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

[Bahnz]

Yeah, but most sides will suffer if you take away their best bowler and best batsman

True, but their departure is a lot more imminent than Southee and KW for NZ, or Anderson and Bell for England.

 

[Flametree]

I suspect they'll bring back Rutherford, put McCullum back to 5, drop Craig, then consider which of Neesham or Wagner to play.

 

[Flametree]

Yasir honouring the leg-spinner's code and bowling wide half-trackers to Sodhi...

 

[vic_orthdox]

I just don't see Babar being able to attack the outside edge in Australia/South Africa.

 

[smash84]

True, but their departure is a lot more imminent than Southee and KW for NZ, or Anderson and Bell for England.

Sure it is imminent but SLs batting should still be decent after Sangakkara. The bowling is a bit of a worry.

 

[OverratedSanity]

Sure it is imminent but SLs batting should still be decent after Sangakkara. The bowling is a bit of a worry.

You're the first person I've heard saying this. SL's batting prospects just aren't coming through. It's actually a really really dire situation. They need atleast 2 youngsters to step up their game to the next level like Angelo did, in the next 1-2 years. Otherwise, I can't see them being a good side.

 

[Pratters]

I love watching a leg spinner turning and goin rapidly to bowl his next delivery, running in to bowl it. What a ***y art.

 

[smash84]

On the bright side NZ might make it to the 5th day

 

[OverratedSanity]

On the bright side NZ might make it to the 5th day

They'll take the extra half hour.

 

[smash84]

You're the first person I've heard saying this. SL's batting prospects just aren't coming through. It's actually a really really dire situation. They need atleast 2 youngsters to step up their game to the next level like Angelo did, in the next 1-2 years. Otherwise, I can't see them being a good side.

SL will find a way. They always have

 

[Howe_zat]

Sodhi to top score please

 

[Bahnz]

SL will find a way. They always have

I'd say Sri Lanka solving the problem of replacing Mahela and Kumar is about as likely as a wormhole spontaneously appearing in orbit around Saturn.

 

[cnerd123]

Cricket is so uneven of late.

India vs. Pakistan on this deck could be a good contest, but I fear what's most likely to happen is that India will fold quickly. They just don't have the stomach for a fight - a massive first innings from Pak and it will be game over.

 

[smash84]

I'd say Sri Lanka solving the problem of replacing Mahela and Kumar is about as likely as a wormhole spontaneously appearing in orbit around Saturn.

Lol. Obviously they won't replace them immediately but am pretty sure Matthews will get the best out of hisresources and SL will still be competitive at home. He is a good captain

 

[OverratedSanity]

Cricket is so uneven of late.

India vs. Pakistan on this deck could be a good contest, but I fear what's most likely to happen is that India will fold quickly. They just don't have the stomach for a fight - a massive first innings from Pak and it will be game over.

I'd back Vijay, Dhawan and Pujara to have a feast on a pitch like this. The series in England showed a lack of spine, yeah, but it was born out of a complete inability and total lack of belief that they could handle the conditions. That won't happen in UAE.

 

[cnerd123]

Man Babar has an ugly action. I was expecting smooth, easy, efficient...not arms and legs flailing around with the bowling hand hidden behind his head.

Yasir I like...very Qadir like as someone has mentioned earlier.

 

[cnerd123]

I'd back Vijay, Dhawan and Pujara to have a feast on a pitch like this. The series in England showed a lack of spine, yeah, but it was born out of a complete inability and total lack of belief that they could handle the conditions. That won't happen in UAE.

I don't think that's the issue. It seems that as soon as they start losing, they give up. I can't remember the last time they followed up conceding a large first innings score with a big score with the bat.

And MSD in the field is terrible. Taking 20 wickets on this surface will be hard enough, but you can be sure MSD will put men on the boundary and look to contain once India go a session without a wicket.

Add to that the Indian quicks can't swing the old ball as well as the Pakistani quicks...recipe for disaster.

 

[Bahnz]

Sodhi is a naturally faster run scorer than Craig...I'm not sure I like Kippax's chances of winning big tomorrow.

 

[smash84]

They'll take the extra half hour.

Nopes

 

[OverratedSanity]

I don't think that's the issue. It seems that as soon as they start losing, they give up. I can't remember the last time they followed up conceding a large first innings score with a big score with the bat.

And MSD in the field is terrible. Taking 20 wickets on this surface will be hard enough, but you can be sure MSD will put men on the boundary and look to contain once India go a session without a wicket.

Add to that the Indian quicks can't swing the old ball as well as the Pakistani quicks...recipe for disaster.

I disagree. It's mostly because of the conditions in England which we couldn't handle at all. MSD will do fine as a captain if Ojha and shwin get something from the pitch. And Shami is fine with the old ball.