Pakistan vs Australia: Which of these teams will recover in time to CAPTURE World Cup glory in 2019?

[Usman Chadda]

No doubt U19 players will get better with time, but if you read my post it said "Just this year". From getting smacked by U19 batsmen in 2018 to winning the WC is 2019 would require a massive improvement.

Anyway, I don't get your point. Kohli did well in U19, Afridi did not do well in U19.

Was Kohli the BEST batsman in the tournament, as he is right now? As [MENTION=147314]topspin[/MENTION] pointed out, it was a certain Tanmay Srivastava who led the scoring charts. The current Indian captain improved as a player, and became the best there is at this moment.

Except the the highest run scorer was some nobody called Tanmay Srivastava. He's a failed cricketer now which shows how irrelevant the tournament is after a while.

I totally get where he is coming from and may have sounded reasonable if he was to make the statement right after the U19 WC final but to bring it up now? Shaheen isn't the same bowler he was then, he's better coached at international level and has kept up with the learning curve so far from his little exposure to international cricket.

I know. That was sarcasm. Shaheen has improved leaps and bounds from the U19WC, specially in-terms of his lengths and variations.

 

[Convict]

Australia is heading WI way and I dont see them being a force ever again. There are lots of sports in Australia which are more famous that cricket and youths are opting for them. As a result there is not good enough talent pool in shield cricket.

Cricket is the only sport that Pakistan is good at and every young kid aspires to become a cricketer. There will never be shortage of upcoming talents. Pak just need to sort out the administration side of their domestic cricket and they should be fine.

This is heavily exaggerated.

Talent is there. Technical coaching and approach to game is not.

That said no chance of winning the world cup next year.

 

[Hasan123]

I am not sure why the word "Recover" is related to AUS? They were never in slump to be honest. Yes, I agree they are ranked 6th now, but that just indicates that they performed poor in bilateral series.

I wrote it in their game thread last night - including Smith & Warner (they'll be back & back with a bang), 6, may be 7 spots are fixed and solid enough; they are rotating squad for the rest 4-5 spots. And, it's not that they don't have options, rather they have too many options, which makes it look like Aussies are struggling to find a combination.

Considering WC in ENG, as of now this is probably AUS's 16 men squad

1. Warner
2. Finch
3. Lynn
4. Smith*
5. Head
6. Mitch
7. Carey/Wade+ (One will make the squad, Ben Mcdermott is back-up WK)
8. Cummins
9. Strac
10. Zampa
11. Hazlewood
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Short, Maxwell, Stoinis, Tye, Ben Mcdermott (back-up WK as well)

If this squad needs to "recover" in a WC in UK, where they are assured of 9 games to make SF, I am sure there has to be at least 6 better squad than this in contemporary world.

Smith as captain? What were your thoughts on Finchs captaincy today ? Him or Smith for captaincy?

 

[BDfanforever]

I am not sure why the word "Recover" is related to AUS? They were never in slump to be honest. Yes, I agree they are ranked 6th now, but that just indicates that they performed poor in bilateral series.

I wrote it in their game thread last night - including Smith & Warner (they'll be back & back with a bang), 6, may be 7 spots are fixed and solid enough; they are rotating squad for the rest 4-5 spots. And, it's not that they don't have options, rather they have too many options, which makes it look like Aussies are struggling to find a combination.

Considering WC in ENG, as of now this is probably AUS's 16 men squad

1. Warner
2. Finch
3. Lynn
4. Smith*
5. Head
6. Mitch
7. Carey/Wade+ (One will make the squad, Ben Mcdermott is back-up WK)
8. Cummins
9. Strac
10. Zampa
11. Hazlewood
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Short, Maxwell, Stoinis, Tye, Ben Mcdermott (back-up WK as well)

If this squad needs to "recover" in a WC in UK, where they are assured of 9 games to make SF, I am sure there has to be at least 6 better squad than this in contemporary world.

This is still no where near 2015 Squad. No Mitchell johnson, Faulkner, Watson, Bailey, etc.

 

[rhony]

Whatever happened to Faulkner. That dude went from MOM in WC final to total Oblivion.

 

[Hawkeye]

That said no chance of winning the world cup next year.

Come on [MENTION=132373]Convict[/MENTION], where's the optimism?

Here everyone's ready to give Aus a chance because they're always good in tournaments, no matter the state of the team.

 

[MMHS]

Smith as captain? What were your thoughts on Finchs captaincy today ? Him or Smith for captaincy?

Doesn't matter much - Aussies won't backstab each other for captaincy; for that since the 1st great war AUS has appointed few Captains than what PCB did only in 90s. Both are tactically good, but Smith is a better player, so he leads in WC. If you have noticed the names from 1975 - Lloyd, Lloyd, Kapil, Border, Imran, Arjuna, Steve, Ponting, Ponting, MSD, Clarke .... that Cup doesn't go to every hand.

 

[MMHS]

This is still no where near 2015 Squad. No Mitchell johnson, Faulkner, Watson, Bailey, etc.

We have to compare with contemporary context and this AUS squad is damn good. Also, legends don't make WC, WC makes legend - there are few names who might end among ODI ATGs. Take the example of WC 1987 - before 08 Nov 1987, who were Geoff Marsh, David Boon, Dean Jones, Steve Waugh, Craig McDermott, Mike Valleta, Simon O'Donnell....?

That 2015 team actually won the WC before it started - gap was so big with the 2nd team. This team can compete the best of the best of contemporary cricket and they do have few super stars as well - Warner, Smith, Strac, Cummins, Josh ... can end among greats, Finch can be a T20 great also. Add Mitch, Head, Lynn, Carey hitting good form, this team is as good as any one there. Aussies play cricket with dirty mouth, but with skill, passion & spirit - they are a different team in WC - lots of similarities with Germany in Soccer.

 

[Aman]

Depends on the Semi Finals.

I think the Semi Finalists will be England, India, Australia and Pakistan.

From there it's anyone's game depending on the match ups.

Pakistan can beat England, I don't think they can beat Aus and the match against India would be 50-50.

India I think can beat Aus but they'll lose to England.

England can beat India, but I'd back Aus and Pakistan over them.

 

[Aman]

This is heavily exaggerated.

Talent is there. Technical coaching and approach to game is not.

That said no chance of winning the world cup next year.

If you still had Smith and Warner around, would you be more optimistic?

 

[Mamoon]

Earlier you were so pessimistic.

Pakistan needs a batting culture. A great bowler every 10-15 years will not change our status.

 

[Ab Fan]

[MENTION=147270]the_outsider[/MENTION], I told na that Pakistan will eventually make a comeback in this series and can win both the ODIs and eventually win the series. This is Pakistan for you.

Remember the T20 tri-series against Aus and Zim. They got humiliated in first T20 vs Australia when Pakistan suffered a collapse at very low score but look how they made a comeback and won tri-series.

Remember CT, got humiliated by India in league match and then made a phenomenal comeback,putting SA, England and India into dust.

There is a reason why our Bhaijaan, [MENTION=65183]freelance_cricketer[/MENTION] consider Pakistan as the greatest cricket nation ever.

I predict Pakistan to get humiliated in WC 2019 <B>by England</B> in a league match but they will eventually make a comeback and won the tournament, and Sarfaraz will eventually reclaim the feat only Imran achieved.

and India

 

[the_outsider]

[MENTION=147270]the_outsider[/MENTION], I told na that Pakistan will eventually make a comeback in this series and can win both the ODIs and eventually win the series. This is Pakistan for you.

Remember the T20 tri-series against Aus and Zim. They got humiliated in first T20 vs Australia when Pakistan suffered a collapse at very low score but look how they made a comeback and won tri-series.

Remember CT, got humiliated by India in league match and then made a phenomenal comeback,putting SA, England and India into dust.

There is a reason why our Bhaijaan, [MENTION=65183]freelance_cricketer[/MENTION] consider Pakistan as the greatest cricket nation ever.

I predict Pakistan to get humiliated in WC 2019 by England in a league match but they will eventually make a comeback and won the tournament, and Sarfaraz will eventually reclaim the feat only Imran achieved.

PCT is a good team. But if I am being honest, if the Aussies are firing, I don't see PCT as a top 4 team on paper . But if PCT reaches the semis then they can be as dangerous as any team out there.

But on paper I don't see PCT making it to the semis. Let's assume ENG, IND & AUS take 3 out of 4 spots.

That means PAK's competition will be against SA and NZ. In my opinion, SA seems the strongest side of these 3 because they have all bases covered and better quality players in every department compared to PAK & NZ.

In batting the SA middle order will play pace a lot better. Instead of Imam, SA have a dasher like de Kock who will instantly put pressure on Pak bowlers. Same with NZ openers (Guptill & Munroe) who are strokemakers.

And what PCT really lacks is good ol' fashion quick bowlers. Imagine the likes of Malik, Hafeez, Sarfraz, etc playing 30 overs from Steyn, Rabada and Ngidi in a chase of 300. Or even 270. I just don't see it happening.

But of course, I'm just guessing. I can turn out to be completely wrong.

But in my opinion, ENG, IND & SA are going to the semis. And if Australia pull their socks up, they will too. Pakistan will have to outplay minimum 2 teams out of SA, AUS & NZ which is going to be an uphill task.

 

[pakistani pride]

PCT is a good team. But if I am being honest, if the Aussies are firing, I don't see PCT as a top 4 team on paper . But if PCT reaches the semis then they can be as dangerous as any team out there.

But on paper I don't see PCT making it to the semis. Let's assume ENG, IND & AUS take 3 out of 4 spots.

That means PAK's competition will be against SA and NZ. In my opinion, SA seems the strongest side of these 3 because they have all bases covered and better quality players in every department compared to PAK & NZ.

In batting the SA middle order will play pace a lot better. Instead of Imam, SA have a dasher like de Kock who will instantly put pressure on Pak bowlers. Same with NZ openers (Guptill & Munroe) who are strokemakers.

And what PCT really lacks is good ol' fashion quick bowlers. Imagine the likes of Malik, Hafeez, Sarfraz, etc playing 30 overs from Steyn, Rabada and Ngidi in a chase of 300. Or even 270. I just don't see it happening.

But of course, I'm just guessing. I can turn out to be completely wrong.

But in my opinion, ENG, IND & SA are going to the semis. And if Australia pull their socks up, they will too. Pakistan will have to outplay minimum 2 teams out of SA, AUS & NZ which is going to be an uphill task.

Paper tigers?

On paper SA was expected to beat us both times when the teams faced off. CWC 2015 and CT 2017. Both times PAK won the game. SA is much weaker now. PAK if things click are dangerous during ICC events.

Also being played in the UK.
PAK will be there in the semis.

 

[Ab Fan]

PCT is a good team. But if I am being honest, if the Aussies are firing, I don't see PCT as a top 4 team on paper . But if PCT reaches the semis then they can be as dangerous as any team out there.

But on paper I don't see PCT making it to the semis. Let's assume ENG, IND & AUS take 3 out of 4 spots.

That means PAK's competition will be against SA and NZ. In my opinion, SA seems the strongest side of these 3 because they have all bases covered and better quality players in every department compared to PAK & NZ.

In batting the SA middle order will play pace a lot better. Instead of Imam, SA have a dasher like de Kock who will instantly put pressure on Pak bowlers. Same with NZ openers (Guptill & Munroe) who are strokemakers.

And what PCT really lacks is good ol' fashion quick bowlers. Imagine the likes of Malik, Hafeez, Sarfraz, etc playing 30 overs from Steyn, Rabada and Ngidi in a chase of 300. Or even 270. I just don't see it happening.

But of course, I'm just guessing. I can turn out to be completely wrong.

But in my opinion, ENG, IND & SA are going to the semis. And if Australia pull their socks up, they will too. Pakistan will have to outplay minimum 2 teams out of SA, AUS & NZ which is going to be an uphill task.

You are looking at them in terms of skill-wise. SA still have players with great skill but not always does the team with more skills wins. They are weaker this time but I still believe SA have got enough talent with de Kock, Markram, Amla, Faf, Miller, Steyn, Rabada and Tahir. However, at the end it is the result which matters.

Pakistan delivers when matters. They know how to fluke ICC tournaments. I back them as favourites against SA this time and also as favourites against NZ or England if the match is a Knockout. However, in the league game, England might beat Pakistan. For Pakistan, it is only about reaching semis. Once they get there, Sarfaraz name will be registered in the history of cricket world.

 

[the_outsider]

Paper tigers?

On paper SA was expected to beat us both times when the teams faced off. CWC 2015 and CT 2017. Both times PAK won the game. SA is much weaker now. PAK if things click are dangerous during ICC events.

Also being played in the UK.
PAK will be there in the semis.

While I can't see the future so I have to only go by "on paper".

I know Pak have beaten SA on the last 2 occasions. And they might do that again.

But on paper, SA's pace lineup of Steyn, Rabada and Ngidi seem too high quality for Pak batsmen who aren't very good players of pace.

And not just Pak, I expect that bowling lineup to trouble a lot of teams. Because, to me SA looks to have the most complete bowling lineup. They have express pace that will trouble a lot of batsmen (especially Asian batsmen). And they have two wrist spinners in Tahir and Shamzi who will trouble non-Asian batsmen.

So yes, on paper I am putting a SA ahead of Pak.

PS: as for Australia, they might get Smith and Warner back. But we don't know how rusty they will be having not played at the highest level for a year. And we don't know what kind of mental space they will be in. And perhaps more importantly, while they also have an excellent pace lineup, they also have the weakest spin department. So I think AUS will struggle in the middle overs if they don't pick 2-3 early wickets every game.

 

[the_outsider]

You are looking at them in terms of skill-wise. SA still have players with great skill but not always does the team with more skills wins. They are weaker this time but I still believe SA have got enough talent with de Kock, Markram, Amla, Faf, Miller, Steyn, Rabada and Tahir. However, at the end it is the result which matters.

Pakistan delivers when matters. They know how to fluke ICC tournaments. I back them as favourites against SA this time and also as favourites against NZ or England if the match is a Knockout. However, in the league game, England might beat Pakistan. For Pakistan, it is only about reaching semis. Once they get there, Sarfaraz name will be registered in the history of cricket world.

Yeah I agree with you there. If Pakistan reaches the semis then they are as much favourites to win the WC as any of the other 3 semi-finalists.

 

[Ab Fan]

It would be great if SA wins the WC and send shock-waves to the cricket world. This is the weakest they are but they have still got enough skill-sets but all comes down to how they deal with pressure situations.

I still believe it is something which is not resolved as can be visible by 2nd odi against Aus when they struggled to chase a total of 231 and couldn't get over the line in what was a close encounter.

Steyn, Rabada, Ngidi and Tahir is a fantastic bowling lineup but their ODI legacy will be established by performance in this WC. As of now, I didn't found Steyn or Rabada as that big a threat in ODIs as they have been in tests.

 

[Hasan123]

Doesn't matter much - Aussies won't backstab each other for captaincy; for that since the 1st great war AUS has appointed few Captains than what PCB did only in 90s. Both are tactically good, but Smith is a better player, so he leads in WC. If you have noticed the names from 1975 - Lloyd, Lloyd, Kapil, Border, Imran, Arjuna, Steve, Ponting, Ponting, MSD, Clarke .... that Cup doesn't go to every hand.

Smith shouldn't have been stripped of captaincy. He was a good captain.

 

[rhony]

It would be great if SA wins the WC and send shock-waves to the cricket world. This is the weakest they are but they have still got enough skill-sets but all comes down to how they deal with pressure situations.

I still believe it is something which is not resolved as can be visible by 2nd odi against Aus when they struggled to chase a total of 231 and couldn't get over the line in what was a close encounter.

Steyn, Rabada, Ngidi and Tahir is a fantastic bowling lineup but their ODI legacy will be established by performance in this WC. As of now, I didn't found Steyn or Rabada as that big a threat in ODIs as they have been in tests.

They deserve to win a WC based on history but not on current form. AB's departure is a huge setback. De Kock has regressed so much, it's a pity. Bowling and Fielding are ok but I believe their batting is in shambles. There is no way this SA team is winning the WC

 

[CricVet]

India most likely would exit out. Indian are Playing SA, AU, and NZ first up. All 3 of the opponents will prove tough in Eng. Tough luck Ind.

Pak is Playing WI, Eng, and SL in the first 3 games. Pak is capable of beating 2 of them, if not all 3. Pak chances of getting into Semis are much higher. Early wins can provide the momentum needed to do well and Vice versa.

My picks are. Pak, NZ, Eng, and Either of AU or SA in Semis. After that, it is a matter of only 2 games winning back to back. In Eng, Pak bowlers will shine and they are fully capable of lifting the trophy.

 

[MMHS]

I am not sure why the word "Recover" is related to AUS? They were never in slump to be honest. Yes, I agree they are ranked 6th now, but that just indicates that they performed poor in bilateral series.

I wrote it in their game thread last night - including Smith & Warner (they'll be back & back with a bang), 6, may be 7 spots are fixed and solid enough; they are rotating squad for the rest 4-5 spots. And, it's not that they don't have options, rather they have too many options, which makes it look like Aussies are struggling to find a combination.

Considering WC in ENG, as of now this is probably AUS's 16 men squad

1. Warner
2. Finch
3. Lynn
4. Smith*
5. Head
6. Mitch
7. Carey/Wade+ (One will make the squad, Ben Mcdermott is back-up WK)
8. Cummins
9. Strac
10. Zampa
11. Hazlewood
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Short, Maxwell, Stoinis, Tye, Ben Mcdermott (back-up WK as well)

If this squad needs to "recover" in a WC in UK, where they are assured of 9 games to make SF, I am sure there has to be at least 6 better squad than this in contemporary world.

Have to say, Aussies have recovered remarkably within few months and they are one the upward curve at the right time.

From the squad I posted, it's just 4.5 months since then and they have upgraded at least 6 spots, which is actually the core strength of their cricket.

1. Warner = Warner
2. Finch = *Finch
3. Lynn = Khwaja
4. Smith* = Smith
5. Head = Maxwell
6. Mitch = Stoinis
7. Carey/Wade+ = Carey+
8. Cummins = Cummins
9. Strac = Strac
10. Zampa = Zampa
11. Hazlewood = Hazlewood
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
12. Short = Handscomb+
13. Maxwell = Shaun/Turner
14. Tye = Jhye Richardson
15. Ben Mcdermott = Mitch/Turner/NCN

 

[Ronaldo7]

Have to say, Aussies have recovered remarkably within few months and they are one the upward curve at the right time.

From the squad I posted, it's just 4.5 months since then and they have upgraded at least 6 spots, which is actually the core strength of their cricket.

1. Warner = Warner
2. Finch = *Finch
3. Lynn = Khwaja
4. Smith* = Smith
5. Head = Maxwell
6. Mitch = Stoinis
7. Carey/Wade+ = Carey+
8. Cummins = Cummins
9. Strac = Strac
10. Zampa = Zampa
11. Hazlewood = Hazlewood
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
12. Short = Handscomb+
13. Maxwell = Shaun/Turner
14. Tye = Jhye Richardson
15. Ben Mcdermott = Mitch/Turner/NCN

6 wins and 18 losses is a slump but they've recovered very well.

 

[MMHS]

6 wins and 18 losses is a slump but they've recovered very well.

They were fooling around others. But yes, previous 2 decades they had the generation to make it 18W-6L with their reserves, those days are over.

 

[Suleiman]

Looks like I was right. Pakistan firm faves right now for a come from behind victory.

 

[saeedhk]

Looks like I was right. Pakistan firm faves right now for a come from behind victory.

What is the basis of your statement?How is Pakistan a firm favorite when we have lost against all top teams in the last two years. Currently, we are on par with Afghanistan. A mediocre ODI team.

 

[ARK Rafay]

Our ODI series against England will predict our WC journey.

If Pakistan performs similar to what they did vs South Africa I would say Pakistan cannot be discounted to reach semi's.

If Pakistan performs similar to what they did vs New Zealand in New Zealand. I would say we'll win 3 games at most in WC.

And it will be either of these like performance

 

[Hasan123]

Some of the posts on the 1st page are comical. Do not get why everyone was writing off Australia.

 

[The_Odd_One]

1. Warner
2. Finch (c)
3. Khawaja
4. Smith
5. Maxwell
6. Handscomb (wk)
7. M Marsh
8. Cummins
9. Starc
10. Hazlewood
11. Zampa

This team will beat every team except India and England comprehensively.

 

[Ronaldo7]

Our ODI series against England will predict our WC journey.

If Pakistan performs similar to what they did vs South Africa I would say Pakistan cannot be discounted to reach semi's.

If Pakistan performs similar to what they did vs New Zealand in New Zealand. I would say we'll win 3 games at most in WC.

And it will be either of these like performance

According to bookies, the odds for pak beating eng are the same as the odds that were placed for pak beating sa in sa. Now the odds for sa beating eng in eng are the same as the odds for pak beating eng in eng.
So a 3-2 loss is a very good possibility.