitch, with 4 Aussie fast bowlers I can't see us making too much but our strength is our batting and we really must get a hold of their fifth bowler - Symonds/Clarke. I wouldn't be playing Chawla on this pitch and I think Sreesanth needs to have a blinder with the ball (i.e. more disciplined) to support RP. If Hayden goes cheaply (DON'T LET HIM GET ON THE FRONT FOOT), we're in with a chance if not it's curtains.

 

[SJS]

That was a rant? I was trying to be semi-sane and logical with a bit of bitterness.

I seem to be good at ranting without realising it...

Hi

I apologise on behalf of all those who have upset you but please could we revert to a more moderate size on your signature.

Pleeeeeeaaaaaaase

 

[honestbharani]

If Hayden goes cheaply (DON'T LET HIM GET ON THE FRONT FOOT), we're in with a chance if not it's curtains.

not possible with our seamers, I am afraid.

 

[anoop4real]

not possible with our seamers, I am afraid.

Harbajan can get Hayden out.....He always uses the sweep shot against Harbajan which can get him out for sure.

 

[biased indian]

not possible with our seamers, I am afraid.

the bowler in your avtar might just do it

 

[Perm]

Harbajan can get Hayden out.....He always uses the sweep shot against Harbajan which can get him out for sure.

Matthew Hayden is a very fine player of spin, especially when he uses the sweep shot, but I quite fancy Harbhajan's chances if he varies his pace a little bit. Toss a couple up and get Hayden sweeping, then slip in the flatter ball.

 

[pup11]

Are Aussies gonna include George into the playing XI or are they gonna be picking either Hilfy or Haddin instead of Watson, i think Aussies should have played Hilfy in the previous games but now i think its to late to make any changes to the Aussie fast-bowling attack. But i think if Hilfy could have played today he would have really enjoyed bowling under lights.

 

[Perm]

Are Aussies gonna include George into the playing XI or are they gonna be picking either Hilfy or Haddin instead of Watson, i think Aussies should have played Hilfy in the previous games but now i think its to late to make any changes to the Aussie fast-bowling attack. But i think if Hilfy could have played today he would have really enjoyed bowling under lights.

I would be using Hilfenhaus but it wouldn't surprise me if the selectors went to Haddin in order to strengthen the batting, given how the Indian batsman play swing bowling at times.

 

[SJS]

I think Pakistan need a change at the top.

Shoaib Malik could very well open and he is in very good touch. I know everyone wants Afridi to open but the importance of the runs in the last five overs (withwickets in hand) cant be over emphasised. In this format for players like Afridi to make an impact they do not need to come in with twnty overs to play. However early wickets with no cushion of Afridi to help boost the score later can really bog down the game.

I think it may not be such a bad idea to try Younis Khan at the top.

Both Malik and Younis are class acts, they can both find gaps, place the ball, hit boundaries and keep up a good rate without slogging. If they playten overs, Pakistan will get a start that Misbah and Afridi can exploit. Also one of them should try to stay and take charge.

Theyare the senior most and theyhave the requisite experience as well as the game and temprament.

NewZealand is a team that thrives on squeezing through on cracks in the door. Pakistan need to provide them none.

 

[Athlai]

If NZ makes the final of something it will ruin some kind of record we've been trying to set. We'll gift it to Pakistan.

 

[honestbharani]

the bowler in your avtar might just do it

nah, I know he gets the ball to bounce a bit at times, but he really doesn't have the pace to push someone like Hayden back consistently.

 

[honestbharani]

I think Pakistan need a change at the top.

Shoaib Malik could very well open and he is in very good touch. I know everyone wants Afridi to open but the importance of the runs in the last five overs (withwickets in hand) cant be over emphasised. In this format for players like Afridi to make an impact they do not need to come in with twnty overs to play. However early wickets with no cushion of Afridi to help boost the score later can really bog down the game.

I think it may not be such a bad idea to try Younis Khan at the top.

Both Malik and Younis are class acts, they can both find gaps, place the ball, hit boundaries and keep up a good rate without slogging. If they playten overs, Pakistan will get a start that Misbah and Afridi can exploit. Also one of them should try to stay and take charge.

Theyare the senior most and theyhave the requisite experience as well as the game and temprament.

NewZealand is a team that thrives on squeezing through on cracks in the door. Pakistan need to provide them none.

what about Akmal at the top of the order? He is not the worst bet, is he?

 

[SJS]

what about Akmal at the top of the order? He is not the worst bet, is he?

No he isnt. Thats not a bad option either.

Hasn't been too much in the runs lately but Paksitan could do worse than sending him to open.

Yes Akmal and Shoiab followed by Younis, Misbah and Afridi is a solid phalanx at the top.