29th Match - Pakistan v South Africa (7th March 2015)

[Zinzan]

I love seeing Steyn get angry.

 

[jonbrooks]

No chance. In 1992 they were a much better side than NZ man for man, that's just not the case this time around.

This side is not too bad. They have a potential match winning bowler in the 7fter. Afridi is well over due and he alone can turn a game on its head. The others just need to contribute.

 

[smash84]

This side is not too bad. .

You must be kidding

 

[Zinzan]

Purely in terms of talent Pakistan's bats aren't that much worse than India's but man their running and temperament needs serious work.

Nah, the Indian batting line-up has miles more talent. Strange thing to say tbh.

Their bowling might be closer in terms of talent though.

 

[Dan]

That Test standing had gotten him zero matches prior to today. I'm not saying he'll be discarded from ODI's if he fails today, but for whatever reason, Waqar/Moin/Misbah just don't like or trust him. To keep him off the team, especially for Jamshed, has been absurd yet here we are.

tbf giving Umar Akmal the gloves was a necessity with the team's balance -- Sarfraz isn't an ODI #6, and there wasn't *really* an opening at the top until Jamshed proved once and for all that he was totally useless. I think the whole "everyone hates Sarfraz" thing is a touch reactionary and reading a bit too much into things at the moment.

It may very well be that Waqar/Moin/Misbah don't trust him and he'll be screwed over and dropped unfairly, but I can't see how Jamshed getting a match against the UAE proves anything, especially when he's been dropped for the big one for Sarfraz.

 

[91Jmay]

Pakistan should just accumulate at 5 RPO till 40th then explode. Not a good enough batting side to go earlier.

 

[Niall]

tbf giving Umar Akmal the gloves was a necessity with the team's balance -- Sarfraz isn't an ODI #6, and there wasn't *really* an opening at the top until Jamshed proved once and for all that he was totally useless. I think the whole "everyone hates Sarfraz" thing is a touch reactionary and reading a bit too much into things at the moment.

It may very well be that Waqar/Moin/Misbah don't trust him and he'll be screwed over and dropped unfairly, but I can't see how Jamshed getting a match against the UAE proves anything, especially when he's been dropped for the big one for Sarfraz.

Safaraz done very well as an opener against Australia and in the 2 games he opened gainst NZ in the t20 he did pretty well. It was absurd he was dropped down to number six after such a promising start really. Another failure from the Pakistan selectors.

 

[Fuller Pilch]

This side is not too bad. They have a potential match winning bowler in the 7fter. Afridi is well over due and he alone can turn a game on its head. The others just need to contribute.

Wahab Riaz is pretty good, I thought Haris Sohail looked good in the odis in the uae and (according to Pakpassion) Umar Akmar is better than Virat Kohli

 

[Zinzan]

This side is not too bad. They have a potential match winning bowler in the 7fter. Afridi is well over due and he alone can turn a game on its head. The others just need to contribute.

It's not a matter of them being "not too bad", it's the fact that in '92 they had class all through their XI, genuine match-winners & at least 4 all time greats. And on the other hand NZ only had Martin Crowe.

 

[jan]

No bacon because, you know.

Please accept my condolences

 

[Isura]

WTF, Misbah is 40?! There is hope for me yet!

Yet he looks to be their fittest player. Lol Pakistan cricket.

 

[ankitj]

Waking up to a surprisingly good start from Pakistan! Why did SA field after winning the toss, BTW?

 

[Contra]

Nah, the Indian batting line-up has miles more talent. Strange thing to say tbh.

Their bowling might be closer in terms of talent though.

Umar Akmal, Ahmed Shezad, Afridi (although he's been around forever) and a few other Pakistani batsmen that aren't currently playing have serious talent, by that I mean they look serious players when they get it right and they have all the shots required for limited overs cricket. Its their temperament, lack of strike rotation and just general silliness that leaves them behind other nations. India's domestic structure and increased professionalism has meant that their talents have been fine tuned into quality cricketers whereas Pakistan are still raw and have not yet hit the next level which they have the capability to do so.

 

[Gnske]

Waking up to a surprisingly good start from Pakistan! Why did SA field after winning the toss, BTW?

They did it as part of an epic joke.

 

[Zinzan]

It's quite laughable people drawing parallels between this WC and '92 when it comes to the Prospect of a NZ/Pak knock-out game. Things couldn't be more different in terms of the respective teams personnel.

 

[Fuller Pilch]

It's quite laughable people drawing parallels between this WC and '92 when it comes to the Prospect of a NZ/Pak knock-out game. Things couldn't be more different in terms of the respective teams personnel.

I'm sure All Blacks fans were saying the same thing before a World Cup quarterfinal against France in Cardiff

 

[halba]

pak doesnt look bad here.

in with half a chance, esp as PAK pace attack is reasonable.

 

[Zinzan]

Umar Akmal, Ahmed Shezad, Afridi (although he's been around forever) and a few other Pakistani batsmen that aren't currently playing have serious talent, by that I mean they look serious players when they get it right and they have all the shots required for limited overs cricket. Its their temperament, lack of strike rotation and just general silliness that leaves them behind other nations. India's domestic structure and increased professionalism has meant that their talents have been fine tuned into quality cricketers whereas Pakistan are still raw and have not yet hit the next level which they have the capability to do so.

C'mon Contra, let's be honest, you're not even convincing yourself there.

Tell me who of your current Indian batting line-up you'd replace with one of these Pakistani batsmen.....

Yeah thought so ...............

 

[Zinzan]

I'm sure All Blacks fans were saying the same thing before a World Cup quarterfinal against France in Cardiff

I'm not saying it's impossible... just pointing out that it couldn't be more different as a comparison except for the fact its a world cup in NZ/Aust & NZ have did well in the early games in both. That's where the comparisons end.

Looks like Gambhiring is on the menu.

 

[Niall]

I'm sure All Blacks fans were saying the same thing before a World Cup quarterfinal against France in Cardiff

You actually followed Pakistan ODI team in the last few years? Have you seen how few games and series they have won?

Did you watch how they went about chasing 300 against the West Indies and Pakistan?