Pakistan vs South Africa | Faisalabad | 3rd ODI | 23/10/07 | SA Innings

[Hash]

Less than an hour until the start of the all important 3rd ODI in Faisalabad.

A crucial game here in front of a sell out crowd on a pitch which, by all accounts so far, is going to be an absolute belter. Couple that with the small boundaries and we could have a high scoring game on our hands.

Spin could be the key today.

 

[Mercenary]

I wonder if they'll swap Nazir for Hameed or Khalid. Probably Hameed.

 

[kablooee87]

Trying to decide whether or not I should stay up for this one. The match starts at 11 pm for me and I have work in the morning.

I think unless I fall asleep in the next 30 minutes, it's going to be an all-righter.

 

[Amir]

Some reason, I am really looking forward to this game moreso tthan any game on this tour. Probaly because I knwo the atmosphere is going to be unmatched.

 

[kablooee87]

From what I've read, Hameed will be coming in for sure and Afridi might even open.

Does anyone know if Asif is expected to play?

 

[Mercenary]

I hope they dont play Asif all tour, he's too valuable over the next two tours as a test bowler to waste in ODIs

 

[Asim2Good]

From what I've read, Hameed will be coming in for sure and Afridi might even open.

Does anyone know if Asif is expected to play?

don't think he expected to play as he is still not completely fit

 

[kablooee87]

I hope they dont play Asif all tour, he's too valuable over the next two tours as a test bowler to waste in ODIs

Agreed.

Although it's misleading to say "over the next two tours."

Australia's tour is still months away. Unless you mean Zimbabwe.

 

[Hash]

My boss is out of office today so I can follow the game on cricinfo and post here without worries!

 

[Hash]

Agreed.

Although it's misleading to say "over the next two tours."

Australia's tour is still months away. Unless you mean Zimbabwe.

without Asif we will definitely lose against Zimbabwe.

 

[darkmoon459]

Any news on team selection or any changes for 3 ODI.

 

[Hash]

Any news on team selection or any changes for 3 ODI.

Yasir Hameed in for Shahid Afridi.

 

[darkmoon459]

Yasir Hameed in for Shahid Afridi.

really thats will be a nice change and we might end up putting up a decent total .

 

[Hash]

really thats will be a nice change and we might end up putting up a decent total .

 

[umarbs]

SA batting first after winning the toss

 

[Hash]

SA batting first after winning the toss

The pitch wont change.

The only previous day nighter in Faisalabad was won by the side chasing (us).

 

[161]

oooffffaaaa ... we've gotten such bad luck with tosses recently.

 

[Lightning]

Man SA has been lucky with the toss on this tour. That's 4 out of 5!

 

[Hash]

oooffffaaaa ... we've gotten such bad luck with tosses recently.

hopefully it all comes flooding back to us in India!

 

[kablooee87]

As expected the only change is Hameed in for Nazir.

 

[darkmoon459]

balter of a wicket and SA batting first , guess 350 is on the board.

 

[from_da_lost_dim3nsion]

*** ?no new guy ?why ????????

 

[Hash]

*** ?no new guy ?why ????????

pardon?

 

[hellopak]

The 22 yard strip to be used for this game is a very dry track but there aren't many cracks around. The pace might not remain consistent with the odd one keeping low as well. The batsmen will relish their batting on this track but only during the first half of the game and as per Waqar Younis, you might very well see some reverse swing working for the quickies too.

 

[the true passionist]

Faisalabad pitch typically slows down and turns as the match progresses. It will be key for Pakistan not to concede too many and negotiate Both well when we bat.

 

[Indiafan]

so its confirmed, afridi will open for Pak!

 

[from_da_lost_dim3nsion]

pardon?

tht guy who was gonna play in place of hafeez!

 

[from_da_lost_dim3nsion]

how much longer tyill the game starts?

 

[darkmoon459]

Malik says Shahid Afridi will open.

SA will put up a good total and pakista needs a flier of a start and afridi might do it if the planets are aligned and the cosmic forces are in pakistans favor.

 

[Hash]

how much longer tyill the game starts?

about 30 seconds by my watch (not that I am wearing one)

 

[darkmoon459]

starting now ,gul to start for pakistan.

 

[the true passionist]

I dont like the strategy of Afridi opening...but i guess he will swap places with Akmal.

Afridi can actually be more valuable down the order.

 

[hellopak]

If Gul could keep his line and length tight to Gibbs, it could help in Tanvir favour against left hand Smith.

 

[darkmoon459]

Good start from gully .

 

[Hash]

Maiden to begin with. Good start.

At this rate we will be chasing 1 run in 50 overs to win the match at a RRR of 0.02

 

[Daoud]

Afridi is usually more effective batting up the order when chasing - the team just tends to bat slowly expecting him to come in and fix everything and he ends up failing.

 

[darkmoon459]

well timed drive from smith for 4.

 

[inzibhai]

hahha smith playing at the SR of 200....ok now you've done your job...now lets get out...

 

[inzibhai]

lud appeal against smith....wow ...lets see

 

[Hash]

another 4

Sohail getting creamed in his first over

 

[161]

hmmn tanvir getting the ball to swing away from smith..

 

[inzibhai]

good decision....going down the leg....

 

[darkmoon459]

and an other drive for 4 ,

 

[kablooee87]

Woah Tanveer is actually swinging both ways!! Didn't think that was possible with his action.

 

[kablooee87]

Expensive over from Tanveer. Started off a bit too wide. But recovered well for a good LBW shout and then an edge.

 

[darkmoon459]

10 runs off sohails first over ,SA 10/0 after2 overs.

 

[inzibhai]

dont you guys think Smith did his job and should get out now....he has score at more then 200 sr and should get out now......at least thats the mantra for our batsmen....

 

[kablooee87]

Straight drive for 4. Gul was too full there.

 

[from_da_lost_dim3nsion]

good decision form the umpire,mannnnnnn waqar has really improved, he is giving in detail analysis and all , not like some other pak comms that just state the obvious

 

[kablooee87]

Aside from that full ball, another good over from Gul. If Tanveer can bowl tight here some pressure will be really on.

 

[Hash]

14 for 0 after 3. Solid start for South Africa.

 

[kablooee87]

ooh what a peach from Sohail. Keep it up boy.

 

[darkmoon459]

good decision form the umpire,mannnnnnn waqar has really improved, he is giving in detail analysis and all , not like some other pak comms that just state the obvious

Just wait until chacha Zaheer comes on to comm.

 

[kablooee87]

Smith getting ticked off by the sight screen.

 

[161]

sohail's biggest problem seems to be his control.

 

[inzibhai]

and look at Malik he has block that cover drive for Smith....Misbah out of first slip and in the short cover....already stop a 4...good move

 

[kablooee87]

Wide full toss to end the over. Smith should have put that away.

 

[Pathan007]

tanveer is wayward. giving extras.

 

[kablooee87]

19-0 after 4

 

[Pathan007]

sohail's biggest problem seems to be his control.

spot on!

 

[darkmoon459]

tanveer is showing no control at all in this spell ,SA 19/0 after 4 gone.

 

[Hash]

19 for 0 after 4

 

[from_da_lost_dim3nsion]

sohail with experience could be a good bowler 4 pak

 

[kablooee87]

Gul has been bowling in the right areas and getting a little movement too. But his pace hasn't been great so he's not looking dangerous.

Gibbs cursing because of the sight screen.

 

[kablooee87]

Waqar is on fire today. Making some great points. Making me wish he was still our bowling coach.

 

[kablooee87]

Another maiden from Gul. The last ball could easily have been played onto the stumps.

 

[Pathan007]

afridi will open tonight. hope he fire or else Pak will have big prob chasing down the total on this low n slow wicket.

 

[FAM]

Just one wide in 5 overs. Some improvement.

 

[kablooee87]

Tanveer trying to do too much.

Waqar knows EXACTLY what he's doing it wrong and pointing it out.

 

[from_da_lost_dim3nsion]

gul is our yorker man!!this guy can bowl yorkers almost at will , with very little margin of error

 

[Pathan007]

poor bowling from tanny. trying too many things according to waqi

 

[Hash]

SA 19 for 0 after 5 overs.

Decent start for both teams. SA have not lost a wicket but have been kept reasonably quiet with a run rate of just 3.80 per over.

 

[inzibhai]

afridi will open tonight. hope he fire or else Pak will have big prob chasing down the total on this low n slow wicket.


yeah without Afridi, our batting sucks......his 4 runs at the sr of 200 are very impt...he saved us so many time in the 250 odi he has played so far...i wonder what we will do when he retire?

 

[Hash]

Just one wide in 5 overs. Some improvement.

105 in the next 45

 

[kablooee87]

ooh ball almost played on!!

Seems like a breakthrough is close. Hopefully we can capitalize.

 

[Pathan007]

geoff lawson has been p i$$ poor ever since he has taken. he hasn't done anything abt the bowling. extras have been alot. can't believe he was a bowler.

 

[161]

waqar making some good points here .. tanvir is experimenting a bit too much .. better that he sticks with his stock delivery.

and on a side note .. we really could use vicky back as bowling coach.

 

[kablooee87]

Now Smith charges and plays a wild slog. Misses.

Tanveer has choice words.

21-0 after 6

 

[darkmoon459]

decent over from tanveer ,

 

[Pathan007]

waqar making some good points here .. tanvir is experimenting a bit too much .. better that he sticks with his stock delivery.

and on a side note .. we really could use vicky back as bowling coach.

yup, bcz lawson making no difference.