*Official* Pakistan in New Zealand

[The Hutt Rec]

Ben Sears was only selected in the squad for the 1st 2 games and bowled really well with disconcerting bounce hitting the splice. Ferguson will now replace him in the squad for games 3, 4, and 5.

Didn’t realise or forgot he was only there for the first two, that seems very short sighted. In the bright side, Fergo getting launched to all parts in his place might make the games a bit closer.

 

[Smudge]

For a woke guy, which he is, he sure pointed out how fat Azam is at every opportunity. Subtly, of course.

He is also a reformed fatty, so he'll be dishing out judgements left, right and centre.

 

[SteveNZ]

At what point do you get shifty at Finn Allen? If he reigned it in 10% (after getting through power play, and then losing Kane) would we be looking 230/4 rather than 190?

I don't profess to bea t20 batting tactics expert. It's just elevator music to me. But I assume someone has data on that sort of stuff.

Is it normal in t20 to reign it back a bit if u get thru powerplay? Like a modern N Astle? Or does everyone keep thrashing relentlessly regardless? (And data/analysis backs that as a correct approach?).

Just seems impossible, to me, for 2 set batsmen to NOT get 2 boundaries an over at Sneddon Park without much risk. Surely you 'earn the right' to then just astle it for 10 overs.

Reward doesn't come without risk in any aspect of life, no question. But to me, Finn's development will come through playing the percentages much better, and being smarter about the way he uses his talents. He's been bowled 11 times in 37 innings. That's three less than Kane from 87 innings, or to compare closer apples with apples, Gup has 17 from 118 innings.

In Finn's last 19 T20I innings, he's been bowled 8 times, lbw another two, and was bowled off a no ball in another.

I actually didn't have any issue with him continuing to play the same way through the middle orders. That's his job, it's a small enough ground, Pakistan's line-up is hittable enough that we were set up for 220 or so with him batting that way. But the shot he played to get out was poor. If you sky one charging, trying to hit in your zone, no issue. If you splice one hooking, OK, as long as it's a shot you play well and is lucrative for you. Sometimes you'll scratch one behind trying to cut. But to miss straight ones, as he did here, off the no ball at Eden Park, that's holding him back from being a more effective run scorer. He needs the foundation of a decent defensive technique, and the judgement of when to use it, to go to the next level.

I actually think he doesn't watch the ball hard enough. Seems to be done by changes of pace, like he was really undone by the (admittedly outstanding and unseen before) slower ball at Eden Park, and Usama bowled one 10km quicker he didn't pick up on. I remember an ex-player saying that some batsmen watch the area around the ball, but the greats watch the ball, the seam, much more intently and can react to it better as a result.

 

[SteveNZ]

The above was posted by a guy who says he gives no ****s about T20s.

 

[Chewie]

Kane Williamson likely to miss remainder of T20I series vs Pakistan | ESPNcricinfo

 

[NZTailender]

I'm really looking forward to today's match. I was beginning to think I'm starting to enjoy T20s thanks to free to air coverage and there being a game on everyday between the super smash and the international games. Just great to get home after work, turn the tv on and someone's boshing a six "straight up"

 

[ataraxia]

Televised home cricket is good cricket. We've had a dearth of it.

 

[Athlai]

Is Azam Khan actually good or is it like, an elaborate joke?

Hes been very poor everytime I've seen him despite wishing for his success

 

[thierry henry]

Is Azam Khan actually good or is it like, an elaborate joke?

Hes been very poor everytime I've seen him despite wishing for his success

His overall T20 numbers are pretty decent for a keeper/batsman expected to bosh down the order? Him being selected for T20Is in the first place doesn't appear egregious on the face of it, although he doesn't appear to pass the eye test and probably can't keep averaging 3 for much longer.

 

[Chubb]

There was a lot of commentary about nepotism when Azam Khan was called up. Some pointed out his decent record as a lower order hitter/keeper in domestics but when you have Rizwan I don't see why you need him.

 

[Athlai]

Wait a ****ing minute, Rizwan is playing too wtf

 

[thierry henry]

There was a lot of commentary about nepotism when Azam Khan was called up. Some pointed out his decent record as a lower order hitter/keeper in domestics but when you have Rizwan I don't see why you need him.

Yeah, I meant that his record doesn't scream "not good enough for T20Is", however the selection might still be egregious in the context of team composition e.g. Rizwan existing.

 

[SteveNZ]

Quick question without any great level of care - why a 1pm start on a week day? I know Uni Oval doesn't have lights, and you like to share it around, but 1pm doesn't seem ideal for either viewership on TV or attendance in a city where students aren't there and it's a work day

 

[Chubb]

Quick question without any great level of care - why a 1pm start on a week day? I know Uni Oval doesn't have lights, and you like to share it around, but 1pm doesn't seem ideal for either viewership on TV or attendance in a city where students aren't there and it's a work day

It's January in New Zealand, half the country is still on holiday.

 

[Athlai]

Yeah school holidays. The more surprising thing is that you'd expect this may get decent viewership from the subcontinent if it was played at 7.30pm our time.

I do like this though

 

[_Ed_]

The game is apparently sold out, so it hasn't caused any problems attendance-wise.

 

[Flem274*]

Game is at 1pm? Great day to work from home.

 

[_Ed_]

Pakistan win the toss and bowl, yet again.

 

[Athlai]

Conway

 

[Immenso]

I wish there was some actual FC cricket happening for Conway to be sent back to.