fight_club
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I have been somehow trying to shrug off eerie similarities between Pakistan glorious World Cup Winning Campaign in 1992 and this edition. While its does soar hopes of Pakistan fans and little Romanticisation is rather healthy. What is a world cup without nostalgia after all.
However, I would like to keep it dry and objective in my analysis of this knockout game for Pakistan. I dare say both team starts as equal, don't worry about guessing favorites but focus rather on the many layers and sub layers of this enticing encounter.
Who has the momentum: New Zealand got relatively easier games to kick start their impressive campaign but are yet to tested by a better all round team. Their previous match against West indies must have scared the little Micky out of them for sure
To their credit they held on to it by the a thin margin of literally few inches in the end to emerge as winners but many weakness stood out like sour thumb.
'The Good the bad and the Ugly" A Movie title aptly describe Pakistan performance in this tourney so far. It's not just the events on the field but off field drama the regular assortments which follows Pakistan like a dark shadow in major Tournaments has not left its ugly shadow without scarring their souls.
They have been thrashed, shamed, made fun of and abused. Top bollywood Producers will queue up outside Sarfaraz door their is so much juice flowing in the alley.
Surely nothing can get worst than whatever they have already undergone so its not really a surprise that they strolled through the park against SA.
Batting:
Surprisingly Pakistan holds a little advantage over Kiwis here. After what feels like 1000 years they really have a solid base and lots of class in their Top order. They have been able to post totals in excess of 300 with alarming regularity off late and you can not discount the fact with Haris Sohail in the groove the entire batting will take lots of heart and will free them to play their natural game.
Except, their opening game against Lanka they have lost their openers within 15 overs in all other games in the last one they lost them in consecutive deliveries it exposes Williamson early and sooner or later they will have to pay for it. Late order is dangerous but not consistent and its weak against Spin.
Kiwis might be thinking about getting Blundell however Amir Inswing may just tilt the scale in the favor of Munro.
Rossy has looked in great touch and he along with Williamson will have to do heavy lifting with the bat hoping for some support from the rest.
Kiwis batting will face its sternest test tomorrow and it does look relatively fickle
Bowling: Tim southee can't break into this team on conditions which are tailor made for him. Such is the edge this dangerous Kiwi pace attack possess. This Kiwi Pace Attack is the best of the tournament and I can stick my neck out and say that even if Starcy and company protest.
I can bet my last buck had Kiwis bowled today at lords in those conditions they would have eaten alive any opposition. India will vouch for the fact when they ran into Kiwi Pace battery on helpful surface in their warm up.
Lockie Ferfuson is the X factor of this world class pace attack. If you have managed to survive Boult and Henry opening burst the game just goes another level up with Lethal pace and bounce of Lockie who I really suspect is possessed by a West Indian Fast bowler Soul.
Pakistan can expect lots and lots of chin music.
If that has not cracked your skull yet wait their is more. Colin and Jimmy are perfectly capable of keeping it tight while exploiting any juice and batsmen if left by their premier pacers. Santner is not Saint either and he keeps it very tight actually he happens to be the most economical Spinner
You really have to be absolutely at top of you game to survive this attack or lucky to play on an absolute belter.
Pakistan does has an edge in spin but its third Seamer where worry lies
Shaheen is a fine bowler but is very young and has lost bit of confidence
Pakistan must back him up and use him judiciously. He Bowled a very good 1st spell against SA and hit the right length. Shaheen should look to get wickets in his opening spell.
Amir has grown in confidence with every outing but his opening spells have been bit underwhelming drawing few victims. He has been guilty of bowling a little short in his opening spell. Aussies Left arm Duo today gave everyone a display of what should be your length with the new ball while England paid for not pitching it up.
Pakistan is in do or die battle and wickets upfront from the Leader is expected. I would be very disappointed if Amir does not pitch it up and let it Swing. Wahab can do what Starcy does with the old ball and he was at his best getting it to reverse with pace.
"Any ship can sink in the middle"
India has shown the world value of having Quality and attacking Spinners in the middle overs. Imad and Shahdab looks more assured and in control
They will give an edge to Pakistan attack against Kiwis. Hafeez and Sohail can also chip in with few.
Pakistan has good overall attack where as Kiwis have a screamer of a pace attack.
Fielding: So, Lets move on to the next quickly...
New Zealand Strategy: Blow Pakistan top order with new ball. Use lots of bouncers and get them to pull.
Pakistan Strategy: Bat first no matter what. One of the top five must make a big score. Don't fall into pull trap be judicious about shot selection
Look to play full 50 overs don't worry about scoring too high.
Attack with spin and try to get Kane out early.
Pitch and conditions: Kiwis have already played on this surface and it surely is a difficult one. might just get a little better but certainly not a high scoring surface. Overhead conditions will be very helpful for pacers early on.
Word for Captains:
Sarfaraz, Win the toss and bat first and no matter what don't yawn
Williamson: Not again
Fight_club
However, I would like to keep it dry and objective in my analysis of this knockout game for Pakistan. I dare say both team starts as equal, don't worry about guessing favorites but focus rather on the many layers and sub layers of this enticing encounter.
Who has the momentum: New Zealand got relatively easier games to kick start their impressive campaign but are yet to tested by a better all round team. Their previous match against West indies must have scared the little Micky out of them for sure
To their credit they held on to it by the a thin margin of literally few inches in the end to emerge as winners but many weakness stood out like sour thumb.
'The Good the bad and the Ugly" A Movie title aptly describe Pakistan performance in this tourney so far. It's not just the events on the field but off field drama the regular assortments which follows Pakistan like a dark shadow in major Tournaments has not left its ugly shadow without scarring their souls.
They have been thrashed, shamed, made fun of and abused. Top bollywood Producers will queue up outside Sarfaraz door their is so much juice flowing in the alley.
Surely nothing can get worst than whatever they have already undergone so its not really a surprise that they strolled through the park against SA.
Batting:
Surprisingly Pakistan holds a little advantage over Kiwis here. After what feels like 1000 years they really have a solid base and lots of class in their Top order. They have been able to post totals in excess of 300 with alarming regularity off late and you can not discount the fact with Haris Sohail in the groove the entire batting will take lots of heart and will free them to play their natural game.
Except, their opening game against Lanka they have lost their openers within 15 overs in all other games in the last one they lost them in consecutive deliveries it exposes Williamson early and sooner or later they will have to pay for it. Late order is dangerous but not consistent and its weak against Spin.
Kiwis might be thinking about getting Blundell however Amir Inswing may just tilt the scale in the favor of Munro.
Rossy has looked in great touch and he along with Williamson will have to do heavy lifting with the bat hoping for some support from the rest.
Kiwis batting will face its sternest test tomorrow and it does look relatively fickle
Bowling: Tim southee can't break into this team on conditions which are tailor made for him. Such is the edge this dangerous Kiwi pace attack possess. This Kiwi Pace Attack is the best of the tournament and I can stick my neck out and say that even if Starcy and company protest.
I can bet my last buck had Kiwis bowled today at lords in those conditions they would have eaten alive any opposition. India will vouch for the fact when they ran into Kiwi Pace battery on helpful surface in their warm up.
Lockie Ferfuson is the X factor of this world class pace attack. If you have managed to survive Boult and Henry opening burst the game just goes another level up with Lethal pace and bounce of Lockie who I really suspect is possessed by a West Indian Fast bowler Soul.
Pakistan can expect lots and lots of chin music.
If that has not cracked your skull yet wait their is more. Colin and Jimmy are perfectly capable of keeping it tight while exploiting any juice and batsmen if left by their premier pacers. Santner is not Saint either and he keeps it very tight actually he happens to be the most economical Spinner
You really have to be absolutely at top of you game to survive this attack or lucky to play on an absolute belter.
Pakistan does has an edge in spin but its third Seamer where worry lies
Shaheen is a fine bowler but is very young and has lost bit of confidence
Pakistan must back him up and use him judiciously. He Bowled a very good 1st spell against SA and hit the right length. Shaheen should look to get wickets in his opening spell.
Amir has grown in confidence with every outing but his opening spells have been bit underwhelming drawing few victims. He has been guilty of bowling a little short in his opening spell. Aussies Left arm Duo today gave everyone a display of what should be your length with the new ball while England paid for not pitching it up.
Pakistan is in do or die battle and wickets upfront from the Leader is expected. I would be very disappointed if Amir does not pitch it up and let it Swing. Wahab can do what Starcy does with the old ball and he was at his best getting it to reverse with pace.
"Any ship can sink in the middle"
India has shown the world value of having Quality and attacking Spinners in the middle overs. Imad and Shahdab looks more assured and in control
They will give an edge to Pakistan attack against Kiwis. Hafeez and Sohail can also chip in with few.
Pakistan has good overall attack where as Kiwis have a screamer of a pace attack.
Fielding: So, Lets move on to the next quickly...
New Zealand Strategy: Blow Pakistan top order with new ball. Use lots of bouncers and get them to pull.
Pakistan Strategy: Bat first no matter what. One of the top five must make a big score. Don't fall into pull trap be judicious about shot selection
Look to play full 50 overs don't worry about scoring too high.
Attack with spin and try to get Kane out early.
Pitch and conditions: Kiwis have already played on this surface and it surely is a difficult one. might just get a little better but certainly not a high scoring surface. Overhead conditions will be very helpful for pacers early on.
Word for Captains:
Sarfaraz, Win the toss and bat first and no matter what don't yawn
Williamson: Not again
Fight_club
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