***Official*** Pakistan in New Zealand 2015

[Mike5181]

I like him batting this way. He's being aggressive, but he's not trying to manufacture something from balls that aren't quite there, or running down the track like an idiot.

 

[Athlai]

Styris is right about us rotating players, but anyone else get the feeling the selectors feel this is the no.1 side right now?

Na no chance. Anderson is our no. 2 death bowler at the moment. Unless you mean the pace attack?

 

[ajdude]

ridiculous that after junaid's been ruled out, they've gone with the same lineup (including bilawal bhatti who isn't even in the world cup squad) and not given either sohail khan (who hasn't played international cricket since 2011) or wahab riaz a game.

i mean i reckon they'd do better picking yasir shah and pushing afridi up the order. it'd be entertaining if anything, more afridi and two leggies.

 

[Zinzan]

Nah Corey Anderson will definitely be in the #1 side.

Ah my bad, totally missed the fact they're playing both spinners today.

Na no chance. Anderson is our no. 2 death bowler at the moment. Unless you mean the pace attack?

Everyone apart from Anderson

 

[Zinzan]

I like him batting this way. He's being aggressive, but he's not trying to manufacture something from balls that aren't quite there, or running down the track like an idiot.

True, although I don't mind him charging down the track once and a while. It's actually a surprisingly high percentage play when you have the freakishly good eye and incredibly 'quick-hands' that McCullum does.

 

[hendrix]

Afridi is great value a 7.

 

[Athlai]

i mean i reckon they'd do better picking yasir shah and pushing afridi up the order. it'd be entertaining if anything, more afridi and two leggies.

Yeah Afridi should be batting at #7.

 

[hendrix]

You're mad not to wear a helmet as keeper to afridi on this pitch.

 

[RossTaylorsBox]

Sarfraz is a bad keeper.

 

[ajdude]

then if they get rid of hafeez they have six bowlers to pick from including haris sohail (admittedly, 3 spinners could be overkill but meh)

 

[Zinzan]

It's quite phenomenal the spell Afridi seems to have over NZ, whether with the bat or ball. He really has the wood over us. Can ever remember us collaring him.

 

[wellAlbidarned]

Anyone know if afridi still has his 130kph quicker ball?

 

[Prince EWS]

Anyone know if afridi still has his 130kph quicker ball?

It's only in the 120 range now but he still bowls it the same way, yeah.

 

[hendrix]

Styris rates Latham.

 

[wellAlbidarned]

It's quite phenomenal the spell Afridi seems to have over NZ, whether with the bat or ball. He really has the wood over us. Can ever remember us collaring him.

He has the Nmac gift of somehow always getting batsmen to play for turn despite bowling straight breaks

 

[Zinzan]

Anyone know if afridi still has his 130kph quicker ball?

He got one through at 123kms in the UAE if my memory serves, but nothing like his 135km delivery in NZ a few years back.

 

[wellAlbidarned]

It's only in the 120 range now but he still bowls it the same way, yeah.

Weren't there murmurs over it being suspect?

 

[hendrix]

Gee you'd be pissed ar sarfraz.

 

[Zinzan]

He has the Nmac gift of somehow always getting batsmen to play for turn despite bowling straight breaks

I would always play Afridi as a flat off-spinner who hardly turns it. If he gets the odd leg-break to turn, good on him. But from what I can see he's looking to slide it on quickly 90% of the time.

 

[Athlai]

It's quite phenomenal the spell Afridi seems to have over NZ, whether with the bat or ball. He really has the wood over us. Can ever remember us collaring him.

Afridi doesn't really have the wood over us with the ball. Averaging 40 odd with an economy of 4.50 is fairly standard for us against any quality spinner.

His batting record against us is just incredible though.