**Official** Pakistan v New Zealand in the UAE 2014

[HeathDavisSpeed]

**** that's an unlucky way to go out. Hope he's OK.

Not really 'unlucky'. For a guy on well over 150, that was an incredibly poorly executed shot. If you get hit on the helmet playing a poor hook shot, then there's always a decent chance of the hit wicket.

 

[hendrix]

Yeah but Sodhi was also spinning it past the edge before lunch on the first day here. We complained about the dead surfaces in Bangladesh, and yet I remember top Sodhi wicket deliveries in isolation there, as well. We just want a less captious and exacting brand of cricket wherever we are in the world, basically.

yeah, agreed, with the big fat BUT in there that reverse swing gets much more prevalent on these pitches from day 3 on.

 

[harsh.ag]

I wonder what fans would have been writing, on a forum if they had one, about Herbert Sutcliffe's batting?

Edward_Magistrate : Called Doris to bring those clemency letters over now. Crushing others' hopes is better than crushing my soul by watching this <sips tea out of giant pot gifted by an Indian Prince>

Jack_ExConvict : Crack his skull, Gregory! Come on, mother ****er! I will come and do it myself if you are too much of a ***** <cracks empty beer bottle on the crown on the table in front of them>

Kumar_Jaisingh : Behen ****! I can't believe I gave my pot away to that bastard to get you out, you convict! Now, tell me where the diamonds are or I will make you watch this guy bat for another five hours.

 

[Mike5181]

haha yessss in the face

Evil Flem is evil

 

[Blocky]

Cricinfo comments:



Ffs.

I don't see your issue - none of those guys were "greats" until they proved it. What they're pointing out is that Shehzad has had a more than handy start as a test opening batsman and is ahead of where a lot of very highly toughted players were.

 

[Howsie]

Exaclty. Never, ever make the mistake of judging the pitch before both sides have batted I always say. People make it a habit to assume the pitch is a road just because one team makes it look like one. And then on the same pitch the other team gets bundled out cheaply.Could still turn out to be a road after all, but it's a mistake to assume NZ will get 500 on this too.

Pakistan though have been ridiculously lucky with the toss it has to be said. Road or not, they've got the chance to bat first in conditions which suit their batsmen 3 times in a row.

Doesn't change the fact that for the first two or three days the pitch was ****ing terrible.

 

[OverratedSanity]

Doesn't change the fact that for the first two or three days the pitch was ****ing terrible.

I have no doubt whatsoever that Yasir and Babar woudl've bowled far better than your spinners if NZ had batted first, and there's atleast something in it for the spinners. it's a bit of a stretch to flat out assume NZ would've been in as dominant position as Pakistan are now if they'd batted.

 

[duffer]

Bugger off Ramiz. You would've celebrated too.

 

[hendrix]

I have no doubt whatsoever that Yasir and Babar woudl've bowled far better than your spinners if NZ had batted first, and there's atleast something in it for the spinners. it's a bit of a stretch to flat out assume NZ would've been in as dominant position as Pakistan are now if they'd batted.

I don't disagree, but Sodhi has been surprisingly good this innings. Has looked like a genuine test spinner, which is more than I'd have ever said about him before.

 

[Flem274*]

I have no doubt whatsoever that Yasir and Babar woudl've bowled far better than your spinners if NZ had batted first, and there's atleast something in it for the spinners. it's a bit of a stretch to flat out assume NZ would've been in as dominant position as Pakistan are now if they'd batted.

that shot of shehzad's where he reached out off balance and dabbed at sodhi for no run says everything about this deck. if this pitch doesn't break up and someone wins this game then the winning bowlers should get the keys to the city.

and their pockets checked for bottle caps donated by flem274

z

 

[hendrix]

z

BJ Watling is going to have to bat after concentrating for 2 plus days wicket keeping to spinners. Those types of factors - as well as the aforementioned reverse swing and scoreboard pressure - make it a distinct advantage to bat first.

 

[hendrix]

Gee, sharp turn from middle stump. Pitch is wearing.

 

[straw man]

Beauty!

Uh oh it's spinning

 

[wellAlbidarned]

ok shah is gonna wreck us if sodhi can do that on this

 

[Flem274*]

oh god is this going to be a win the toss and win the game deck?

 

[Flem274*]

two new batsmen at the crease guys! positives!

 

[vic_orthdox]

That really fizzed off the wicket too. Great ball.

 

[vandem]

I don't disagree, but Sodhi has been surprisingly good this innings. Has looked like a genuine test spinner, which is more than I'd have ever said about him before.

Agree. More control means he is a valid part of a Southee + Boult + Wagner + spinner + seamer allrounder attack, rather than a 15-75-2 second innings bowler.

IIRC just one loose spell yesterday, after lunch when Shehzad came down the pitch to a good length leggie and lofted over mid on, looked like Ish got rattled and starting trying a little too hard, full tosses and long hops.

 

[Gnske]

Sodhi > Warne

 

[hendrix]

ok shah is gonna wreck us if sodhi can do that on this

Dude, Sodhi has only bowled 2 full tosses and 17 deliveries short of a length this whole innings. He's gone at exactly 3 an over and has been our most threatening bowler by far.

He's bowled well.