***Official*** Asia Cup

[Perm]

Sharma and Dhoni both bring up half-centuries, and with it the 100 partnership. India look poised to push on with a 300+ total here.

 

[Arjun]

The Indians have scored as much as 180 runs only in singles, twos and a three. In comparison, they have only blasted 110 in fours and only three sixes. That's an amazing figure, since that shows that they're running hard and piercing the field well.

But on a flat wicket, the lack of big hitting is a problem. A team with adequate big hits would have blasted past 300, not crawled to it on such a wicket. In fact, most of the fours have been hit through gaps, rolling along the ground. Attempts to hit sixes have either landed safe in the grass or in fielders' hands- and they didn't drop any. The Indians have run exceedingly well between wickets, but is the lack of big shots weakening the batting? They still have seven batsmen in the team.

 

[Arjun]

The freak is in to fix that, hopefully. But it's only an over.

 

[Arjun]

Dhoni and Sharma 'rescuing' India here, good partnership of 85. Only the Pathan brothers to come after these two, so hopefully they can bat for another 5-10 overs and then start trying to clear the ropes. Nice to see Sharma in the runs too.

That is one of the best aspects of this innings- a substantial partnership can change a match, even if there are no individual big hits.

 

[Arjun]

Not too many runs in the final overs, but good finish by Irfan.

What is the matter with Sohail Tanvir? Lots of loose deliveries, along with not-so-loose ones that are easily put away for singles.

Is 300 tough for Pakistan? Is 300 enough for India? Questions remain. A lot will, for some reason, depend on Afridi again.

 

[ret]

Praveen bowled a crap over

 

[Jono]

Looks like Butt is going to do his regular ton vs. India again.

****in lift Ishant, bowling crap.

 

[silentstriker]

Praveen bowled a crap over

Ishant is bowling worse. Not looking good.

 

[Jono]

I Sharma to Salman Butt, FOUR, Salman loves the Indians. He goes down on his knee to cream

 

[ret]

Ishant is bowling worse. Not looking good.

yep, 50 up for Pak in a game thats must win for it

Ind weapon would be Chawla now, if he bowl wells and picks up wkts then Ind wins, if he goes for too many then it will be close game

 

[Jono]

Haha that's so typical Pakistan.

Absolutely dominating India and then Jamshed runs out Salman.

DHONI IS PUMPED! Love seeing him lead from the front.

 

[ret]

Haha that's so typical Pakistan.

Absolutely dominating India and then Jamshed runs out Salman.

DHONI IS PUMPED! Love seeing him lead from the front.

thats cricket .... who knows he would have held out the next ball so

now another Ind specialist, YK, walks in

 

[Jono]

Absolutely hate it when Irfan bowls short. Nothing pisses me off more than watching him bowl crud like that on flat pitches. Bowl to your strengths, you're not express!!!

 

[ret]

a maiden in the PP by Ishant

 

[Jono]

Pretty convinced we'll lose this. Want to watch it but have to go to bed for work tomorrow.

Will be very surprised if I wake up to an Indian win. The way they're playing, and the way Pakistani are batting, it seems impossible to me.

 

[Manee]

Absolutely hate it when Irfan bowls short. Nothing pisses me off more than watching him bowl crud like that on flat pitches. Bowl to your strengths, you're not express!!!

And you have the slowest short ball in the international game today. Collingwood and Bravo both bowl bouncers 100x more threatening.

 

[sunilreddy]

England ODI batting and Indian ODI bowling will never improve.

 

[ret]

Praveen back in attack .... something tells me that the game is going to turn now

 

[sunilreddy]

The result now depends on how well Chawla bowls

 

[Arjun]

Are the Indians playing too much cricket? When all of Praveen, Irfan and Ishant are getting spanked for boundaries, you get a hint. They don't miss too many matches these days. We know who needs a break, and why.