If Pakistan wastes the new ball at Melbourne.....

[Junaids]

It is pretty much universally accepted that at the MCG a bowling team has to make deep inroads with the New Ball, because after 20 overs batting becomes easy.

But Pakistan has chosen to omit Mohammad Asif, who is almost certainly the best bowler with a new ball that the country has ever had. (Imran and Waqar were much better with the old ball, as was Wasim Akram).

We all know that Wahab Riaz has very few New Ball skills.

The choice of a partner for Mohammad Amir seems to come down to Sohail Khan (whom Mickey Arthur last week described as ineffective after his first spell) or Rahat Ali, who is a scattergun.

Imran Khan, meanwhile, is widely viewed as an old ball bowler. And is slower and shorter than any visiting opening bowler seen at the MCG in many years.

It's a massive decision. If Pakistan fails to take a minimum of two wickets in the first twenty overs with the new ball, the Test will be lost.

 

[Sidilicious]

Let it go man!

Your posts have been stuck at the same chord for the last 1 year. Its obvious that Pakistan aren't selecting Asif anytime soon. About time you did too.

Your posts would be better off suggesting what Pakistan does with the people in its team currently.

 

[ali ray]

No worry dude next two tests will be ours

 

[ShoonyaSifar]

Then blame the conditions like you did when Asif bowled in QEA finals 2nd innings lol

 

[JibranAnsari]

Asif is history. lets get over him and look towards future.

 

[Dr_Bassim]

Your entire post is based on the premise that Pakistan is bowling first after losing the toss.

I think MCG will become flatter over the test match so if Pakistan is batting first, they will struggle anyways for picking up wickets later on in the match , new ball or not.

 

[Junaids]

Your entire post is based on the premise that Pakistan is bowling first after losing the toss.

I think MCG will become flatter over the test match so if Pakistan is batting first, they will struggle anyways for picking up wickets later on in the match , new ball or not.

Either way, they need to get Warner and Smith before the Kookaburra loses its shine and hardness. Or they are finished.

 

[Junaids]

The key is wickets at the MCG with the new ball. It's so hard to hang on with a foothold in the game without them.

 

[Wasim_Waqar]

If this if that.

Pakistan need to turn up and remain professional. The rest will take care of itself.

 

[NauV]

I'm confused about the toss .. there are conflicting reports .. we obviously would love to bat first, put runs on the board and bring yasir into the game .. and that's when we are at our best .. however, I've read some reports saying MCG will have a bit of grass and the groundsman said it will be best to bowl on first up and then will flatten out.. it's a dilemma .. the problem is even if there is a bit in the pitch you can expect pakistan to be 140 for 6 by tea

 

[Junaids]

I'm confused about the toss .. there are conflicting reports .. we obviously would love to bat first, put runs on the board and bring yasir into the game .. and that's when we are at our best .. however, I've read some reports saying MCG will have a bit of grass and the groundsman said it will be best to bowl on first up and then will flatten out.. it's a dilemma .. the problem is even if there is a bit in the pitch you can expect pakistan to be 140 for 6 by tea

I think that Pakistan can only win by batting first and scoring more than 400.

The problems will be:

1) If Australia bats first, Pakistan bats last with Lyon pitching into the footmarks, and
2) As this thread argues, in BOTH innings when they bowl Pakistan needs at least 2 wickets with the New Ball or they will be dead men walking.

Even two wickets with the new ball might not be enough - they might only get Renshaw and Khawaja!

 

[Bewal Express]

If PK don't win the toss and bat 2nd,they will almost certainly lose. Bat first and score 350 and they will be in the game, if the Australians score 350 batting first,the game is over. But then again, deep down I can't see us winning whether we bat first or 2nd.