Group B - Pakistan, South Africa, New Zealand, Sri Lanka

[Jono]

Ntini you champion.

Nicest bloke in the world, no one deserves it more. Love seeing him do well.

 

[Dravid]

Afridi enjoyed his 8 ball stay in the middle. 42-7.

 

[oz_fan]

Afridi's cameo ends, out LBW to Pollock. Pak 42/7.

 

[alternative]

Excellent bowling, another wicket here..

 

[Pratters]

This disappointing thing from Pakistan has been their lack of application. Technically they may not have been as sound but at least they could have tried to scrap it out in the middle. As Faaip put it, the first 10 overs or so would be crucial and then it wouldn't be as tough.

And as I speak, Afridi gets out trying a slog. Huge gap between bat and pad and no timing. Maybe going down leg but he would have been out in a couple of balls any way.

Sad performance.

 

[silentstriker]

Afridi, he's just like Dhoni.

 

[Jono]

And around only 2.5 players in the Pakistani team can play when the ball is moving around a mile (pitch or air).

2.5 was a fair bit generous obviously.

 

[Dravid]

Pakistan have no excuse for this, they are only missing one batsman..not the whole team.

 

[Jono]

Afridi, he's just like Dhoni.

No, not really.

One's learning his way in cricket, the other has been playing for around 10 years.

 

[silentstriker]

2.5 was a fair bit generous obviously.

I think Inzy is REALLY missed in this situation. He would be perfect to hold the fort in situation like these, he has done it so often.

 

[PhoenixFire]

Is the collapse down to crap Pakistani batting, or quality Ntini?

 

[Pratters]

I think Inzy is REALLY missed in this situation. He would be perfect to hold the fort in situation like these, he has done it so often.

I don't think even Victor Trumper could have helped Pakistan here.

 

[Dravid]

Is the collapse down to crap Pakistani batting, or quality Ntini?

Both. Pakistan played some stupid shots

 

[Pratters]

Is the collapse down to crap Pakistani batting, or quality Ntini?

Crap Pakistani batting much more.

 

[Dravid]

Crap Pakistani batting much more.

Ntini's LBW and Pollocks clean bowled were pretty good balls, followed by stupid shots.

 

[Pratters]

Ntini's LBW and Pollocks clean bowled were pretty good balls, followed by stupid shots.

Pakistan has been just playing aggressive and you are bound to be out if you go for that approach here particularly if your technique isn't the best. Hafeez again lofted in the air and looked as if he felt he was unlucky when he should be blaming himself. A lot of play and misses and a lot of wickets resulted out of aggressive shots. Even if Pollock and Ntini hadn't bowled the bowls, Pakistan would have lost those wickets sooner rather than later.

 

[Langeveldt]

Good bowling breeds poor shot selection though.. Unless I'm talking to fifteen Richard's here..

Granted the conditions have been on their side, but I think SA have applied themselves well

 

[Pratters]

Good bowling breeds poor shot selection though..

Poor shot selection can be a reactionary stroke caused by good bowling or a slog or aggressive stroke which a player played not keeping in mind the length or the possible variation the ball would have in the bounce after it has been pitched. Most of it was of the second variety here often resulting in mi****s and even wickets.

South Africa haven't done any thing wrong but Pakistan certainly have made it very easy for them.

 

[TazzX]

What a great fight for the South Africans Once again showing why you can just never count them out of the game.

 

[Dravid]

47-8..still stand behind me prediction of Pakistan all out within 50.