Mohammad Amir, Junaid Khan and Hasan Ali against India at the 2017 Champions Trophy

[fazleefridi]

I don't know why?, I have a bad feeling, that we might struggle against these 3 seamers.

Amir:Finding his rhythm, in the series against WI
Junaid:He did really well against us, in 2012. Yes, he's same, no more.
Hassan: A clever rookie, who has the knack of taking wickets.

Rohit(Inconsistent)
Dhawan(making a return)
Kohli(Junaid's bunny, and in worst form of his life)
Dhoni(Selfish)
Yuvi(Well past him prime, especially can't handle the swing in early june, in England)
Jadhav
Pandya(Blind slogger)
Jadeja

Amir and Junaid, could make the most of the new ball.

If Amir, bowls like that Asia cup spell, and Junaid like, 2012 spell, we are bound to surrender.

But one advantage is, we bat deep. Pandya at 7, Jadeja at 8 and Ashwin at 9.

What are your thoughts?

 

[Chief Destroyer]

It's a day match. The kookaburra is not gonna swing. I'm expecting a high scoring match.

 

[fazleefridi]

It's a day match. The kookaburra is not gonna swing. I'm expecting a high scoring match.

Yes, it won't, as much as the dukes. But, it will swing, especially in early June.

More than swing, I am worried about our top order.

Rohit
Dhawan
Kohli(Hoping, he would find his form, befire the CT)

 

[BD-fan]

Great bowling lineup. Will Pak hold their catches is the MAIN question. Dropped 5 catches on Sachin and he went on to make a match saving 86. Five catches to one of the best in business. No amount of Waqar-Wasim-Imran can win if the fielding is that horrendous.

 

[ExpressPacer]

This is all a hypothesis. Kohli is out of form but always steps up in pressure games, especially vs Pakistan. And Junaid Khan is also in the worst form of his life.

 

[czar]

Yeah Pakistanis easily the favorites, look at the Babbar Sher fast bowling unit, India simply don't have a chance.

I have given up on the match against Pakistan and hoping India wins other matches in the group and move to the next round and don't meet Pakistan again. Fingers crossed.

 

[fazleefridi]

M AMIR
J KHAN
H ALI
I WASIM
F ASHRAF/ S KHAN

This is a decent bowling. line up. I don't think, Pakistan would play, Shadab against us. They would probably, go with 4 Pacers.

 

[Mamoon]

Junaid is a serial match loser and one of the worst bowlers in the world. If he plays, India will be playing with twelve players and Pakistan ten.

 

[ask_analyse_act]

Junaid is a serial match loser and one of the worst bowlers in the world. If he plays, India will be playing with twelve players and Pakistan ten.

forget about junaid... if they play azhar, shehzad, hafeez and wahab then India would be playing with 15 and pak 7...

 

[Logical]

Junaid will give up close to 100 runs.

 

[Hawkeye]

Don't ever mention Junaid in the same sentence as Amir and Kohli.

Even Hasan.

Junaid is Imran Khan level bowler .

 

[Mamoon]

forget about junaid... if they play azhar, shehzad, hafeez and wahab then India would be playing with 15 and pak 7...

In my opinion, Pakistan's only chance is to bat first and score around 300, with the hope that Kohli will fail against Pakistan for a change, who has made us his little.....never mind. If India bat first, anything above 250 and we will crap our pants as usual. Their spinners will suffocate our right-handed middle-order into submission.

 

[ExpressPacer]

Junaid needs to replaced by Sohail Khan.

 

[khan991]

Extremely optimistic about our bowling lineup , junaid is a big game player he will come through for us. Their are some players who love it when the stage is the brightest and he seems to be the one. Amir I expect to be effective and put pressure on batsmen while others get wicket. I am little worried about hasan economy rate but hopefully his expereince will cease him through.

 

[Mamoon]

A complete disaster in the 2013 Champions Trophy, 2014 World T20 and 2014 Asia Cup. Big game player for sure.

 

[fazleefridi]

Amir : 10-45-2
Junaid : 10-60-2
Hasan : 10-55-3

Total: 30 overs, 160-7.

 

[GLORY OF '92]

Haha.

Only hope is Hasan.

A massacre is likely.

 

[Deewana Mastana]

Indians and their ways of jinxing.

 

[fazleefridi]

Indians and their ways of jinxing.

I am not trying to Jinx, bro. You guys have a lethal attack, against our stumbling top order.

 

[Deewana Mastana]

I am not trying to Jinx, bro. You guys have a lethal attack, against our stumbling top order.

Come on, India's stumbling top order, seriously? Rohit Sharma been decent or so in the few IPL matches, Dhawan too same, Rahane again same. Kohli hasn't fired much which again no big issue IMO come the big tourney he will go bananas.

As for our attack, it is pretty mediocre barring Amir and perhaps Hasan in a way but still they all have their days. Pakistan's attack is not what it used to be a decade back.

 

[moghul]

I am not trying to Jinx, bro. You guys have a lethal attack, against our stumbling top order.

Lethal attack ))

 

[ChachaPakistani]

this happens every time Pakistan and India are about to play each other lol. Some Indian fans will make more of a case of a Pak victory than Pak fans themselves and then we all know the outcome.

With this **** poor bat selection I expect very little to none from Pakistan with that remaining glimmer of hope for something special. with batsmen like shehzad and umar akmal we're already 2 players short.

 

[GoUgandaCranes]

we are ranked number 8 for a reason. our bowling, batting, and fielding compete each other every match day to prove which one is actually the worst.

cannot even find the funny side over here anymore.

 

[ask_analyse_act]

this happens every time Pakistan and India are about to play each other lol. Some Indian fans will make more of a case of a Pak victory than Pak fans themselves and then we all know the outcome.

With this **** poor bat selection I expect very little to none from Pakistan with that remaining glimmer of hope for something special. with batsmen like shehzad and umar akmal we're already 2 players short.

Adding azhar hafeez and wahab 5 players short

 

[Speedster777]

Hassan Ali , Shadab and Imad will be the key.

 

[htariq25]

I think we r better off playing fahim instead of junaid. Junaid is done and dusted. He's clearly not the bowler he used to be. Fahim can add depth to batting so I think he's a better choice.

 

[Syed1]

India is going to bat first score 330 odd. Pakistan is going to begin the chase well, will go steady not ballistic but just enough to stay with the rate. Then will lose a couple of wickets and this will bring lots of tuk tuk and eventually the batsmen will succumb to the rising rate falling short by about a 100 runs.

 

[Sarfarazian92]

India is going to bat first score 330 odd. Pakistan is going to begin the chase well, will go steady not ballistic but just enough to stay with the rate. Then will lose a couple of wickets and this will bring lots of tuk tuk and eventually the batsmen will succumb to the rising rate falling short by about a 100 runs.

Where is the optimism of yesteryear syed bhai

 

[SarfiBabarHaris]

Pak's bowling is fine. Our batting is worse with tuk tuks

 

[Hamza_]

Damaad of India is our only batting hope.

 

[Bilal7]

Exactly what I've been saying. Add Wahab Riaz to that attack and if we can get a decent score on the board, India is going to get blown away by some old-school Pakistani pace bowling.

Amir and Junaid with the new ball, six and five overs respectively. Hassan coming on first change and keeping it extremely tight and choking the already stunned Indian batting lineup. Riaz coming on to wrap up the tail with quick yorkers. The sole spinner, either Imad or Shadab, can bowl a few overs here and there and try to get a bonus wicket or two, Hafeez and Malik can help out if the pitch offers turn.

Four pacers = India and Sri Lanka get dominated.

 

[big_gamer007]

Shehzad
Azhar Ali
Umar Akmal
Kamran Akmal
Younis Khan
Shafiq
Sarfaraz
Afridi
Anwar Ali
Bilawal bhati
Amir

Play this team and you will comprehensively beat us else you got no chance..

 

[Azzurri]

It ain't happeneing bro. This Pakistani team is way too weak

 

[Arsalan Pro]

Best chance for Pakistan here, we should bowl first no matter what and should restrict them to 230 odd, then we can chase that score easily.

 

[Arsalan Pro]

Eagerly waiting for that moment where Amir traps Rohit Sharma LBW in the very first over of the match.

 

[world cup captain]

Jinx threads have already started.

Every Pakistan-India match there are these threads and India ends up humiliating Pakistan every time.

 

[dildildalwalla]

Junaid is really inconsistent these days but Amir and Ali are on form and I bet they'll take a couple wickets. Thing is, Pak's greatest strength in recent times has been their spinners and I'm sure both Imad and Shadab will play, along with Malik and Hafeez, so it will be interesting to see how the Indians handle them.

 

[Haz95]

Virat Kohli vs Pakistan is overrated. Has that one (brilliant) 183 and an ugly as heck 100 which was saved by Rainas onslaught.

Pakistan's main problem would be an in form Rohit Sharma.

oh and Junaid Khan is rubbish, Amir would be defensive and Hasan may do well. Wahab is also rubbish while Sohail would [have] been interesting

 

[Inswing]

I literally dont care about PAK vs Ind matches because i know what will be the outcome of the match No more expectations. Virat will find his form against our bowlers who will be just too afraid and nervous

 

[ahmedwaqas92]

Mark my words !! We will win this game comfortably.

 

[fazleefridi]

0.1, Amir to Sharma, OUT. Oh! That's a huge wicket. Full delivery, pitching on the middle and straightens. Sharma, playing around it, and caught in the crease. Sharma, walks back for a first ball duck. Pakistan gets the early breakthrough.

I can see, Amir, clapping and stretching his hands in joy.

Rohit, post match: Amir, is an ordinary bowler.

 

[Nikhil_cric]

Mark my words !! We will win this game comfortably.

We shall see brother

 

[ChachaPakistani]

I'll give hafeez a pass for now because he had recently been doing pretty decently in the short format and if he can provide a few overs of economic bowling with imad and some wicket taking spin from shadab that'd be good. but i agree with azhar and wahab. i cant stand wahab anymore, he is horrendous

 

[waleed88]

Great bowling lineup. Will Pak hold their catches is the MAIN question. Dropped 5 catches on Sachin and he went on to make a match saving 86. Five catches to one of the best in business. No amount of Waqar-Wasim-Imran can win if the fielding is that horrendous.

You can't underestimate the pressure of the occassion. Those were some very experienced hands like Misbah Younis, who normally don't drop any...

 

[waleed88]

If its a flat track like the one it was when England made 400+ against us.. we are doomed!!

And not only that, we will never be able to come back from that defeat in the tournament

 

[Bilal7]

0.1, Amir to Sharma, OUT. Oh! That's a huge wicket. Full delivery, pitching on the middle and straightens. Sharma, playing around it, and caught in the crease. Sharma, walks back for a first ball duck. Pakistan gets the early breakthrough.

I can see, Amir, clapping and stretching his hands in joy.

Rohit, post match: Amir, is an ordinary bowler.

Lol, that would be epic. Even better if he bowls him and does the 'good, little boy' celebration.

 

[waleed88]

A complete disaster in the 2013 Champions Trophy, 2014 World T20 and 2014 Asia Cup. Big game player for sure.

1 match in world t20, 1 match vs India in Asia cup...

and 3 matches in CT 2013...

AS compared to that ladies and gentlemen Kamran Akmal's failiure list :

ICC world cup (50 over) 2007, ICC champions trophy 2006 (50 overs)

World cup t20 2007, Champions trophy 2009, World Cup ODI 2011, t20 World Cup 2012, Champions Trophy 2013, t20 World cup 2014
[MENTION=131701]Mamoon[/MENTION] : He should be our opener in Champions Trophy 2017

 

[ExplicitAI]

To be honest it all depends on how Sarfraz manages the bowlers. I know he's tough enough to handle all teams but can he handle India? He's going to have to have attacking fields and pray that no one drops catches. Only way to win this game is to get wickets and bat quickly and sensibly.

 

[ahmedwaqas92]

We shall see brother

Brother we all know what the outcome of the match would be unfortunately.

Your government will contact PML-N leaders, Sethi and Nawaz Sharif on how in the interest of both countries and its friendship we should throw the match

While since us lot aren't hardliners when it comes to cricket we will most probably give in to the request in the hope that this kind gesture would enable us to move in the right direction and for the resumption of bilateral ties.

The result has already been predefined sadly

 

[Nikhil_cric]

Brother we all know what the outcome of the match would be unfortunately.

Your government will contact PML-N leaders, Sethi and Nawaz Sharif on how in the interest of both countries and its friendship we should throw the match

While since us lot aren't hardliners when it comes to cricket we will most probably give in to the request in the hope that this kind gesture would enable us to move in the right direction and for the resumption of bilateral ties.

The result has already been predefined sadly

What's with this excuse now? Where is your patriotism brother? You should back your team to the hilt no matter what.

 

[Mamoon]

1 match in world t20, 1 match vs India in Asia cup...

and 3 matches in CT 2013...

AS compared to that ladies and gentlemen Kamran Akmal's failiure list :

ICC world cup (50 over) 2007, ICC champions trophy 2006 (50 overs)

World cup t20 2007, Champions trophy 2009, World Cup ODI 2011, t20 World Cup 2012, Champions Trophy 2013, t20 World cup 2014
[MENTION=131701]Mamoon[/MENTION] : He should be our opener in Champions Trophy 2017

Of course we are a team full of bottlers, which is why we haven't one a knockout since the 2011 World Cup and a Final since the 2012 Asia Cup, but you have to consider the alternatives. Kamran has his weaknesses, but he is a better option for Limited Overs than Azhar, who has no impact whatsoever. Kamran's brief stints at the crease are likely to do more good than Azhar's 70 or 80 in 35 overs.

On the other hand, Junaid has been preferred to Sohail even though he has been absolute crap at every level for a long time now, and has lost 4-5 matches single-handedly for his team lately. Selected him over Sohail was great injustice.

Nonetheless, Kamran isn't even in the squad and has been punished for a below par series in the Caribbean. Junaid though, has been richly rewarded for his brilliant performances at all levels since 2014. He has bowled like a legend for Pakistan, Zalmi and in the Pakistan Cup.

 

[Shafi]

India will score at least 350 if not 400. Than Azhar, Shehzad, Hafeez will tuktuking to score 220-250. Complete disaster.

 

[Ultimate]

Hasan Ali may click, but not sure about Amir and Junaid, especially Junaid, as he has been quite mediocre.

 

[Hawkeye]

1 match in world t20, 1 match vs India in Asia cup...

and 3 matches in CT 2013...

AS compared to that ladies and gentlemen Kamran Akmal's failiure list :

ICC world cup (50 over) 2007, ICC champions trophy 2006 (50 overs)

World cup t20 2007, Champions trophy 2009, World Cup ODI 2011, t20 World Cup 2012, Champions Trophy 2013, t20 World cup 2014
[MENTION=131701]Mamoon[/MENTION] : He should be our opener in Champions Trophy 2017

So you're accepting he's the biggest bottler that we have? Despite consistently playing these major tournaments he failed.

And why don't you look outside the tournaments too. Recently he's been winning matches for the opposition teams.

 

[waleed88]

Of course we are a team full of bottlers, which is why we haven't one a knockout since the 2011 World Cup and a Final since the 2012 Asia Cup, but you have to consider the alternatives. Kamran has his weaknesses, but he is a better option for Limited Overs than Azhar, who has no impact whatsoever. Kamran's brief stints at the crease are likely to do more good than Azhar's 70 or 80 in 35 overs.

On the other hand, Junaid has been preferred to Sohail even though he has been absolute crap at every level for a long time now, and has lost 4-5 matches single-handedly for his team lately. Selected him over Sohail was great injustice.

Nonetheless, Kamran isn't even in the squad and has been punished for a below par series in the Caribbean. Junaid though, has been richly rewarded for his brilliant performances at all levels since 2014. He has bowled like a legend for Pakistan, Zalmi and in the Pakistan Cup.

Considering t20 world cup 2014 and Asia cup 2014 both took place in Bangladesh.. I don't see what the big fuss is all about..

IN the CT 2013, yes he underperformed, but considering out team was defending a miserly 170+ against the WI who had the likes of Gayle, Samuels, Bravo, Sammy in the side was asking bit too much of our bowling...

We then faced South Africa who managed 233 against us... again great bowling by Ajmal but if in this era you can't chase down 233 then you don't deserve to play any tournament..

Our final game was against India where we made 160 in 40 overs, in a rain hit game, which then changed to 25 overs if I'm not wrong... in the end it was useless trying to hate on the bowlers when the required run rate never had to cross 4 runs per over..

Which is the only major tournament Junaid has played in...

Definitely deserves another go... its still alot less than the opportunities the akmals have had over the years...

 

[waleed88]

So you're accepting he's the biggest bottler that we have? Despite consistently playing these major tournaments he failed.

And why don't you look outside the tournaments too. Recently he's been winning matches for the opposition teams.

Not counting the PSL, he was outstanding in the only ODI we won against Australia...

He did decently against the WI too... removed Chase the guy who took apart our bowling in the first game we lost..


Still havent' seen anyone complain about his chucking besides Basit Ali of real life and the Basit ali of Pakpassion...

 

[waleed88]

Granted Sohail was on the receiving of the gross injustice... I would like to see him in my ODI squad... a great lower order hard hitter as well..

His performances with the new ball were very handy for Pakistan... ofcourse he is no Shoaib Akhtarr that he would get any primma donna treatment like Shoaib Akhtar did, despite his fitness issues

 

[Mamoon]

Considering t20 world cup 2014 and Asia cup 2014 both took place in Bangladesh.. I don't see what the big fuss is all about..

IN the CT 2013, yes he underperformed, but considering out team was defending a miserly 170+ against the WI who had the likes of Gayle, Samuels, Bravo, Sammy in the side was asking bit too much of our bowling...

We then faced South Africa who managed 233 against us... again great bowling by Ajmal but if in this era you can't chase down 233 then you don't deserve to play any tournament..

Our final game was against India where we made 160 in 40 overs, in a rain hit game, which then changed to 25 overs if I'm not wrong... in the end it was useless trying to hate on the bowlers when the required run rate never had to cross 4 runs per over..

Which is the only major tournament Junaid has played in...

Definitely deserves another go... its still alot less than the opportunities the akmals have had over the years...

So it's okay to choke if both tournaments are played in Bangladesh. As far as the Champions Trophy is concerned, it was played in bowling-friendly conditions. Almost every pacer swung the ball miles, except for Junaid who couldn't move the ball an inch. His lack of skill was exposed in that tournament like never before. Even Chris Morris on his debut looked at a different level. He doesn't deserve another go because he hasn't earned it. He has been a failure in both domestic and international cricket since 2014, and doesn't have any credit left in the bank for his 2012-2013 performances.

 

[Shafi]

In my opinion, Pakistan's only chance is to bat first and score around 300, with the hope that Kohli will fail against Pakistan for a change, who has made us his little.....never mind. If India bat first, anything above 250 and we will crap our pants as usual. Their spinners will suffocate our right-handed middle-order into submission.

If we bat first it will be disaster. Our batsmen can't play swing ball even in inch. I am expecting under 150

 

[samiakh]

Bat first, bowl first or don't show up on the field. Play junaid or don't play junaid, green pitch or dry pitch, cloudy day or sunny day. Nothings going to matter folks. There is only one winner here and it ain't Pak. Unless of course the Almighty deems otherwise!

 

[todfod 11]

BCCI will muscle its power to get a flat deck.. Hence Amir Junaid and Hassan all of them will be nullified.

 

[waleed88]

So it's okay to choke if both tournaments are played in Bangladesh. As far as the Champions Trophy is concerned, it was played in bowling-friendly conditions. Almost every pacer swung the ball miles, except for Junaid who couldn't move the ball an inch. His lack of skill was exposed in that tournament like never before. Even Chris Morris on his debut looked at a different level. He doesn't deserve another go because he hasn't earned it. He has been a failure in both domestic and international cricket since 2014, and doesn't have any credit left in the bank for his 2012-2013 performances.

3 games is not enough to judge anyone... here people are blasting me coz I think Babar will not be Sir vivian or Virat Kohli, but even I have watched Babar Azam bat for 25 innings..

My point is 3 matches in a big tournament is not enough to rule out Junaid as a tournament choker... he is not going to bowl a spell like Wahab Riaz did in the World Cups... but lets not forget he has his own baggage... so you can chose the erraticness of Wahab... or military medium of Junaid, point is both bring their own poison with them... however on recent form Junaid deserves a chance ahead of Wahab..

And we all know that can change anytime... one good/bad performance and the other competitor will come in...

 

[waleed88]

So it's okay to choke if both tournaments are played in Bangladesh. As far as the Champions Trophy is concerned, it was played in bowling-friendly conditions. Almost every pacer swung the ball miles, except for Junaid who couldn't move the ball an inch. His lack of skill was exposed in that tournament like never before. Even Chris Morris on his debut looked at a different level. He doesn't deserve another go because he hasn't earned it. He has been a failure in both domestic and international cricket since 2014, and doesn't have any credit left in the bank for his 2012-2013 performances.

Quite an overstatement 'like never before'

Chris Morris on his debut was facing Kamran Akmal, Imran Farhat, Nasir Jamshed, Mohammad Hafeez and Shoaib Malik... all of them horribly out of form, and with no intention to win any game...

Junaid on the other hand was facing Devillers, Amla and the batting line up of South Africa... I'm pretty sure you can make out the difference...

Whereas you can see when Chris Morris was bowling to India in the same tournament... what happened to his figures..

It wasn't the pitch, but Saeed Ajmal who made our bowling line up relevant... we were a team who can't chase anything in those days, and Misbah was the only one who stood between victory and defat...

 

[IamIndian]

BCCI will muscle its power to get a flat deck.. Hence Amir Junaid and Hassan all of them will be nullified.

and Pakistan team will collapse to Bumrah/Shami/Bhuvi Grow up kid...

 

[mhraja]

Don't know how much damage Pakistani bowlers would do but Indian medium pacers will suck the life out of our top order for sure.

 

[Zak_Fan]

BCCI will muscle its power to get a flat deck.. Hence Amir Junaid and Hassan all of them will be nullified.

They are used to getting nullified on all sort of tracks, something that reflects in Pakistan's ranking.

 

[waleed88]

They are used to getting nullified on all sort of tracks, something that reflects in Pakistan's ranking.

India don't need to do much, if they are batting first just make sure they score above 250..

During Pakistan's chase just make sure that your bowl Pakistan enough dot balls in the first 10.. wickets will tumble on their own.. very soon they will be 130/5 in 30 overs... and then the chase will flop down because Pak don't have hard hitters..

If Pakistan bat first any total is chaseable by India.. so that is a lost cause either way... If I got a dollar for everytime I see Pak bat first against India and lose....

 

[todfod 11]

and Pakistan team will collapse to Bumrah/Shami/Bhuvi Grow up kid...

pakistan wont collaspe uncle ji but when it vomes to run feasting Indian bats will out score pak bats every day of the year.

 

[todfod 11]

They are used to getting nullified on all sort of tracks, something that reflects in Pakistan's ranking.

Again wrong... short memory please go back and check asia cup match btwn India and pakistan. Green top will surely give pak bowlers an upper hand

 

[WhenSultansBowled]

Pakistani ODI XI is at minnow level right now. I'll be surprised even if we manage to put a decent fight.

India's game to lose, IMO.

 

[Zak_Fan]

Again wrong... short memory please go back and check asia cup match btwn India and pakistan. Green top will surely give pak bowlers an upper hand

But it also gives India a far bigger advantage (please go back and check Asia Cup match).

 

[todfod 11]

But it also gives India a far bigger advantage (please go back and check Asia Cup match).

Yes I have checked apart from virat kohli no indian batsmen could stood up.. except for Yuvraj who struggled and Amir ran out of overs. No Indian batsmen apart from kohli and pujara has a technique to handle Amir in swinging conditions.

 

[JibranAnsari]

Junaid is a nothing bowler , hassan ali can take wickets but will be very expensive. Dont see amir taking wickets and can be relatively economical. So overall there is not much threat from these three. Pakistans batting will have to show up if we are to win and with azhar ali and shehzad opening the innings indian bowlers must be at ease.

 

[Zak_Fan]

Yes I have checked apart from virat kohli no indian batsmen could stood up.. except for Yuvraj who struggled and Amir ran out of overs. No Indian batsmen apart from kohli and pujara has a technique to handle Amir in swinging conditions.

Possible, but the same match also shows that Pakistan won't be crossing 100 runs on a green top... and India has enough batting to chase that total down quite easily. BCCI imo will encourage that.

 

[todfod 11]

Possible, but the same match also shows that Pakistan won't be crossing 100 runs on a green top... and India has enough batting to chase that total down quite easily. BCCI imo will encourage that.

I have no doubt that India will win.. but I M expecting a flat pitch tbh.

 

[Mobashir]

This is all a hypothesis. Kohli is out of form but always steps up in pressure games, especially vs Pakistan. And Junaid Khan is also in the worst form of his life.

Like he did in 2009 champions trophy? 2011 world cup? 2015 quarter and semi finals?

Or the pressure games are bilateral?

 

[Varun]

It's going to be very difficult for our batters.

English conditions might be the crucial ingredient the Pakistani bats need to roll through us like nine pins.

Not entertaining too much hope personally.

 

[Zak_Fan]

I have no doubt that India will win.. but I M expecting a flat pitch tbh.

Yeah, it will likely be a flat pitch, but I don't see BCCI dictating the nature of pitch. The trio are decent, but not as threatening.

 

[KhalidRafi]

0.1, Amir to Sharma, OUT. Oh! That's a huge wicket. Full delivery, pitching on the middle and straightens. Sharma, playing around it, and caught in the crease. Sharma, walks back for a first ball duck. Pakistan gets the early breakthrough.

I can see, Amir, clapping and stretching his hands in joy.

Rohit, post match: Amir, is an ordinary bowler.

Rohit Sharma is Amir's bunny. He's gotten out to him more than a few times so this is more than likely.

 

[Mamoon]

Quite an overstatement 'like never before'

Chris Morris on his debut was facing Kamran Akmal, Imran Farhat, Nasir Jamshed, Mohammad Hafeez and Shoaib Malik... all of them horribly out of form, and with no intention to win any game...

Junaid on the other hand was facing Devillers, Amla and the batting line up of South Africa... I'm pretty sure you can make out the difference...

Whereas you can see when Chris Morris was bowling to India in the same tournament... what happened to his figures..

It wasn't the pitch, but Saeed Ajmal who made our bowling line up relevant... we were a team who can't chase anything in those days, and Misbah was the only one who stood between victory and defat...

The quality of the opposition is irrelevant in this context. In good bowling conditions, a quality pacer who has the skill and ability to swing the ball will swing it regardless of whether he is playing against Australia or Kenya. The only difference is, Australia will be much better equipped to negate his skill compared to Kenya. Against Australia, he might end up with 1/50 and against Kenya, he might end up with 5/25, but it doesn't mean that he will not able to swing the ball vs Australia.

Here, we are not talking about why Junaid had inferior figures to Morris (which are self-explanatory) but the fact that the latter showed a lot more skill with the ball in the same conditions. Almost every pacer who could bowl with the new ball out-bowled Junaid in that tournament, but I singled out Morris because he is not a top bowler. Junaid simply does not have the skill and the wrist to swing the new ball. He just doesn't have it; he is in the mould of Umar Gul. He can seam the ball around at times, which he famously did on a chilly December morning in Chennai with an SG ball on a grassy wicket. In addition, he can also reverse the ball but he hasn't been able to do it in the last couple of years because his paced has dropped considerably after the injuries.

These days, Junaid is cannon-fodder and a complete waste of space with the new ball. No pace, no swing, no seam, no control and above all, no bowling intelligence. He is a captain's nightmare, much like Gul post 2011. Inzamam has made big blunders as selector, but this certainly has been his biggest one.