ICC CT 2017 | India v Pakistan | 4th June, 2017 | Birmingham | Pre-Match Thread

[MenInG]

Well India are in good nick but what can we expect from Pakistan?

 

[MenInG]

Some pics from training by the PCB

 

[Rayyman]

We can win. We have a good chance, if it is overcast and bowl first.

If India bowl first in overcast conditions, then Azhar, Babar, Sarfraz and Imad are key v.s. their bowlers.

If it is a flat pitch on a sunny day, then India will probably smash us.

 

[Speedster777]

We'll win, Inshallah.

 

[big_gamer007]

With all the drama and trash talking in the last 4-5 months by PCB, BCCI, players and fans alike finally we are arriving on the day of the actual match.. It's a huge chance for someone to become a hero and get his name etched in history books.. On paper india looks the stronger side but it's india vs Pakistan anything can happen on the given day.. Let's hope we get a good match and not a boring one sided phainta..

My prediction India to win by either 4 wickets or 40 runs..

 

[Gasman]

I suspect India will be too strong for us, but I think we have a 30% chance.
Need to bowl good tight lines first up and hope to nick a few out early.
Similarly when we bat we need a solid score in the first 10-15 overs with a decent run rate, then it will be anyone's game

 

[ask_analyse_act]

Looks like Indian fast bowlers all of them are in good rhythm coming into this champions trophy.
India wins the toss however will bowl first and if it is overcast conditions then it is really tough for Pakistan not to be bowled out for less than 100 or 130.

Bangladesh are reeling today at the oval under not so overcast conditions. Getting hurried by the bouncers and good length deliveries, batting looks like certified minnows. Must be embarrassing for the Bangladesh fans.

I feel they should open with Haris and Azhar. But shehzad not going anywhere after his quick 45 against bd.

Azhar shehzad and hafeez in top 4 with babar not being among the runs feels like 2/3 is coming soon on June 4 like what happened in the eng ODI series last year.

 

[StreetSmart]

will be a tough match, the only chance Pakistan have is if they can take early wickets otherwise losing by a big margin is on cards

 

[easy_like_sunday]

Most people saying we shouldnt open with shazad and azhar , but i think its crucial we open with these as indian new bowlers are gona cause our top order problems with the new ball and if our middle order comes in to early we will be playing catch up probably end of making a average score . However if we make a good start even if it slow we can take advantage of there spinners and part time bowlers and put pressure on them. I also think we should have hafeez at number 3 as babar batting in england against swinging ball is inexperinced and would be a walking wicket.

 

[idrizzy]

I suspect India will be too strong for us, but I think we have a 30% chance.
Need to bowl good tight lines first up and hope to nick a few out early.
Similarly when we bat we need a solid score in the first 10-15 overs with a decent run rate, then it will be anyone's game

Agree, 30% chance sounds about right.

 

[Rayyman]

Most people saying we shouldnt open with shazad and azhar , but i think its crucial we open with these as indian new bowlers are gona cause our top order problems with the new ball and if our middle order comes in to early we will be playing catch up probably end of making a average score . However if we make a good start even if it slow we can take advantage of there spinners and part time bowlers and put pressure on them. I also think we should have hafeez at number 3 as babar batting in england against swinging ball is inexperinced and would be a walking wicket.

Babar is better against the swing than Hafeez.

 

[Hasan123]

Some pics from training by the PCB

Weather looks better.

 

[easy_like_sunday]

Babar is inexperienced in England compared to hafeez i didnt say he was better than him

 

[Rayyman]

Babar is inexperienced in England compared to hafeez i didnt say he was better than him

They are playing Bhuvneshwar and Yadav. Not McGrath and Akram. No need to be scared of Indian bowling. There is nothing intimidating about them.

 

[Flat_Track_Bully]

First time in my life I've seen Pak players looking so lean. Every time new pics are uploaded boys are looking leaner and tougher.

 

[heddie19]

Isn't Azhar facing 1 match ban due to low overs rate in his last ODI as a captain against aussies ?
He should have been selected for WI squad even without playing a game. Inzi being foolish again.
Correct me if i'm wrong.

 

[easy_like_sunday]

They are playing Bhuvneshwar and Yadav. Not McGrath and Akram. No need to be scared of Indian bowling. There is nothing intimidating about them.

I think they will play kumar and bumra not the two you have suggested. Its my opinion anyway no point .jumping to conclusions

 

[Syed1]

I wasn't believing the hype of the Indian bowling that the Indian PP'ers were creating but after what they did to NZ and BD I'm beginning to be scared of Indian bowling for the first time in my life. We would have to bat very, very good to put up a good total. One thing that may go in our favour is that guys like Bumrah, Yadav, Bhuv and Ashwin (when being hit) are mental midgets and hopefully we impose ourselves on them so that they err.

It will be a good match.

 

[mumtaz]

The NZ vs SL warm-up is also being played at Edgbaston where it seems that SL's 356 will be easily chased down by NZ. So there is absolutely nothing in the wicket for the bowlers and even a 350 might not be safe.

Of course, that means that Pakistan must bat first as while chasing, the scoreboard pressure of a likely 300+ score will get to them. Pakistan must also play 4 fast bowlers and back Hafeez and Malik to fulfill the duties of a second spinner if required.

So the choice comes down to Imad and Shadab. I think Pakistan will go in with Imad.

The other choice is between Junaid and Wahab and I think Pakistan will go with Junaid.

This seems to be the most likely XI at the moment:
Azhar
Shehzad
Babar
Hafeez
Malik
Sarfaraz
Imad
Fahim
Hasan
Amir
Junaid

 

[heddie19]

The NZ vs SL warm-up is also being played at Edgbaston where it seems that SL's 356 will be easily chased down by NZ. So there is absolutely nothing in the wicket for the bowlers and even a 350 might not be safe.

Of course, that means that Pakistan must bat first as while chasing, the scoreboard pressure of a likely 300+ score will get to them. Pakistan must also play 4 fast bowlers and back Hafeez and Malik to fulfill the duties of a second spinner if required.

So the choice comes down to Imad and Shadab. I think Pakistan will go in with Imad.

The other choice is between Junaid and Wahab and I think Pakistan will go with Junaid.

This seems to be the most likely XI at the moment:
Azhar
Shehzad
Babar
Hafeez
Malik
Sarfaraz
Imad
Fahim
Hasan
Amir
Junaid

Again, isn't azhar banned for an ODI because of slow over rate against australia in Last ODI ??

 

[mumtaz]

^No, he isn't. That ban was for the first ODI vs WI.

 

[super hitter]

^No, he isn't. That ban was for the first ODI vs WI.

DOn't think so, he wasn't selected against WI

 

[troodon]

I wasn't believing the hype of the Indian bowling that the Indian PP'ers were creating but after what they did to NZ and BD I'm beginning to be scared of Indian bowling for the first time in my life. We would have to bat very, very good to put up a good total. One thing that may go in our favour is that guys like Bumrah, Yadav, Bhuv and Ashwin (when being hit) are mental midgets and hopefully we impose ourselves on them so that they err.

It will be a good match.

Agree with the mental midget thing. When BK/Bumrah/Ashwin/Jaddu get tonked, they do not respond very well. Only Ashwin has shown the mental toughness occasionally.

But to tonk, you need players like Chris Lynn, hales, Roy, Warner calibre players. I do not see any Pak batsmen smash Indian bowlers consistently barring an occasional boundary or six. No power hitters in the top or middle order of Pak batting line up.

Key is to attack Indian bowlers. But sometimes when it does not come up, the plan may fail miserably like how Bangla batsmen played today.

 

[Poison]

How bad is this threat of rain?

I've taken a day off work for this .. if we have a damp squib I am blaming MIG and MIG alone

 

[NauV]

I am not sure what to make of Fahim's hitting against Bangladesh and if JUST that one performance is enough to warrant him a position in teh starting XI, especially when his bowling is likely to get pummeled . .

And I wouldn't drop Shadab at all, because he has done everythign right since his debut, plus he has got the potential . . Leg spinners, if they bowl well, are match winners!

Hence, my team would be:

Shehzad
Hafeez
Babar
Haris (probably not goign to happen since he hasn't gotten any game yet)
Malik
Sarfaraz
Imad
Shadab
Amir
Hasan
Junaid

Like I have been saying all along, Pakistan's real problem in ODI is a GOOD number 6! It's an immensely important position in 50 over cricket today

 

[Yatoo]

Pakistan has 5% chance of pulling this off. India's bowling is simply too good for Pakistani batsmen.

 

[Rayyman]

Pakistan has 5% chance of pulling this off. India's bowling is simply too good for Pakistani batsmen.

I'd say 15-20% tbh.

 

[JaDed]

Dislike England's cricket conditions,so dependent upon the weather atleast in Aus if the bowler bends his back he would get pace and wicket,South African wickets are good as well.

 

[heddie19]

Can anyone clarify Azhar's ban thing once and for all. So that we can predict our starting XI

 

[zn426]

I am not sure what to make of Fahim's hitting against Bangladesh and if JUST that one performance is enough to warrant him a position in teh starting XI, especially when his bowling is likely to get pummeled . .

And I wouldn't drop Shadab at all, because he has done everythign right since his debut, plus he has got the potential . . Leg spinners, if they bowl well, are match winners!

Hence, my team would be:

Shehzad
Hafeez
Babar
Haris (probably not goign to happen since he hasn't gotten any game yet)
Malik
Sarfaraz
Imad
Shadab
Amir
Hasan
Junaid

Like I have been saying all along, Pakistan's real problem in ODI is a GOOD number 6! It's an immensely important position in 50 over cricket today

The problems are at 1,2, and 6. These guys don't rotate the strike and they don't play with power.
I would rather put Sarfraz up as an opener because he has shown he can open before, and do so successfully. He opened in 2014 and 2015, and in those years averaged 42.55. Granted, one of those innings was a 101 against Australia, but in his other 9 innings he also recorded an opening 65 vs. Australia at a SR of 90 and a 49 vs. South Africa at a SR of 100 (2015 world cup).

The question is whether he will have the courage to go ahead and open. We know he can be a better option than Shehzad or Azhar.

 

[Syed1]

Can anyone clarify Azhar's ban thing once and for all. So that we can predict our starting XI

He has finished the one match ban and is available for selection.

 

[mumtaz]

By the way, Sunday seems like it would be overcast and there could be showers, so a good possibility of a rain-shortened match. All the more reason to play 4 fast bowlers and leave out one of Imad or Shadab.

 

[Abdullah719]

 

[Arham_PakFan]

My starting lineup:

Azhar(if overcast conditions)/Shehzad
Fakhar
Babar
Hafeez(guy seems to be undroppable)
Haris
Malik
Sarfraz
Imad
Shadab
Amir
Hasan Ali

 

[troodon]

My starting lineup:

Azhar(if overcast conditions)/Shehzad
Fakhar
Babar
Hafeez(guy seems to be undroppable)
Haris
Malik
Sarfraz
Imad
Shadab
Amir
Hasan Ali

Who will be the big hitter in the lineup?

Malik can belt a few when spinners come. But wont be easy to loft Jaddu and Ashwin.
Haris is not a power hitter. Neither are Sarfraz and Imad.

I can see Hafeez having some success if he survives the Indian pace bowlers.

Barring a huge surprise, I do not see this lineup score more than 250 at best.

May be Pak will up their game, but it looks unlikely.

 

[sadida97]

Need to play a leg spinner

 

[Commander]

I think it will be a rain hit match. Overs will be reduced which can favor Pakistan. Fahim Ashraf should be given the go ahead over Shadab and Wahab should not play any of our 3 matches

 

[Khwaja]

best XI ever... MUST PLAY TO WIN

Azhar Ali
Fakhar Zaman
Babar Azam
Mohammed Hafeez
Shoaib Malik
Sarfaraz Ahmed
Imad Wasim
Shadab Khan
Mohammed Aamer
Hassan Ali
Wahab Riaz

 

[Arham_PakFan]

Who will be the big hitter in the lineup?

Malik can belt a few when spinners come. But wont be easy to loft Jaddu and Ashwin.
Haris is not a power hitter. Neither are Sarfraz and Imad.

I can see Hafeez having some success if he survives the Indian pace bowlers.

Barring a huge surprise, I do not see this lineup score more than 250 at best.

May be Pak will up their game, but it looks unlikely.

There is no big hitter in the squad itself.I can't say much of Faheem Ashraf as I haven't seen him bat,however I have seen him bowl and trust me he won't threaten your batting lineup.Fakhar,Hafeez and Malik are decent hitters and can smack a few against the spinners.Imad when set can also hit and Hasan Ali can hit big as well.

 

[Barragan]

I'd like to see this line up:

1. Zam
2. Shehzad
3. Azam
4. Sarfi
5. Malik
6. Hafeez
7. Fahim
8. Imad
9. Shadab/Junaid
10. Amir
11. Hasan

Shadab should play, but he needs to be used from 35th over onwards. He was inconsistent against the WI and was hammered, but picked up wkts when the batsmen were going after him in the latter overs and he won't have turning tracks like he did in the WI.

Got to use him like a T20 bowler and bowl him in the death only.

If he is going to be used in the middle overs, then better to play Junaid instead.

 

[yasir]

How is the weather looks like?

http://www.accuweather.com/en/gb/birmingham/b5-5/daily-weather-forecast/326966?day=4

https://weather.com/weather/tenday/l/UKXX0018:1:UK

We might get better picture by Saturday, we may not get 100 overs on Sunday

 

[yasir]

No matter how we look at it, Pakistan batting is just way too weak and 1980s style. Bowling has improved with inclusion of Amir, Hasan and Shadab, but batting is not CT or ICC tournment level. There is no fear factor, specially since Sharjeel and UA are gone, nobody will fear Azhar,Shezad,Hafeez and Sarfraz, everybody welcome the minnow batters, it just does not inspire any confidence what so ever :

 

[Rana]

The money I paid for my ticket on sunday isnt anything short of an arm and a leg. I will be so dissapointed if my first ever India Pakistan match is washed out!

 

[Rana]

Bowling wise im pretty happy with our attack,

Ideally Pakistan needs 'The fear factor; in batting as mentioned by one poster. We need a batsman ready to take the game away from India, the way Yuvraj and Dhoni can do so from Pakistan

 

[mumtaz]

The forecast seems to be clearing up. But it would probably be overcast throughout the day. Definitely need to go with 4 seamers with either Shadab or Imad sitting out for Fahim. The seamers need to pitch the ball up which should rule out Wahab as an option.

With rain probably in the second half of the day and cloud cover in the first half, this increasingly looks like a bowl-first scenario.

 

[Bilal.0]

I feel you bro on this. Would really like for us to get 100 overs. I have been following the weather for the last couple of days and it changes a ton.

 

[MachoKhan]

Only met office predicts that it may rain around 1 pm before that it wont. But the rest weather sites predicts it will rain throughout the day. [MENTION=2016]Rana[/MENTION] [MENTION=58360]Bilal.0[/MENTION]

 

[Sadevdesai]

The Indians, as usual, are totally quiet before the Match !!!!!!!

 

[MenInG]

WILL be a packed house.

No injuries so far apart from Wahab minor one so all looking good for both teams

 

[MachoKhan]

Yup and weather looking good too

 

[Faiz]

Your Pak XI vs Ind

Mine would be in bat order

1. Hafeez - all rounder
2. Azhar Ali - bat
3. Babar - bat
4. Sarfraz - wk/bat
5. Malik - all rounder
6. Fakhar Zaman - bat
7. Fahim Ashraf - all rounder
8. Imad - all rounder
9. Shadab - all rounder
10. Amir - bowler
11. Junaid - bowler

 

[raza hassan]

Best Team:

Mine would be in bat order

1. Fakhar Zaman - bat / gamble for quick start/ all rounder
2. Shahzad - bat / occasional hitter
3. Babar - bat / good timer
4. Harris - bat / good timer / all rounder
5. Sarfraz - wk / bat / good timer
6. Hafeez - bat / hitter in last overs / all rounder
7. Malik - bat / hitter in last overs / all rounder
8. Fahim - bowler / hitter
9. Hassan Ali - bowler / hitter
10. Shahdab - bowler / slow bat
11. Amir - bowler / slow bat

Use 4 batting all rounders, to bowl 10 to 20 overs. Hafeez and Fakhar zaman are very decent bowlers, can easily replace Imad. Junaid Khan doesn't have pace or form to trouble any decent batting line up.

 

[raza hassan]

Hafeez or Malik sent up the order will waste balls for getting set. Send them late, they will be forced to play fast which they can, both are good six hitters. The above combination has 7 batsman + 4 good tail enders & 4 bowlers & 4 good all rounders.

 

[MenInG]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-partner="tweetdeck"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Light practice session for Pakistan players today. Wahab has recovered from injury & is taking a full part in practice <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Cricket?src=hash">#Cricket</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CT17?src=hash">#CT17</a></p>— Saj Sadiq (@Saj_PakPassion) <a href="https://twitter.com/Saj_PakPassion/status/870949069648261121">June 3, 2017</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[hisham_ashraf]

First of all we need to pick the right 11 which we won't.Our team should be
1.Fakhar
2.Shahzad
3.Babar
4.Hafeez
5.Sarfaraz
6.Malik
7.Imad
8.Shadab
9.Hasan
10.Amir
11.Junaid
But instead we will pick Azhar,Fahim,maybe Wahab too.

 

[hisham_ashraf]

Pak need to score 280+ and they will have a more than good enough chance to win.

 

[NauV]

Fakhar Zaman, Harris Sohail and Junaid Khan not in the final 12 for tomorrow . . Mickey Arthur

 

[Pollack]

People in and around Edgebaston would know better about weather. UK's weather is terribly unpredictable.

 

[MenInG]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-partner="tweetdeck"><p lang="in" dir="ltr">12 man Pakistan squad for tomorrow - Azhar Ahmed Babar Hafeez Malik Sarfaraz Imad Amir Shadab Wahab Fahim and Hasan <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CT17?src=hash">#CT17</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/IndvPak?src=hash">#IndvPak</a></p>— Saj Sadiq (@Saj_PakPassion) <a href="https://twitter.com/Saj_PakPassion/status/870967744614760448">June 3, 2017</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[raza hassan]

Than rain can only save Pakistan

 

[shaz619]

I don't buy into XI's for both teams, the crowd will play a bigger role and how the players handle an electric atmosphere and the pressure of a pak/Ind contest.

 

[Syed1]

I don't buy into XI's for both teams, the crowd will play a bigger role and how the players handle an electric atmosphere and the pressure of a pak/Ind contest.

Shaz are you going?

 

[shaz619]

Shaz are you going?

I have an exam on the 5th my final one ever! so won't be able to go, but have bought tickets for the semi final at Edgbaston so will get to support my team then, would have been nice to witness the Indian burial as well though

 

[Syed1]

I have an exam on the 5th my final one ever! so won't be able to go, but have bought tickets for the semi final at Edgbaston so will get to support my team then, would have been nice to witness the Indian burial as well though

Damn how are you going to study for the final when the match is on.

 

[shaz619]

Damn how are you going to study for the final when the match is on.

Am going to try and get as much work out of the way now and then wake up early on game day to do the same, then on game day try and do some work while I watch the game as well

 

[Syed1]

Am going to try and get as much work out of the way now and then wake up early on game day to do the same, then on game day try and do some work while I watch the game as well

LMAO Good luck

 

[Slog]

The announcement of the squad has left me deflated

 

[LegendInzi]

Only rain can save from yet another humiliation.

 

[Syed1]

Only rain can save from yet another humiliation.

Rain is no longer a factor




I was alot more optimistic yesterday than today

 

[x_KINGKHAN_x]

Hello to the people of PakPassion

 

[Madplayer]

Only rain can save from yet another humiliation.

True. Only rain can save India from yet another humiliating defeat in the CT.

 

[Crafty_Indian]

True. Only rain can save India from yet another humiliating defeat in the CT.

Get ready to have egg on your face by the time the match gets done.

 

[Pakistani Pace]

True. Only rain can save India from yet another humiliating defeat in the CT.

 

[battler]

I have an exam on the 5th my final one ever! so won't be able to go, but have bought tickets for the semi final at Edgbaston so will get to support my team then, would have been nice to witness the Indian burial as well though

How cute, your going to spend your time and money watching the Indian team live

 

[pakistanigoneaussie]

hope by some minor miracle we win

then i can buy a horse for Aakash Chopra

 

[Madplayer]

Get ready to have egg on your face by the time the match gets done.

The good ol egg mask. Tightens the skin, gives you a fresh look. Perfect after beating india and just before attending the celebrations.

 

[Specialisttailender]

Less than 20 hrs left

 

[Billy1999]

Is Kumara sangakarra the only neutral to say Pakistan is a decent team and no one should write them off lots of people say that but then say they won't qualify I just heard him in the post match Sri vs South Africa very good man

 

[DawoodChaudhry]

Is Kumara sangakarra the only neutral to say Pakistan is a decent team and no one should write them off lots of people say that but then say they won't qualify I just heard him in the post match Sri vs South Africa very good man

sanga always support pakistan becouse of neibour relations but i think pakistan will win tournament and also sanga has very good english british accent

 

[skylinegtr]

Pakistan v India ....they were the days .......aaagh

Who are these people playing for Pakistan lol only Amir HAD something about him and the little I've seen since he's lost what little he had
Ahmed shezad is playing hafeez omg and Malik no no no
A shame we destroyed what we once had
India will batter us tomorrow but saying that even Afghanistan and Bangladesh would probably wallop us .
I'll only watch this game because it's v India but other than that this Pakistani team is the worst most boring team in our history
No physic
No stature
Just a bunch of undernourished average second class players who if belonged to another cricket nation would be just normal nobodies in sport

Why bother I'll tell myself tonight but come tomorrow I'll be sitting in the dark on my own watching this with a knot in my throat a butterfly in my stomach screaming pulling my hair and praying for a win