**Official** Pakistan v New Zealand in the UAE 2014

[Blocky]

Also, how good is Sanga - that he was bossing around the same side that has since absolutely ripped Clarke and his team to shreds and won't let Taylor get above single figures.

 

[smash84]

It'll be interesting to see Pakistan play South Africa, to see whether they've entered a new era of consistency or they're just dicking an underdone problematic Australia and a NZ that they've always had the wood on.

A SA with Imran Tahir will hit Pakistan hard.

Well, tbf Waqar is a decent coach and his return has improved things drastically. It was good of them not to have renewed Dav Whatmore's contract. So yeah, now SA will find Pak to be tougher opponents

 

[Blocky]

A SA with Imran Tahir will hit Pakistan hard.

Well, tbf Waqar is a decent coach and his return has improved things drastically. It was good of them not to have renewed Dav Whatmore's contract. So yeah, now SA will find Pak to be tougher opponents

Pakistan are a lot more settled since Tahir was problematic - they've got a great combination of youth that are firing and road tested warriors in their batting line up. I'm also really liking what i'm seeing from Rabat.

 

[OverratedSanity]

Also, how good is Sanga - that he was bossing around the same side that has since absolutely ripped Clarke and his team to shreds and won't let Taylor get above single figures.

Wasn't the same side. That side he bossed actually had by far two of Pakistan's best bowlers.

 

[Blocky]

Wasn't the same side. That side he bossed actually had by far two of Pakistan's best bowlers.

Throwers*

 

[OverratedSanity]

I'm not convinced though that Pakistan will continue consistently. The biggest factor in their dominance has been Younis and Misbah racking up the runs and the youngsters' confidence has shot up because of that. Once Misbah and Younis leave, which has to be very soon, I can see them regressing to the same enigmatic side they've always been.

 

[OverratedSanity]

Throwers*

Yes. Still tougher to handle. Which makes Sanga's dominance even more impressive.

 

[Blocky]

I'm not convinced though that Pakistan will continue consistently. The biggest factor in their dominance has been Younis and Misbah racking up the runs and the youngsters' confidence has shot up because of that. Once Misbah and Younis leave, which has to be very soon, I can see them regressing to the same enigmatic side they've always been.

I don't know, something strikes me about Azhar being the real deal and the next thing in line - more so with Misbah I think they'll miss his uniting captaincy, I wonder how many more games he's got in the tank, but he's definitive proof that cricket doesn't need to stop at 40.

 

[smash84]

Sangakkara has been bossing Pakistan since the time he debuted. He even thrashed Waqar Younis (the current Pakistan coach) When Waqar was playing

 

[Blocky]

Yes. Still tougher to handle. Which makes Sanga's dominance even more impressive.

Agree.

 

[smash84]

So NZ will bat first.

 

[smash84]

let's see how NZ fare batting first.

 

[OverratedSanity]

Sangakkara has been bossing Pakistan since the time he debuted. He even thrashed Waqar Younis (the current Pakistan coach) When Waqar was playing

Yeah, but come on, that Waqar was pretty ****. I'd say him bossing Shoaib is a bigger plus on his resume. Smashed him around a lot even when Shoaib was running through sides with ease... around 2001-2.

 

[straw man]

Brilliant that we won the toss. Now the pressure's on us to make something of the situation.

 

[RossTaylorsBox]

Black Caps unchanged. Thought they would've gone for Wagner instead of Craig. On the other hand we're batting first.

 

[smash84]

Yeah, but come on, that Waqar was pretty ****. I'd say him bossing Shoaib is a bigger plus on his resume. Smashed him around a lot even when Shoaib was running through sides with ease... around 2001-2.

my point is that Waqar retired in 2003 (I think he didn't play any tests in 2003) and Sangers has been bossing us since before that.

 

[RossTaylorsBox]

Why are Pakistan resting Imran?

 

[Blocky]

I'm going for 410 from 130 overs as my sweepstake... McCullum to get a score, Watling to get a score. Taylor and Williamson to fail. One of Neesham/Anderson to get a score.

 

[Howsie]

Yuss. Game on.

 

[smash84]

my point is that Waqar retired in 2003 (I think he didn't play any tests in 2003) and Sangers has been bossing us since before that.

just checked Waqar did play a test against SA from Jan 2 to Jan 5 2003. He was utter ****e in that one. But yeah, the point is that Sangers has been bossing us since 2001 or so