**Official**VB Series 2005 Australia,Pakistan,West Indies.

[marc71178]

With 8 overs or 8 balls, between Razzaq and Afridi, I would take Afridi anyday.

I could understand with 8 balls, but wonder why with 8 overs - for me Razzaq is more likely to score more runs in that time than Afridi because he's far more likely to still be there in the 49th and 50th overs.

 

[marc71178]

On another note, is this a cool picture or what:

Clearly Inzy wants his right hand free to hold his pie!

 

[no1]

i agree with you ozzy are the best that is coming from a kiwi

 

[Unattainableguy]

I could understand with 8 balls, but wonder why with 8 overs - for me Razzaq is more likely to score more runs in that time than Afridi because he's far more likely to still be there in the 49th and 50th overs.

Maybe more runs but certainly won't score those runs faster than Afridi. And Afridi did do well in the previous matches that they should have had faith in him that he could not only score runs fast but also stick around for a few overs. However, even if Afridi gets out in around 2 overs, it still won't hurt them much because he won't have missed any balls and you still have Razzaq, which is better than Razzaq coming in and taking some time to settle in and then as he's going to go with his slogs, get's out.

And feel sorry for Younis Khan and Rana; so hard to even imagine what they must be going through and the Pakistani team.

 

[Jono]

Great win for Pakistan. Interesting that no one has brought up the 'Youhana' run-out incident where he kicked the ball away (accidentally or intentionally, you decide). An appeal may have changed this game. Still doesn't take away the fact that Inzy and Youhana batted brilliantly, and Rana and Afridi bowled extremely well. All this criticism of Rana seems unjustified to me. He's bowled extremely well in many games and has lead the Pakistani attack with guts considering their strike bowler Akhtar had to go home. Much better bowler than people care to believe.

Well, at the start of this game I was convinced the WI would be a better option to take on Australia in the finals, but at the end of Pakistan's innings I had changed my mind. Both WI and Pakistan don't exactly have intimidating attacks bar possibly one or two bowlers, but their batting can be dangerous. Going in it was clear that Pakistan had more form with their batting line-up. Inzy and Youhana are looking absolutely brilliant, and Razzaq and Afridi look dangerous at the bottom order. They could take up the challenge to Australia.

Very much looking forward to the finals.

 

[Sehwag309]

Bill Lawry has to stop saying "BANG" all the time

Might start using it at home oftenly too

 

[roseboy64]

I dont understand why lara chose to bat second. The west indies are horrible chasers, and everytime i see them lose its when they are chasing. Their two best performances this series have come when they were defending a total.
Unless lara fires again i bet money the windies will capitulate under the pressure of chasing a big total and lose badly.

Are you serious?How many times have you watched the West Indies recently?Last year for example I'd say more than 80% of the matches the Windies won they batted second including the CT Final.

 

[roseboy64]

WI did all i asked except to drop Chris Gayle.He's not playing well and should have been dropped.Marshall couldn't have done any worse today.I saw no point in making Chris bowl.Sarwan or even Powell would have been a better bet and King should have been playing from the start of the series.Dillon should never have even been picked for the original squad.He hadn't played a competitive cricket match since the CT game against Bangladesh and gets automatic selectoion when he's just crap.The selectors should realise once and for all that Dillon is finished.I'd say go for some experienced pacer until the youngsters(Best,Edwards....) are well again.

 

[Duncan]

Like somebody already said, it's good Pakistan made the finals because if they did not, this whole two month tour was a complete failure. Now they have some momentum and you can't count them out for the finals, it was just a few years ago they beat Australia 2-1. The only difference is that Pakistan's bowling was much better back then. But the batting is better now.

Bad luck for West Indies but they really didn't deserve to make it to the finals. Except for the Adeilade match, they haven't been all that impressive. Chris Gayle is a huge disappointment and his bowling was complete garbage. Perhaps West Indies should take a leaf out of Woolmer's book and make Powell a late order batsmen like Afridi. Then again, I have yet to see him hit crazy like Afridi. Maybe he should just be dropped. Dillon was a COMPLETE failure. Lara was excellent, and Chanderpaul and Sarwan gave good performances as well.

For Pakistan, Inzamam has been awesome. Pakistan's middle order seems really strong now and the later order always seems to boost the runrate at the go (well just Razzaq and Afridi really... Rana showed a decent performance against Australia as well). Their worry is the openers. Salman Butt seems to be suffering from Hameed syndrome and maybe too much pressure was placed on him. I suggest drop Hameed and bring in Umar. He has been given so many chances and he just keeps failing. Pakistan also needs to do something about Anjum and Khalil, their bowling has been crap.

 

[Duncan]

Australia doesn't have to do much... you don't need to miss around with a winning team. I feel Hayden won't be dropped. People are being too hard on him anyway. One failed series is not that big of a deal. I'm sure he will find his form soon.

 

[SJS]

The bat is in his left hand.

Oooooh !

I thought it is the good old Inzemaam from his Canada days. Remember, his getting into the stands to punch the spectator who celt calling him "aloo" (hindi/urdu for potato) and wanted to bash him up !

 

[SJS]

I could understand with 8 balls, but wonder why with 8 overs - for me Razzaq is more likely to score more runs in that time than Afridi because he's far more likely to still be there in the 49th and 50th overs.

Oh I am sorry, it was an error. Thanks for pointing it out. I meant Razzaq, 8 overs or 8 balls.

I wouldnt trust Afridi with 8 balls too.

 

[Arrow]

Are you serious?How many times have you watched the West Indies recently?Last year for example I'd say more than 80% of the matches the Windies won they batted second including the CT Final.

Im speaking historically over a 13 year period not 12 months.
And im also sure that statistically the win rate batting first in ODI's is clearly superior than second. In a pressure game runs on the board and pressuring the opposition in their chase is surely the most effective way to play.
And i wouldnt really use the CT final as evidence because they collapsed badly and needed a freakish 10th wicket partnership to win.

 

[Sehwag309]

Oooooh !

I thought it is the good old Inzemaam from his Canada days. Remember, his getting into the stands to punch the spectator who celt calling him "aloo" (hindi/urdu for potato) and wanted to bash him up !

..I met that HERO once (just a hello) 2 yrs back

 

[wahindiawah]

Hey all, I know this is out there but....

I feel that Australia will lose the VB series 2-0 to pakistan.

LOL! this got to be a big joke.

Pakistan will lose it 2-0 to Aus. Ponting knows that,Inzi knows that, infact we all knows that!

 

[wahindiawah]

I think the finals is going to be a one-sided game.I wouldn't have said that had Pakistan got Akhtar and co in their line-up, but unfortunately they don't have it and i don't see how the Rao's and Rana's can trouble the great Aus batters.

 

[marc71178]

Oh I am sorry, it was an error. Thanks for pointing it out. I meant Razzaq, 8 overs or 8 balls.

I wouldnt trust Afridi with 8 balls too.

I must say I didn't think it was an error, certainly for 8 balls!

 

[marc71178]

I think the finals is going to be a one-sided game.I wouldn't have said that had Pakistan got Akhtar and co in their line-up, but unfortunately they don't have it and i don't see how the Rao's and Rana's can trouble the great Aus batters.

Even though Pakistan won the last game without Akhtar?

 

[Arrow]

Pakistan are quite dangerous i feel. They have a good mix of quality experience and freak players like razzaq and afridi. The problem is getting them to all fix at once which is akin to flipping a coin.

 

[Dydl]

Even though Pakistan won the last game without Akhtar?

Akhtar does give away a lot of extras as well and isn't overall consistent. Maybe that is why they won against the Windies-although I doubt it.