42nd Match - Ireland v Pakistan (15th March)

[Zinzan]

So do South Africa and look what happened to them.

Maxwell has the ability to take a game away quickly getting him easily will be a good bonus. Aussie bat deep but they have a lot of stroke makers who go hard. They aren't the most reliable batsman around. Clarke and Watto aside that is or maybe Smith. You're dreaming if you don't think Pak have a chance. Even if you end up before right it's a foolish thing to say.

Australia are not South Africa, an important distinction, I wonder if someone might bring them up as if it's relevant if any way whatsoever.

I mentioned earlier there can always be a upset, just find this one extremely unlikely. I'm struggling to think of any area that Pakistan will have the edge. Given I can't see them putting scoreboard pressure on Australia like SL or India could on a good day, and I can't see their bowlers taking 10 Australian wickets makes it tough to see where the win is going to come from.

 

[Fuller Pilch]

He's been due since 2006 ffs. Good bowler, just Southee on steroids with the bat - a random slogger who comes off every now and again spectacularly but more often than not fails. I mean, even if he peeled off a ton against australia, would you say that means he's in form or is likely to be consistent from there on in the tournament? Of course not, because he's so hot and miss (misses muh more than he hits tbf).

You should have seen his performance against NZ in the UAE - absolutely outstanding (I can't think of a better allround performance in a bilaterial odi series)

averaged 41 at a s/r of 164
averaged 24 at a e/r of 4

Cricket Records | Records | Pakistan v New Zealand ODI Series, 2014/15 - Pakistan | Batting and bowling averages | ESPN Cricinfo

 

[Jono]

Firstly, Maxwell is just one of 7-8 good batsmen & nobody is necessarily suggesting he'll hit a 50 ball hundred against Pakistan, but there's nothing to suggest he'll struggle. He's bashed fastest better bowlers around than Pakistan's attack.

Secondly, 140+ doesn't bother Australian batsmen, they face quicker & better bowlers than Pakistan's at state level.

I agree with you that in all likelihood Australia thump Pakistan, but I think you're underrating their attack. If Irfan is back, its one of the better bowling line-ups in the comp. Only NZ and Australia clearly better.

 

[Fuller Pilch]

They also don't fear Australia after destroying them in test matches not that long ago

 

[Burgey]

Yeah I think Pakistan's attack is good enough to trouble any side on its day. Don't see an issue with them potentially bowling Australia out. Do think they will in all likelihood struggle to post a big total or chase something reasonable down though.

 

[Burgey]

They also don't fear Australia after destroying them in test matches not that long ago

Oh dear.

By this rationale, if Australia gets over Pakistan, India shouldn't turn up to the semi....

 

[Fuller Pilch]

In all seriousness I think Australia are big favourites, but Pakistan could beat them.

I was quite impressed with Haris Sohail against NZ a few months ago and his part-time spin is decent as well.

 

[Zinzan]

5th bowling options are huge especially if a quality bowler like Starc has an off day

Afridi is a miles better option than Maxwell/Watto

Miles better? really?

I think Afridi and Watto are actually pretty even with the ball. Both being past their respective best with Watto having the better overall average & Afridi, the better overall ER. Not as much in it as you would like, but then if you're forced into a corner I suppose you've got to find something

 

[viriya]

You should have seen his performance against NZ in the UAE - absolutely outstanding (I can't think of a better allround performance in a bilaterial odi series)

averaged 41 at a s/r of 164
averaged 24 at a e/r of 4

Cricket Records | Records | Pakistan v New Zealand ODI Series, 2014/15 - Pakistan | Batting and bowling averages | ESPN Cricinfo

Yea I don't know why people ignore Afridi as if he's some random slogger. Sure he doesn't come off a lot of the time, but he's a damn good all-rounder. And you only need him to come off for one game, and that could make a big difference. Aus vs Pak will be decided by how well the Pak batsmen fare - they need to have an outstanding outing for them to win though.

 

[Fuller Pilch]

Oh dear.

By this rationale, if Australia gets over Pakistan, India shouldn't turn up to the semi....

point taken - that was stretching things a bit

 

[Niall]

They also don't fear Australia after destroying them in test matches not that long ago

Australia pounded them in the ODI's though and that is the format that matters in this moment of time!

 

[NUFAN]

Oh yesss. Love a good run out when Pakistan is at the crease.

 

[Zinzan]

I agree with you that in all likelihood Australia thump Pakistan, but I think you're underrating their attack. If Irfan is back, its one of the better bowling line-ups in the comp. Only NZ and Australia clearly better.

That's a huge call. I still think SA's attack are better, even though they lost the head to head match on the day & I'm not convinced Pakistan's bowling attack is any better than India or the Windies, I really don't.

 

[OverratedSanity]

Yea I don't know why people ignore Afridi as if he's some random slogger. Sure he doesn't come off a lot of the time,

Because he's a slogger?

 

[Burgey]

Here come Panicstan. Fancying a tie here, with both sides going through in anything but suspicious circumstances...

 

[Flem274*]

hahaha this is false hope but it's hilarious false hope.

 

[Jimbo the giant]

Tbf I never said Pak were favourites. Aussie are definitely clear favourites. I was just putting Paks strengths out there and just showing some rationale to how they could do it. Their batting is just to poor at the moment to give them more than a slight chance. Umar Akmal does like playing them I think.

 

[Jono]

That's a huge call. I still think SA's attack are better, even though they lost the head to head match on the day & I'm not convinced Pakistan's bowling attack is any better than India or the Windies, I really don't.

tbf I said "clearly" better.

 

[Burgey]

Tbf I never said Pak were favourites. Aussie are definitely clear favourites. I was just putting Paks strengths out there and just showing some rationale to how they could do it. Their batting is just to poor at the moment to give them more than a slight chance. Umar Akmal does like playing them I think.

Yeah that's not unreasonable. Most people on here have seen enough cricket not to rule anything out tbh. It's that kind of sport

 

[anil1405]

Another Pakistan batsman struggling to make right calls while running between the wickets.