Group E (Super 8) - Pakistan, South Africa, New Zealand, England

[BoyBrumby]

Hoping for a ball-tearer, myself. Tournament's been lacking in close ones so far.

Hope Bond and Mills can blast a couple out first up and then Vettori and McCullum minor can tie them up.

 

[GGG]

Someone tell me again why Hopkins is it the team?

 

[BoyBrumby]

Swing for Bond first up. Good lick, too. Just 4 off the first over.

 

[BoyBrumby]

Ha, curate's egg of an over from Mills. Wided for height, front-foot NB but bowls Akmal with the last ball. Actually, it's an inside egde the little keeper drags on.

15/1 off 2. Encouraging signs for the neutrals hoping for a close one.

 

[Athlai]

Bond!

 

[BoyBrumby]

Ditto for Bond. Goes for 9, but picks up Hafeez with a snorter. Leaves the right hander slightly off the pitch and Hopkins takes the edged catch.

24/2 off 3.

 

[Athlai]

Mills!!!!! !!!!!!!

 

[BoyBrumby]

NZ right back in it! Mills picks up Umar first ball. Caught in two minds, doesn't get his bat out of the way and Mills's extra bounce does the trick.

25/3.

 

[Teja.]

The Golden Boy picks up a Golden duck.

 

[BoyBrumby]

Ooo. Gunner's sawn Misbah off here, surely? Looked a huge inside edge.

 

[Athlai]

Butler! WAG

 

[Athlai]

Ooo. Gunner's sawn Misbah off here, surely? Looked a huge inside edge.

Didn't think it was out when I saw it live. But the umpire is never wrong.

Replay shows no inside edge, good stuff.

 

[social]

As bad as it gets from Misbah

 

[BoyBrumby]

Didn't think it was out when I saw it live. But the umpire is never wrong.

Replay shows no inside edge, good stuff.

Still not 100% conclusive, for mine, but just might be a great shout from Gunner.

Best English ump since Shep, IMHO.

 

[Athlai]

Almost into the tail!

 

[BoyBrumby]

Top catch from N McC. Boom Boom goes. Might just, just be the ball game there.

 

[tooextracool]

Not while Abdul is at the crease!

 

[BoyBrumby]

All the comms seem convinced, but side view looks like it was on the bounce from my sofa. Might've just got his fingers down, but doubt for mine.

 

[Jono]

Just felt Pakistan would struggle chasing this down. No real reason other than because its Pakistan.

 

[tooextracool]

Not sure why this argument still happens IMO. Its been obvious for a while now that even the most obvious catches are made to look inconclusive on tv replays. Always go with the fielder's word on this IMO, its the most accurate method ATM.

Doesn't take away from it being a pathetic shot from Afridi given the situation. At 7 an over, all that was needed was to turn the strike over, especially with Butt at the other end.